Maisie Brooks

35 𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘ Romy's mom 𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘ Baker

[maisiebrooksbakes]

( Adelaide Kane /  35 / she/her / not local / January 19th )

MAISIE BROOKS has been spotted in town. They have been living here for 3 YEARS in MAPLE ROW.They are EMPATHETIC and SCATTERED, as far as newcomers should be concerned when approaching them at SPOONFUL OF SUGAR where they work as BAKER. 

The oldest child role is one Maisie always took very seriously, to protect and nurture her younger siblings it was hardly a surprise that she always had a maternal side. If one of them needed a sandwich for a school club that had been forgotten by their mom it was Maisie who made it for them, or if they needed to be picked up from a friends house when they no longer wanted to stay the night from homesickness, Maisie with her new driving license would waste no time in scooping them up without judgment or fuss. It was just the role she naturally took without anyone asking her to, quietly slipping into it like it was something she was totally born to do. Their mum was a hoverer at the best of times but with Maisie she always knew her other three children were in more than safe hands. Their dad was a quiet suburban protector who took his role of providing for his family very seriously which was in all likelihood where Maisie got it from, you didn’t need to ask your older sister, she would just be there. 

Even when she’d moved out the house into her own apartment at the age of twenty there was often a younger sibling there at least a few nights a week wanting to be fed or just a space to vent about whatever stressed them out. And Maisie was more than happy to provide that. Her dream of culinary school wasn’t something that came easily so she began by doing a hospitality management degree at the nearest university to their home in Australia which she got through with flying colours making sure to ace every single module, there was that perfectionist streak coming through all over again. She just couldn’t help herself. Everything had to be done to the highest possible standard and that was a streak that would become her biggest asset and greatest downfall all in one go. 

When she landed a spot at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York it felt like everything was falling into place. Sure she was an epically long way from home which made her homesick a large percentage of the time but by throwing herself into cooking and more importantly the baking portion of the course, she kept herself distracted. Doing her best to have a social life alongside relentless studying and practicing which lead her to bring every single person who crossed in her field of vision something to eat - so nothing too different to how she’d behaved back in Australia to be honest. 

When she found out her brother was expecting a baby with his wife, she wanted to be there for him, so she moved to Ennora to be nearer to her closest family member, her twin brother Benji just after his son was born. It was while she was here that she met Santiago, a men in a bar that seemed just too good to be true, at least through the wine goggles she was wearing that night. Caring, attentive, sure he was a little older than her but with age came experience which was probably how come they ended up conceiving their daughter so easily...if you know you know. Neither of them had been planning on a baby, let alone from what was effectively a one night stand, but it was exactly what they got. Nine months later on January 7th 2026 Romy Brooks was born and Maisie's life was turned upside down, not just because Santiago missed the birth for reasons she was yet to find out. Devastated didn't even begin to cover how she felt about that but she thanked her lucky stars everyday she had her twin brother by her side regardless because to her he was a total rock. Together with Thomas and Romy they made their own haphazard family, all looking out for each other. Even now she was convinced given the chance she could save Santiago from his demons, but that wasn't something he seemed very open to letting her do. Not thus far anyway.

She now works at Spoonful of Sugar as a baker alongside being a mother and running her own bespoke event cake company where she is able to let her creative streak out making the most elaborate cakes her customers could possibly imagine. Through everything Maisie still somehow manages to remain empathetic, positive, and a hopeless romantic. Sure she can be emotional at times, crying a daily activity for a plethora of different reasons, but god damn the girl tries her damndest to be a good friend, sister, mother, and employee through everything. Even when she fails she will get up to try again - relentless to a fault. If you need a friend, a mother figure, or a sounding board she will be there in a heartbeat…and probably bring snacks. 

Connections/Wanted Connections:

Younger sister: Colleague: Confidant: Babysitter for Romy: Flirtaionship: Found Family: Right place wrong time: Sexual awakening?:

[littlesugarnspice]

[maisiebrooksbakes]

a moodboard for maisie & dom! (i'm too lazy to look for the emoji 😭)

[maisiebrooksbakes]

(╹◡╹)凸 (FOR HIRO AND MAISIE)

[hllboymglds]

✗ bringing them alcohol - maisie to hiro

"Sick," Hiro chuckles as he appraises the wine bottle Maisie gave him. He's not usually a wine kinda guy but he can see why she'd thought of him when getting this one. It's a dark green bottle with a grey label in bold thick font that says: Metal Bender. He points to it and then to himself, "Like me," for he too is a metal bender. "Thanks, Maisie," as he pulls her in for a warm embrace. "This is awesome. Will you finally let me cook you dinner now to go with it? Can't promise it'll be as good as your pasta but..." The rest hangs off into a chuckle.

@maisiebrooksbakes

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Is it easier to forgive or forget?

"Forgive....I think. It's impossible to forget if you don't forgive in the first place because the resentment will fester in the back of your mind, so one isn't an available option without the other. Plus forgiving for me is much more valuable, maybe i'm too forgiving I know i've been told that before but people make mistakes and that's why forgiving is a thing in the first place."

[maisiebrooksbakes]

♒ - cooking/food headcanon (maisie and hiro)

If Maisie notices that Hiro hasn't come round for dinner recently, or that he's been super busy, she'll make a lasagna that can easily be put in tupperwear. Then she'll leave it on the hood of his van with a little post it note on it like the one below. It's also her secret way of letting him know she misses when they hang out and cook together or have a bite to eat.

[maisiebrooksbakes]

 Have you ever stayed up 48 hours?

"Well my labor with Romy was nearly that long, plus that first night after she was born I didn't sleep I just looked at her like a loon so yes, I have absolutely stayed up 48 hours!"

[maisiebrooksbakes]

 (╹◡╹)凸 (with Santi)

@littlesugarnspice

[hllboymglds]

Hiro takes his coffee black and so once he rejoins Maisie at the counter, he simply pulls the warm mug closer to warm his hands around it with no additions other than a softly uttered thanks in her direction. "Mm.. something exciting?" An amused scoff leaves his throat, "You say that like you're stuck in here all day," only half joking. The full responsibility or parenthood is not something Hiro ever truly understood. It was only something he glimpsed in passing when he would go to a friend's house to visit or when he was living as a stranger with someone else's family. Parenthood and family had always been a photo album to Hiro, a collection of snapshots and freeze framed moments. Everyone's always seemed to full. He always felt like his album was missing pages.

"Things have been good. Oh, I started going to that gym near here. Bolt's? Met the owner. That guy is fucking ripped," and then he cast a glance quickly behind him and lowered his voice, "Sorry. I mean, he's ripped," amending his statement to remove the profanity since there was a young one present. "He has a motorcycle too so we started chatting about that. Then.." thoughtfulness pulls his lips to the side as he considers what else has happened to him recently that would be worthy enough to share, "oh, yeah. You know that car that kept parking way too close to me? Figured out who it was. Some woman named Daphne." He leans against the counter casually taking a gulp of coffee to keep himself from admitting he had keyed the shit out of her car in response. But it's fine. Probably. They made plans to hang out later. Seems she didn't take it personally.

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Maisie probably should have remembered he didn’t need creamer from the other times they’d had coffee but if she was being honest being a new mom crammed her mind with so many things it had just slipped it this one time. No doubt she’d realise at some point during their conversation and chastise herself over the fact for weeks, but for now she was blissfully unaware. “Yeah! Something exciting! I feel like I’m stuck in here all day, and if not that I’m certainly stuck in a baby cycle right now. Feed, sleep, change, then it’s time to feed again, if I go out it’s only to work or for a walk, nothing fun going on in this house.” She chuckled, hearing the baby start to make little noises from her bassinet so her mother went over to check on her, hand resting gently on the little one’s chest to sooth her before taking a seat on the chair nearby. She wasn’t fully awake but signs were pointing towards that happening soon enough. 

“The owner? Oh I bet he is! Kinda like how because I run a bakery I’m shaped like a squishy pastry, you have to represent what you’re selling right?” She was only joking of course, most of her squishiness came from having just had a baby - plus no one ever had to look like anything in her opinion regardless of where they worked. Taking a sip of her own coffee she rose her eyebrows as he mentioned the name of the woman who’d been parking too close to him, a mystery that had been going on a while. Kind of like Ennora’s version of murder she wrote, just without a murder and … less dramatic maybe. Still, Maisie had enjoyed it. “Daphne? Noted! So is she going to stop parking so close to you? I’m sure once she found out it was a problem she was receptive to changing.” Any normal person should be, she knew she would - then again she was too nice for her own good. “Also tell me about Hawaii please! I’m dying to know about those crystal clear waters.” 

[littlesugarnspice]

At her words, Santiago had to simply shake her head. He wished that this child would have none of him... none of the desire to avoid real talk, none of the addictive nature that he had found out about himself these past years, none of the emotional weakness... It was sad to admit that, despite not being there too much, he had still managed to pass it to his sons. "I think she would be perfect if she took after you..." he said, but a smile crept on his lips as she described him with words he was sure that no one else would. He sometimes had to stop and wonder how and why she saw those things. Wished he could see them too. He frowned at the next part, though... he should be there - helping... "Does she wake a lot?" he asked.

It was lovely to walk like this... reminiscent of a different time. Though... it had nothing on the other time. He felt warmth that he rarely had before, or perhaps he had long since forgotten it. This was one of the things he loved about Maisie. She was like an angel of kindness. He'd never said it and wasn't sure if he would be able to... but he thought about it when she was around. "I'd never judge you," he shook his head, looking to her with his brows half-raised.

"Yes, all the good traits," he repeated, smile a bit softer but still a tinge of sadness in there. That sadness seldom seemed to go away. He turned back to Romy for a few seconds, watching her sleeping face. He had talked to Maisie a lot during her pregnancy, when they were around. Would she actually remember? "Maybe we can see when she's awake if she will?" he asked, answering his own question with a question, but it was also connected to Maisie's words. They slowly walked down the crunchy, snowy alley. "What about you? How are you?" he asked, knowing that was rarely asked when a baby was present.

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Maisie wasn’t going to let it go though, because she truly believed in those things about Santiago and she wasn’t about to change that for anything, even his own lack of self belief. In her eyes if the man didn’t believe what she was saying then she simply had to believe it harder to make up for it. As if it was just that easy. “She’s going to be perfect either way, I’m not worried.” The brunette mused as she leant across to gently move the hat out of their daughter’s eyes, smiling softly at her tiny face, because she was already sheer perfection. “She does, a fair bit, mainly if I try to put her down to sleep. She loves to contact sleep so if she’s on my chest she’ll snooze for ages, but if I put her down in her bassinet I better be sure the little rocket thing is making it shake gently to keep her asleep.” 

As they walked through the park arm in arm she couldn’t help but lean her head against his arm, their hight difference meaning it was just below the man’s shoulder, which in her opinion was perfect. Allowing her to look at the baby while still being close - like they were a proper family for a second. Maisie let herself daydream that this was just daily life. They were just taking one of the many walks the two of them would take everyday, even if that was far from factual it made her chest feel warm while she daydreamed. Only coming back to herself when he spoke. “No? Okay, thank you. I just feel like I need to warn you, even I was shocked with how hungry breastfeeding makes me. I can house a meal for two in record time.” Lips twitching as she tried to suppress a cheeky grin. 

Eyes lighting up she pulled away from him enough to look up and meet his gaze, smiling. “Yeah? Let’s do it! I bet she’ll remember. And even if she doesn’t she’ll just love being in your arms, she’ll know she’s safe.” As if it was totally obvious, head going side to side as she looked at the trees lining the path they were walking down, humming under her breath. “Me? I’m good. I’m…navigating this whole new life which is taking a bit of a moment to wrap my head around but I think I’m getting there slowly. It helps that we created the most perfect beautiful baby in the world so even in the middle of the night when she’s screaming the place down the whole thing still seems worth it. I do like those moments I get back into the bakery though - it gives me some normality, like ‘oh look, everything is still here, there has just been a little addition’ you know? How about you?"

[littlesugarnspice]

"I think that is called baby brain..." Milvi half-asked, half-stated. Now that was something she had seen in one of the few movies she had watched in her life, not read in a book. "Plus, the mixing bowl... and plus lack of sleep. You're very much forgiven for having a strange moment in time," the brunette assured the other with a soft tone.

She listened to Maise explain her feelings, unsure if she could completely relate but... also fully doing so. She was trying to become a new Milvi, purposefully. The old one having brought on too many issues in her life, too much pain. "I think I get it," she said, with a soft smile. "It takes time to get used to new things, especially when they are so big. So I understand. "

[maisiebrooksbakes]

“Baby brain! Then I have that in spades. It’s all just feeling very scrambled, but not in a bad way. Well, not always in a bad way. Sometimes it feels a bit lonely when I’m there in the middle of the night with Romy refusing to sleep and the darkness just feels like it’s going on forever but the thing is it never does. The sun always rises, and the little terror always falls asleep.” Taking another sip of her drink, appreciating the way there was no judgment in Milvi’s tone. She was creating a space to allow the new mom to talk about how this really was for her instead of pretending it was all sunshine and roses which was…new for Maisie but she felt it made it easier to breath for a second. 

“It does, but I’ll get there. Thank you for this. Just coming and having a drink with me to keep my company which I scrabble my way through all this baby stuff. Makes things feel a bit more normal.” A tired smile crossed her face, she set the mug down on the table and peeked under the muslin over Romy to check she was feeding correctly before turning properly back to the conversation. “What about you? This guy you were maybe seeing but not seeing and I couldn’t know his name etc, how is all that going? Without divulging and kind of confidential information of course!” 

[heartfells]

⸻          closed starter.   maisie @maisiebrooksbakes ⸻          location.   spoonful of sugar

over the course of the last couple of months, spoonful of sugar had become something of a sanctuary. he frequently found himself venturing inside whenever it became too daunting to stay put in his apartment— one that felt entirely too big and empty for just himself. his thoughts had a tendency to get the better of him as well, leaving him with the bitter conclusion that he'd much rather preemptively avoid any kind of spiral than deal with its ruinous aftermath.

then, of course, there was the owner. always greeted him with a warmth he'd long been starved of— one he didn't really believe he deserved. "did you change the recipe?" his eyes widened ever so slightly, gaze shifting from the chocolate muffin to maisie. "whatever you did, you're a miracle worker. it's fucking delicious."

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Maisie loved her regulars, they anchored her to what she loved about a small town, and Dom was no exception to that. When he first came in she treated him with kindness as she did everyone that graced the small store but over time they got to know each other better. She suconciously tracked the things he would order most often, remembered his drink order, and then after a while started greeting him by name - once introductions were done of course. 

Today his comment caught her off guard but quickly had her beaming, always thrilled when people noticed the subtle differences she made to her recipes. She’d noticed he had been ordering one of two things a lot recently, the sour cherry scone, and a chocolate muffin, so the woman had taken it upon herself to be a little cheeky. A grin that matched that stretched over her lips as she leant forward and whispered conspiratorially to him. “That would be the sour cherries I added to it, not too many, I didn’t want to overwhelm it but it enhances the chocolate doesn’t it?” Eyes bright with undiluted excitement that he’d clocked the difference. It was the simple things in life that made her chest fill up with warmth, the exact tonic she needed to a day that had been a little taxing thus far. 

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Spoonful of Sugar Easter Specials!

Burnt Caramel Frosted Carrot Cake Bunny Burrow Chocolate Mud Cake  Cottontail Cookies Lemon Egg Nest Cupcakes Knot your average easter pretzel Vanilla Loaf Surprise

[hllboymglds]

He responds to her question of feeling fresher with a hum paired with a confirming nod. Hiro feels considerably less sticky and cold and damp which is a great feeling. Plus he's got that light hearted feeling in his chest that comes after a good cardio session when the endorphins are still high enough and part of him wishes he could chase this feeling with a cigarette but he swallows it down. Still, his fingers itch into his pocket for the metal feeling of his lighter beneath his nail.

"Paw Patrol, got it." Hiro spurs into action after catching that subtle glance. Fire and little toddler fingers didn't exactly mix and he understands this without additional explanation required. "A coffee would be great, actually, yeah. Thank you." At a young age his grandparents had thoroughly trained him into being polite and it stuck despite his general attitude that gave the impression he didn't care at all about things such as politeness. Because he doesn't. At least he doesn't care about being polite to people who aren't polite back. Maisie therefore gets the polite side of him because she's only ever been kind. Hiro is a boomerang. You get back what you give and sometimes it's fast and explosive and hits you at the back of the head when you aren't paying attention.

The three year old gets his hair mussed by Hiro's calloused fingers. "Come on, big guy. You were being helpful, hm? You deserve a break now. Let's watch some Paw Patrol," as he scoops the young toddler up with an arm around his middle, lifting him up easily like he weighs of nothing because he basically does, and totes the young one over to the couch where he clicks on the TV. Familiar enough with the remote and the way it works to get the show up and running as he does bicep curls with the boy hanging from his arm.

He grew up an only child and had no plans of having his own children but that didn't mean he wasn't good with them.

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Maisie had never really been the kind of person who went for runs or worked out, she just didn’t see the appeal. Sure she was inadvertently surprisingly jacked when it came to her forearms and lats because of the amount of hand mixing and kneading she had to do for the bakery, but in every other way she was a human string bean. And was totally fine with that. Still, she admired Hiro’s dedication to his running which was why she always wanted to do anything she could to make the aftercare a little more warm and comfortable. 

“It’s on Netflix!” She called after him as she heard the little boy start loudly singing the Paw Patrol theme tune from the living room, earning some soft snuffles from Romy who clearly sensed a chance in dynamics but with a soft shh-ing from her mother she was soon back to sleep again. “You got it.” Pouring him a coffee before setting the mug in front of him when he returned from putting the television on with a silent invitation to add any sugar or creamer he needed, both of which were out on the side at all times first thing in the morning for exactly this reason. Even a month after giving birth she couldn’t help but be the epitome of hospitality anytime someone came over. Plus Hiro was so sweet, so polite, it was a pleasure anytime he was hanging out with them for breakfast. 

“So, please tell me something exciting and brand new from the outside world. I’m starting to forget what it’s like to be allowed something as delicious as freedom.” Only half joking because being a mother was her greatest joy that she wouldn’t change for the world, however exhausted she was. “How have things been in your life?” Not that it had been many days since she last sweet him. 

[littlesugarnspice]

Milvi smiled softly as she settled into her chair again, careful not to speak too loudly while Romy fed and also not to stare at Maisie and make her uncomfortable. It was a peaceful kind of activity, an afternoon, a meeting... everything. It felt nice for her, like she could take a breath of life and not have it be her own.

"Ohhh, you know. Work and life. You have not missed as much as it probably feels like," she said gently. "Everything here moves slowly anyway." It was one of the things she liked most about Ennora even if being as close to home as it was, it sometimes could make her unsettled. But it was so out of the way that it was okay. And she blended well.

She wrapped her hands around her cup for warmth and listened as the baby made its cute baby noises while it fed. "And what about you? We really didn't get to know each other much before Romy was born but I do hope life is going well."

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Patting Romy’s butt gently in a soothing motion as she ate she gave Milvi a grateful look for her drink and took a sip of her drink. Now this was much nicer than feeding the baby on her own in the house with nothing but the television for company, she’d missed being out and about the last couple of weeks and as for having a friend with warmth like Milvi it was delightful. 

“It feels like I’ve missed… a whole load of life going by. Then again it feels like everytime I blink I miss something and that’s nothing to do with having a baby, it’s just a permanent state of having my head stuck in a mixing bowl.” She grinned, secretly kind of grateful for the local newspaper because while it was a bit gossipy and she hated to be a gossip herself, it at least kept her updated on what was going on while she was out of service. 

“I know, but no time to change that like the present right? I’ve been really good. Settling into motherhood which is a wild trip in itself, some moments I feel like the old Maisie and then the next second that feeling is gone. Almost like I’ve split into two different people and I’m trying to work out how to combine them together. Does that make any sense or am I just saying crazy words?”

[littlesugarnspice]

As she was answering the question, Santiago nodded slowly to her explanation, watching the stroller instead of her. For a few seconds, he said nothing, just listened to the wheels moving over packed snow and gravel beneath them. He could understand what she was saying, and if nothing else, that meant that Romy wouldn't have issues falling asleep anywhere, for now. "She sounds like you," he said finally, smiling softly. "You are a bit restless, and movement helps you, and she will be the same," he added as if to defend himself with this addition and explanation.

Another pause as they walked slowly, her hand on his elbow. He felt a type of way he hadn't in years... peaceful. He had had glimpses of this when they'd been together before, spending late nights just talking or mornings under covers after a night together. In those moments, there had been an almost happy feeling... right now, it felt fully happy, even if it was going to be momentary, just for now. "Okay, then that's the plan," he confirmed, nodding, leading them further into the park to breathe the crisp air and be surrounded by white silence. Not many people seemed brave enough to be out here.

He adjusted his grip slightly, almost unconsciously. "Another trait she has from her mother, then," he said, clearing his throat, looking at Maisie. He would have asked if it would be okay for him to rock her, but deep down, he knew he couldn't take that. That much idyllic life was not for him; he would most likely taint the moment in some way. "What were the milestones? At this point... she recognises voices yet?" he asks, trying to remember his life twenty-nine years ago.

[maisiebrooksbakes]

Maisie broke into a grin as he compared her to the baby’s needs for sleep, because he had a fair point but more than that it was such a clear sign that Santiago still knew her better than he probably even knew, it sent a warm sensation rippling through her chest. “Goodness, I hope she doesn’t get too much from me, I don’t want to set her up for that kind of life. In an ideal world she’d get some things from you too - sense or honour, your caring side, love of my chocolate cake obviously.” It was something they bonded over the first time they ever met, or at least spoke, and Maisie would never forget that day for as long as she lives. “It does mean I spend a lot of nights having to do laps around my bedroom to sooth her in my arms when she doesn’t want to go back to sleep. I always manage to get my steps in.” The brunette giggled lightly. 

As her hand rested on his elbow she moved her thumb back and forth absentmindedly without even realising it was something she was doing. Allowing him to lead the way on their walk she basked in getting to not use her brain for the first time since Romy was born because she knew her dad was keeping an eye on her so instead she could just take in their surroundings instead. “Sounds like a great plan, thank you. Just promise not to judge me when you see how I inhale food these days. It’s quite a sight.” Not even an underestimation. 

“Being around people? Or being rocked to sleep? Because honestly both those things are true.” Her eyes warm as she met his, smiling softly as one of her eyebrows quirked upwards in a jokey fashion. If she’d known what he was thinking she’d have lifted his daughter out of the pram immediately to place her in his arms, but like so often even when they were together she had no idea what was going on in Santiago’s head. But god did she wish she did. “So at one month they can respond to sounds, and smile, they recognise their parents voices - so she probably recognises yours from even before she was born when we would spend time together.” Trying to sound encouraging and preying this wasn’t going to cause him another wave of guilt for the absence she didn’t blame him for.