SoMS:2 (Jenlisa)

three

Jennie

The sun hadn't come up yet when the alarm went off and I scrambled for my phone on the bedside table, not wanting to wake Lisa. These days she needs all the rest she can get and luckily my girl can sleep through an earthquake because the beeping tone was way too loud and I wanted to bury myself underneath the covers and never resurface.

But I couldn't do that. Not today. I have an important meeting at 10:30 that my future basically depends on. Well OUR future. We're a family now, I'm no longer on this planet solely for me, and that's something I never thought I'd be privileged enough to say.

I rolled over and sure enough she was still fast asleep, dark hair fanning her face, cheeks puffy as she snored peacefully. I pulled the duvet higher up on her shoulders before getting out of bed to make coffee. The house is always so cold in the morning and the laminate flooring is freezing beneath my feet. I suggested getting carpet laid in the hallways but Lisa voiced her distaste, claiming she prefers to mop rather than vacuum. I promised that if we got carpets, I'd vacuum them myself. Anything to save our toes from frostbite at dawn.

I took an espresso up to my art room and flicked through the portfolio I'll use for todays meeting. If everything goes well, my business partner and I will be picked to use our designs for a new kids cartoon that's airing next year. I've been working on creating these characters based on the brief since September, so I'm hoping it all goes according to plan.

"Momma?"

"Holy shit!"

Hot coffee spilt all down my silk night dress, and I did my best not to get any drops on my portfolio. The boiling liquid seeped through the clothes and clung to my body, sticking it to me like a second skin. "Ahhh flippin hell-" I put my cup down and hopped over to the door where Luca was standing, blankie clutched in his fists.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you jump."

"It's okay buddy." I walked him back to his room, stealing one of his towels so I could pat myself dry. "You're up early. Are you alright, did you have another nightmare?"

Luca wrinkled his nose as I knelt down to eye-level, probably because I reeked of caffeine. "I didn't have a nightmare. I'm just worried about P.E. What if I don't run the fastest?" He sulked, picking at blankie with twiddling fingers.

"Well, life's not always about being first place Lulu, taking part's what makes it fun too."

"You can't win medals for just taking part."

I chuckled, throwing the damp towel over my shoulder as I held out a hand for him. "Let's go clean our teeth and make you some breakfast, yeah? Sounds like someone's got a big day ahead of him."

His palm slid into mine as we ran across cold flooring, fluffy socks causing him to almost slip as he tugged me ahead. I squeezed a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto his brush as he clambered atop the stool so he could see into the mirror. Together we brushed and washed our faces, Luca laughing at my foaming facial cleanser.

"Can I have a go with this one?" He picked up a sage green bottle, shaking it upside down as he giggled.

"No no, that's Mommy's expensive one." I carefully put it on a higher shelf, not wanting Lisa to think we've been messing with her stuff. She takes her skincare regime incredibly seriously. It's borderline religious.

When we were done I dressed Luca for school and he went to watch TV while I took a quick shower and got changed. Emerging from the bathroom, I found Lisa scrolling through her phone with half-lidded eyes, the soft blueish glow of the screen, only enhancing her beauty.