CHAPTER ONE
CASSIA POV
"Cassia?" My husband, Louis, whispered in my ear. I squeezed my eyes shut, blocking him out. I did not want to wake up yet.
He kissed my cheek and worked his way down my neck to my collarbone, back up to my lips. I smiled into the kiss and opened my eyes, giggling.
"Why can't I sleep?" I moaned, snuggling down beside him again.
"Because my love," He said, giving my temple a soft peck. "You have seven children who will all be wanting breakfast in approximately ten minutes."
I groaned and rolled onto my side, slinging my legs over the edge of the bed and putting my feet on the floor.
"We, we have seven children." I corrected him, noticing he was still under the covers.
He smiled and slid out of bed and padded out into the hallway.
I wrapped my dressing gown around my figure tightly and followed him, padding down the carpeted stairs to the kitchen. I helped Louis make us both tea and toast. Just like every morning.
"Ready?" Asked Louis, his finger poised over the intercom button. The intercom ran all through the house and was linked to every child's bedroom.
"Nope... Press it!" I replied laughing, before taking another sip of tea.
Louis chuckled and pressed the button, leaning in close to the speaker. "Roll call, everyone wanting breakfast, be up and in the kitchen in the next five minutes. This will be the only announcement." He finished in a mock commentators voice and there was a burst of boyish laughter from nearby.
Soon enough, our two sons rushed into the kitchen and plonked themselves down at the table simultaneously. Their bedroom was closest to the kitchen and they were always hungry.
The twins were quickly followed by Emma, who had, no doubt been up for quite a while. She was already immaculately dressed, her hair combed and her teeth brushed.
"Morning Em." Smiled Louis over his mug as the next two wandered into the kitchen.
Skye and Tabia's bedrooms were next to each other and they usually met up in the hallway to come down for breakfast. They were both rubbing their eyes and yawning.
"Tired girls?" I asked. And they responded by slumping down into their chairs and putting their heads on the table. Everyone else laughed.
"BOO!" Squealed someone behind Louis and I, making us jump. Upon turning around I saw thirteen year old Lizzie, clutching her side laughing. She had a familiar twinkle in her eye, one I always associated with Louis.
"Morning Terror." Lou laughed, grabbing her in a bear hug and tickling her. She screamed and yelled to be let go, but she was giggling. Louis released her and she ran over to the crammed table to sit with her siblings.
"What's with all the noise?" Muttered a voice from the doorway. Louise was up and leaning against the frame.
"L-lizzie s-scared them." Replied Skye gently, helping herself to the toast on the table.
"Yeah well Lizzie's a freak." Spat back Louise.
This was met by loud protesting from Elizabeth and Louis interfered before a full scale riot could start up. "Louise be nice to your sister, here eat your breakfast." He said, placing a plate and a mug of tea in front of her.
Louise was always grumpy in the mornings, so things never got too out of hand. We all got used to it. It was when she was cranky the rest of the time that it became an issue.
