The Family We Choose

Chapter 3

The one routine that stuck all the way through the move was their less than conventional morning routine. It was simple. Consistent. Normal. A flood of relief in the morning that made her feel like she was okay again. Or at least it would be eventually.

Wake up

Alarms never seemed to work on her, ever since she was little Emelia would need her mom to knock on the door and pester her until she ever so gracefully rolled out of bed.

Now her mom was gone and Eddie did his best to do the same. But he added his own little twist.

Knocking lightly on her door, he peaked through to see her unmoved form. Flipping on her light and calling out her name, Emelia groaned loudly.

The sudden light caused her to burrow deeper into the covers, pulling her sheets over her face and closing her eyes once again.

Round two came around 5 minutes later and his unrelenting knocking at her door did the job just right.

Workout

Unlike the two boys in her life, Emelia saw no appeal in doing an entire workout at 6:30am. She stumbled out of her bed to lay across the chair next to them, her legs swung over the arm of her chair and arms collecting her latest read.

She shook her head at the pair, Eddie chirping at her for refusing to exercise this early.

Rolling her eyes, she started to bench press her book against her chest. A smirk laying on her lips at her smartass response.

Breakfast

Emelia grabbed the bowls and spoons while Chris raided the bottom cupboard for the box of rice krispies. They met at the table for Eddie to lift him into his chair.

Like every other morning, Chris poured way too much into his bowl and Eddie would split the overfilling contents between the three of them.

May not be the healthiest meal but it did the job.

Getting ready

This is when chaos hits, Emelia showers at night to allow her hair product to take effect but more so so she could take her time. And not have to rush like Eddie and Chris did.

Quickly washing her face, Eddie kisses the side of her head as she passes him by to head back to the quiet of her room. Handing her a fresh slip of gauze and some tape to replace the used stuff in the trash.

There she could take her time to apply her tinted moisturizer followed by her mascara and eyeliner. Due to the lack of school she lazily threw her hair into a ponytail, short messy curls sprung around her face.

After her favourite pair of leggings and comfiest hoodie were on, Emelia collected her homework in a rush to meet Eddie at Chris' door. He inspected her handy work while they waited. Satisfied with her placement and tape job, he smiled. Turning back to see Chris still on the floor.

Although he struggled to get his toes through the socks, Chris managed to finish in record time.

They were still late though.

—

Eddie jogged towards his truck, stopping abruptly when Abuela called out for him when he forgot to kiss them good-bye.

"Edmundo! Where's the fire?" Chris giggled, watching his dad halt his steps and turn back around, mumbling an apology in spanish.

"That's better now, go to work." She did the sign of the cross over his chest and with one last good-by he was off to work.