Chapter 15: Falling Falling Falling
Sometimes I loved mornings. I know, I don't even sound remotely close to being a morning person considering how I act all the time, but there is something so refreshing about knowing you have a whole day ahead of you. Plus, Mini was my own personal alarm clock. I found myself waking up permanently anytime I heard her girlish wail from her nursery. I guess once you become a parent, you're forced into become a morning person.
I put some coffee on for everyone and shook around in an old tattered pair of basketball shorts. Mini really liked seeing me dance for some reason, and I was more than willing to do that for my little girl. Admittedly, I had two left feet which made my dancing a bit hysterical and a lot like I was having a seizure, but I make sacrifices. That's what dads do.
I spin around with a spoonful of oatmeal and pause in front of her, mouthing the lyrics to Kiss, shaking my head back and forth. I swooped it into her mouth while she was mid-giggle which elicited the most spiteful glare from her. I gave her a smug wink and moved over to the stove where I was attempting to make some eggs.
As I scrambled, I heard a noise from behind me. My dad, at least for all intents and purposes, scratched at the side of his head and plopped down into a kitchen chair. I flicked the radio off and turned the heat down on the eggs.
He chuckled and fiddled with his wedding ring, something he usually did when he was bored. "Don't stop on my account."
I grimace and motion to the saucepan. "Eggs?"
He nods gruffly and holds out his index finger for Mini to take. "Cheese and salt."
I pull out the cheese from the fridge and sigh. "Are you here to back up mom?"
Shaking his head, he smirks down at the table. "No. If it's any consolation, you piss me off to the same extent your brother does."
I snort and pour his eggs out onto a plate. "Good morning." Elena chirps, even though she looks like she doesn't mean it. She immediately tunes in on Nellie and gives her a kiss on the cheek. I may be a little jealous. When she's finished showering her in affection her eyes flicker from me to the saucepan. I lift an eyebrow and give her a taunting wave. Her eyes narrow and she scrunches up her face adorably.
"You can cook?"
"I can only manage eggs, sandwiches, and salads. Although, I can sometimes master spaghetti like no other."
She walks closer and I pull her hand into mine. When she's close enough, I give her an innocent kiss on her cheek and hover beside her ear. "Good morning." I whisper in a sing song voice.
She gives me a playful shove and steals a piece of egg and plops it in her mouth. "Not bad. Okay, make me some."
I smile proudly. "Just like this?"
She nods and turns her attention to my father. "How'd you sleep?"
"Good, thanks." He replies shortly. He's not a dick, but he just wasn't really one for words. I think Elena gets that, because she still slides in the chair beside him.
"We should so something today. Jacob works tomorrow and you guys are leaving soon so it'd be nice to do something altogether." She gives me a purposeful look, clearly trying to push me to support her.
I nod forcefully and release a tight grin. "Yeah."
"We could go to the aquarium. What do you think, Nell? Do you wanna go to the aquarium, sweetheart?"
Nellie, clueless, looks to me as if for some indication that the aquarium is a good thing. She nibbles on her tiny fingers and then lets out a sound of confirmation. I smile at Elena's enthusiasm and transfer some more eggs onto a plate.
