Behind the Game Face

fall festivities

Saturday morning I woke up in a startle. I lifted my head from its place on the floor as I look at my surroundings. Except I wasn't on the floor.

Laying next to me on the bed was Layla fast asleep. I looked at the blanket covering my body before looking around. Last night I remembered talking to Princeton until 2am and then nothing. Brushing my hands over my fast, I groaned.

There was no way I fell asleep when we were talking right? Did I snore? Do I even snore? I bet I looked so ugly laying like a dead body.

No, stop. The more I thought about, the more I'd cringe at myself. I hopped off the bed slowly, and made my way downstairs to get started on breakfast. I made sure to check how many cars were in the front so I'd know how many of us to cook for and it looked like a full house.

I busied myself in making eggs, avocado spread, pancakes, sausage, and potatoes before setting the table.

"What smells so good?" I heard a voice announce.

"Morning Em." I greeted. "Breakfast's almost ready. Can you get the girls?"

"Yes ma'am!" She responded immediately, trying to do it fast so we could eat. I heard as she bounded the steps, knocking on Gabby and Liv's doors quickly before making her way back downstairs with the girls.

"I hope you made a lot of food." Liv declared as she entered the room. I had just set the jug of juice and water down. "This one's hungry." She cooed.

"Good morning princess." I smiled, walking to my niece and kissing her forehead. She smiled at me with sleepy eyes.

"Morning Aunty Lilah." She responded in the cutest baby voice. "Aunty Liv said she has a prince!"

"Hey! You were supposed to keep it a secret!" Liv exclaimed. She tickled her as Emma and Gabby grabbed the plates and utensils before we all sat around the table.

"We should definitely take Layla to the Fall Festival today." Gabby commented as she ate her breakfast. I'd finished dressing Layla's pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate syrup before responding.

"I forgot that was today. Yeah , we should. Only if you guys are free of course."

"For this one?" Emma cheesed, reaching over to caress Layla's face as she obliviously ate her pancakes, getting whipped cream on her face. "I'll buy her the whole pumpkin patch."

"Then I'll have to get you all the candy apples then huh Lay?" Gabby cooed. Liv looked at Layla with just as much love. I was really grateful to have friends like them.

"You guys are too much." I laughed. "Come on, finish your food so we can all get ready."

Almost an hour and a half later, all of us girls were showered and dressed, now working on makeup and hair.

I chose to wear a long sleeve turtle neck that had the butteriest material with a big, fluffy cardigan on top and some baggy jeans with my boots.

I got Layla dressed in a turtle neck as well, with her jeans jacket, some leggings and her boots. I made sure to style her curly hair into two space buns before giving her bows and because she asked, a little bit of orange glitter on her cheeks.

"She's the cutest." Gabby commented as she came to sit down on the couch next to me. Layla was coloring next to the canvases we painted last night. Mine was a unicorn and hers was me, her and Axel on a rainbow. "I can't believe she's grown so much."

"I know right." I smiled lightly at the little girl who couldn't decide whether her coloring page needed attention or the cartoon on the TV. I stole a glance at my friend next to me. "Hey, Princeton told me you and Matt had a fight last night."