Against the Edge

A Family Breakfast Invitation

The savory aroma of breakfast filled every corner of the house, slowly pulling the guys out of their sleep. Miguel blinked awake, his head still feeling heavy from a night of PS battles and laughter. He sat up, realizing Ethan was already groggily rubbing his eyes, trying to figure out where he was.

As they stretched and yawned, Madison, Ethan's mother, entered the living room with a warm smile. "Good morning, boys! I hope you're all hungry," she greeted, hands on her hips, amusement sparkling in her eyes as she took in their groggy faces. "I figured you'd need something hearty after your, um, intense gaming session last night."

They exchanged sheepish smiles, laughing as the rich smell of eggs, bacon, and fresh toast drifted from the kitchen. One by one, they dragged themselves to the dining room, where the table was already set with steaming plates and a generous spread of breakfast dishes. Ethan's housemaid bustled around, adding final touches, the warmth of the food practically inviting them to sit down.

Madison guided them all to seats, her cheerful tone waking them up a little faster. "Miguel, I know you like your coffee strong, so I made sure to have a fresh pot ready," she said, pouring him a cup.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reed," Miguel replied with a grateful smile.

Just then, the Reeds' family cat padded into the room, rubbing up against Louis's leg, who leaned down to give it a quick scratch, still half-asleep.

"Come on, James, don't fall asleep on the table," Ethan nudged him, stifling a laugh. "You were the one staying up late to get that 'last victory' on that game."

Madison chuckled, turning her attention to Miguel. "I heard you guys put up a fight last night. Glad to see you're all still friends after it!"

Before they could dive into their food, Ethan's father strolled in, clapping a hand on Miguel's shoulder. "Good to see you again, son! Harvey told me you're practically carrying the whole team. Proud of you!"

Miguel grinned, feeling the warmth of familiarity. Their families had known each other for years, sharing a friendship that made gatherings like these feel more like home. Louis and James were quick to chime in, joining the good-natured teasing as they dug into breakfast.

"Well, Ethan could use all the help he can get," Louis joked, elbowing his friend. "Especially with us holding the team up on PS last night."

"Sure, buddy," Ethan retorted, grabbing a piece of toast. "But let's see who was actually calling the shots."

As the banter continued, the table was filled with laughter, and the familiar comfort of being around close friends and family made the morning feel all the more refreshing.

—

The morning waned, James and Louis said their goodbyes, heading off with plans to meet up again soon. Miguel lingered a bit longer, enjoying the rare moments of relaxation at Ethan's house. He sat back on the couch with Ethan's father, Adam, while Ethan cleaned up the plates from their breakfast.

Adam leaned back with a grin. "So, Miguel, you know that magazine feature Harvey was offered? Turns out I got a similar one."

Miguel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? Same magazine?"

"Close enough," Adam replied, chuckling. "Harvey got the Lawscape offer, and mine's for The Corporate Compass, a business-focused division. But both magazines fall under the same publishing company." He glanced at Ethan. "They also suggested making it a father-son feature. So, Ethan's dragged into it too."

Miguel laughed, shooting a look at Ethan, who rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Guess they couldn't resist the novelty of an aspiring lawyer in a family of business moguls, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm their unique selling point," Ethan quipped, sitting down beside Miguel. "Though I'm pretty sure they just want someone to lighten the serious business vibe."

Adam leaned forward, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "But here's the funny part, Harvey mentioned you'd be invited too. Which makes me think these magazine folks might be competing to get the best parent-child pairs, in every division possible. They want a feature that shows a family legacy, no matter the field."

Miguel smirked, imagining the photoshoot, his father in his judicial robes, himself in a basketball jersey though likely, they'd push for something more formal. "So, they're trying to cover all the bases, huh?"

"Exactly," Adam replied with a grin. "They know what sells. And honestly, it could be fun. A bit of fame, some father-son bonding. It's not every day we all get to do something like this together."

Ethan shook his head, though he was smiling. "So, Miguel, what do you say? If we're both going to be in for it, we might as well make it a full family affair."

Miguel nodded, considering the offer. It wasn't just a photoshoot it would be a rare chance to spend time with his father and the Reeds. "Alright," he said finally, a smile breaking through. "Let's make it happen. And who knows? Maybe it'll end up being a new Harvard tradition or something."