Your Loss, My Gain

Snow Day!

A/N: I love Snow Days! Just the thought makes me all warm inside. As a teacher, I think I get more excited about impending snow than the kids do, at least in my class. Unfortunately, here in Alabama, it happens about as much as South Carolina. But when it does, we make the most of it! Sang's feelings on snow and mine are similar in my story. I grew up in Pennsylvania, and we had snow...a lot of snow. I miss it!

POV: Sang

I wake up in stages. Unfortunately, the first is feeling for me. I have to use the restroom, and someone has their leg pressing right on my bladder. Talk about uncomfortable. Without opening my eyes, I know that Kota is snuggled beside me with my hand in his and his head touching mine almost like he is kissing it in his sleep. Gabriel has his arm under my head and one leg intertwined with mine, while the other is the culprit that is distressing my poor innocent bladder. I thought I was supposed to snuggle with them. On top of the screaming of my bladder, my back is stiff and sore. Hardwood floors are not comfortable to sleep on, even with a pallet of blankets under you.

I continue to keep my eyes closed and listen to the sounds around me. I can hear the fire in the fireplace. The gentle breathing of my boys beside me almost lulls me back to sleep, but the ever present pressure in and on my bladder forbids sleep. I hear shifting and the soft sigh of a little voice. I wonder if Khloe was ever able to hear or talk. The sudden realization of the predicament I am in with both Kota and Gabriel wrapped around me hits me like a ton of bricks. Straining my ears to listen to the breathing patterns of those around me, I can fathom that at least two others are awake.

Without moving, I crack one eye open and look toward the sofa that Mrs. Pugh and Khloe are resting on. I almost groan aloud. She is looking right at us with an unreadable expression on her face. I shift slightly and try to push Gabriel off of me but he clutches me even harder and murmurs, "Cut it out, Trouble. It is still early. Go back to sleep." He kisses my cheek and snuggles back down. This is not going well at all.

"Meanie," I whisper, "I have to go to the bathroom, and you are not making it easier. Let me go."

"Come right back to me, Trouble. I need your warmth and your kisses," Gabriel sighs still more than half asleep. At least he let me up, and I can escape to the bathroom. I slowly untangle myself from Kota, who took Gabriel moving as an opportunity to roll over and pull me half on top of him. This is just not my bladder's day at all.

I hear a chuckle just as I am finally getting free of Kota warm embrace, which under other circumstances would be more than welcome, but not at this moment. Victor is watching the whole thing. He can't tell that Mrs. Pugh is awake like I can.

"Princess, you should know by now that you are their snuggle buddy in the morning. Well, we all love your snuggles." He may be whispering, and giggling, but everything was still overheard. Apparently, my silent communication skills still need to be honed. I sigh and hurry to the bathroom where I plan on staying for a good, long while.

After a few moments, I realize that hiding in the bathroom may not be the best course of action since there is still no electricity, and there are no windows in here. Being in such a hurry, I forgot my flashlight, so time to face the music.

Instead of going to the sitting room, I make my way back to the kitchen. We can't make coffee, since I did not see one of those old percolators, but we can make tea. Mr. Blackbourne has a whole cabinet dedicated to tea. Not just tea bags, although there are some of those, but loose leaf tea. I pull out my phone, which is just about dead since I had to let Mrs. Pugh use my portable charger last night. I should save the battery. I stand there, looking at the tea cabinet and an arm snakes around me. I am pulled flush against a well muscled body. The scent of spring soap fills my nose, and I smile. It is not often that Mr. Blackbourne is affectionate like this.