Bewitching the Beast

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Ainsley

After my shower last night, I was so tired I fell into bed not caring that I mismatch my pajamas. Lying in my bed, I was in-between that phase of sleep when you are slightly awake, but still asleep. Borrowing deeper in the cotton sheets, I begin to wonder when my alarm is going to go off. Before I can look at the time, I hear doors to the guest house burst open and three sets of feet.

Covering my head with my pillow, I scream when Payton, Emma, and Alexander plop on top of me. Laughing out loud, I peek out from under my pillow and I see that they are all still in their pajamas.

“Hey sleepy head breakfast is ready.” Payton chirps out and I look at clock on the side table.

“It’s ten o’clock! Why did I sleep so late?” I really asked myself.

From below, I hear Nathan answer, “I turned off your alarm last night; figured you needed a break from getting up early and cooking. Now come on, foods getting cold.”

When I hear the word food, my stomach growls and the kids laugh. They leap off and I follow suit and I find that I’m wearing my orange sweatshirt that has a cartoon panda on the front with green and pink plaid pajama pants and one yellow sock and the other teal.

“Looks like a rainbow threw up on you.” Alexander states.

“You shouldn’t talk; looks like the American flag gave birth to you.” I answer and looking at his red and white shirt paired with blue pajama pants.

Alexander just shrugs his shoulders and climbs down; smiling at him, I do the same after grabbing my cell phone and I quickly tug on my Uggs. Nathan smiles and I realize that he is also still in his pajamas. A black fitted t-shirt mold to his chest and a loose pair of navy plaid pajama pants.

“Is today Pajama Day or did we all unknowingly decide not to dress today?” I ask jokingly and Nathan chuckles.

Walking past the pool, Nathan replies, “I guess everyone feels like taking it easy today.”

Going into the kitchen I see coffee, orange juice, bacon, sausage, scramble eggs, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes. I smile when I see the biscuits and gravy; the first few days the kids begged for a southern breakfast. Since then, everyone loves it and it’s now a breakfast favorite.

“Wow, this looks really good and here I thought y’all were hopeless in the kitchen.” I say as I make my way to the coffee pot.

Taking a sip from my cup, Nathan replies, “It was a group effort and we wanted to show you how much we appreciate you.”

“Awe, thanks y’all. Now let’s eat before it gets cold.” I answer and we all jump to get a plate.

Sitting at the kitchen table with Nathan, Jonah, Donnie, the twins, and Sophie in her highchair while Emma, Payton, Alexander, and Shawn eat at the island; everyone is in high spirits and we all fall into easy conversations.

“Oh Ainsley, I figured out what bless your heart means.” Alexander tells me and everyone gets quiet.

Looking at him, I ask, “Ok mister smarty pants, what does it mean?”

“It’s a polite way to call someone an idiot.” Alexander replies happily.

“Whoa, people in the South insults other people politely? That is crazy.” Asher pipes in.

Shrugging slightly, I answer, “Yep; we believe that we have to be polite at all cost so when we insult, we do it nicely. It’s like a big inside joke that only us Southerners know, but it’s not always used to be insulting.”