Florecer

Family Life

        Someones alarm went off and Lily groaned in dismay. Her muscles bunched as she shoved her face in the pillows and and hugged them tight. The cold morning air was uninviting and she didn't want to get up. But she remembered Danny, and she groaned again. She lifted slightly to look around groggily for her alarm, but it wasn't hers. The noise was coming from the other side of the bed. Where June was. She nudged June slightly, who woke up and slapped a hand to stop the shrieking noise.

     "Who's taking the kids to school?" June asked first thing.

     Lily stretched and exhaled harshly. "I guess that means I'm doing it." She dragged herself out of bed and started looking for her shoes.

     June shifted behind her. "Are you coming back?"

     "Am I allowed to?"

     "Yeah, of course."

     "Then I'm coming back. Can I use your computer when I do? I have to check my emails for work and I want to get it out of the way first thing."

     "It'll be on when you get back."

     "Thank you. I'll go wake the kids."

     "I'll get breakfast started."

     Lily grinned and held her shoes in her hands as she went to Christina's room to wake the little ones. They were splayed all over the place, the blankets thrown off the side of the bed. She chuckled, slipped on her shoes, then went to them and jostled their little bodies until they stirred into awareness. They blinked up at her in confusion. She informed them about school and got them on their feet and into the bathroom to brush their teeth. She found Danny a new toothbrush then fetched his clothes so he could change. When they were good to go and could finish on their own, she went down to the kitchen to help June with breakfast.

     "Hey," she chirped, coming up behind June to see what was cooking.

     June smirked and bumped back with her hips to push Lily away. "The kids awake?"

     "Yep, and almost ready. Do you always make breakfast in the morning?"

     "Mostly. Don't you?"

     Lily made a fart noise and crinkled her nose. "No way. It's time consuming, especially when it's only me at home. I'd rather toast a few waffles or microwave one of those pre-made breakfast sandwiches."

     "Well, that's not going to fly here."

     "Clearly," Lily mumbled. She approached the stove again but watched out for June's hips. "Sleep well last night?"

     June hummed and smirked at the way Lily was keeping a safe distance. "Very, thank you. What about you?"

     Lily chuckled and blushed. She rubbed the back of her head and moved to lean on the counter beside the stove. Something was itching at her. She thought it had been a dream, but on the off chance it wasn't... "Good, good. Erm..." She motioned toward nothing. "In the middle of the night... did you...?"

     "I did."

     "And did I...?"

     "You did."

     Bobbing her head, Lily licked her lips. "And that was okay?"

     "Of course. I may have been half asleep and so were you, but I didn't mind it. I liked it. Do you? Did you?"

     "No, no. I mean, yes. It was, uh, nice. Apparently I'm far more confident when I'm half asleep."

     As June turned to smile, the kids came into the kitchen, fully dressed and ready for the day. They sat at the table and waited as June served them steaming plates. Lily poured them juice then sat beside them and ate, too. They had enough time to eat leisurely so they did, and took their time gathering any last minute things. When they were ready Lily gathered the kids in her car and put Christina's project in the front seat. June waved goodbye.