The Business Trip

CHAPTER 16 - Morning After

Hey Guys, I guess we owe you this. It's been a while. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays! Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR! - snke88

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We'd reached the kitchen which looked even messier than yesterday. Crumpled up packs of Doritos and odd bits of barbecue food from last night sat on the kitchen counters.

The girls were huddled into bean bags in a corner, Whitney was holding a game controller while Haillie and Alaina were discussing something over a laptop placed between them.

There were all still wearing pyjamas and their curly hair was knotted above their heads.

"Morning girls", I flashed a smile and followed Marshall as he leaned his back on the kitchen counter, stretching and admiring his daughters.

"Morning Athena", They replied in unison.

Gosh, they are so in sync!

"So girlies, what do you want for breakfast?", Marshall questioned, turning around, his eyes widening at the mess he'd just noticed.

"Oh it seems you've already helped yourselves to leftovers!", He laughed, peeling a limp piece of lettuce from the kitchen counter.

Whitney giggled and she apologised to him for making a mess.

"It's alright, we'll sort it later", He winked at her.

"So, seriously! What shall we eat? Athena? Any suggestions?", He placed his hand on my arm.

"I don't know, what do you guys normally have on Sundays?", I questioned.

"Toast, Pancakes, waffles?", Hailie listed.

"Pancakes sound good!", Marshall commented.

"Why not both. I'm in the mood for both", Whitney suggested.

"I think we have the ingredients we need. If not, then Uncle Nate could go out and get some stuff", Marshall smirked as he peered into a kitchen cabinet full of jars and packets of sugar, flour and flavourings.

"Athena, do you want coffee? Girls?", Marshall walked over to a corner of the kitchen area and pressed the water button on his hi-tech, robot looking coffee machine!

"Yes please Marshall, where do you keep the mugs?", I asked him.

"Dad, can I just have a hot chocolate please? Laney and Whit have already had tea", Hailie requested.

Marshall pointed to a cabinet and I retrieved three colourful mugs. One reading "Mathers 1" in football jersey font, one that was hot pink with love hearts and a plain red one for me! His home is so vibrant, so cheerful and so full of character!

Marshall filled the mugs silently and then stood beside me, snaking his arm around my waist again. He leaned into me while the girls weren't looking and I smirked at him.

"Morning familia!", Nate strode enthusiastically through the kitchen towards the dining table and seated himself.

"Morning", everyone spoke in unison this time.

"What do you want for breakfast Nate?", Marshall sipped his coffee.

"Huh?" Nate was more engaged with his iPhone than his brother.

"What do you want for breakfast?", Marshall rolled his eyes.

"Oh sorry, well, I heard something about waffles from upstairs. Waffles please bro", Nate was like a big kid in a way.

I took the mug over to Hailie and handed it to her while Marshall was still conversing with Nate.

"Thanks!" She spoke as I started to walk away again.

"Athena, wait. What do you think of this as my homecoming dress?" She gestured to the bean bag next to her.

I seated myself and squinted to examine the details of the dress. It was silver. Covered in sequins and was absolutely beautiful.

"Wow! It's very gorgeous. And it will look great on you, you have the figure for it Hay", I complimented.

She blushed and sipped her coffee.

Marshall bought my coffee over and seated himself next to me.

"Daddy?" Haillie looked over at him with puppy dog eyes.

"Lemme see", He gestured to the laptop. "Jesus. Check that price tag out?" He gasped.

Hailie once again put on the puppy dog eyes as her father stood up and rubbed his brow. Hailie, Whitney and Alaina all looked up at him with big pleading eyes, I couldn't help but grin at the way Marshall sighed as he took in the pleading look on the girl's faces.

"Alright, alright, we'll get it but we'll have to get it fitted so we'll need to organise to go buy it next weekend okay?" Hailie launched herself from where she was sat into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she squealed excitedly.

"It's fine baby, we'll pick out whatever else you want too!"

Hailie was still grinning that evening as I sat back down in the living room next to Marshall. Hailie was sat cross legged on the floor with Alaina kneeling behind her tousling her sister's blonde hair into different styles. Whitney plopped herself next to her dad on the sofa, looking at the two older girls.

"Before you know it you'll be shopping for Whitney's homecoming dress" I whispered, giving a playful jab in the ribs to Marshall.

He grinned down at her, despite them not being his own daughters it was clear he was completely devoted to Whitney and Alaina.

"What do you think?" Hailie asked standing up. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun with strands of hair framing her face.

"You look great!" her father chimed, he looked so proud looking at his daughter.

"I don't know about it yet, I think I may leave it down and let Lainey curl it a little," she said. Alaina looked equally as impressed with her efforts.

"What about nails?" Whitney questioned.

That seemed to be all that needed to be said because a few seconds later they were vacating the living room and scrambling up the stairs to dig out various colours of nail polish to try on.

"Well, they're really getting into this," Marshall said.

I laughed, and snuggled closer to him resting my head on his chest. He shifted his body so he could wrap one of his arms around my body. I would never have taken Marshall Mathers to be the cuddling type!

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Chaz and I both wrote this chapter together. Don't forget to vote and comment! Xx