2014;
I get up early, put on a pot of coffee and start making breakfast. My silk robe is pulled tight around my body and tied up, slippers on my feet and the heat is turned up. It's a bit chilly in here still so I bake cinnamon rolls (Willow's favorite) in hopes the oven will warm it up in here. Lindsey stumbles down the stairs shirtless and wearing pajama bottoms. He wraps his arms around me and moves my hair aside to kiss my neck.
"Mmmm...good morning" Lindsey says, his voice soft and low in my ear.
"Good morning, Linds"
"Did you have trouble sleeping?"
"Nope, just thought I'd get up and make something special for you and the girls. First day of school and all"
"That's awful nice of you"
I smile. "Are they up yet?"
"I heard some shuffling around in their rooms"
"Thanks, Linds" I say sarcastically. He's really no help at all. Just then I see my blonde haired, blue eyed teenage daughter bounce down the stairs.
"Aria! Good morning!" I say and she waves.
"Good morning, mama! Ooh food! I thought I smelled something good. Knew it couldn't have been Dad's doing!" Lindsey feigns offense but quickly smiles.
"Gee thanks, Aria" he says. "Um...what are you wearing?"
"Clothes"
"You're not wearing that."
"Mommy, please tell him it's okay! You bought it for me!"
"She did what?" Lindsey turns back to me and I feel like I'm in hot water.
"It's cute. Just a little dress"
"A very little dress."
"She's wearing tights and boots. She's covered up."
He groans and gives us a look of defeat. "I'm never going to win. I'm outnumbered by girls" he says and Aria and I laugh.
"Do you have your bag?" I ask her.
"It's somewhere" she says with a shrug, sitting at the kitchen table. "Is any of it done? I'm hungry" she says, watching me cook.
"Bacon, eggs, cinnamon rolls should be out in a second. Where's your sister?"
"She's awake but I don't know how 'done'. I heard her singing as I passed the bathroom"
I roll my eyes, knowing she's taking the longest shower ever. "Will you go grab her? You're both going to be late"
"Uhhhh" she groans. "Do I have to?"
"After all I've done for you and you can't do one little favor for your mother? I carried you for 9 months, you were 9lbs and..."
"No pain meds, ruined your beautiful birthday party when I wasn't due for three weeks...I've heard it a million times. No need for a guilt trip, I'll get her, mama"
"Good girl. Thank you" My tall daughter rolls her eyes dramatically, showing me she's joking and starts up the stairs. Lindsey comes back over to me, having changed into a tee shirt and jeans. "Welcome back, handsome" I say, stroking his face. Breakfast is finished and I turn off the stove.
