The house was filled with the aromatic hot air of pancakes and the sour, but more so sweet fragrance of strawberries.
Mika was intently making breakfast for her family.
Batter was spilling all over the counter as she pours out all her love and soul into the food, eyes glimmering with enthusiasm.
Alyssa was still upstairs snuggled up with Al, their only son.
Al was a beautiful boy, he just turned nine years-old last week and his moms couldn't be any prouder of him. He did well in studies and a budding athlete blessed with looks of a heartbreaker, just like Alyssa.
"Babe, wake up! Breakfast is ready!" Mika yelled downstairs.
The lumps under the blanket stirred at the loud call. Al stretched out his limbs and felt a warm body next to him. His eyes snapped open and instinctively snuggled into the warmth.
"Good morning, baby boy," Alyssa smiled with her eyes still closed, bringer Al closer into her embrace.
"Morning, mama," he chirped, "But I'm a big boy na."
"Don't let your mom hear you say that, lagot ka dun," Alyssa chuckled and Al playfully groaned.
Alyssa played with her son's hair and tickled him a bit, "Mommy is calling, you wanna go down na?"
Alyssa felt the boy's head shaking left and right in her embrace.
Letting out a small laugh, she took the hem of the blanket and covered them both under the duvet, hushing the young one as she does so.
"Sige, let's pretend we didn't hear her, shush," Alyssa whispered.
Little Al giggled and bobbed his head excitedly for their mischievous plan.
"Al, Alyssa, don't make me come up there! Lagot kayo sa'kin!" Mika's voice was getting louder by the second; footsteps were heard up the stairs.
She came through the door with a spatula in one hand, and the other on her hip.
"Aww, tulog pa pala mga baby ko," Mika played along as she heard giggling under the covers, "Iwan ko na lang muna kayo."
Mika tiptoed towards the bed and saw her partner's curves on the left side of the bed. She swiftly swung back the spatula she had in her hand and slapped it across Alyssa's butt.
"OWW BABE!"
Al's bright childish laughter rang through the walls in the room. Mika and Alyssa looked at him lovingly, joining the little boy's contagious laughter.
"That hurts, mommy ha." Alyssa pouted and rubbed her backside.
"That's what you get. Nako, ikaw talaga, bad influence ka sa anak natin," Mika pointed the spatula, poking Alyssa's side as she speaks.
Al giggled but halted and brought up both his hands up his mouth when Alyssa jokingly gave him a pointed look.
"Okay, show's over, Al. Go eat breakfast, male-late ka na for school," Mika scolded as she patted Al's cheeks softly.
Al scurried down the stairs as the couple followed after him.
"Oh wait, babe, I'm just gonna fix the bed," Alyssa said.
"No," Mika pouted, "Matutulog ka lang ulit eh."
Alyssa laughed, "No, babe, promise."
"Okay, don't be long," Mika gave Alyssa a small peck before going down to Al.
Mika walked into the kitchen, only to see Al up on the stool.
He was swinging his legs back and forth, a huge pancake stuffed in his little mouth. She smiled and shook her head at her son's big appetite.
