Prestigious Ways Too: College Years

Morning After

"Ethan? Ethan sweetie? Wake up honey." he heard but didn't move. Too bright. Too much energy. Sleeping is much better. Emily stood in the doorway watching her son sleep soundly before she tiptoed in, pushing her hair away from her face only for it to come back instantaneously.

"Baby? Wake up." she said again, shaking him lightly. He groaned and rolled around, too exhausted to open his eyes, but moaning to show that he was awake. "honey?" she asked and he groaned again, making her smile "Darling wake up, it's mommy. Come down for breakfast." she said and he fisted his eyes, sitting up and yawning. "Good morning sunshine!" she giggled and he smiled. "Good morning mum."

"How did you sleep?" "Okay. God, I think I have a bit of a hangover..." he said, feeling his headache. Emily gasped and hit him on the shoulder, causing him to jump slightly. "Ethan!!" "what?" he whined. " How could you be drinking so much that you have a hangover! That is so irresponsible!" she snapped and he grumbled. "Mum, it was a few beers. Maybe some shots of vodka, I'm fine! It's not like anything happened! Calm down." he said and she shook her head. 'oh my goodness, sometimes I wish you were four-years-old again." she said and he chuckled. "is that because I was much cuter back than?" he asked and she giggled. "Of course not, you're still my cute wittle boy!' she cooed and kissed his face, cradling him in her small arms. "mum..." "Shh shh, little one! My cutesy wootesy wittle baby! Yes, you are! Yes you are!" she continued and he started giggling. "mum!" "Oh I know, I know. Come on, Dylan and your father are cooking breakfast. Let's go sleepyhead." she said and got up as Ethan rubbed his face, pulling the covers off and folowing her out of the room.

Ethan and Emily grudged into the kitchen where Jade and Courtney sat at the island, watching Daniel and Dylan make breakfast. "Guess who's awake?" Emily smiled and Ethan yawned as they all cheered for his presence. "Good morning everyone. I hope you all slept well." he said softly and sat down, kissing the girls, "Ah, my favorite girls." he smiled and they both giggled. "We slept fine. I think I have a hangover. I'm glad we never left the house." "Have either of you girls took any aspirin?' "No, we have to wait until after we eat. Can't take medicine on an empty stomach." Jade said. "Mine's not empty, it' full of vodka remember?" Courtney said and they both laughed obnoxiously, Daniel shaking his head.

Ethan yawned as he sat at the bar, Courtney on one side, Jade on the other, with his parents and Dylan cooking breakfast in front. He leaned onto the counter and sighed, eyeing his family. The girls simultaneously leaned on his shoulders and he wrapped his arms around them as they chattered happily about the night prior. "Well, I'm just glad you girls had fun, and that you were safe. Ethan, how did was your birthday?" he said and all eyes were on him. Ethan yawned once more and smiled. "It was just perfect. Thank you all for the party. Especially you!" he said and poked Jade, making her giggle. "And you," he said to Dylan, flicking a bit of pancake batter into his forehead making him giggle as well.

"You two are the most amazing people in the world," Ethan said and everyone smiled. "Well we love you carino. For once we wanted to do something nice for you. You're always so stressed. Necesitas aprender a relajarse! Who knows what'll happen to you! Podrías tener un ataque al corazón!" he scolded and Ethan rolled his eyes. "Yo no trabajadores tanto! Calmar!" he rolled his eyes and Emily shook her head. "Mm-mm, tu travailles beaucoup plus que tu ne le penses. Maybe you should take a break. You know you're so young, you should just be having fun!" she smiled and Ethan opposed her expression.

"If I'm here raving on about my life, how can I take care of any of you?" he said and Emily and Daniel glanced at each other, feeling shame take over them. They were the ones who had put Ethan in the mindset that everyone in the universe came before him, that his opinions didn't matter as long as everyone else was happy. "exactly." Ethan nodded and got up, walking to the fridge and grabbing some orange juice. Emily took a glass out of the cupboard and took the juice, pouring it in until the cup was halfway full, then giving it to her son. "Here you are my love," she said with a beautiful smile on her face. "Thank you mum." he said and kissed her forehead before drinking quietly.

"Well, it's Sunday! We can finally lay down and relax. Maybe order in some Chinese later on, watch movies all day." Jade smiled, leaning on Ethan's shoulder. "Uh-uh, I have to go to work. I asked Damien if I could come in a bit later and he said it was fine, but I still need to go you all can have a fun day, but I will be getting ready after breakfast." he shook his head and suddenly the entire room whined for him to stay.

"What? No, carino you can't go to work! You're tired and you deserve a break, even if it's just a day." Dylan shook his head. "Ethan sweetheart, you're overworking yourself," Emily said and Daniel nodded. "I agree, maybe you should just take the day off," he said and Ethan sighed. "Guys I'm sorry but I have to go. Who else is going to make sure that all of the bills are being paid on time?" he said and Courtney groaned. "All you worry about is bills, can't you take one day to relax?" "I relaxed on my birthday, I'm fine," Ethan said and Jade pulled on his arm.

"But sweetheart!" she whined and pulled him as close as she could. "We'll miss you?" she said quietly and he looked down at her.  "I have to go, princess, who's gonna take care of your sweet face if I'm not making any money?" he said and rested his hands on her cheeks. "But who's gonna take care of me if you're out all day every day overworking yourself?" she said and he sighed biting his lip. "Please, for me?" she asked sweetly and made those precious puppy dog eyes. He sighed and nodded, kissing her lips softly. "For you my love." he smiled and she squealed, jumping into his arms.

"Yay!!!" she giggled and he laughed holding her tightly. "I know, I know. Just for today, I'll call Damien and take the day off. We can watch as many movies as you would like." he said and the room cheered. "We'll watch all of your favorite movies." Emily smiled. "And we'll get a crapton of snacks and blankets Just sittin' around doin' nothing alllll day long." Courtney grinned as Dylan fed her a bit of the oatmeal he was making. "Mhm!' she nodded and e smiled, putting the strawberries in and mixing. "I love you, Ethan." Jade smiled and he looked at her lovingly. "I love you too princess. thank you for the best birthday of all time." "Until next year!" she winked and he laughed. "Until next year."