Brothers, Smelly Socks and One House. Oh No...

A Breakfast Picnic

A loud ringing sound went off early in the morning. I blinked groggily at the daylight beginning to seep through my slightly open curtains. With a small groan as no other noise followed the ringing, I brushed the sound off for something the boys were doing. I rolled over in bed, pulling the blankets up higher over my head, fully intending on sleeping while my body allowed it.

The ring went off again, I pressed a pillow to my open ear, trying to block out the noise that took away from my rest.

"Di!" Jamie yelled from the floor below.

I let out a whine as the universe seemed so cruel right now. I just want to sleep, I finally can sleep, why can't I be left alone?

"No!" I called back, stretching out the short word.

"Dianna," Jamie sang, his voice growing louder with a pattering sound. "Get up!"

"No," I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. "I'm sleeping."

My door burst open, a slightly flushed Jamie running in. "There's a boy here for you!"

My nose crinkled as confusion struck. "A boy?"

"A boy!" He confirmed, marching into my closet.

"What boy?" I sat up, rubbing sleep sand out of my eyes and suppressing a yawn.

"He's tall, fairly handsome and asking for you." Jamie said as he tossed a pair of jeans next to me, on the bed. He disappearing again, searching my still small wardrobe for a top.

I glanced at the clock. Who was asking for me at seven in the morning? I blinked. Seven. In the morning. Royce had meant seven in the morning. "Oh, bloody hell!"

"What are you doing woman, get dressed! Don't make the poor boy wait too long!" Jamie scolded as he threw a shirt at me. I caught the yellow fabric quite impressively with my face.

As soon as I opened the bathroom door after changing, I was smacked in the face with a giant powder puff. Coughing, I glared at Jamie, who gave a quick apologetic smile before squishing my cheeks in one hand to apply lip gloss to me. "You're acting like a girl, you know that?"

"I am sorry, this is my impression to teach you. But if you don't want my help-" he turned to match out the door and I panicked.

"No, come back!"

He turned and smiled wickedly. "I knew you would beg. My make up skills are superb, and no offense honey, but your under-eye bags need help."
**********
Royce was sitting stiffly on the couch, knees together and hands neatly laced atop them. All eight boys surrounded him, with puffed chests and hard faces. Ah yes, my fierce protectors. Bravely warding my date away from me like dragons to a princess.

They all looked very scary. Even Rolo, who I was convinced was incapable of being anything but a giant, cuddly toddler.

It was low key, very sweet to me.

"Erm..." Simultaneously, everyone's head turned as I cleared my throat. "Ready?"

"Yes. Yep. Ready, I'm ready." Royce quickly stood, sounding a bit flustered. He glanced at the boys and then focused entirely on me. "You look stunning. Let's go, please."

And it dawned on me. Maybe—just maybe— the big bad boy, Michael Royce, might just be nervous.

My heart fluttered and my face felt like fire as I blushed. He's cute. So cute.

I grabbed his hand and tugged him out the front door quickly, before any of the boys could say something. We got into Royce's truck and he politely opened and closed the door for me as we did so. Getting in, he rested his hands and the wheel—at ten and two—and sighed in relief. He didn't make a move to start the car or pull out of the drive, he just stared at the window to the living room.