The Cleansing: Part One (Book Two of the Golden Eyes Trilogy)

Chapter 28: Why Can't You? Still Up Your Ass?

Nova

I shut off my iPod's alarm and sat up, rubbing my tired eyes. It was six in the morning which puts me at about four hours of sleep. My usual. I sat up and smiled at my two loves beside me. Finn has his arm over Shasta's chest and held her close to him as they both snored away. I snapped a picture with my iPod and gazed at them for a moment.

I did love my family. Even though we were a little crazy and dysfunctional. And I especially loved my daughter and my future husband. And hopefully my future son. I think there's enough room on the bed for the four of us.

"You headin' out already?" Finn said quietly, not moving or opening his eyes.

"Yes. I train Chaska in an hour. I have to eat and feed Booker and make breakfast for everyone. What sounds good?"

Finn cracked an eye open to look at me and grinned. I knew what was coming.

"Pancakes." We said at the same time.

I rolled my eyes and quickly dressed myself before going downstairs with Booker right behind me. I let him out in the back to do his business as I put two scoops into his bowl-and I feel like I haven't mentioned this before but Booker is almost 190 pounds. I'm not giving him two little cups of food. I have a two quart measuring cup and I fill that sucker twice for him three times a day. He eats plenty. I'm not starving my dog.

I heard a few other familiar whines and opened the door to the girl's room. All three puppies piled out and ran for the back door to be let out too. I opened the door again and went to close it but then thought fuck it. We're safe here. I can leave it open.

I got started on my pancakes and stacked pancakes ten high on three plates. I set out the butter and syrup and whipped cream I had made before sitting down with a pancake myself. I ended up eating two of them slathered in butter, occasionally giving my dog a bite. I refilled my water bottle and opened my backpack, throwing it in along with some carrots.

"Did you eat?" Finn asked appearing out of nowhere.

"Yeah. I had two."

He approached me with a yawn and kissed my cheek before grabbing a plate himself and sitting down with five pancakes. I'm happy his appetite has grown. He's finally at a healthy weight again. I was currently at 125 and gaining more so I'm doing good too.

"Should I wake everyone up?" He asked through another big bite.

"It's a little after 6:20. Give them another thirty minutes or so. The smaller pancakes are for Ben and Shasta. They're not snack sized so make sure our idiots know that."

Finn nodded as I grabbed the keys to my jeep hanging by the door.

"Did you mean what you said about the trial yesterday?" I asked as I opened the door and turned to face him.

"I did. You picking him up today?"

I beamed a huge smile and nodded as excitement flooded my veins. "I would like to."

"Okay. What time will you be back?" He asked next.

"Probably around lunch time. I planned on picking the boy up around ten and meeting with Nixon at the market to get some of his favorite foods to have while he's here. Do you want anything?"

He shook his head, shoving another mouthful in his cheek. "Wait actually Lily wanted more ice cream. And Shasta wants more peaches. Hold on just a second I have a list."

He looked on the counter and then the fridge before finding it and bringing it over to me.

"I had everyone write down what they wanted for me. I planned on going to the market myself today too but if you're going I'll just stay and watch Shasta. And don't forget the basket."