Troubling Love

3 daughters.

Morning.

Something that always seemed to be dreadful for Sarah. Especially because she had nothing to look forward to most days.

Today, today was different, for the first time it wasn't 'here we go again' it was 'good morning.'

Sarah's eyes fluttered open. She squinted them as the bright sun streamed in through the blinds, making her eyes hurt seeing as though she wasn't used to the sudden brightness. She felt a hand rubbing her back soothingly, whispering things in attempt to wake the small girl up, "Sarah, baby, wake up. It's time for school." Sarah only groaned in response, she was quite tired and wasn't fully out of her deep slumber. She turned to see Stefani laying right next to her, she smiled in response. "Hi Mama." She whispered, trying not to wake Addison who was still stuck in her dreams. Stefani smiled, she kissed her little girl on the head as she continued to rub Sarah's back in circular motions. "Hi baby." Her mother whispered back. Sarah's eyes wandered around her room as she attempted to collect her thoughts, trying to remember when she fell asleep the night before. Her memory was quite blurred, although, maybe it was because she was so out of it. Stefani propped her arm up on the pillow and leaned forward trying to reach Addison, she rubbed the girls arm seeing if she'd wake up the brunette. "Addie, wake up." Stefani whispered. Addison didn't budge, she was always a deep sleeper. Stefani grabbed the girls shoulder and cautiously turned her onto her back. With that, Addison's eyes opened as she let out an annoyed groan. Stefani and Sarah giggled at the girls irritated sound. Addison propped herself up on a pillow, reaching her arms into the air allowing her tense body to stretch, "Morning." She mumbled. "Morning Addie." Sarah responded in her croaky, morning voice. Stefani stared at the two girls, "When your ready, come downstairs for breakfast. I've made some smoothie bowls, and then you can come back upstairs and get ready for school." She told the girls before pulling herself out of Sarah's bed and walking off. Addison turned to face Sarah, "What do you think happened to Elle last night?" She asked. Sarah shrugged, "She probably got a 3 hours lecture on how she shouldn't be acting this way and how she 'knows better.' Sarah air quoted. Addison laughed, "She isn't usually this way though. She was always the type of girl that stayed out of trouble." Addison said. Just by her tone of voice you could tell she was quite confused on why Elle acted the way she did. Sarah shrugged her shoulders again in response, "I guess we all rebel at some point." She simply stated. Addison nodded her head in agreement. The two hopped out of bed and walked into Sarah's bathroom. They both washed up and headed downstairs.

At the dinner table sat Elle and Stefani. Elle had a scowl on her face as she occasionally would glare at her mother whenever Stefani tried to talk to her. When Elle was taken back home last night, Stefani did indeed give Elle quite a lecture. Though, she didn't punish the child because she had never seen Elle act this way before. She let her off the hook with a warning, letting the girl know that if she snuck out again she would face consequences. Elle hated being told what to do. She felt like she was losing power and that only made her upset. Especially when she practically raised herself most of her life, no one really told her what to do. That was her lifestyle. Stefani was no longer angry, she was just upset that her daughter would do something like that. Although she didn't want to admit that there was a pit of fear growing in her mind. The young artist had always been rebellious when she was a teenager. She liked to party, drink, smoke, anything that had to do with trouble. Seeing Elle become a reflection of herself sparked fear in her. She knew that eventually this day would come but no parent guide books really ever tell you how to approach your child or even deal with it.

If only Stefani knew what was yet to come.

Sarah and Addison both practically tumbled down the stairs as they rushed to get to the dinner table. Stefani turned the face them, "What's the rush?" She asked with a puzzled expression. Sarah giggled, "I win!" She yelled as she reached the bottom step. Addison groaned but there was no trace of annoyance, she was only going along with it, "Be quiet. You didn't give me a head start." The girl playfully complained. Stefani couldn't help but smile at the girls, she felt a feeling of joy wash over her, at least they were happy this morning. The blonde looked back at Elle, her smile faded once she saw how her daughter hung her head low. Clearly irritated by Sarah's loud entrance. Stefani sighed in defeat, "Elle, please stop with your negative energy. You didn't even get grounded but here you are pouting, feeling bad for yourself." She said. Elle rolled her eyes, "Leave me alone why don't you?" She  mumbled back. This was one of the times where Stefani wished she had a husband to help her. She would've pleaded to give the girls a father figure, it was difficult to raise two daughters on her own even though she enjoyed it at times. Now that Elle was starting to become what Stefani was afraid of, she couldn't help but fantasize how much easier it would be if someone could help her out. She had always taught her girls to be independent, she always loved the idea of independent women but she never denied that it was hard. Stefani looked down at her smoothie bowl, she felt like the energy she had was draining. She sighed once again, trying to put a smile on her face for the sake of her children. Sarah and Addison were goofing off in the kitchen as they leaned on the island in the middle of the kitchen, eating the smoothie bowls that Stefani had prepared for them. Strawberry for Sarah, berry for Addison, and strawberry banana for Elle. Those were each of their favorites.