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“Good morning,” I said cheerily, going over to mom and planting a kiss on her cheeks.
She looks at me quite shocked yet still smiled. “It really must be a good morning if you’re so chirpy for school.” 2
I didn’t stop the wide smile from stretching out my face as I settle myself on one of the stools. Dad walks in, his brows shot up in surprise as he stares at me like I had a snake on my head. Thank god I didn’t.
Baby, did you switch our daughter? Since when are you chirpy on a Monday morning?” He asked in a teasing tone while strutting over to mom who was scrambling some eggs on the stove.
He kisses her behind her head and for a moment I dreamed of this being Kade and me when we get older.
This might sound silly, but I had a very strong knowing that Kade and I would someday be those couples like mom and dad. Well, I at least hoped we’d last that long.
“Exactly what I was thinking Haiden,” Mom giggled, moving the frying pan off the stove and bringing it to the island to place down on the surface.
“Uh oh, did I do something wrong?” Dad teased as he looks at mom with a gleam of what one would call love.
Mom lifts an elegant brow that taunted dad. “Why? Because I called you by your given name?” She mocked, mixing the scrambled eggs using the spatula. Her hair was pulled up by one of those hair clips and I could just
tell by dad’s expression he wanted her hair down.
He let out a huff, his eyes lifting to the ceiling as if asking God to give him the strength this early morning to prepare for his wife’s wrath if it came to be.
So I did do something wrong?” He slightly winces, sending me help messages through his eyes when they did
come down from the ‘heavens‘ better known as the ceiling of our house.
Mom’s face pinched as she gives him a quick side eye. “You left the toilet seat up.
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Dad looks at mom silently for quite a few seconds, probably wondering if his wife had grown a second head. I on the other hand was actually enjoying this little banter that I now will refer to as a show.
I could already see it on the television, ‘The Cross’s Show‘.
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Nah, that was way too cliche and not original. The name would have to come after it airs. We’ll just name it blank the dotty do. Sorry readers I’m quite dumb today, so please excuse me and go on with this ‘fetching‘
story.
Wait, I don’t think the word fetching sounds right…..
Anyway on with the story.
“That’s it?” Dad’s expression was actually very comical which led me to let out a loud giggle that I tried to muffle with my hand pressing to my mouth.
Mom lifts her head up, her hands aimlessly reaching for a plate but ends up brushing against the still very hot frying pan. She bellows a hiss, pulling her hand back.
Dad is quick to be by her side in seconds, taking her ‘injured‘ hand in his grasp gently and guides her over to the sink where he opened the faucet and pushed her entire arm under the I presume cold water.
I wince, looking down at her arm. It wasn’t burnt thankfully but from here I could spot how irritably red it was.
Mom are you okay?” I asked in concern.
She turns to me and beams not seeming to look like a woman who was in pain. ” It’s just a tiny irritation,
nothing to concern yourself about miss chirpy.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes at her nickname. I was indeed chirpier than usual and that had to do with what
Kade and I had done earlier before everyone had woken up.
I probably should’ve contained myself so they’d not be suspicious. Mom can be a detective when she wants to
and sometimes I thought that was her job secretly.
“You should’ve been more careful Bella,” Dad grumbles an edgy unpleased tone rolling from his mouth as he
rubs his fingers over the redness under the water.
Mom looks at him and smiles. “Don’t be too concerned old man before you get wrinkles.” She teased. I looked
at dad’s horror stricken face for being referred to as an old man and I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself
from laughing at his expense.
But then he touched his face as if searching for the ‘wrinkles‘ and I just couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a loud puff of air that soon turned to snorty laughs.
Dad looks over at me and whines.” See, now you have our daughter laughing at my expense.” He works out a
pout on his lips that I found ridiculous for him to do for a man his age.
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But that seemed to have melted mom into a puddle because the next thing I know she’s brushing her uninjured fingers on his cheek before their lips attached. I cringe and if I had a remote this very second, I’d stop the show
or mute it.
Austin comes into the kitchen, making a disgusted face when he spots our parents making out like their life depended on it.” Seriously why so carly?” He whines, rolling his eyes as he makes a fake gaging sound that
caused mom and dad to finally detach.
Mom smiles at Austin while dad laughs. “Good morning to you too squirt.” He says, winking at Austin who
rolled his eyes.
“I have soccer practice around five today. ” He suddenly mentions when mom and dad move away from each other so mom could plate our breakfast and for dad…..well, to be dad and watch over her like a lovesick puppy.
“Since when does it start at five, doesn’t it usually start at four?” Dad asked in confusion, crossing his ankles
over the other and then crossed his arms over his chest.
Austin shrugs while fixing himself on a stool beside me.” Since Gabriel’s mom asked the coach to work around her schedule so she would be able to come with him.”
Dad nods while mom hums. ” You’re going to go with him Mia?”
I always attended Austin’s practices whenever I can, so I nod.
“Good morning, ” Came a very masculine voice right behind me. The huskiness of that tone sent shivers racing through my entire being and butterflies to swarm in my belly.
His arm brushes my back on purpose, sending heat to shoot in my lower belly as he fixes himself to sit just beside me. I held my breath when his big hand land on my thigh.
I was at least thankful that my parents couldn’t see his hand on my thigh, teasingly inching upward.
“Good morning Kade! Something must be really off. You and Mia are overly chirpy today. Did I miss something?” Mom teased, switching her gaze back and forth between Kade and me.
I pressed my thighs together to stop his advances and looked at him as nonchalant as I can. He has a charming grin on his lips, one I could read as teasing but to others, he looked innocent even though he was clearly far
from it.
“Not that I know of Mrs. Cross. I’m just very happy today.” He lifted a single shoulder in a barely there shrug.
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Mom hums and beams. “Well I can’t complain about it. It’s better than you sulking every day.”
Kade’s eyes shift into amusement. “I sulk?” He sounded like he was on the verge of laughing.
Mom nods, her lips splitting into a happy grin as she pushes Kade and my plate towards us. “Yes you reminded
me of the grinch who stole Christmas. I was getting worried that we would never see your smile.” There was
truth in her words.
And Kade must’ve noticed it cause he tore his eyes away from her, his expression shifting into guilt as he looks down at the plate of eggs and toast before nodding.
“Hey Kade, I have soccer practice today. Mia’s coming, will you come?” Austin’s voice is very excited before he
looks over at mom. “Gabriel said his brother will tag along, he has a huge crush on Mia so he’s always hoping he’d see her there,” Austin laughs.
Kade stiffens beside me.
I felt heat crawl on my face when mom began to giggle while dad makes an annoyed face.” No one’s coming
near my twizzler.”
“I think Gavin’s crush on Mia is cute.” Mom shrugs her eyes flashing in laughter.
Austin’s nose twitches. “I think it’s gross. I mean who would have a crush on a raccoon?” 1
I turn to glare at Austin but Kade’s words get me confused. “I’ll join in.”
“Really?!” Austin yells, clearly overly excited.
I turn to stare at Kade, confused to see his jaw clenching. “Don’t you have work at five?” I asked.
He shrugged.” One day off won’t hurt.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You only just got the job Kade, won’t your boss-
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He won’t. I’m already the best there, so firing me wouldn’t be good for business. “He states cockily. I would’ve voiced it out if only I didn’t know how truly talented he was and his cockiness was well backed up.
“This will be so cool!” Austin nearly screeched the entire house down.
I looked at Kade trying to read him. Something told me the only reason he would be tagging along is because of Gavin and not to enjoy watching kids practice their soccer skills. I felt a smirk crawl on my face at the very
thought.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.