"Mmrmrmrgggghhhhhh" was his only reply.
"Michael, I said get up. Remember, you have to drop the boys off at school on your way. Rod has that project to deliver and you said you would take him and Mike Jr has all those food bank donations to take as well. Now move it."
Michael rolled over onto his back, "Okay, okay, gimme a minute would ya? sheesh. You know woman if you would let me get some sleep at night, I wouldn't be this tired in the morning."
"Oh sure, blame it on me. I didn't hear you complaining last night." I laughed. "You do know how to say NO don't you?"
"NO." he said as he slid his hands my backside leaning over to kiss me.
"Yeah, just as I thought. And as nice as that feels, I am going to say no to your ministrations and get your breakfast ready." and with that I got out of bed, putting my dressing gown on went into the adjoining bathroom.
"Hey, leave me some hot water." he yelled as I heard him rummaging through his dresser.
"Excuse me?" I said as I walked out the bathroom door. "Who is the one that usually uses up all the hot water? ME? I don't think so dear."
"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm usually in and out so quick you always ask if I have had my shower yet." Now he was on the defensive, which was nothing new.
Actually, I know it's not him but Jeff that usually takes forever in the shower. "Sorry hon, I know it's not you. Jeff is the one who hogs the water. I knew you would go on the defensive and I love seeing you that way."
"Cute." he replied. "Now, where is that breakfast you promised me?"
"On my way! Just make sure you get the boys out of bed first before you come down. It takes them forever to get up in the morning. Hmm, I wonder who they get that from??" I laughed as I made my way out of the bedroom and down to the kitchen.
This morning I thought I would make a hearty breakfast instead of the usual quick one. Michael didn't know that I had set the clock in our bedroom a little ahead, so that he would have more time in the mornings. At least if he did know he didn't let on that he knew. He was such a kind and gentle man. Most times at least, I thought, as I remembered last night.
I got the mixer out of it's corner and added the ingredients for the pancakes and set it to mix as I gathered the frying pan and bacon and eggs out of the fridge. I closed the fridge with a swing of my hip and as I did so I managed to drop the carton of eggs.
"Damn!" I muttered to myself. Just what I loved cleaning up. Egg goop all over the floor. I put the rest of the items in my hands on the counter and proceeded to clean up the mess. It wasn't long before the bacon was sizzling, the eggs poaching and the pancakes stacking up nicely. One thing "all" my boys could do was eat. I sometimes wondered how I came up with different ways to feed them food that was good for them and filling at the same time. But then again, I loved a challenge.
Taking the loaf of bread out of the breadbox, I noticed we were down to one loaf left. Guess I would be baking again today. Nope, no siree! no store bought bread in this house and definitely not any white bread! Michael always said, "the whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead" and insisted that I make all of our bread. I didn't mind really as I loved to bake and cook.
Suddenly two arms were snaking around me as Michael grabbed me from behind. "Mmm, something smells good." he whispered as he kissed me behind the ear.
"Where are the boys? did you get them up?" I asked as I extricated myself from his arms, turning to glare at him. "You know I don't like to start something that we know can't be finished. And as much as I love you, I need to get this breakfast on the table before it gets burned."
Just then the boys came stomping into the kitchen demanding some food. Sitting themselves down at the table, they started filling their plates and it wasn't long before the stack of pancakes dwindled down to just a few.
"Now boys," Michael stated, "remember, you're supposed to chew the food, not just inhale it."
"Yes Dad." all three replied in unison.
"I'm sure they'll remember for next time, won't you boys?" I laughed. We went through this every meal time and it hadn't made a difference yet.
"Sure mom, no sweat."
After the boys finished and were getting their things gathered together for school, I turned to Michael and asked him if he wanted more juice.
"Nope. Just you." and with that he gathered me in his arms to give me a lingering kiss and a nice hug. Sometimes I wished it was just the two of us again. But, that was still a few years away. Mikey Jr was only 16 and it would be a while before he left to go away to school. At least it was something to look forward to. We planned on taking a nice long vacation when the boys were all away from home.
"Mmmm, that's nice." I murmured snuggling up even closer to him. I enjoyed our mornings together. Our relationship hadn't changed that much from when we were first in love. We still managed to get out by ourselves a few nights a month.
"Yeah, it is." he agreed. "Oh, by the way, I may be able to get home early this afternoon."
"Great. Maybe we can sneak in some quality time while the boys are at school." I chuckled, knowing he would know exactly what I meant.
"Sounds like fun to me. I love you. " he whispered in my ear giving me one last kiss before he gathered his things together and heading to the front door.
"Ditto." I smiled back.
"Come on guys! Let's skedaddle. We're gonna be late." he yelled up the stairs. Moments later the thundering of feet could be heard clomping down the stairs and then the slamming of the door.
Finally, peace and quiet, I thought as I sipped my second cup of coffee. When I finished I gathered up all the dishes and stacked them in the dishwasher, put everything else away and headed upstairs to prepare for the afternoon. Usually when he got off early, I could count on him being home just after lunch, so this meant that I could have a nice luxurious bubble bath in some hot scented water and grab a nap before he got home.
I was looking forward to being woken up......
I could feel someone shaking my shoulder as the last of my sleepiness fell away.
"Mom!! come on get up."
"What time is it?" I asked groggily.
It's time for breakfast! that's what time it is." Rod said. "Jeff and Mikey slept in and we need you to make our lunches."
"Oh alright. I thought you guys said you could handle getting up in the morning?" I grumbled. "I was having this wonderful dream and you just had to wake me up!"
"Yeah, well, we slept in. Cancel us why don't you!! " he laughed. "Isn't that what they say on that show you watch all the time?"
"Yup, and if you don't watch your mouth that is exactly what I'll do. Now scoot so I can get up and get moving." I joked back, thinking that once they were gone I would go back to bed and see if I couldn't start up that wonderful dream again and continue where I left off.