I woke up wedged between my two goddesses, trapped in a fortress of warm limbs and soft skin.
Elara's leg was thrown over mine like a steel beam, her breath warm against the top of my head—slow, heavy, peaceful. Bella's arm was draped across my chest, her palm resting directly on my nipple, thumb twitching slightly every few seconds like she was dreaming about touching me.
I tried to shift, but it was like attempting to lift two cars with a toothpick. Now I understood why people died during avalanches—being buried felt exactly like this.
I wriggled gently, inch by inch, trying not to wake the lionesses guarding their prey. Their bodies moved only slightly, but it was just enough space to breathe and maneuver.
"I need to pack your lunches and make breakfast..." I whispered quietly, barely above a breath.
Bella mumbled something in her sleep, slurring into my shoulder—completely unintelligible. Elara just continued snoring softly, her nose pressed against my hair.
I gave one more determined wiggle and, mercifully, Elara shifted her leg off me. Bella's arm slid away next, fingers trailing across my chest before falling limp onto the mattress.
Finally free.
I slid off the bed with surgeon-level precision, stepping backwards slowly like I was escaping a tiger's den. Once my feet hit the floor, I exhaled, shoulders relaxing.
I padded into the bathroom and flipped the light on. The brightness stabbed into my half-asleep eyes. My reflection looked exhausted, hair sticking out in three different directions.
I moved through my routine on autopilot—brushing my teeth like a zombie until I splashed freezing water across my face. The shock hit hard, waking me up instantly, goosebumps racing across my arms.
I spat a few times into the sink, rinsing out the last of the mint. I gulped some water, swished it, and spat it out again. Then I rubbed moisturizer into my skin until it glowed subtly and combed my hair until it looked presentable.
I finished with a thin coat of clear cherry lip gloss—it made my lips soft and shiny, something both of them always noticed and loved.
I smacked my lips once and looked in the mirror.
"Alright, hubby time." I muttered to myself, marching quietly toward the kitchen to make their lunches and breakfast.
I opened the fridge and grabbed the two strawberry protein shakes I'd chilled the night before.
Another yawn slipped out of me—one of those jaw-cracking ones that make your eyes water. I blinked it away as I reached for the lunchboxes sitting on the counter: the bright red one and the blue one.
Red for Bella. It always reminded me of her—loud, intense, burning like a flame.
Blue for Elara—calming, steady, strong.
I set them open and pulled two freeze packs from the freezer, sliding one into each box like puzzle pieces. The drinks followed next, cold plastic brushing against my knuckles.
My steps were slow, still waking up, as I grabbed two sub rolls from the pantry and set them down.
The soft bread squished slightly under my palm as I sliced them open. I walked back to the fridge and took out the turkey, lettuce, and tomatoes, setting everything neatly on the counter. Then I grabbed the mayo and a pack of bacon.
A pan clanked lightly as it met the stove. The burner clicked a few times before the flame caught—blue fire glowing under the metal. I laid eight strips of bacon down, and they sizzled instantly, popping little dots of grease onto my hand. I ignored it; worth it.
While that cooked, I lined turkey slices along the open subs, layering them evenly. I stacked lettuce over it next, crisp and fresh, and sliced a tomato, adding it only to Elara's—Bella hated tomatoes with a passion.
I drizzled regular mayo across Elara's and just a light ribbon for Bella's, smiling at how well I knew their preferences. The bacon's scent filled the kitchen—warm, salty, comforting. I flipped the strips and they crisped perfectly within seconds.
I laid four pieces carefully onto each sandwich, the crunch echoing slightly as I pressed them down. I closed the subs, wrapped them tightly in Saran Wrap, and placed them gently into the lunchboxes. To finish, I dropped in two bags of Mister Vickie's jalapeño chips—both their favorite.
The kitchen felt warm and quiet, the world still asleep, just the hum of the fridge and soft ticking of the stove cooling down. I breathed out slowly, the kind of breath that feels like peace.
Taking care of them made me feel whole.
"Now for breakfast... hmmm..." I muttered to myself, rubbing the back of my neck.
Nothing fancy today—but my girls would eat anything I made like it was served on gold.
I grabbed three large russet potatoes and chopped them into uneven cubes, rinsing them under cold water until the starch clouded and faded.
After patting them dry with a paper towel, I tossed them into the same pan I'd used for the bacon, letting them crackle and hiss in the leftover grease. The sound filled the silent kitchen like morning music.
After they softened, I sliced up a pack of breakfast sausage and dropped the pieces in, the scent rising instantly—rich, savory, comforting. Steam fogged up the stove glass for a moment.
Next came the eggs. I opened the carton and frowned. Only ten left.
"Bella's gonna have to settle for five..." I sighed, cracking five into a pan.
The yolks broke and swirled into a golden yellow as I whisked them with a fork.
I scrambled them fast, plating them neatly, then did the same with the remaining five.
The potatoes and sausage finished soon after—soft centers, crisp browned edges. I scooped generous piles onto each plate, arranging everything with care like I was setting a feast in a palace.
I filled the kettle, set it to boil, and leaned against the counter for a moment, breathing in the smell of breakfast filling every corner of the house. When it clicked, I poured the water and stirred in instant coffee, adding a swirl of vanilla creamer. I lifted it to my lips.
One sip.
Warmth spread through my chest.
"Perfect."
I checked my phone—almost wake-up time.
That quiet window right before morning begins. That tiny moment I got them all to myself, even if they were asleep.
I sighed, set the mug down on the table, and brushed my hands off on my shorts.
Time to wake my lionesses.
I padded down the hallway, the faint sound of their breathing drifting into the quiet. I cracked the bedroom door open slowly, peeking inside at the tangled sheets and the two beautiful girls buried in them. Hair everywhere. Limbs sprawled. Lips parted in soft sleep.
They looked like art.
I stepped closer and rested a hand gently on Elara's shoulder.
"Rise and shine..." I whispered.
"Uhhmamanmamn," Elara mumbled into the pillow, half-asleep and half-dying. I couldn't help but silently laugh—she always sounded like a zombie in the morning.
I moved over to Bella and shook her shoulder lightly. Instantly, she shot straight up like she'd been tased.
"What! Huh—what—oh..." she said, blinking rapidly.
The sudden noise jolted Elara awake, her eyes cracking open as she stretched like a cat.
"Huh... oh. Good morning, guys..." she muttered, rubbing her face.
"I made you both breakfast," I said softly, stepping back. "Get ready and come eat, your plates are waiting."
Bella stared into the abyss for a solid five seconds, processing the concept of existence, while Elara dragged herself into the bathroom.
"No morning head?" Bella asked in the saddest voice known to mankind. I had to bite back a laugh—she'd been asking constantly lately.
"I got you tomorrow. Promise." I leaned down and kissed her.
She smiled immediately, stretching her long arms above her head before stripping right in front of me and putting on clothes like nothing. Then she padded down the hall toward the dining table.
"Thanks, baby," she called out as she sat, already devouring the meal.
Elara soon reappeared, hair brushed, face glowing like she lived in a skincare commercial. She sat down beside Bella and sighed happily.
"Thanks, hun." She said it with that warm tone that melted my spine.
She tapped my mug lightly. "Can you make me some coffee?"
I nodded and grabbed her favorite cup—the grey metal one with a dent in the side. I filled it to the brim with boiling water, added two heaping tablespoons of instant coffee, stirred gently, and handed it to her. She took a sip and exhaled through a smile.
"Perfect. Thank you." She reached up and I leaned in to kiss her forehead.
"Can you... get me shum... miwk," Bella mumbled through a mouth full of potatoes.
I snickered. "Chocolate or strawberry?"
"Tocolate..." she said with full seriousness, still chewing.
I poured her a tall glass of chocolate milk and set it down. She chugged most of it in one go, then let out a monstrous burp that shook the table.
"Thanks, Noah... I love you," she said sweetly afterward, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
My chest warmed—this was happiness.
Just my girls smiling, eating, and loving me.
Elara looked over at me with soft eyes, her hair falling forward.
"You take such good care of us," she murmured.
Bella nodded aggressively, cheeks full like a chipmunk. "We're so lucky," she added through chews.
I felt my throat tighten a bit, but in a good way.
"Eat up, okay?" I said, brushing Elara's shoulder with my fingertips. "Long day ahead."
Bella raised her fork like a sword. "Long day of being spoiled with your love"
Elara snorted. "And beating anyone who messes with our man."
I smiled and sat down between them, breathing in the morning.