Second chapter done, and it's only a short one introducing you to some of my new characters. Thanks to Hollie and Em for your lovely reviews, I hope you enjoy!
"KIDS!" Jessica Stone bellowed up the stairs, pausing to listen out for four thumping pairs of footsteps before continuing with breakfast. She piled a plate high with toast, placing butter, jam and marmite in the middle of the table. Four glasses of orange juice came next. Jess checked her watch; they were going to be late unless they got a move on. She sighed, pushing her blonde hair behind her ears and steeling herself. She thumped up the stairs, walking to the door at the end of the hall first, barging straight in to the musty smell of socks and dirty laundry. She wrinkled her nose before whipping the curtains open and pushing the windows as far out as possible. "Jamie! Up now! You've got five minutes to get yourself sorted and eat breakfast! Come on!" Jess peeled the duvet off of her seventeen year old son's body, marvelling at his feet hanging off the end of the bed. He mumbled in response, shrinking into the bed as cold air hit him. "Don't make me get your father!" she threatened, and it seemed to work.
"Alright, I'm going already! Jeez mum, chill out!" he mumbled, swinging his lengthy frame over the edge of the bed and standing unsteadily. Jess just stood there, looking up at him fondly. "Mum, if you want me to get ready, get out my room!" She scowled before leaving his room, shutting the door behind her. She walked a short distance to the next door, banging loudly on the door before pushing it open and walking in. She looked from the bed on her left to the bed on her right, where Toby and Rory were still sleeping.
"For God's sake!" she mumbled. She flicked the light on and off rapidly, suppressing a giggle as fifteen year old Toby threw the duvet up over his head. Rory, her twelve year old, remained fast asleep. "Right, this calls for desperate measures." Jess backed out of the room, leaving the door open and running downstairs, reaching for the biggest pot she could find and a wooden spoon. She hurried back up the stairs, standing in the doorway of the boy's room. "You've got three seconds to get out of bed or this is going to get serious." she warned.
"Muuuummmm!" Rory whined.
"We're awake!" Toby mumbled.
"Get out of your beds right now and get ready!" she said. The boys made no move to get up, "NOW!" She started banging the spoon as loudly as possible on the pan, the clanging sound ringing in her ears. The boys' protests were drowned out by the din Jess was making. She watched cheerfully as they finally got up, begging her to stop. "Breakfast in five." She shut the door to their room, reaching the last door. She poked her head round and couldn't help a smile spread across her face. There was her baby, the last of her children, her only daughter. Francesca, Rory's twin, was laying spread eagle on her back, snoring softly, her blonde curls exploding against the pillow. She tiptoed into the room, perching on the edge of the bed. She stroked her daughter's soft hair, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Hey there Frankie, come on baby, time to get up."
Frankie yawned, opening her eyes, the spit of Jess', "Ok mum, I'll be there in a minute." she said tiredly.
"Good girl." Jess said with a smile, opening the curtains on the way out. She wished all her children were as easy to get up as her youngest. As she shut Frankie's door, she felt warm arms slip around her waist.
"Running late?" Callum whispered in her ear.
"As usual." she said with a laugh, twisting and kissing him, "Did I wake you?"
"I know I'm a heavy sleeper, but even I can't sleep through you banging the pan like a maniac." he chuckled. Jess threaded her fingers through his tufty hair, the dark brown now streaked with grey.
"I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you once the kids are at school." she giggled.
"Is that a promise?" he murmured.
"It's a promise." she nodded, kissing him on the nose before following her sons down the stairs.
"LEAH! HARRY! Get your arses down here right now! You're going to be late!" Nate yelled up the stairs. He walked into the kitchen, kissing Sally as he passed her, "Those kids are going to be the death of me."
Sally smiled fondly at him, "You love them. Your life isn't completely without them and you know it. You just like making a big scene and pretending that you're a really scary dad when really you're a big teddy bear. They know it and I know it." She sat on his lap, kissing him.
"Ew gross. Really, it's too early for that, and I really don't appreciate having to see it first thing in the morning." Leah, fifteen, said sarcastically, taking a seat next to her dad and nibbling at her toast.
"It's our new tactics to get your two up on time." Sally said, brushing a loose strand of her daughter's hair back.
"Oh please. You two are too old to do that kind of stuff anyway." Leah said with a grin, laughing as her thirteen year old brother tripped as he entered the kitchen.
"Morning Harry. Do you want some toast sweetie?" Sally asked, kissing his flushed forehead.
"Mum stop fussing! I can get my own breakfast." Harry grumbled. He was a mummy's boy through and through, but he hated his mum fussing over him in front of Leah. She always made fun of him.
"Aw, does ickle Harry not want mummy to do his toast?" Leah teased.
"Enough!" Nate warned as Harry glared at his sister.
"I'm not hungry anyway. I'm going; I said I'd walk with Frankie. Later." he mumbled as he left the house, the front door slamming behind him.
"Leah, what have I told you about winding him up!" Sally warned.
"Just cause he's your favourite and can't handle being teased. Jeez. I'm going, Toby will be waiting." Leah snapped, following her brother out the house.
"Oh God. Remind me again why we decided to have kids?" Sally said wearily.
"JORDAN! This is your last warning, so help me if you're not downstairs in thirty seconds." Max yelled outside his fourteen year old son's door.
"Max keep it down, I'm trying to sleep!" Beth said tiredly from the door to their bedroom.
"Sorry, but your son is being a lazy sod and I can't be late to work today!" Max said, trying his best to apologise.
"Our son, you mean." Beth corrected before continuing, "Yeah well I'm on nights tonight, and I'm knackered enough from last night, so please keep it down." Beth said softly. Max nodded, brushing a kiss against his wife's lips as she went back to bed.
"Jordan!" Max hissed through the door, jumping as it swung open, his son's cocky grin firmly in place.
"Chillax dad, I was ready ages ago, I just like to see how purple I can make your face go in the mornings." he said as he passed Max.
"Not funny Jordan, and stop saying chillax, how many times do I have to tell you?" Max berated.
"Dad for God sake, get down with the kids yeah? Has mum done my lunch?" he asked as they entered the kitchen.
"No, I have. It's over there. Put it in your bag and get to school." Max said, chivvying the boy.
"You made my lunch?" Jordan said sarcastically.
"That's what I said isn't it!" Max answered. Jordan opened the bag to find a mashed up soggy sandwich.
"Oh God, just give me some money and I'll get something a little more edible at school." Jordan grimaced, holding his hand out.
"I'm not made of money you know!" Max growled, dumping a fiver in his son's outstretched hand.
"Cheers dad, you're the best. Have a good day at work!" he called over his shoulder as he left the house. Max paused, took a deep breath in and massaged his temple. He dealt with hardened criminals all the time as part of his job, but little did he realise that it'd be a fourteen year old boy who would be his undoing.
"Lizzy! You ready yet?" Smithy shouted from outside his fourteen year old niece's door. "Listen, there's tea and toast on the floor out here, don't trip over it!" He placed the items down gently, listening to Lizzy moving around inside. He rolled his eyes and walked back downstairs, cradling his West Ham mug in his hands. Lizzy was a good kid, but she could be so difficult sometimes! And Smithy wasn't exactly an expert in teenage girls. But he loved Lizzy like she was his own, and couldn't bear anything happening to her. He looked up as she walked into the kitchen, empty plate in her hand, sipping her tea. Her short dark hair had been artfully styled, and her big blue eyes were layered with make-up. "Lizzy, if you think you're going to school looking like that you've got another thing coming."
"Smithy, its only mascara!" Lizzy sighed, rolling her eyes.
"And the rest! Go wipe it off now." Smithy ordered.
"Jesus Christ." she muttered, slamming her plate on the side and walking back out. Smithy huffed, draining his coffee. He had a feeling she was going to be in a particularly difficult mood today. "Better?" Smithy eyed his niece carefully before nodding.
"Much better. Now listen, if that Jordan Carter carries on harassing you, you let me know alright?" Smithy said.
"Its fine, I can handle him. He's just got some silly crush." Lizzy answered, embarrassed to be talking about guys with her uncle.
"I don't care. I'll be having words with his dad otherwise." Smithy warned.
"Seriously, just cause you don't like his dad! Stop sticking your oar in and leave me to it! See you tonight." Lizzy said, raising a hand in parting.
"I'm getting Chinese tonight, so don't be late!" Smithy called after her, watching as she nodded quickly before leaving the house. "Right then, better get to work."
