Robbie Ray's POV:
The kids were quiet on the way home, Lily had fallen asleep again almost instantly as we stepped into the car, and Oliver was just about there. Miley and I were the only ones that were still wide awake – which was good in my case, because I was driving the car.
We got out of the restaurant at 9:30 and the car ride home had taken half an hour, so by the time we were home and parked in the driveway it was starting to get late – and I could guarantee that Miley was going to drop off like the others in no time. When I looked back at the seat where Lily and Oliver were sitting I found Oliver awake, but not Lily. I looked over at Miley, who shrugged her shoulders and got out of the car as quietly as she could. Oliver did the same, and I followed walking towards Lily's car door and getting down picking her up in my arms. Once Lily was in my arms comfortably Oliver, Miley and I walked slowly towards the house, all of us sleepy, and into the living room where I found Jackson and Cooper asleep in their pajamas, surrounded by a mess of junk food they'd spread out in front of the television.
"I'll be back," I whispered to Miley and Oliver as I walked up the stairs to the guest room across from Miley's room. This was where Lily was going to stay for the next few weeks until her parents got back on their feet. It was unfortunate that both her mom and dad had to take these business trips – if they had the choice, they wouldn't. I placed Lily on the bed and underneath the covers, Lily didn't stir once. "Good night," I whispered to her before I walked to the door frame and turned the light off. "Sweet dreams," My response, before I left the room completely, was a deep breath in and then out that made a whistling sound with her nose. I smiled and made my way down the stairs.
"Lily still asleep?" Miley asked when I got down there, I nodded. "I guess I should be getting to bed as well," she yawned. "What are we going to do about Oliver?"
I looked at Oliver for the first time since we'd arrived at the house, I'd almost forgotten that he was here. "He can take the other guest room for the night," I told Oliver and Miley, pointing in the direction of the room; upstairs and the fourth door to the left after Lily's. "I'll call your parents and explain the situation, and then I can drive you and Miley to school tomorrow morning."
"Thanks Mr. S," Oliver whispered, and I realized that Jackson and Cooper were still asleep on the couch, "Good night."
"Good night Oliver," I whispered, "you can borrow some of Jackson's pajamas if you want." Oliver nodded, and walked up the stairs. Miley walked up to me, her eyes were dropping now and she pulled me into a hug, "good night Miley, sweet dreams," I told her as I kissed her head.
"Good night dad," she whispered, and followed Oliver up the stairs to her own bedroom.
Now all I had to figure out was what to do with Jackson and Cooper. Waking them up was an obvious option, so that was the first thing I did, but it was easier said than done. First I tried shaking Jackson awake, and then I tried to poke them until at least one woke up, but neither technique worked. I tried the classics, like pouring water on them, and yelling in their ears. Eventually, I got an air mattress out of the closet, and blew it up. I moved the coffee table and all the junk on top, and placed the mattress there so that I could roll Cooper off of the couch and onto somewhere where he would be more comfortable. This was easier, and when I was satisfied with my job well done, I went to pick up the trash they'd left for me and put it all in the garbage. Once this was all done I was well tired, and turned off all of the lights to the living room and kitchen and made my way towards my own bedroom down the hall. I slept with out interruption.
The next morning though I ended up waking up at 5a.m to get Jackson and Cooper ready for school. Unlike last night where it was impossible to wake them up, this morning was much easier and all I had to do was say their names.
"Jackson," I whispered in attempt not to wake anyone else up. "It's time to get up for school." Jackson groaned but opened his eyes and turned on the light near to the couch.
"What's for breakfast dad?" Jackson asked, I shrugged my shoulders and Jackson got up from the couch to walk to the kitchen.
"Cooper," I whispered to the teenager sleeping on the air mattress, he opened his eyes and immediately closed them again. "It's time to get up for school," I tried again. This time Cooper got up completely and joined Jackson in the kitchen – who was now pouring himself a bowl of cereal.
"Did you have a fun time at the restaurant Mr. Stewart?" Cooper asked, while pouring himself a bowl of cereal. I nodded, "Thank you for letting me sleep over."
"You're welcome Cooper," I whispered, still half asleep myself. "Did you two have a fun night?"
Jackson and Cooper nodded and said nothing else while they ate their cereal. As they did so I turned around to make myself some coffee only to be interrupted by footsteps coming down the staircase. I was half expecting Miley, but still wasn't surprised when Lily showed up. Lily was just how I left her in her room, but it looked like she'd gotten up in the night and changed her pants because now she was wearing striped flannel pj pants. Her hair was messed up to the point where her hat was about to fall off, and sleep plastered Lily's face.
"Mr. Stewart," she mumbled, I could tell Lily was feeling sick just by the tone in her voice. "Do you have anything that could settle my stomach? I feel like I'm going to throw up."
I nodded, and reached up to the cupboard above my coffee machine to grab the medicine. Sleepily still I walked over to give it to Lily, "Take two and it should do the trick," I instructed her. Lily did so, and thanked me before she walked over to the airbed and feel asleep again. I laughed silently and turned back to making my coffee. In no time flat I could hear Lily's breathing even up again, she'd fallen asleep.
"How does she do it?" Jackson whispered, looking at Lily asleep on the bed. "The moment her head hits a pillow, it's good night Lily."
"She's just tired is all," I whispered back. Jackson nodded and turned back to his cereal. "I've got to drive you both to school soon," I told Cooper and Jackson, looking at the large grandfather clock we had in the kitchen. "You should be getting ready." Both boys nodded and got up from the table. I took their dirty dishes and placed them in the dishwasher, and turned around to get my finished coffee.
I was only half way through when the boys came back into the kitchen, "we're ready." Jackson whispered and headed towards the door where he and Cooper walked out into the car ready for me. At this moment I wished Jackson's car hadn't broken down.