Mel walked downstairs, sniffing the air. "Mmm… chocolate chip pancakes?"

"With French toast on the side." Joe looked at her, smiling. "By the way, morning."

Mel grinned. "Good morning… again, great dinner last night. I can still taste the flavor. Yum." She grabbed a cup and began to pour coffee into it.

Lennox and Ryder walked in. "Yeah, speaking of last night… how was the dinner, Joe?" Lennox asked.

Joe glared at her. "It was fine, thank you, Lennox."

"It was delicious," Mel chimed in. "Some of Joe Longo's finest."

Joe grinned sheepishly. "Well, I don't—"
And in walked Mel's boyfriend, Mickey. "Good morning, house!"

Mel made a confused face and set her coffee cup down. "Mickey?"

Lennox and Ryder looked wide-eyed at each other. "Mickey?" they said at the same time.

"You're Mickey?" said Joe.

"I'm Mickey!"

Mel gave him a kiss. "Uh, hi… what are you doing here?"

"I just figured I'd pop in and say hello before you went to work," Mickey responded. He looked over. "And you must be Joe, the… male nanny."

Joe smirked. "I'm freelance. How do you know about me?"

"Mel talks about you a lot," Mickey replied.

Half of Joe jumped up and down with joy and the other half didn't want this guy knowing anything about him. "Oh, does she?" He looked at Mel.

Mel giggled. "Uh, yeah… you're quite a lot to talk about." She scratched the back of her head. "Mickey! Do you want some chocolate chip pancakes? Made by my male nanny?"

Joe crossed his arms. "Freelance!"

Mel rolled her eyes at him.

Mickey shook his head, still staring at Joe. "No, I'd… better get going." He kissed Mel on the forehead. "See you later, sweetie."

Mel made a face. "Uh… bye!"

Mickey walked out the back door.

Lennox sat down at the counter. "Wow, Mel… so that's your boyfriend?"

"Yeah, that's him," Mel responded. She didn't sound too very enthusiastic about it. "I guess you guys finally got to meet him."

"Yeah, isn't he something." Joe got out some bread and put it in the toaster.

Ryder's eyebrow arched. "Toast with pancakes?"
Joe nodded. "Yeah. So?"

"Uh, well, it's just—"
Lennox hit Ryder's arm. "It's Ryder's favorite breakfast."

Mel shook her head. "No, it's not."

"Aunt Mel!" Lennox laughed loudly. She threw an arm over her aunt. "Shouldn't you get going? You're going to be late."

Mel shook her head. "No, I don't have to be at work until—"

"Bye!" Lennox gave her aunt her purse and pushed her out the back door. She turned to Joe. "So… what do you think of Mickey?"

Joe glared at her. "I'm not talking about him."

Lennox half-smiled. "Well… you and Mel seemed awfully chipper this morning! Come on, really. How was dinner?"

Joe grinned. "It was… great!"

Lennox and Ryder leaned in closer, intrigued. "So, what happened?" asked Ryder.

"She said—"

Mel came in the kitchen door just then, glaring at Lennox. Joe turned away.

"Lennox!" Mel snapped. "What was that?"
"I uh thought you were going to be late!" Lennox replied, nervously.

"I don't have to be at work for another hour and a half!" Mel replied. "You know that. I haven't even had breakfast yet." She sat down at the table.

Joe looked at them, mouthing "I'll tell you later." They gave him a thumbs-up and joined their aunt at the table.

A/N: Don't kill me! I know I haven't updated in MONTHS. I've been busy and have had no inspiration for this story, but I do sorta like it and I want it finished, so here's a new chapter! Feedback would be appreciated; I have no idea how this turned out. Thanks!