CAFFEINE IS LOVE. CAFFEINE IS LIFE. Please do excuse my lateness. I have relatives over. I know I've been on a fluff streak (today is no exception) so next week will be angsty angst.

Summary: Mother's Day has arrived in the Stewart household. Cue pancakes and cute family times.

"Amelia, Finn, time to get up." Liam shook the twins gently, trying to wake them as quietly as possible.

"But 'm tired." Finn's voice whined.

"Five more minutes." Amelia added.

Giving a long-suffering sigh, Liam put his face near theirs.

"If you get up, I'll let you help with the breakfast." The twins stirred a bit, then stilled. Liam leaned in closer. "Well," Liam said, drawling out the word. "I guess you'll just have to meet the Tickle Monster!"

Running his fingers into the sides of the six-year-olds, the small bodies squirmed and struggled in his grasp. Giggles flew out of their mouths, blue and green eyes widening and gasping for breath as they tumbled out of bed. Amelia's strawberry blonde hair was a tangled in huge clumps, and Finn's amber hair stuck out in all directions.

"Do you two want to help make breakfast for Mommy?" Liam asked. The two eagerly shook their heads, and scampered to race each other down the staircase. Liam put a finger to his lips when they passed Ruby's door, and the twins made a point in tip-toeing past the cream bedroom door.

When they reached to kitchen, Amelia and Finn climbed two stools to rest their hands across the island. Liam rustled through the refrigerator, scanning the supplies they had.

"What do you two think about pancakes?" Liam asked, sticking his head out the fridge door.

"Pancakes!" Amelia and Finn chimed in unison. Liam grinned his signature ilet's get started/i grin, and precariously balanced eggs, milk, water, flour, and chocolate chips in his arms and haphazardly made his way the the island.

"Who want to crack the eggs first?"

"Careful, Amelia, butter is slippery."

"Daddy, what does this do?"

"That's flour Finn, no, don't-! Well there goes the rest of the flour."

"Sorry Daddy."

"It's fine, flapjack."

Every surface imaginable in the kitchen was coated in a thin layer of powdery flour. The flour had also found its way into Amelia, Finn, and Liam's hair, dusting it in snowflake-like coating. Broken eggshells scattered the island, one egg broken on the floor. Chocolate chips rolled around in wet clumps of batter, some of the chocolate chips "accidently" finding their way into Amelia's mouth. Milk was lying in white puddles throughout the kitchen, pools of butter lying next to them. Scout yapped and proceeded to lap at a milk puddle.

Ruby would not be pleased.

Even so, amongst the mess, a stack of three perfect golden pancakes sat on a plate atop the counter.

"Ready to give these to Mommy?" Liam said as he carried the large plate of pancakes. Amelia nodded solemnly, a glass of orange juice in her hands. Next to her, Finn gave a thumbs-up, holding a small pitcher of syrup.

Walking down the hall, Liam gave three short knocks.

Ruby usually didn't sleep in, but today was an exception.

It was one of those lazy days where you didn't necessarily do anything too strenuous the day before, but her body and mind willed her to stay in bed. So she did. The cocoon of blankets and pillows was just too comfortable, mind bordering on the edge of unconsciousness and awareness.

Three quiet knocks had her swinging her feet over the bed, partially sleepy but not annoyed.

Opening the door, Amelia, Finn, and Liam chorused together,

"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!"

Syrup was dripping in Finn's hair, powder streaked Amelia's face and Liam looked like he dunked himself in batter.

Ruby thought they looked perfect.

"Mommy, look what we made you!" Finn chattered excitedly, practically bouncing on his heels while pointing to the plate of pancakes Liam held in his sun-kissed hands. Liam guided her back to her bed, and set the plate down on the side table. Amelia and Finn followed the same suit, Finn crawling into bed next to her and Amelia plopping down on her stomach with a little "oof". Liam took his usual side of the bed, and if possible, Ruby was more comfortable than before.

"Wait! We forgot the card!" Amelia said quickly, looking at her brother. The two bolted out of the bed, returning quickly. In Amelia's hand was an obviously handmade card, and Finn held a fistfull of daisies and dandelions.

"Here Mommy." Amelia said, handing Ruby the card. Finn placed the flowers next to the plate of pancakes, and Ruby made a mental note to put them in a vase later. The twins resumed their previous positions on the bed.

Opening the card, Ruby read aloud the words scrawled as carefully as a six-year-old could manage.

"Dear Mommy,

Happy Mommy's Day! Thank you for taking me and Finn to school and making us breakfast. We know Daddy wouldn't be able to do all the awesome things you do and you do my hair without pulling too hard. Finn says thanks for helping him with his homework and for not throwing out Mr. Bear even when he fell in the mud and you had to wash it 500000 times. I love you!

Amelia + Finn"

A rough sketch of a heart and star was written next to the names, and each child had carefully drawn a picture of themselves with Ruby on the back.

"Thank you, darlings." Ruby said kissing each one on the forehead. She turned and pecked Liam on the lips. "How 'bout you two go take a bath?" Ruby asked the kids.

They gave each other a conspiratory look before asking, "Can we use bubbles?" In the most serious tone they possessed.

Ruby laughed then rubbed their heads affectionately before saying a yes. The pair clamoured to get to the bathroom first, racing with heavy footsteps down the hall.

Ruby exhaled a sigh, then turned over to Liam.

"Gimme those pancakes, they better be good considering you got most of it on your face."

Liam pouted, handed over the pancakes, but not before flicking a bit of flour onto Ruby's face.

"Hey!"

"To truly enjoy the pancake, one must become the pancake."

"Shut up and help me eat these pancakes."

"Yes, ma'am."