Chapter 818: Murphy House
Monday, April 3rd, Morning
The phone went off when it was still dark. She picked up her head to watch her husband pick it up and listen to the other side. After a few quick questions, he hung up, sighed, and sat up.
"Go back to sleep," Andrew McMichael said.
"What happened?" Kelly McMichael asked.
"The Southern Star made port, and of course, there's some issue I have to sort out," Andrew said.
"Your Uncle Ian needs to sort this shit out," Kelly said.
Andrew sighed, "You're telling me," he said, walking out of the bedroom for the ensuite.
Kelly lay back down and closed her eyes. This was all too common; cargo ships always had issues when they came to port. Andrew's Uncle, Ian McMichael, leaned on him to sort out the problems. Kelly reflected he was good at his job, but it wore on him.
The ensuite door opened, and Andrew returned to the bedroom. Kelly watched him through a half-opened eye. Andrew finished getting dressed and pulled his tie in place. Finally, walking over to the bed, he thought Kelly was asleep. He kissed her on the lips and straightened up.
"I love you, and I'll see you later," Andrew said, "I'll discuss fixing this with Uncle Ian; again, this is ridiculous."
Andrew stood there for another moment. Shaking his head, he turned from the bed and left the room. Kelly sighed and looked at the alarm clock. Short of Rian waking up early, she had a few hours before she had to get Phelan and Liv ready for school. She pulled the covers tighter around her and rolled onto her side, closing her eyes and drifting off.
What seemed like a few moments, but once she lifted her head and checked, the alarm clock was just over an hour later. The monitor was chiming with the calls of her three-year-old, Rian. Kelly rolled out of bed, grabbed a hair tie, and approached the bedroom door. As she walked, Kelly pulled her auburn hair back into a ponytail.
After having kids, Kelly and Andrew moved into the primary bedroom, once her parents' room. It was refurbished and didn't remind her of her dad too much. Rian was in Huck's old bedroom. Opening the door, Kelly saw Rian sitting up in his toddler bed.
"Mama," Rian said.
Kelly smiled and walked over to her son. Rian's face lit up when Kelly bent over and picked him up. This simple act of love and the familiar routine of their mornings together brought a comforting warmth to the start of their day. Once they finished, they went to the kitchen while Rian sat in his booster chair; Kelly began making breakfast for her youngest son.
After she finished, Kelly placed food in front of Rian. She started her coffee and looked out the window, seeing the blue sky turn orange with the rising sun. The aroma of the brewing coffee filled the kitchen, mixing with the sound of Rian's cheerful babbling.
Once the coffee was done, Kelly made herself a cup she liked. Rian was almost done when she checked on him. With a smile, Kelly kissed the top of Rian's head. Taking her coffee, Kelly stepped onto the porch and looked towards the East. The sun started kissing the sky, and the aurora grew brighter.
Kelly turned to look in on Rian and saw Phelan down from his room. Phelan is Kelly's oldest, her nine-year-old. He was sitting at the table eating cereal and talking with his brother. 'Rian, don't play with your food,' Phelan advised. 'I'm not playing, I'm making art,' Rian retorted. Kelly smiled at their banter and turned back to the rising sun.
She sipped her coffee slowly, feeling the warm liquid fill her body. The tranquility of the morning, the gentle sounds of her children's voices, and the comforting warmth of her coffee all contributed to a sense of relaxation. Once her coffee was finished, she rested the mug on the railing. Kelly smiled and remembered her dad loved spending time on the porch looking over the inlet.
Once the sun was mainly over the horizon, Kelly grabbed the mug and returned to the house. She checked on Phelan and Rian and headed to the kitchen. After refilling her mug, she returned to her two sons and found her middle child and only daughter, Liv, seven years old, joining her brothers.
Kelly smiled, put her mug down, and returned to the kitchen. With a practiced hand, Kelly made Liv's breakfast. The sense of accomplishment in providing a nutritious meal for her daughter added to the satisfaction of the morning routine. Once complete, Kelly brought her daughter her breakfast. As Liv ate, Kelly sipped her second cup of coffee.
After a third sip, Kelly walked over to Rian. The three-year-old smiled at his mom as she put down her mug and removed the wet wipes. Kelly carefully cleaned up her son. Once Rian was clean, Kelly put Rian down.
Kelly looked after Phelan, her little wolf; the boy could eat like one. Looking across the table, she saw Liv eating away. Kelly glanced at the grandfather clock, which had been in Murphy House since immemorial.
"Eat up, y'all have to get ready for school," Kelly said.
"Yes, Mama," Liv said in between bites.
"Do I have to go to school, Mama?" Phelan asked.
"Yes, you have to go to school," Kelly said.
"Awe!" Phelan said.
Kelly shook her head and drank her coffee. She watched as Phelan poked at his cereal.
"Finish it, or head to your room and get ready for school," Kelly said.
"Yes, Mama," Phelan said, got up and went upstairs.
Kelly watched to ensure Rian behaved and listened to ensure Phelan moved around upstairs. Looking over the table, she noticed Liv had finished her breakfast.
"All finished, Mama," Liv said.
Kelly nodded, "Go upstairs and get ready for school," she said.
"Yes, Mama," Liv said, got up and ran upstairs.
Kelly enjoyed a quick moment of peace. She finished her coffee and cleared the table. Phelan finally came down dressed for school. Kelly checked over Phelan, nodded, and left him to watch Rian. Then, she went upstairs to get ready.
After a navy shower, Kelly put on her mommy clothes: leggings and a baggy sweatshirt. She put her hair up into a bun and headed downstairs. After checking on the boys, Kelly returned upstairs to ensure Liv was ready to go.
After Liv had dressed, Kelly got the kids ready and herded them into her vehicle. She buckled them into the back while the car warmed up. Once Rian was secured, Kelly checked on her other two children again. Finally, she got into the driver's seat and headed towards her kids' school.