#but I queued all my songs and I’m going to have an epic shower

[rosicheeks]

Changed the background for you and that’s a great one! We could do that or light my candle!

[plaidstiel-wormstache]

Asylum18

My Experience at MY FIRST EVER CON!

Hey all,

So I’ve been away a few weeks, but now I’m back! And this past weekend (12-14 May) I was at Asylum 18 in Blackpool with my supernatural family!

It was an epic adventure and I loved every second of it!

If you’d like to read about it - click on keep reading, if not, and you just want photos, I’ll create another post! Just FYI - it’s flippin long, I do apologise.

THURSDAY I woke up, pumped, tired, but pumped, and picked up my hire car. Headed to the airport to pick up the first member of the fambam! She’d arrived from Germany and was overwhelmed! It was an easy 1hr and a bit drive to our hotel - where we did end up parking in the wrong area, but ... adventures! Then I ferried more of my family from the station to the hotel, in two lots. Now we’re all together, all checked in. Blah blah - met up with more family, had fish and chips for tea and just chatted about how excited we were for our weekend to start.

FRIDAY We had more family arrive, and now our group was complete. Today was registration, lots of lines, lots of waiting, perfecting the art of snake queues and figuring out where each member of the group were. By the time me and twinsie (a lady named Carolyn who thinks a little too much like me!) passed through registration, added extras and picked up our pre-orders - we’d probably passed 3 or more hours. Rookie moves were made by not packing water, so we then indulged in slushee’s after we’d passed out the other end of that mammoth queue. She checked in to her room, and we were taking a breather when we got the tweet - autos were happening. ARGH! So we met back up and headed straight to autos. I have a pillow case that I was getting signed - we started with Mark P (who was lovely and the only person who commented on the badges on my jacket - he liked). Moved on to Kim - the loveliest person ever, she looked stunned when I told her to have a good day, she told me to have a good one too! Then Lauren, who is just so precious. She thought I’d made the pillow case and was saying how smart and talented I am ... bless her, I had to say I’d clicked a button online and it showed up on my doorstep! Katherine Ramdeen was oh so sweet, had me wishing I had bought an op with her, she was so nice and genuine. The line for Briana and Osric were very long, so we went over to Chad, he was quirky, very sweet and kind though. Then we went to the line for Briana, and they closed the doors for autos, so phew we’d got in in time. Briana was oh so special! She told me to enjoy myself, and we’d moved on by the time I could think, and oh what a thought - kicking myself I didn’t say “often do!” And last but definitely not least, Osric. He was all smiles and happiness and the sun just shines outta that man. He was sweet AF, liked the pillow case and said he hoped I enjoyed the weekend, as I had wished him a fun one. That night most of us had dinner together, then separated and washed up for “the party” that night. Twinsie and I cosplayed (my first ever). We dressed as Howard and Bernadette from The Big Bang Theory - made funnier by the fact that I was taller than her and the blonde wig was just ... wigging me out! Everyone loved our costumes! But it was an early night as we were tired from queuing all day.

SATURDAY! I was up early at 0630 and showered and ready for breakfast by 0745. I went down the hall to a friends room and we had breakfast together in the hotel. Then stood in the queue (oh yes, another) for the main hall where the panel would take place. Myself and two new friends followed Jensen (no, not that Jensen. Yes, it was fun yelling his name and watching people turn round so fast whiplash was inevitable) into the hall, then realised he was up with the diamonds, and we were the cheapies. So we found seats at the back and got comfy for the rest of the day, practically! - First up with their panel was Kim and Briana - Adam Rose and Chris Gauthier were our co-hosts. The ladies were inspiring and brilliant and had alot to say about their characters, how they wished we would get to see more of them - so to keep an eye out for an upcoming side work! And Kim was very clear that Jodie was hers whilst she was in front of a camera, when she had a script, but then Jodie became ours to do what we will with her, that she supports all the creativity and ideas people have about Jodie, and that she encourages us to keep going, and even send her stuff! - Fifteen min break, then Adam and David - our beloved BMoL men. They said they were nervous but they looked like they were in their element. There were times where they would both keep saying “I’m sure this is boring, but I gotta tell ya real quick...” bless them - nothing you say will bore us! One of the questions was about their most embarassing job they’d ever taken. Adam said his had to be a stage play where he had the role of a gay male, had nude scenes and there was a lot of kissing the same sex. Apparently his sister was mortified when she went to see it and his Dad shook his hand and said “there was a lot of kissing in that!”, but his mum was proud. And David’s job was at a convention where he was dressed as a member of Devo and listened to Whip It nine hours straight for two days, and had to dance and stick stickers on people who came through the doors - he gave us a song and dance as example, much whistling happened! - Chad, Katherine Ramdeen, Chris and Adam Rose were up next. The boys were up there a while without Kat as she was still doing photo’s. I ran out to get Alaina’s auto at some point - SO SWEET, love her and she appreciated that I liked her daughters painting art that she posts on instagram. The four of them were actually quite interesting and sweet, although when I came back in Kat was talking about how she’d synced up with Kathryn on set, the boys then started making fun of her - not happy bout that, but there’s nothing I can do about that. - Misha ... and of course they posted a vague tweet about photo ops, maybe one I had, so I rushed out (knowing my seat was safe). Not my photo op, so I went back to my seat. Then Mark S autos were called, so I ran off again (my row is not too impressed by now). I get to autos and Mark is gone ... BUT Adam Rose and others were there and I have a ticket for him, so I text my friend with my bag, and ask her to pass back my wallet with all the tickets (as opposed to climbing back over everyone). David Haydn-Jones’s was very kind and said he was enjoying his second con so much and is impressed by all the love that this fandom has to offer and was surprised when I said I was from Aus but relieved when I said I’d moved so I hadn’t come up just for this! Adam Fergus didn’t have a lot of people at his table and he was brilliant, again enjoying his second con and loving the people he’s coming across. No one was at Adam’s desk so I got his autograph and got to have a lovely conversation with him. He was genuinely amazed that I had brought up his travels and loved following along on Insta and that I remembered that he had a dog and then we were talking about his pup, and then he said I should check out his youtube for more traveling. Then I was back to Misha’s panel. LUNCH (this is getting long, apologies, I’ll start paraphrasing). - So Osric and Lauren’s panel was first after lunch, but I was at Alaina’s photo op, again, she’s so sweet and said she hopped she got my request right - I’d asked for a raised eyebrow... she nailed it! Then returned to the LOsric panel, they are both darling. - Mark P and Alaina were up next, they were actually great up there together. Not a packed house, but a lot of questions and they had a great laugh together. - Mark S... he’s hilarious. He walked around the whole auditorium, he was rude and sassy and sarcastic and just brilliant. People were handing him chocolate bars and I was worrying cause I had Tim Tam’s for him (well his wife, heaven knows they didn’t get back to her!). He walked right behind me and was answering a question as I shook the packet at him. He smiled like it was christmas day and I’d given the best present. He then collected something else from the other side of the hall and went up to the stage, sat down and asked if there were any Aussie’s in the audience. I was the only WOO and he laughed, ripped into the Tim Tams, bit the top and bottom off one and picked up his tea. I was the only one to cheer, then he used it as a straw and then ate the whole thing. I screamed out “YOU’RE WELCOME”! That night my roomies were like - was that you? Yep uhuh thought so! - Hillywood were up next - but I was gone. I like their parody - but that’s all I’ve seen of them, and that’s not enough to keep me in my seat. Me and roomies got pizza, I drove out and picked it all up. Then I wandered down the hall to Jensen’s room to watch Eurovision. Jason Mann’s was performing that night and Briana made a surprise appearance (that Alaina pretty much said she was doing then sent her a text while in her panel). It was a fun night with a small room packed with nine people then eventually eleven.

SUNDAY Today was BUSY AF. I was back and forth and that hotel is spread out! Sat through the Mark P and Alaina panel to start my day then I went back to the room to get rid of some stuff out of my bag, use the loo, then as I reached the main hall Mark S was walking in front of me, he was slow and I wanted to go around him, but I was headed to his photo op, so why not stay behind him. But when I reached the room, they called all groups for Misha... - So in I go, Misha (it was go go go, I asked for an awkward prom photo, he spun me around and it turned into a weird pregnancy photo). - Had my Mark S photo, he was himself! But when I got up there with another packet of Tim Tams he smiled and said “I still have my other packet!” I said he better! And then explained I wanted to do it like a Tim Tam advert, he pulled me in close, it’s my fave picture. Then as I was leaving and after I’d said thank you, he said you better eat them and not share them! - Mark P was up next, I asked for a hug but with bunny ears, he was so tall I couldn’t reach, so it looks like I’m trying to grab his hair, but it’s a good photo. Left my copy there as the printers were jam packed, but headed over to... - Lauren and Osric, they were were the cutest and sweetest, and not many people were there for the duo so they were really taking their time with each person. I asked for an awkward family photo with the weird hands on hips and odd faces. Osric shotgunned back and Lauren was confused, but it’s my second fave photo, it turned out so well! - FINALLY got my Misha auto, I got to the desk and said “You’re doing an amazing job, not just here at con, but everywhere... in life.” And he looked at me as if I was the first person to ever tell him that and he said “Thank you so much.” Like it meant to world to him. And then I had to go and have a moment in my room (no not like that!) cause I didn’t expect for that to hit me like it did - but I could say that to you and I’d have the same reaction. (yeah YOU). Got changed, packed away the pillow case, reorganised my bag, went downstairs, got lunch (before the massive lines started) then joined my friends in the hall for Mark S’s panel - more walking around, more brutal than yesterday, just hilarious. LUNCH... - Had my Kim and Briana op, my friends (mum and daughter) in front of me had theirs first, they did the YMCA and it was BRILLIANT, Bri stood the wrong way round for the C then got it right, then was cautious to not have her arm in Dawn’s face. Then I asked for a sandwich but with faces that said someone smelt like BO - great photo! - Back to the hall to wait for my group to get called for Adam and David. Kat, Chad, Adam and Chris were up on stage when I got there, and only had two more people in line to ask questions and still had half an hour to go, so I thought I’d get up to save from being awward. I wrote out a question for Kat (as everyone had questions for Chad and Adam...) then Dawn said “ask them what their fave cheeses are”! A lot of waiting, i was last question, and just skipped the Kat question went right for the cheese. Kat was real animated cause I mentioned that she was Vegan so my friend Dawn was wondering ... it was a good last question, they all got a kick out of it! - THEN ADAM AND DAVID!!!! There was a long line, but they were giving each person a good amount of time with them, making them all feel special. I asked for a smushy hug, and it was heaven. You’ll see i got a little possessive. And David grabbed me at the end and looked in my eyes and said Thanks. And Adam was very thankful and sweet as well, wished me a good end of con, I said I hoped he’d enjoyed it. Then the steward was proper “MOVE” - doing their job! - Back to Panel’s, Kim and Briana, the goddesses that they are. And Kim talked about how much she’s learnt from her autistic daughter and that she’s realised she tried to mother everyone, now she just mother’s her child. Same for Bri, she’s more than happy to let her kid do whatever and figure it out for themselves cause they’ll never take you for your word. - Misha was last up, he was very grateful to everyone for coming along. Said how “nice blackpool” was (sarcasm - the venue was mediocre at best). He took of his jacket - the crowd went nuts as they do. He thanked the event organisers and just like that, an amazing weekend was over. - That night the few that remained played CAH and ate chicken meals, opting for an early-ish night before saying goodbye in the morning. I wouldn’t have traded a second of it for anything. It was a grand weekend, and amazing first con and I had an absolute blast meeting all those new people, meeting my family and seeing old faces. I can’t wait to go to another one!

Taking Pics Making Friends

[3one3]

The Sequel - 883

Intruder

André Schürrle, Juan Mata, other Chelsea/BVB players, and random awesome OC’s (okay they’re less random now but they’re still pretty awesome)

original epic tale

all chapters of The Sequel

“You’re getting crumbs all over me.”

“Ask me if I care.”

“Do you care?”

“No. Did you like the stew?”

“I told you I did. And I ate the whole bowl. Twice.”

“Just checking.”

Mwah, André narrated in his head as he kissed Christina’s. She was curled up on him and eating from a plate of charcuterie in his lap, awaiting the kickoff of APOEL vs. BVB on TV. As a special favor for him, she “slaved” over a hot stove to make a paprika-laden salmon and potato stew that she thought was sort of like Hungarian goulash fish. It also vaguely reminded her of the fabada that Juan loved, since that too was a reddish-orange broth with stuff floating in it that she didn’t particularly like. Lukas enjoyed it, obviously, because it stained everything it touched and was more or less a soup. Lukas loved soup. He and Dad dined on salmon and potato stew while Mom showered and answered emails. Her work schedule dictated a late lunch, so she wasn’t hungry at dinnertime even if the menu had been more to her liking. She was looking forward to the dried meats, cold cuts, cheese, and bread anyway. Her morning grocery shopping was influenced by the hunger from which she suffered at the time. All sorts of cravings landed in her basket. There were chocolate covered pretzels in the kitchen for the second half.

“How many ridiculously healthy fish stews do I have to make for you to get fit enough to play football instead of watch it on TV?” Christina inquired, almost disdainfully, while she took in the line-up and formation graphic on the screen. She wasn’t a fan of Peter Bosz’s decision-making, and seldom understood it. Her question wasn’t about disparaging her partner’s slow progress back to the team, but her desperation to see him bring them some useful quality.

“How many times do I get to laugh at you later when you complain about getting acid reflux from eating in this position?”

“None. If you love me you’ll just get me an antacid and rub my head.”

I like her so much lately, André thought, smiling again before kissing to the right of her topknot once more. I like her when she’s relaxed and fake-bossy and cute and making me special meals and wanting to be together for everything. She even stayed in our bathroom this morning and trimmed her toenails outside the door to the toilet while I was in there so that she could tell me all about how she did 15 pull-ups and felt so strong with the weights. Which, by the way, he continued remarking to himself while his girl hummed the Champions League song and chewed salami, I’m pretty sure is down to her having a more regular routine- sleeping in the same place, having her meals at more or less the same time, having the choice to make whatever she wants instead of hotel food, relaxing regul-

“Mario looks less fat this week. Is the black kit that slimming or is he getting leaner?”

“I don’t know. If he lost any weight, I know where to find it. You put on some padding this week,” he joked, poking at her side.

“I know. I lost a handful of pounds when I was sick.”

“Here we go.”

“We should put Real and Spurs on the computer or iPad or something, yeah?”

“You want to get up and get it?”

“No.”

“You want to get up so I can get it?”

“No.”

“Then I guess not.”

Dortmund was in trouble in their group. Real Madrid and Tottenham were each on 6 points going into matchday three, and the Bees were on none. APOEL was in the same boat, after heavy defeats to the other two. Dortmund’s best hope to get to the knockout stages of the competition was beating APOEL and hoping that Real Madrid would defeat the London club, as Tottenham still had to travel to the Westfalenstadion and would be an easier target for the needed second win than Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Christina thought her team’s new manager tactically inept. To her it was as if he watched footage of opponents to prepare for the game and then chose to do the exact opposite of what she would do, and what she thought was the obvious right plan. She also thought him incapable of adjusting or organizing the team from the touchline, or his seat in the dugout, where he seemed to spend all his time. On top of that, he couldn’t change a game. His substitutions seldom made a difference. The team lacked balance and organization, always, and there was never any leadership on the pitch.

André’s irritation and dismay was triggered by far fewer issues. He just wished the team had more fight in it, and more responsibility. He saw things spiral out of control, or turn into 11 guys each doing their own thing based on their own ideas, and no one taking ownership of his role. There were a lot of new pieces put together, a lot of in and out due to injury, and a regular lack of experienced personnel, as well as lack of consistency from everyone. The Bees were getting away with in the Bundesliga for the most part. In fact, they were still atop the table. But they suffered an embarrassing defeat at home at the weekend that exposed the same problems plain to everyone watching the Champions League.

His teammates were especially bad against APOEL. They were sluggish and unmotivated. A Bürki mistake led to a goal, which ignited serious fire under the home side and seriously demoralized the visitors. Most of the match was a mess, tactically speaking and also in terms of execution. Personality-wise, it was a disaster. It was painful to watch. The other team had to sub off their main striker and goalkeeper due to injuries in the first 40 minutes- two of the most key players- and were still looking more capable than the Germans. And Tottenham opened the scoring in Madrid, just to make the situation more fraught. Both BVB and Real managed to get equalizers eventually, but the former’s attempt to secure a winner was equal parts chaos and heart attack. They almost conceded a winner at least twice as often as they looked like getting one for themselves. The score line in the other game was not helpful. Christina’s attitude at the whistle was one of resignation and bitterness, but without any surprise. Her husband was legitimately shocked by the terrible performance, and profoundly disappointed.

“Think of it this way: you were never going to get far in the knockout rounds anyway, not this year. Wouldn’t you rather have a chance to win the Europa League than get spanked by Barcelona or Chelsea in the round of 16?” the non-footballer posed for consideration while taking apart her bed. The housekeepers changed the sheets and made it up nicely, which meant Christina had to pull it all apart and rearrange the pillows. André was trying to figure out the gas fireplace under the TV. They hadn’t had occasion to use it yet. He was looking forward to real cold setting in so that they could light the real wood-burning fireplaces in the foyer and living room. In fact, he was looking forward to the winter holidays, when he’d have an excuse to have those two going as well as the tiny gas one in the kitchen that was visible on the other side of the wall in the dining room too. Zoe put a glass-enclosed gas fireplace in every new wall she added to the house, and then cut a big hole in an existing wall in order to add one to the round room with the Jacuzzi.

“I guess. But we need to get a hold on things before we get momentum in the wrong direction.”

“Yeah, for real. Especially now that Heynckes is back at Bayern and they’ve maybe possibly stopped their delicious descent into mediocrity. I think you’d be perfectly happy without European football in exchange for a Bundesliga title.”

“Correct.”

“Oh, that looks nice,” the rider smiled when she realized he got the low flames ignited. She didn’t pay any attention until she crawled into bed and got under the covers. “Come snuggle! We can pretend we’re somewhere alpine.” André yawned twice while he watched the fire for a second, and then he stopped in his dressing room to discard his sweatpants before he slid into the predominantly navy linens with his favorite girl and set the fireplace remote down. She picked out the new sheets on a shopping trip with him in the city. They had some thin white stripes spaced far apart, and they were incredibly soft. Christina didn’t like duvet covers because of the bunching issues, but she was willing to overlook that because the linen set felt so nice.

“Tell the truth,” the player requested with a sort of facetiously probing squint as he got settled on his pillow and captured her legs with his. “You just want Chelsea to win the Champions League.”

“Yep.” She nodded from the opposite pillow and poked at his chest while his left palm settled on her right side. “But I also think you all never had a chance.”

“I know.”

“It was fun to watch together and like, be real about the team,” she chuckled. “I’ve been biting my tongue about it for...I don’t know...13 months? I dunno if Reus mentioned it, but I vented some frustration about it at him yesterday and he took it pretty okay and suggested that you are a big boy and could handle it too, so...”

“I can always take it. As long as you aren’t mean just to be mean or argumentative,” André replied with an assuring, easy expression. “I even enjoy your angst sometimes. It’s like having Arsenal Fan TV right in my living room.”

“Heyyyy.”

“You have a cute nose.”

“You have a crooked nose.”

“Should we turn the other way and look at the fire? It doesn’t make much heat, so if you don’t look at it it’s kind of pointless.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

The couple shifted into their more standard positions, with him on his back and her under his arm and on his chest. Both rejected turning the TV on, or queuing up some music. They wanted to just chat until ready to sleep. Contrary to the prior conversation, Christina did feel bad endlessly hammering Borussia Dortmund, and she did want to give her blonde boy something better to think about at bedtime, so she pivoted to romance. The two baby pink boxes with the black satin bows sitting on the bench in her closet were on her mind.

“Let’s go out tomorrow night for dinner, no Munchkin. Someplace with tablecloths.” And then after dinner I’ll put my new outfit on and be all sexy and stuff.

“Like Palmgarden tablecloths and tasting menus, or like Pfefferkorn tablecloths and sizzling steak plates?”

“Steak.” But if we have steak, is he going to eat a whole cow and then be too tired and full for my outfit?

“All right. Make sure you ask Espen in the morning if she can stay. Don’t forget and spring it on her at 4. She hates that,” André yawned. He also scooted down the bed some. Just because the squad was in Cypress didn’t mean he had a day off. He trained with the youth team and the other first team guys coming back from injury, and did his individual work too. Feeling sleepy and ready to kill the lights and fire came earlier than expected for him.

“She hates everything lately.”

“I think I’m done with the fire actually.”

“Tired, babe?” The little bundle of warmth trying to suck up whatever additional heat she could get lifted her head for a second and rested her chin on his pectoral muscle. Her quiet, sympathetic tone was affectionate and sweet to his ears, and in a way it actually made him even more sleepy. It was the voice she used when tucking Lukas in at night, or comforting him after some toddler-spec calamity. It was like she was asking if he was really tired because she could do something for him if he said yes, like cuddle in some different, better way, or say something that guaranteed him pleasant dreams. He nodded at her. “Kill the fire, then. And be big spoon? You can use me as leg pillow.”

They got comfortable in the proposed arrangement, in the dark, in their pocket of warmth to insulate them from the cool, fresh air around them from the cracked window, and they did their standard quiet last words for the night. One said “Night night, sweet dreams, love you”, and the other, “Love you, Prinzessin”. About two hours later, Lukas turned up in their bed with his pony, complaining that he couldn’t sleep without Spencer and Lucky. It was a curious claim given that the dogs weren’t even allowed in his room, let alone his bed.

He seldom took advantage of the increased freedom since switching from the crib to his toddler bed, and when he did, his parents took him back where he belonged and tucked him back in because he wasn’t allowed to do the “can I sleep with you?” thing that so many kids get dependent on. He knew in general that he wasn’t supposed to get up during the night, or wander around. He knew he’d get in big trouble if he messed with the baby gate blocking access to the stairs, or tried to get in any of the closed doors. Only his bathroom door stayed open at night. The door to the master bedroom was always closed, but he could open it. The others had childproofing mechanisms to keep him out. Mom and Dad didn’t want him coming in their room because they didn’t want to get rid of all the safety hazards in there, or put things away every night. But they didn’t want him to panic about being alone either, so they didn’t lock him out. They just told him it had better be a serious emergency if he was coming in, and he seemed to grasp that pretty well up to that point.

Christina was too comfortable to get up and take him back to bed, and André was too sleepy, so they told him he could stay with them if he forgot about needing the dogs. The little boy was reluctant. He thought it over for a minute. His mom hugged him into agreement. Then he wanted his own spot between the grown ups, and he said “Sorry, Mommy” and gave her a kiss when he sensed her irritation at the whole affair. He ended up sleeping on André’s right bicep, spooning his stuffed animal. Christina slept with her back to the boys, and wasn’t sure if the big one even knew the little one was there. It was a relief to wake up in the morning and find that Lukas hadn’t been crushed or smothered in the night by his father’s migratory cuddle instincts, especially since it was really cold and he usually tried to snuggle close to her for extra warmth.

“You are an adorable sleepy little human,” she grinned at her son while he fought the attempt of sleep to draw him back to his dreams. His eyes could barely stay open, and his hair was a mess, and his cheeks were pink. He still had Dave in his arms, though he’d moved off his dad’s arm and was using his dad’s pillow instead. I’m supposed to be rushing him to the potty now, Mom realized. But can’t we stay here for a little? He’s so sweet, she cooed inside. “Want to wake Daddy up?” Lukas nodded and began to try to get up. His tiny body wasn’t cooperating yet, and he kind of fell over.

“Da-Daddy,” he laughed in the process. Dave was used as leverage to help him get on his hands and knees, and he then crawled onto André’s chest. The player stirred but didn’t open his eyes. “Hi Daddy.”

“Hi Mausi,” he mumbled back.

“We need snuggles,” his wife chimed in. His brain was as slow to get into gear as Lukas’ body was, so it took him a few seconds to comprehend exactly where he was and what was going on. And when he did, it made him feel old. This is one of those moments when you realize your life is unrecognizable, he thought. You wake up with a wife and a toddler in your bed, and your back hurts, and you need 3 more hours of sleep, and it’s 6 in the morning and that’s when the toddler’s day starts, so, you know, it is what it is. This is what I wanted. I imagined this. I fantasized about it, even. And it’s nice, I guess. He’s such a happy kid, André added as he held onto his son and turned over onto his side and took him with him. His eyes were still shuttered against the real world because he wasn’t done with the one in his head. I love them. I love our family. We have everything. But this morning was better in the fantasy. “Munchkin sandwich,” Christina interjected into his reflection. She’d moved closer and was trying to get her feet between his calves and her arm over his side. There were more replica trophies downstairs in the fantasy, and the bed was in London, and I was waking up after a big European night at Stamford Bridge, after a big goal. I’m tired, the Borussia forward yawned.

“Dave sandwich,” Lukas giggled, trying to squeeze his stuffed animal between him and his mom the way his mom was trying to squeeze him into Daddy.

“Let’s all by quiet and go back to sleep,” André suggested.

“Chyea,” his girl snorted. Once the baby is up, the baby is up, he reminded himself. Oh well. I guess I- Wow. Slowly opening one eye gave him a reason to stop the mild internal complaining. She looks good today. What a smile.

“Morning, Prinzessin.”

“Morning, boyfriend.”

“Did you sleep good, Mausi?”

“Uhhuh.” Lukas fought to wiggle onto his back so that he could talk to both parents.

“Well don’t get used to it because you’re not sleeping in here again,” his Mom reminded him, stern but still smiling. André thought their little one should be allowed to sleep over more often if it was going to make her so happy in the morning. He thought she looked better rested than she should have been. He kissed Lukas’ head and smelled his nice kid’s shampoo scent and continued to take in the glow coming from the adjacent pillow. The morning didn’t seem too far off the fantasy anymore.

“Where did he go?” he asked Christina while pulling the comforter up over the little boy between them.

“I dunno. Must have run off. Guess he didn’t want any kisses.”

“I’m here!” Lukas giggled under it.

“I like kisses. I’ll have his.”

“No! Me! Mommy!”

“Do you hear something?” she questioned.

“Nope.”

“Mommy!”

André made exaggerated kissing sounds and leaned over the covered blob to smooch his girl all over the place. Soon tiny arms and legs were punching and kicking up from the blanket. The rider made kissing noises too, and kept asking her partner where else he needed kisses after a sweet one on the lips. An anxious child emerged out of the top of the comforter and got viciously kiss-attacked by both parents, which resulted in so much laughing and giggling that he almost wet his overnight diaper. He had to shout and say he needed to go before Mom and Dad realized what was up. André took him to the bathroom since he was about to wet himself too. Christina rolled over to check her phone. There was a text from 3:18 am.

“When are you coming home again?”