Jordan stirred awake, his senses catching the rich aroma of fresh coffee wafting through the living room. Blinking his eyes open, he stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his face. He hadn't expected to wake up so earlyâespecially not feeling this well-rested.
He stood and followed the scent into the kitchen, where Mrs. Faulkner was already pouring herself a cup. She turned and smiled warmly. "Good morning, Jordan. Sleep well?"
Jordan nodded, suppressing a yawn. "Yeah, surprisingly well. Never been up this early and felt so rested before."
Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. "I suppose the exhaustion from yesterday finally caught up to you."
Jordan glanced at the steaming coffee pot and then at Mrs. Faulkner. "Mind if I have a cup? Just a little creamer."
Mrs. Faulkner nodded approvingly. "Of course, dear. Here you go." She handed him a mug, and he took a grateful sip, the warmth spreading through him.
As he leaned against the counter, enjoying his drink, he glanced toward the staircase. "The boys up yet?"
Mrs. Faulkner shook her head. "Nah, let them sleep a bit more. It's only 6:30 AM anyway."
Jordan nearly choked on his coffee. "Waitâit's only 6:30?" He looked at the clock in disbelief. "Man, I never wake up this early."
Mrs. Faulkner smiled knowingly. "There's something about going to bed on time and sleeping peacefully that makes all the difference."
Jordan laughed. "Yeah, guess Iâm learning that the hard way."
Mrs. Faulkner set her cup down and patted his shoulder. "Why donât you enjoy the quiet for a little while? It wonât last once the boys wake up."
Jordan smirked. "Good point. Might as well savor the peace while I can."
He took another sip of his coffee, appreciating the rare moment of calm before the inevitable chaos of the day began.
An hour later, Mrs. Faulkner glanced at the clock and set down her cup. "Alright, Jordan, go get the boys up. I'll start on breakfast."
Jordan stretched and placed his empty mug in the sink. "On it." He headed upstairs, preparing to wake the boys and get the day officially started.
First, he went to wake up Jake and Alex, checking their diapers as he did. Finding them only slightly wet, he decided they could wait until after breakfast for a change. "Alright, you two, time to get up. Head downstairs, Mrs. Faulkner's making breakfast."
The boys yawned and stretched before making their way downstairs.
Next, Jordan entered Tylerâs room, only to be met by an unmistakable smell. He chuckled, waving a hand in front of his face. "Whoa, did someone have a night whoopsie?"
Tyler groaned, burying his face in his pillow. "Come on, man, just get it over with..."
Jordan smirked but got to work, quickly changing Tyler before sending him downstairs. Jordan followed close behind as Miss Harper joined them.
The boys gathered at the table as Mrs. Faulkner brought out a stack of waffles, setting a plate in front of each of them. Miss Harper took charge of feeding Jake and Alex, cutting their waffles into bite-sized pieces.
Tyler grabbed his fork, ready to cut his own, but he froze when Mrs. Faulknerâs voice rang out. "Now, Tyler, babies donât cut their own food. Either Jordan feeds you your waffle, or you get baby food instead. Your choice."
Tyler sighed in frustration but relented, setting his fork down. "Fine... Jordan can feed me."
Jordan grinned. "Good choice, buddy. Now open up."
Tyler rolled his eyes but allowed Jordan to start feeding him, while the others ate peacefully. Breakfast had begun, and the day was officially underway.
As breakfast wrapped up, Miss Harper wiped Jake and Alexâs mouths clean. Jordan turned to do the same for Tyler, but as he brought the napkin toward him, Tyler pulled his head away. Jordan sighed and whispered to him, "Come on, man, I just fed you. Don't start misbehaving now..."
From the kitchen, Mrs. Faulkner called out, "I'm not overhearing a fussy baby, am I, Tyler?"
Tyler froze, his eyes darting toward Jordan before reluctantly allowing him to wipe his face clean. Jordan smirked. "Thatâs better. Good boy."
Mrs. Faulkner walked in, giving Tyler a knowing look before turning back to clear the table. "Alright, boys, now that breakfast is done, letâs get ready for the day."
Miss Harper clapped her hands together. "Okay, you threeâbath time!"
Jake and Alex hopped down from their chairs with glee, excited for the bath. Tyler, however, remained seated, his face twisting in disbelief. She can't be serious... I'm 15, I can shower.
But the stern look Miss Harper shot him told him there was no arguing. With a sigh, he reluctantly got up, following the other boys to the bathroom, bracing himself for yet another lesson in humility.
Miss Harper then began to run the bathwater. She turned to the boys with a smile. "Alright, regular bath or bubble bath?"
Jake and Alex immediately shouted, "Bubble!" like excited toddlers.
Tyler hesitated, but knowing better than to protest, he sighed and said, "Yeah... bubble would be great."
Jordan walked in, smirking. "Alright then, Tyler, since youâre the oldest, you get to choose the scent. Whatâs it gonna be?"
Tyler glanced at Jordan as he opened a cupboard under the sink, revealing several bottles of bubble bath with cartoon character heads on them, all in fruity scents.
Tyler looked at the bottles, then at Jake, as if to say, Really, man? Jake just shrugged and grinned. "What? I like baths sometimes."
With a sigh, Tyler turned back to the bottles and finally picked oneâthe Shrek bottle, scented green apple.
Jordan nodded in approval. "Good choice, bud." He handed the bottle to Miss Harper, who plugged the tub and poured in the green apple-scented bubble bath, watching as the water foamed up with soft, fluffy bubbles.
Miss Harper then said, "Okay boys, clothes off so you can get in. Jake, Alex, I'll scrub you down. Tyler, Jordan will wash you."
All three boys stepped into the warm bath, Jake and Alex immediately splashing around like little kids. Their playful splashes landed on Tyler, who clenched his jaw, almost ready to snap at them. But instead, he took a deep breath, smirked, and splashed them back.
Miss Harper scrubbed Jake and Alex while Jordan took care of Tyler, making sure he was thoroughly washed. Once everyone was clean, Miss Harper drained the tub and rinsed it out while Jordan helped dry them off, making sure they were warm and comfortable before getting them dressed for the day ahead.
Jordan put Alex and Jake in fresh diapers and put Tyler back in his since he had just been changed. He then clapped his hands together and said, "Alright, boysâpick a onesie."
Jake picked a red onesie, Alex chose a baby blue one, and Tyler, knowing he had no other option, sighed and picked a yellow onesie. Jordan dressed each of them, then handed street clothes to Jake and Alex to wear over their onesies.
As Tyler turned to leave, Jordan snickered. Tyler frowned. "What?"
Jordan smirked. "Oh, nothing..."
Tyler shrugged and walked out, completely unaware that on the butt of his onesie, a biohazard sign read: Noxious Gas Leak.