Ethan
I woke up to the sound of thunder growling through the house, a low rumble that seemed to shake the very walls. The room was dark, save for the occasional flash of lightning that lit up the shadows. I felt warm—too warm—and as I slowly came to, I realized why.
I was pinned down.
Lily was tucked up against my left side, her small body curled into me, her head resting comfortably on my shoulder. On the other side, Maya was nestled close, her arm draped across my chest, her breath soft and steady. They'd clearly sought me out for comfort during the storm, as they sometimes did.
But that wasn't all.
To my right, pressed against my side with an elegant sort of familiarity, was Lady Victoria. Even in sleep, she maintained a certain grace, her head resting just below my shoulder, her hand lightly resting on my arm as if she belonged there. And then there was Samantha, sprawled over my legs, one arm casually slung across my stomach. She was practically lying on top of me, her hair a soft mess against my chest.
I blinked, trying to process the scene. My bed, once spacious, was now a crowded mess of limbs and soft breathing. The storm must have driven them all here, seeking warmth and comfort, and somehow, I'd become the center of it all.
Lily stirred first, lifting her head to look at me with a sleepy smile. "Morning, Dad," she whispered, clearly suppressing a giggle. "We're all here."
Maya snuggled closer, not yet ready to wake fully. "It was too loud last night," she mumbled into my chest, her voice muffled but content.
I chuckled softly, careful not to disturb the others. "So, you all decided to join me, huh?"
Lily nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Me, Maya, Aunt Victoria, and Samantha fell asleep on the couch. I woke up and got scared. We all came together and then talked until we fell asleep."
I glanced down at the elegant Lady Victoria, who was just waking up. She blinked, a bit disoriented at first, before realizing where she was. Her face flushed a delicate shade of pink. "Oh dear," she murmured, her usually composed demeanor faltering. "This... this is rather embarrassing."
"Embarrassing?" Samantha's voice chimed in from her position sprawled across my legs. She lifted her head slightly, her cheeks flushing as she realized how close she was. "I think this might be the most ridiculous morning I've ever woken up to."
"Ridiculous is one way to put it," Victoria muttered, trying to maintain her composure as she gently pulled herself up from my side, though she didn't move far. "What must Ethan think of us?"
I smiled at their banter. "I think the storm brought everyone together," I said, trying to ease their discomfort. "It's good to know that I only need a little thunderstorm to get a woman flocking to me. Now there's a well-kept secret. I should write a book."
"So you cracked the code," Samantha quipped, pushing herself up into a sitting position on the bed, though still partially on me. "Aunt Victoria, you're the one always preaching about decorum. I am just a tacky American. What's your excuse?"
Victoria shot her a look, though there was a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Ahh, yes, the situation is… unorthodox. But in traditional British fashion, I am going to do what the monarchy does whenever they find themselves in an embarrassing situation."
"What's that?" I said.
Victoria smiled, leaned over, and kissed me on the forehead. "I am going to ignore it."
Samantha laughed hard. "I like that plan. Now, we should probably disentangle ourselves before the girls get any ideas."
Maya and Lily, who had been silently observing, finally burst into giggles. "Too late!" Lily exclaimed. "We already know what's going on! Clearly, you're both in love with our dad. We are taking applications for new mothers!"
Victoria's blush deepened, and she shook her head slightly. "Children have such wild imaginations."
Samantha, now fully awake, appeared more amused than embarrassed. She gave Victoria a playful nudge. "Wild imaginations? Or maybe they're just good at reading between the lines, Lady Harrington."
Victoria sighed, trying to keep a straight face. "You're incorrigible, Samantha."
"And you're blushing, Victoria," Samantha teased, though there was warmth in her tone. "Come on, let's make a graceful exit before we completely lose our dignity."
They both shifted, carefully moving off the bed, though not without a few more chuckles and whispered comments between them. I watched them, amused by the entire situation and grateful for the unexpected lightness of the moment.
As they stood up, Victoria smoothed down her nightgown, her composure returning. "I suppose breakfast is in order," she said, trying to regain her usual grace.
"Agreed," Samantha said, casting me a quick smile. "And maybe some strong coffee to help us all wake up."
Maya and Lily clambered over me, still giggling. "Dad, did you see the look on their faces?" Lily whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
I grinned, finally sitting up as well. "I think I got a pretty good view from here."
Victoria and Samantha both laughed, the earlier embarrassment fading into a comfortable camaraderie. "Well, we should leave you to get up properly," Victoria said, giving a slight nod. "We'll see you downstairs."
With that, they gracefully exited the room, leaving me with my two chuckling girls and the sound of the storm still raging outside.
The girls and I got out of bed. Oddly enough, I found my bag in my room. Maids, I assumed. I also found that most of the food I had brought in the coolers I packed were no longer in those coolers; they were packed away in large refrigerators.
I figured I would make breakfast. I started to look through the cupboards and was amazed. It was the most complete kitchen I had ever seen. I got to work.
I had just finished prepping the final touches for breakfast when my girls came and sat at the kitchen island, their eyes wide with anticipation as they watched me work. The sound of sizzling bacon filled the air, blending with the fragrant aroma of fresh coffee and the earthy scent of mushrooms sautéing in butter. I had a dozen or more pancakes on a plate and some homemade granola and yogurt with fresh fruit. I set a couple of glasses of orange juice in front of my girls. I was in my element, and it felt good.
Just as I was about to plate the eggs, the door to the kitchen opened quietly. I glanced up, and Samantha stepped into the room.
I had to stop myself from dropping my jaw like a cartoon. Samantha had clearly taken some time to freshen up, and the difference was remarkable. I noticed how striking she was last night.
It wasn't even a comparison.
Gone was the exhausted woman who had stumbled in from the storm. In her place was someone who looked every bit the supermodel she once was. Her long, flowing dirty blonde hair was neatly tied back, catching the morning light as it shimmered with a healthy sheen. Her complexion, which now had a subtle, sun-kissed glow, seemed to brighten the entire room. She looked composed, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful.
She was wearing a simple yet stylish outfit—a fitted red blouse that highlighted her graceful figure and a pair of blue jeans that accentuated her long, toned legs. Standing tall and poised, she moved with a confidence that was impossible to ignore.
It was such a stark contrast that I had a hard time comprehending it. It was hard to reconcile this composed woman with the one I had seen just last night, drenched and disheveled.
The most interesting thing about it was that it wasn't even fancy. She just wore it really well.
Samantha caught my gaze and offered a small, shy smile. "We meet again," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that matched her appearance. "Morning."
I cleared my throat, trying to focus on the task at hand. "Morning. Breakfast is just about ready."
"Smells amazing," she said, looking over the spread. "What's on the menu?"
"Just a traditional English breakfast," I replied, trying to keep my tone steady as I plated the eggs. "Nothing too fancy. I hope you're hungry."
She took a step closer, her eyes scanning the kitchen, clearly impressed. "It looks incredible, Ethan. You really know your way around a kitchen, don't you?"
I shrugged, trying to downplay it, but it was hard not to feel a swell of pride. "I've picked up a thing or two over the years. It's just about following the basics, really."
Samantha's smile widened as she leaned against the counter, her gaze never leaving me. "You're being modest. This is more than just basic cooking. It's… well, it's impressive."
There was something in her tone that made me pause, a sincerity that caught me off guard. I glanced over at her, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. There was a connection there, something unspoken but undeniable.
"Thanks," I said, my voice a little rougher than I intended. "I just enjoy making good food, especially for people I care about."
The girls, who had been quietly observing our exchange, suddenly chimed in. "Dad's the best cook!" Lily declared proudly. "He makes the best pancakes, too!"
Maya nodded enthusiastically. "And his scrambled eggs are awesome!"
Samantha laughed softly, the sound light and genuine. "It sounds like you have some very loyal fans, Ethan."
I grinned, feeling the warmth of their praise. "They're not too picky, thankfully," I said, casting a playful glance at the girls, who both grinned.
Samantha's gaze softened as she watched the interaction, and she shook her head slightly. "You're full of surprises, Ethan. How did you become so skilled in the kitchen?"
"Well," I said, trying to mask my surprise at her compliment, "I've had to fend for myself and the girls for a while now. Cooking just became part of the routine."
As I stood at the stove, finishing up the last of the sausages, I heard soft footsteps approaching. Before I could turn around, Victoria entered the kitchen, her presence immediately commanding the room. I turned to speak to her and stopped. Samantha wasn't the only one who had transformed.
Her black hair fell loose in effortless waves around her shoulders. Similar to Samantha, she wore a sophisticated outfit—a light sweater that highlighted her graceful figure and a pair of tailored pants that spoke of understated luxury.
If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought they really had somewhere to be. Then again, what did I know? Maybe they did.
The most noticeable thing about this Victoria was the natural ease in the way she moved, as if she had just stepped out of a portrait. Maybe she was actually a princess. Her blue eyes sparkled with a warmth that caught me off guard.
"What's all this, then?" she asked, her voice carrying that refined British lilt. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of the spread laid out on the kitchen island.
Before I could respond, Samantha, who was already seated at the table, gestured toward the food with a smile. "Ethan's making breakfast," she said, her voice light with approval. "And it looks like we're in for a treat."
Victoria turned her smile toward me, and for a moment, I felt my breath catch in my throat. "Wow, Ethan, how you continue to surprise," she said warmly, her voice laced with genuine appreciation. "This all looks delightful."
"Thank you," I replied, suddenly aware of the heat rising in my cheeks. I wasn't used to this kind of attention, "I hope it tastes as good as it looks."
I began serving the food, trying to keep my focus on the task at hand. But I am a dude. And I found myself stealing glances at both Samantha and Victoria. They both grabbed cups of coffee and dressed them with cream and sugar. They chatted, but I wasn't listening. I was starting to see the similarities too; it was in their face, specifically the shape of their eyes and mouths. It wasn't just that. The way they carried themselves—so poised, so composed—made it hard to believe that just 12 hours ago I had pulled them out of a wreckage. Now, it was like any other day; they sat, effortlessly graceful and undeniably beautiful, even in the simple setting of a morning kitchen.
The girls eagerly filled their plates, followed by Victoria and Samantha, and soon the kitchen was filled with the sounds of clinking cutlery and contented sighs as everyone dug into the meal. The aroma of freshly cooked bacon, eggs, toast, beans, tomatoes, and sausage mingled with the scent of strong coffee, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort that seemed to wrap around all of us.
I also made pancakes for the girls.
Samantha took a bite of the sausage and closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. "This is incredible," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "This sausage is amazing. I don't think I've ever had a breakfast sausage like this."
"It's homemade," said Lily, as she dipped her own sausage in maple syrup.
Victoria nodded in agreement, her eyes meeting mine with that same warm sparkle. "It's absolutely delicious, Ethan. Perhaps I should hire you as a cook."
Their praise made me happy and gave me a feeling of deep satisfaction. Cooking had always been a passion of mine, a way to bring people together and create moments of joy, and seeing them enjoy it so much made the effort all the more worthwhile.
But even as the meal continued and the conversation flowed easily, I found myself occasionally glancing back at Victoria and Samantha.
So flipping beautiful, it was almost outrageous.
I suddenly felt underdressed. Not that it mattered. I started to clean the kitchen. We would need to start packing up and getting to the campsite.