One thing Cole knew for sure was that he hadn't slept in such a small bed in a long time. When he first opened his eyes, it took him much too long to realize he wasn't home. It took him even longer to realize whose home he was in. He hadn't meant to fall asleep at Noelle's, but the day must have taken more of his energy than he knew. On top of that he'd slept poorly from being too sad then being too excited and it was bound to catch up to him especially at his age now.

Another few things Cole realized as his mind began to clear of the morning fog. First, he didn't have his shoes on anymore. He definitely didn't remember removing them, but he could have been half asleep and doing it for all he knew. He was certainly too tired to remember absolutely everything. The second thing he realized was his wallet and jacket were on a chair towards the edge of the bed, along with said shoes on the floor below it. Cole knew things about himself, and one of them was that he was not as organized as to place his jacket and wallet in an organized manner and then finish it off with his boots right below them. He knew someone else who might be a bit tidier than him and the idea of her helping him to bed brought a smile to his face.

Cole would never admit to anyone, but thinking of Noelle and Jacob and his day with them left him feeling giddy. He didn't think he'd ever felt giddy over anyone or anything, at least not as an adult. Yet here he was, laying in a bed too small for him smiling and wanting to giggle at the thought of them.

He lay in bed for awhile, thinking about what he should be doing. He should be back at the farm helping out, but there were plenty of extra hands to get the light work done till things picked back up after new years. For now, he's just enjoy the sounds of this place. It was just as quiet at the farm with lest bird noises for it being morning. He hadn't heard noise from inside the house just yet. Noelle and Jacob must have been just as exhausted if not more than him. He'd forgotten how much energy a little boy has and it was unwavering through most of the day.

He had to give major props to single parents everywhere. Just having to be an adult was tiring as it is, but add in kids? That was a super power indeed. For a few moments it remained quiet until he heard quick steps followed by a door shutting. A minute later he heard a toilet flushing and then the door opening again followed by the quick pattering. He chuckled to himself, knowing it was Jacob by the quick and light steps, but also because he was going to have to get up and remind him to wash his hands before he was busted.

He groaned as he rolled out of the bed that left his feet hanging off the end. He was impressed with it's strength in holding his weigh overall, but he didn't want to have to spend more time in it once he was out and his feet finally had something solid under them. He did some small stretches to help loosen up before he pulled his socks on and stepped out of the room. He heard faint noises in the kitchen and when he made his way there, he was grateful he arrived on time.

Jacob stood there looking at him like a deer caught in headlights while standing on a stool. From what Cole could gather, Jacob moved a stool to the cabinets so he could grab a bowl or a cup, he couldn't tell since they were in the Colee area. From the look on Jacob's face he knew he was busted doing something he shouldn't be doing.

"Mornin' bud," Cole said quietly, assuming Noelle was still asleep. "I don't think I heard you was your hands earlier," he said in a playful manner to hopefully not worry the wide eyed little boy more than he already seemed.

Jacob only nodded, looking even more guilty from being busted not only once but twice. He slowly and quietly slid down the stool and then rushed towards the bathroom where Cole heard the water turn on only seconds later. Cole looked around the kitchen and noticed some cereal already on the counter and realized Jacob must have already gone round one climbing the stool to grab that. He shook his head, the worry about what could have happened making his stomach sink and decided to grab the bowl for him before he got back.

Jacob returned and one look at him made Cole want to laugh. He had for sure washed his hands and then used his pajama shirt as the towel to dry them. His stomach had wet hand marks where he appeared to have scrunched them. As he poured the cereal then the milk in the bowl he collected for Jacob, the little boy made his way to a stool on the kitchen island.

"I wish I knew we were having a sleepover, you could have slept in my room. I have two sleeping bags and we could have slept in them," Jacob told him, making him almost spill over with the milk.

"Yeah, uh, sorry. I was much more tired than I knew and fell asleep on the couch at first then went to your guys' extra room," Cole quickly explained. He didn't want to rush into things with Jacob's mother, especially as to not confuse Jacob too much. The silent response was enough for Cole to find a spoon for Jacob and then pushed the bowl of cereal to him for breakfast.

"Don't tell my mom you caught me. She says I'm not 'posed to to be climbing for things cause I could get hurt.," Jacob mumbled in between bites of his food. Cole knew that Jacob didn't want to get in trouble, but at the same time the last thing he wanted was for Jacob to get hurt.

"I might have to tell her, buddy," Cole said, making Jacob stop and look up to him with a worried look on his face. "I don't think she'll get mad since I caught you before anything", omitting that he knew he must have done the wrong thing to get his cereal, "but you have to promise me you won't do that stuff again. You getting hurt scares me and if it scares me it must frighten your mom even more."

Jacob stared at him for a moment with emotions going through his eyes. "I scared you?" That must of been the part that confused Jacob the most.

"Yeah the thought of you getting hurt scares me and makes me sad. When people like other people they don't want to see them hurt. Do you know what I mean?" Jacob must have known what he meant because he nodded right away.

"I do! I was sad that mom was sad when you hurt her," he said so effortlessly Cole hadn't seen it coming. The reminder was a shot to the gut and he rubbed at his chest hoping to wipe away the pain. The pain that he caused. He took a deep breath to push the feelings away.

"So that's why you won't do that ever again, right?" Jacob looked back up from his cereal with a face that Cole knew meant he got through to him. He sheepishly smiled at him and nodded before going back to his cereal as if he hadn't eaten plenty of food the day before. Cole, not knowing what else to do or if there was a particular routine grabbed a bowl and spoon for himself and proceeded to pour a bowl for himself before taking a seat next to Jacob.

"So...what were your favorite parts of Christmas yesterday?"