(Alex P.O.V)

I woke up and yawned, already annoyed as the sun fell on my face. I hissed as the light got into my eyes and lit up the room.

Ugh. Light.

I checked my clock and sat bolt upright. It was 7AM. How did I even sleep this much?

John was sleeping beside me, curly hair splayed around the pillow. I kissed his forehead and got up, walking out of my room and into Phillip's.

"Pip. Wake up." I said gently, sand he rolled over.

"Later?"

"No, you have school today."

"But I don't wanna go!"

"Not much I can do about that Pip."

"Call in sick?"

"Not a chance." I tugged a blanket off him and he whined, getting up.

"What's for breakfast?" He trailed me to the kitchen.

"Dunno, toast? Cereal maybe?" I can't cook so toast and cereal are the best I can do. "Ooo, I can make coffee!"

"Pops, I don't like coffee."

"I can't call you my son ever again."

I got him a bowl of cereal and sat down at the table with a cup of coffee for me. Frances walked in, holding her stuffed turtle close to her chest as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Cereal?" She hoisted herself onto a seat and looked at the food sleepily.

"Well, John's not up yet and I can't cook." I replied, shrugging. "So cereal it is."

Frances got herself a bowl of cereal with a little help from Phillip and started eating her food like it was the last meal she'd ever have. Phillip watched his sister as she shoveled food into her mouth, chuckling quietly.

"Ok, get dressed. Get ready for school and I'll take you there." I instructed, taking the dishes to the sink.

They walked off and I grabbed my laptop from the counter where it was resting, opening the document I'd been working on.

I jumped slightly when I felt John's arms wrap around me. I turned around and kissed him, then pulled back and sat on the counter.

"I'm taking the kids to school." I told him. "Then I'll visit Theo and Angie."

He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Should we call James today?"

"Sure, I don't see why not." I shrugged.

"Uncle James?" Frances squealed, hopping beside us. (I just realized I have an Uncle James... oops)

"Yeah Francy." I smiled at her excitement. "Uncle James."

She hopped about a little more before getting tired and sitting down. Phillip came in, bag slung over his shoulder.

"Well, see you later," I kissed John swiftly, then turned towards the door. "Let's go."

(Time skip because I am in control and can do whatever I want with this story)

I waved at Phillip and he waved back, then he ran over to his friends and they walked into the school together.

I sighed and walked over to Angie, who's come to drop of Thea.

"You will not believe what Frances told me the other day." I said and stood next to her.

"Spill the tea."

"She said she and Thea are going to get married and it was so endearing."

Angie laughed. "Your child is amazing."

"I know, isn't she just the best?" I replied with mock haughtiness.

"Honestly Alex, I hope your cockiness isn't passed down to either of your kids."

I looked at her blankly. "That's not how it works, I adopted both of them."

Angie laughed and I couldn't help but join in. I loved being around my friends, we were all so close, it was good to know someone I trusted had my back.

"Wanna come to my place? Ducky misses you." She offered and I smiled, climbing into the shotgun seat of her car.

We drove back to her new house, it was nice, small and cozy but still spacious enough for a cat and a small child who happened to like chasing said cat. She parked the car and got out. I flowed Angie as she opened the front door and waved me inside.

I heard a miaow as Ducky was summoned by my presence. The ginger tabby sat at the end of the hall, giving me eyes that clearly read annoyance.

"Oh c'mon Ducky, don't blame me, I've been busy." I walked over to him and he twitched his whiskers.

"Alex, you're talking to the most standoffish cat ever, what do you expect from him?" Angelica pointed out, taking off her shoes.

I glared at her but held out a hand to Ducky. "Ok, fine I'm sorry. I'll visit more often, but my daughter is allergic to cats so it might not be as often as before, ok?"

Ducky twisted his ears in annoyance but pressed his face into my hand, purring as I scratched under his chin. He purred into my palm and curled his tail as I rubbed my knuckles along his spine.

"Oh so you did get a response." Angie raised her eyebrows. "I need to go to work but you can stay and catsit if you want."

I smiled at her and picked up her cat, rubbing his scull. "I think Ducky can handle himself, but I'll come back and change his water if you want."

"Yeah, that would be nice." She grinned and put on a coat. "Keys are hanging under the windowsill."

"I know."

"Mk, just making sure." She shrugged. "Well, see you later."

"Bye Angie." I waved and Ducky hissed as the arm his tail had been resting on started moving.

"Shh, it's ok." I put my arm back and stroked him. Sometimes this cat reminds me of a child.

"I'm going to call my brother, wanna take part in that?" I asked Ducky, sitting down on the couch.

He moved from my arms and sprawled across my lap, which I took for a yes.

I pulled up James's number and called him. Phone ringtones are one of the worst things, it's just the anticipation as you wonder wether or not your call will go through, which is shockingly stressful.

But he picked up, thankfully.

Hey Alex!

"Hey James." I smiled, putting him on speaker so Ducky could hear. "I have a guest, say hi Ducky."

The cat meowed obnoxiously loud and curled up in a ball.

"Ducky is Angie's cat." I explained. "I'm catsitting at her place. Not sure why though."

Well, Ducky seems like a charming fellow.

"Oh trust me, he's not."

How so?

"This cat is hated by literally everyone except me."

Why's that?

"He hates everyone."

So, you as a cat.

"Hey! I like my friends and family."

Uh huh, sure. Oh fuck.

"What is it?"

Heat cut off.

"Is that normal?"

Fairly standard, yeah.

"James?"

Bye bye.