Without warning, Renne's alarm blared loudly the next morning; after already hitting the snooze button twice, she knew it was time to get up and get going with her day. Groggily rolling out of bed, she hesitantly stood up, still only half awake as she gathered her things that she needed to take a shower, and get dressed for the day. 

        Hoping the cold water would wake her exhausted body, Renne stepped under the waterfall of cold beads that cascaded down her back, instantly making goosebumps break out over her body. The chill of the water felt good, however, her plan failed. Even after finishing her shower and getting dressed, Renne still felt as exhausted as she did beforehand. 

        Peeking into the bedroom where her nieces were still soundly sleeping, Renne trudged her way downstairs to begin breakfast for her family. First though, she planned to make a strong pot of coffee, needing the energy burst. 

         Once arriving at the lower level of the house, Renne saw something that made her stop in her tracks. Mamaw was busy in the kitchen, like usual, but this time Taylor and Swayde stood next to her, looking like they had been awake for hours.

       Seeing all of them working together so well brought a smile to Renne's face. It was a very nice surprise to wake up to. Walking further into the kitchen, Renne slid her arms around her boyfriend's waist from behind, resting her head against his shoulder. 

     Swayde jumped slightly at the unexpected presence, but immediately, his hands stopped preparing a cup of coffee, and went to rest on Renne's around his waist. A smile growing on his lips, he turned around, keeping his girlfriend's arms around him. "Good morning bea-" He paused. Reaching a hand up to her face, he stroked her cheek. "You look exhausted. Are you okay?" Looking into those tired eyes of hers, Swayde forgot there was any one else in the room. 

        "Yeah, I'm just wiped out. Thanks for the compliment." Renne mumbled, sarcastically. Turning from Swayde, she reached behind him, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

        Swayde bent down so his mouth was right next to Renne's ear. Whispering softly, but loud enough for Renne to hear, he said, "You are still the most beautiful girl in the world, and I am so glad that you are mine." He added a kiss right after the compliment. 

        "Good save there, cowboy." Renne couldn't help a smile, pointing her cup of coffee his direction. Standing up on her tip toes, she silently asked for a kiss, instantly waking up more at the sparks that flew when their lips connected. 

       "Eww! Gross!" Taylor groaned from the kitchen, watching his aunt and 'uncle' lock lips in the kitchen. 

        Pulling apart with a laugh, Swayde and Renne turned to their nephew. Pointing a finger at Taylor, Swayde said, "One day, son, you will find a woman that you want to kiss all of the time, too, trust me." 

       Renne teasingly slugged her boyfriend's arm, silently telling him to not scar the poor child.

      "No I won't. Kissin' is disgusting." Taylor showed his dislike, sticking out his tongue, resuming his work setting the table in the dining room. 

       Giving Renne a look, Swayde shrugged his shoulders at Renne. 

       "Just for the record, I think y'all are adorable." Mamaw added her commentary to the situation. 

       "Thank you, mams. I am glad someone thinks so." Renne chuckled. Turning back to her boyfriend, she asked, "How long have y'all been here?" 

       "Since about 5am? We finished most of the chores already. Taylor and I slept pretty good, so we woke up early, and he wanted to help with the animals, so here we are."    

      "How are you not exhausted?" Renne let out an airy chuckle, her exhaustion showing. Leaning back against the counter, she took a gulp of her coffee, thankful for any vice that would wake her up.

        "It'll probably hit me later, but you know me. I usually just wake up and I'm good to go." Swayde made motions with his hands that looked like a poor, but adorable, attempt at a dance. The scene almost made Renne spit out her coffee from laughing.

       Just then, the sound of young girls' voices, and the patter of little feet could be heard coming down the wooden steps, into the kitchen. Hope was holding Susan's hand, the pair standing next to their oldest sister, MJ.

        "What's for breakfast? I am so hungry." MJ exclaimed, walking into the kitchen. 

        "It's a surprise. You girls go wash up and it'll all be ready." Mamaw took over, turning to the curious young girls. 

        Motioning for Renne to follow him out to the dining room, Swayde waited until they were out of ear shot of everyone else. "The girls keep you up all night?" 

        Renne groaned. "Yeah, they did. But it's okay. Plus I just didn't sleep well." 

        Wrapping a caring arm around Renne's waist, Swayde dropped a kiss on her forehead. "I will make sure that you sleep much better tonight."

         A blush rising to her cheeks, Renne asked, "And just how do you plan on doin' that?" 

         "Come stay at my place. Taylor and I just watched TV and played games in the living room until we fell asleep. That way you can have my bedroom all to yourself. It's far enough away from the living room that we shouldn't keep you up." Swayde kindly offered, the exhaustion visible on his girlfriend's face. He knew from the last time that they watched Mallory's kids just how wound up they could get. 

        "That would be so wonderful. I might just have to take you up on that." Renne sipped her coffee. "But I can't leave the girls here alone with Mamaw and Papaw. They would keep them up all night, too, I'm sure." She tried being considerate, but lack of sleep was taking over. 

        "True. We will figure something out, darlin'. Just know that my offer still stands." 

        "Thank you." Renne grinned. "Oh, I wanted to ask you. What did you and Doug talk about yesterday while I was gettin' the kids ready?" She lowered her voice some. 

      Swayde took a deep breath, looking towards the kitchen, making sure they were alone. Just as he did so, he saw Taylor following Mamaw out to the dining room, food in their hands. "I'll tell you later." He whispered, his eyes glossing over. 

        Renne nodded, picking up on the silent message. Walking back to the kitchen to grab more food, she called down the hallway, "Y'all, breakfast is ready. Come and get it." Almost immediately, the girls were in the kitchen, sitting at the table. Hearing the sound of the television shut off in the living room, Renne was greeted by her grandfather a few seconds later. 

         "Mornin', Reagan." Papaw smiled, making a bee line for the coffee pot. 

        "Mornin', Papaw." Handing him her cup, she grinned. "Care to pour me another one, please?" 

        "Of course, darlin'." A coffee mug in each hand, Papaw followed Renne out to the dining room, handing her her cup of Joe before taking a seat at the head of the table. Once everything was set on the table, and everyone was seated, Papaw said, "Let's thank God for this food." He held out his hands. 

       Everyone around the table quieted down as they joined hands, listening to Papaw's prayer. "Heavenly Father," He started. "We come before you today to thank you for this day. Thank you for providing us with the means to have such a wonderful and plentiful bounty of a meal. God, thank you for the company of our grand kids..." Renne squeezed Swayde's hand at the mention of the plural noun which included him as part of the family. "and our great-grand kids who are joining us this weekend. We thank you for the promise of a new day, and pray that you will guide us every step, with everything we do today. It's in your name that we pray. Amen." 

      Everyone sitting around the table joined in on the "Amen," and immediately the hum of chaotic chatter filled the room, almost forgetting the peacefulness of the prayer from just seconds ago. Nearly every person grabbed for something on the table, their hungry bellies anticipating the home-cooked food they knew would be delicious. 

       "MJ, wait your turn, please. Taylor, please share with your sister." Renne tried her best to say as patiently as possible as she saw her and her brother fighting over the bowl of biscuits. 

         "No fair, I had it first and he took it from me." Mallory Junior pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. 

          Renne retreated, not going to argue with her niece this early in the morning. Letting out a breath, she felt a reassuring hand slide onto her thigh, gripping it with comfort. Looking to her right, she saw Swayde give her a look, mouthing, "It will be okay." Already knowing that Renne was about to make mention of how long of a day it would be if the kids kept on like this. 

           The rest of the breakfast meal went pretty well, the commotion calmed down significantly once the food was doled out. Within a matter of minutes, the table was cleared off, and the kids were outside, running around, playing tag. From the porch swing on the front porch, Swayde and Renne sat, watching their nieces and nephew play and scream in the yard. 

        Casting an arm around Renne's shoulders, Swayde invited her to lay on his chest. "Hopefully this will make them expel some of their energy." He motioned to the scene in the yard in front of them. 

         Renne chuckled, sipping her second cup of coffee. "Not a chance. I think it will make them even more hyper and wound up. Especially since they know they are gettin' ice cream later." 

         Kissing her forehead, Swayde chuckled. "Well, I have enough work at my place that should keep them busy for a while, and hopefully wear them out some." 

          "Are you sayin' that you are fixin' to use my sister's kids as free labor for you?" She teased. 

          "Well when you say it like that, it sounds bad. I just meant that I have some horses that would love the attention of being brushed, and some stalls that could be mucked out. And I know that they do the same stuff at home, and it would keep them busy while I get my chores done."

           "Good point." Snuggling up closer in Swayde's arms, Renne sighed. "I wish we could just stay like this forever, or at least long enough for me to take a nap." She closed her eyes, the swaying of the swing rocking back and forth quickly lulling her sleepy body. The sound of feet running up the wooden porch steps quickly make her open her eyes again. 

          "We are bored." Taylor whined out. 

         With a chuckle, Swayde whispered to Renne, "Well that was awfully short lived." 

        Groaning, Renne stood up off the swing, from the comfort of her boyfriend's arms. "Alrighty, then. Well, who wants to go over to Uncle Swayde's and play with some horses there?" She tried her best to make it sound exciting. The kids, ready for something else to do, all joined in a unison agreement, the oldest two kids sprinting to the truck. 

         "I'm goin' to go say bye to my grandparents really quick." Renne turned and entered back into the house as Swayde got the kids situated in the truck. 

         Knowing her grandparents daily routine, Renne walked past the kitchen and office, heading to the screened in outdoor sun room where Mamaw and Papaw sat, reading the daily newspaper, working on the crossword puzzle. "Swayde and I are takin' the kids over to his place for a bit. I'll bring the girls back tonight. Love y'all." She called, gaining the attention of her adorable grandparents. When she was their age, she prayed that her and her spouse would do such things as working on a crossword puzzle together every morning. 

        "Sounds wonderful, dear. See y'all tonight. Love you." 

       "Love you, too." Renne kissed her grandmother's cheek, turning to hug her grandfather. 

        Feeling the effects of the two cups of coffee she had this morning, Renne was thankful that she was finally getting some energy to start her day. Making her way back out of the front of the house, she walked down the porch steps to where Swayde had pulled up the truck for Renne, so she didn't have to walk far. Opening the passenger door, Renne was greeted by a strong, cool breeze coming from inside the cab. Swayde had already turned on the air conditioner in the truck. 

        As they rode to Swayde's ranch, Renne tried to think of things to do today that would keep the kids occupied, but also wear down their energy so they could all sleep well tonight. It was so hot outside that the wind blowing in from the open windows was only hot air. Rolling her window up, she was given an idea. The gym downtown had just opened up a swimming pool, and what better way to spend a hot, summer day in a pool of crisp water with four kids who needed to get rid of pent up energy? 

                                                           ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note: Hey, y'all! My greatest apologies for taking forever and a day to update. I am so so sorry. This whole summer has just flown by for me, with working full time, 6 days a week. It keeps me busy. I know that this chapter is short, and kind of a filler chapter, but hopefully it suffices. Y'all enjoy, and please let me know what y'all think of it. :)