Page 95 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

The Trouble With Love

A Nothing But Trouble Novella

Ollie's Morning Routine

Breakfast was Ollie’s favorite meal of the day, especially since he could usually convince Daddy and Papa to let him eat a snack first while he cuddled in bed with them. He tiptoed downstairs, ‘cause Ben was still snoring in their room. Daddy said Ben was supposed to snore sometimes ‘cause bears did that.

Course, Papa snored sometimes too, and he was human so Ollie wasn’t sure Daddy that was right. But Daddy knew all sorts of things so Ollie didn’t suppose it mattered. Daddy could always answer questions and so could Papa.

He paused at the bedroom door and knocked quietly like Daddy had taught him. He wasn’t supposed to just open the door and go in ‘cause it wasn’t using good manners.

If a door is closed, then you knock first. Thems the rules.

Papa had lots of rules for them, but most of ‘em weren’t so bad. He sometimes forgot to say thank you, though, but Papa made up a secret code to remind him. So whenever Ollie saw him touch his chin with his hand, he knew what to do. Papa was super smart and always helped him remember.

“Come in,” Daddy whispered.

Ollie opened the door and tiptoed over to Daddy’s side of the bed. “Morning, Alpha.”

“Morning, Pup. Come on up.”

Ollie scampered into the bed and perched on Daddy’s chest before tucking his face into his neck. He inhaled and suddenly felt sleepy again. Ben said being around Daddy made you sleepy ‘cause you were safe. That’s what an alpha’s job was. Daddy was an alpha and a doctor and now a daddy, too. Papa said he wore lots of hats. But he didn’t wear hats. Ollie snuggled closer and thought about getting Daddy a hat for his birthday. Papa said you were supposed to think of things to get your friends and family that were special to them on their special days. A hat for Daddy would be special.

Papa grumbled and snorted before rolling over and throwing his arm over both of them. Ollie giggled and wiggled his way in between them. It was his favorite spot on the whole planet, and Papa showed him pictures of the Earth, and it was really super giant big.

“Vaughn, something’s wiggling in our bed,” Papa said in his sleepy voice.

“It’s me, Papa!”

Papa didn’t even open his eyes, but he ran his hand over Ollie’s hair and face then down to his belly. He tickled him until Ollie laughed and wiggled further under the covers to escape. “No way is that our Ollie, Vaughn. That wiggler is much too big to be our Ollie.”

Ollie threw back the covers and bounced up to Papa’s chest. “It’s me, Papa! I ate all my vegetables.”

Papa peeled open one eye and stared. “It is you,” he gasped. “You must have eaten extra veggies to get so big.”

Ollie beamed, even though he knew Papa was being silly. It was their joke. He didn’t like to eat extra veggies ever, but he did eat some even though he didn’t like them. Papa wouldn’t even let Ben sneak some off his plate like he used to when they first came to live in the big pack house. He said that was cheating even though Ben was being nice. If he didn’t want to eat his broccoli then he had to be a big boy and deal with the con-sta-quences.

Daddy said honesty was the best policy. Daddy and Papa said lots of things. Nana said they were working on their home training.

Ollie had no idea what that meant, but Nana had smiled when she said it and gave him a cookie ‘cause he had two bites of carrots and a green bean without even complaining. Well, he had complained, but only to Ben when he smelled them cooking. Carrots were okay when they were crunchy and Nana let him dip them in something fun, but green beans were blechy.

“Papa, I’m hungry.” His stomach gurgled in agreement, and Papa tickled him again.

“Me, too. What are we hungry for?”

“Cheesy eggs sandwich and grapes,” Ollie said. His belly grumbled once more, and Papa gave him a quick squeeze.

“Mmm. That sounds yummy. Want to help me stir?”

Ollie nodded and waited for Papa to get up. Even though he was a big boy, he still liked it when Papa carried him. He could smell his neck, and Papa always whispered secrets to him. Papa scooped him up and snuggled him tight while Daddy got up and went to get ready for the day.

“Who’s my favorite Ollie in the whole wide world?” Papa asked as he carried Ollie into the kitchen.

“Me,” Ollie said.

Papa rubbed his back before sitting him on the counter. “Who’s my favorite egg stirrer in the whole wide world?”

“Nana,” Ollie said with a giggle.