Mother's Day Morning

Norma enjoyed sleeping in.  There was no question about it, sleeping in was a wonderful things for her.  Being married to the most successful man in Greenville, a loving mother and owning a popular bookstore left her drained on some days, but getting to sleep in on the weekends with her husband was always a favorite.  Except today.  Something was wrong.  

She normally woke up to her arms around him, one of his arms around her because he could never break the habit of sleeping like a dead log.  Today though he wasn't there, just empty air where he normally would be.  She wanted to get out of bed and look for her family, but then she heard something coming up the stairs.  One was happy and small, jumping up and down and trying to be quiet with their footsteps, the other calm and heavy, but both very familiar to her.

"Come on now sprout, you need to be quieter or you'll wake your Ma up.  We want this to be a surprise."  A tenor voice filled the air, and put Norma at ease. A second voice was now in the air, lighter and childish, full of happiness and youth.

"But Daddy, Ma is goin' to be surprised no matter what! Now hurry!"  Norma could hear the smile on her face, and so she decided to fake sleep as the doorknob started to turn.

Slowly many scents filled her nose.  Some were familiar, like the oil, tree and marshmallows of her husband, and the bubble bath Norma had given her daughter last night.  Another scent was in the air, floury and baked circle goodness covered in a sweet syrup scent.  Suddenly where was a weight on Norma, and she moved her head to see what it was.  

A little girl was on her side now, her light brown curls falling around her face, a smile across her freckled face.

"Happy Mother's Day Ma!"  she said, giving her a huge hug as Once-ler stood off to the side with a tray in hand, trying not to laugh at his two favorite girls shared a morning hug with the craziest bed hair ever.

"Happy Mother's Day flower-pot."  Once-ler said, still trying not to laugh.  

"Thank you, now, are you going to tell me what's under that cover?"  Norma said with an arm still around Helen, eyeing the covered plate.  

"Behold!  Pancakes for the world's greatest mother!"  with a flourish he removed the cover to reveal a massive stack of the golden treat, covered in syrup and truffula fruit.

"They look delicious!  Did you help make them Helen?"  Norma looked down to their child.

"Yep!  Daddy let me stir the batter!"

"Did he now?"  Norma asked with wide eyes, knowing what happened the last time Helen and Once-ler had made pancakes.  She now noticed the thin layer of flouring covering his hair and some of his bunny pajamas.  

"Don't worry, the mess is all cleaned up.  Now!  Time for pancakes!"  he gentle sat down on the bed and handed Norma the tray, giving her a quick peck on the cheek as he did so.  Norma gave them both a smile.

"These look amazing, but I don't think I can eat them all.  How about the two amazing chefs help me eat them?"  Helen lit up at this idea, and looked at her father for permission, using the puppy dog eyes on him.

"Fine, fine, let's help Ma eat them."  Once-ler said with a laugh.  Soon the family of three was enjoying Mother's day as it was meant to be; eating pancakes in bed with the whole family and celebrating the day of the woman that held them all together.