It was cute enough to make me chuckle, bouncing her back awake. This time, she made it all the way. Her beautiful brown eyes opened, saw my shirt, then she sat straight up. A second later, her head snapped around to the kitchen.
"We fell asleep during the movie," I explained. "I didn't mean to stay over, but they woke me up only a few minutes ago."
"And you didn't wake me?" she asked.
I lowered my voice. "I was letting things go down first. There are a few teenage girls in the house, in case you forgot."
Her eyes widened, then she giggled. "Yeah, that could be awkward." Then she huffed out a heavy breath. "I need the bathroom."
She managed to get herself off the couch, but she still wasn't really awake. I'd never seen anything more adorable in my life than Elena stumbling her way down the hall toward her bedroom, weaving like she was drunk. If I didn't think she'd be horrified, I'd go scoop her into my arms and carry her there. Instead, I just watched, letting myself daydream about it.
"Ian?" Olivia asked. "How many burritos?"
"Please tell me you mean the breakfast kind?"
Gabby leaned over to see me across the counter. "Duh. We Mexicans don't really have refried beans on everything, you know."
"Gabby!" Samantha hissed.
I just laughed, knowing teasing when I heard it. "No? But I bet you put salsa on your eggs."
"Yeah!" Gabby rolled her eyes playfully. "Lucky for you, I left out the jalapeños. C'mon. Gentlemen first."
Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself off the couch. "Isn't that supposed to be ladies first?"
Samantha gestured around the house. "You'd be outnumbered. Besides, we're the ones making the rules here. Today, that means gentlemen first."
"Coffee?" I begged.
Olivia pointed at the dining room. "Sit. One cream?"
"Yep. Thanks, kiddo."
I'd barely claimed a chair before Elena was back, and then the display started. Gabby carried out a bowl of eggs. Samantha had a smaller one filled with crumbled bacon and sausage. Olivia had been tasked with the tortillas and condiments. Once those were before us, they all hurried back for drinks. Yes, I ended up with both orange juice and coffee.
"I could get used to this," I said, making a production of inhaling the smell of good food before I began dishing up my meal.
Elena ducked her head and leaned closer. "Me too. Now we just have to figure out how to make it happen. Trust me, they aren't usually this generous."
"Mom," Gabby groaned. "I'm just helping you celebrate your first sleepover with your boyfriend."
Elena tilted her head at her. "See? The sugar and spice version only lasts for a few seconds, then we're back to that."
But she was grinning, and the girls knew it was nothing more than a joke. Even more impressive, the food was good and the company even better. When we finished eating, I stayed long enough to help Elena clean up the mess they'd left in the kitchen, then slowly made my way back home. I may have had a little smile on my face, but since no one was around to see it, I wouldn't have to explain that I honestly liked the family life.
My place wasn't as cheery at this hour. Lane was sprawled out on the sofa in wolf form, taking up the most room possible and leaving his hair everywhere. Seth was in the kitchen, standing over the coffee maker. Pax and Trent were probably still in bed.
"Just getting in?" Seth asked.
"Yeah, after being served breakfast by the girls."
He pointed at the couch. "Lane was up most of the night, making sure Roman didn't try to make a surprise visit. Or that the girls didn't even think about sneaking out. Not after last time."
"So we'll make sure he gets to sleep in," I decided. "Why are you up?"
Grabbing his cup, Seth took a careful sip, then leaned against the counter. "Are we going to tell her?"
"Elena?"
He nodded. "That woman is as nice as they come. She's also not a bimbo, Ian. Before we get too far into this, we need to talk to her. She deserves that much."
Which meant he'd been thinking too hard to sleep. I couldn't exactly blame him. Hadn't I just been doing the same thing? Nodding to show I'd heard, I waved him into the den so we wouldn't wake the sleeping wolf. It also gave me a little time to think.
"We can't tell her yet. She wouldn't believe us," I explained as I sat down. "And telling her