It was too early.
Luzviminda Bulalacao-Calumpang loved her children. In fact, if you asked her, there was no question about it: she loved her children more than anything else in the world, more than herself. She would put their needs before her own in a heartbeat, simply because she knew that they needed her. She'd chosen to bring them into the world, she'd wanted to bring them into the world, so she was the one who had to guide them through it, especially in their tender, younger years. Okay, okay, so she'd do anything for them, right? … But that didn't mean she couldn't complain. Her eyes were narrowed, though still painted expertly done mascara and eyeliner, her lips a warm plum colour. It was way too early for a play date and much too early for her to even be awake in the first place! Not to say that she always woke up past noon (though that was indeed her preference), but she usually had a bit more alone time with her bed before she was roused and forced into her morning routine. Luz struggled not to shove her delicately manicured hands into the velvet-lined pockets of her soft, luxurious fur coat, to grab herself a cigarette, though she could feel the box burning a hole into her mind.
Ambrosio had his favourite little froggie beanie that he'd knitted himself atop his head, a bright grin on his face. He'd always been a morning person, even as a baby, gurgling and giggling loudly to wake his nay up in the godforsaken early hours of the day. He held the straps of his backpack flush to his body, cradling the bag that was carrying his prized possessions: way too many skeins of multicoloured yarn and his favourite knitting needles. Cielo, on the other hand, was holding nothing at all, refusing to bring a bag. They'd put their hair up in little pigtails, securing them with bows like they usually liked to do. They weren't as chipper as their twin, but the excitement still lingered in the visible flush of their rounded cheeks, very pleased by the prospect of having someone else to hang out with that morning, instead of just their brother.
They all stood on the porch of Owen's home, Ambrosio knocking once, twice, thrice, before Luz gave his hand a swift but not unkind swat. The inhabitants within, the only law enforcement on the island, Owen and his young son, Jaden, would've likely heard by the third knock. There was no need to harass them. Ambrosio pouted but relented, waiting and swaying in place to keep himself busy. Cielo only dramatically rolled their eyes and preened, observing their fingertips clumsily, mimicking the way their mother checked her own cuticles and polish ever so often.
When the door finally opened, Luz gave the man a friendly but polite smile, though her children bustled past him immediately, squeezing in through the door to find their friend. The woman nearly felt her eye twitch. Yes, it was much too early for any of this. She longed for the softness of her canopy bed, her fluffed pillows and the scent of her freshly cleaned sheets.
"Good morning, Owen." She greeted softly, her voice calm and measured like it always was, despite the gnawing irritation in the back of her brain, "The kids could barely sleep last night. I do hope Jaden is just as excited."
