Page 32 of Royal

His eyes open slowly, and he turns his head to look at the clock on the nightstand. “Shit, my alarm didn’t go off.” And with that, he scoots off the bed looking a little frantic.

I laugh. “I made breakfast and packed Penny’s lunch. We just need to get them fed and dressed.”

His panicked face drops, turning soft. He takes my hand, helping me off the bed. “You are too amazing.” I blush at his compliment, and he chuckles, pulling me to him and resting his chin on my head.

“All right, let’s go get the babies,” he says before he lets me go. I can tell he is reluctant.

I walk into Donovan's room and gently wake him up. It always bothered me when I was little when my mom would turn on the lights and demand that I wake up instantly. I hated being startled awake. I can hear Royal talking to Penny softly.

“Mommy first!” Donovan lifts his little hands for me to pick him up, and I cuddle him close. I grab his blanket, keeping him tucked in because he always feels a chill when he gets up first thing in the morning.

“How did my sweet boy sleep? I made French toast,” I tell him, and he beams. French toast is his favorite.

I walk out of Donovan’s new room and see Penny sitting at the end of the bed rubbing her eyes, Royal in her closet as he picks out her clothes. “Daddy, can I wear a dress?” She swings her little legs.

I pop over to the closet to stand next to him, and he is rubbing the back of his head, staring at the clothes. “Do you want me to help?”

He laughs. “We go through this process every single morning.” He reaches for Donovan, takes him in his arms, and he rests his head on Royal’s shoulder.

So precious. My heart feels like it could explode seeing the two of them together. I find a beautiful mid-sleeve sundress, grab a pair of white flats, and some no-show half socks for her.

I hold up the outfit for Penny, and she beams. “I love that! Can you braid my hair?” she asks, and I look to Royal to see if it’s okay.

“First, let's get breakfast, and then I will fix your hair,” I tell her, and she runs to me, taking my hand and walking with me to the dining room.

“God, that smells good.” Royal practically growls, setting Donovan in a seat and Penny beside him.

I grab the kids two plates and fill them, ensuring I cut the food into small pieces for Donovan so he doesn’t choke. “Oh shoot, I forgot something.” I go into the kitchen and cut up their strawberries, setting them on their plates.

Royal takes my hand and pulls me into his lap. “Everything is perfect, now eat. We can clean up later.” I lean into him, kissing his rough cheek. He looks too good with a slight scruff.

Penny pushes my plate to me from where she sits, giving me a sweet smile. “Here is your food, Naomi.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

She beams at my praise, while Donovan is oblivious to everything around him and is too busy stuffing his face with food. Royal chuckles at him, taking a napkin and catching the syrup before it falls from his bottom lip. “We will have to keep the house stocked when he becomes a teenager,” he jokes.

But I heard him. I heard him thinking of the future and expecting us to be here when Donovan is a teenager.

Royal keeps me on his lap, and I fuss over the kids between bites while he feeds me to ensure I eat. While laying kisses on the temple and my cheek and rubbing my leg.

I have never been overly touchy but am basking in every little touch with Royal. Taking my phone out of my back pocket, I open my bank account to check to see if any more money had been deposited.

Holy shit, all the money is there.

Royal laughs at my reaction. “I think you need to be my sugar momma.”

I laugh. “I’d love to be, but spoiling these babies is the first thing in order.”

Penny’s eyes widened comically. “Can I have my very own dress-up wardrobe? With all my pretty princess dresses?”

I giggle. “I think I can work something like that out.” I wink at her, and she looks at me like the world ends and begins with me.

Donovan grows out of his clothes constantly, so a new wardrobe is in order for him too. I have not had money for so long and was saving every cent to keep him fed. I think I deserve to go crazy and splurge.

I finish my food. “I think it’s time to get you both dressed.”

Royal puts his hand on my back. “I will clean everything up here.”

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