My triplet Alphas

Chapter 4: Coffee date part 2

The rest of the afternoon with the triplets was incredible. We all sat outside on the back of the porch. Chatting about everything. They told me the history of the town and the forest, we were telling jokes and just laughing. Even though they were complete strangers to me, I felt so at ease with them. Like I could give them all my trust and nothing bad would happen to them here with me.

“So Jennifer, we haven’t seen you around here much before since yesterday morning. Are you new to town or just one of those shy old women who keep themselves locked in their house for all eternity?” Jason joked with me.

“No, first of all, I’m no old woman,” I said, laughing at him. “I moved here about 3 months ago – maybe that’s why you never saw me here before, I guess?” I said with a sad look in my eyes.

“What’s wrong Jen?” John asked me, noticing my change of expression.

“No it’s nothing, I just miss home and my family sometimes. I’m not even quite used to being away from my family for long periods of time.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m sure you’ll be able to visit them sometime. Why did you make the decision to move all the way out here to this small town?” Jarrod asked me, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“Let’s just say I got an offer of a lifetime I couldn’t refuse. So I packed up all my things in South Africa and flew all the way out here. You know how the story goes – the grass is always greener on the other side. I just didn’t know it would have such irony, seeing as there is always snow and coldness on this ‘other side,' but I like it”, I said, clutching to my coffee mug, looking into the distance, thinking of all the memories. It started getting late and I got tired. “Anyone up for a last round?” I asked as I got up from my chair and went out under my blanket.

“I’ll come help,” Jason said as he quickly sprang up and collected everyone’s mugs before I could.

I walked into the kitchen, filling the kettle with water and putting it on. Before I could start putting coffee in everyone’s mugs, a strong hand pulled mine away from the coffee pot. “You made coffee all day, I think it would just be fair for me to return the favor, yeah?” Jason said. I just giggled and gave him his way. “How much coffee for you Jenny?” he said. I had to laugh at his nickname for me – I found it quite cute.

“No coffee for me thanks, I won’t be able to sleep. So just tea would do” I said with a grin. I could see Jason looking at me confused but he didn’t want to ask. “I drink a cup of tea each night before bed – it usually helps me sleep better and then an espresso in the mornings before I head out to work – you know… to give me that extra energy boost”, I explained to him.

“Three coffees and one tea coming right up – no sugar for you, right?” He asked me questioningly. I just shook my head and giggled. I saw him turning his head in my direction and walking closer to me. He was just inches away before he said something I just couldn’t quite grasp. “Your giggle will be the end of me Jenny” and with that said, he put the mug in my hand and took the tray of coffees out to the guys.

I quickly went outside and sat with the guys just staring in silence at the moon and her stars above us. “You haven’t eaten yet Jennifer, would you like to have dinner with us,” Jarrod said, breaking the silence. “Dinner sounds nice Jarrod, thank you for the offering. I’m just too tired and not exactly feeling that hungry”, I quickly said, giving a reason for rejecting the offer.

It is as if the boys got the memo that I was tired, as all three of them got up. John helped me get up and took my blanket from me and placed it on the couch inside. I walked with the trio to the front door and opened it. “Thanks for the coffee and laughs guys – I enjoyed it,” I said, with a smile. John walked past me, before exiting he gave me a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight. Jarrod passed giving me a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead before saying goodnight.

As the two brothers walked to the Jeep, I saw Jason still standing inside the living room. I just gave him a curious look. He walked toward me until he stood only about 2 inches from me, he lifted my chin with his hand so I could look into his eyes. He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “Goodnight starshine, sleep well. Thanks for the coffee date” and, with that, Jason too walked out and got into the Jeep. I just stood by the door watching them drive off into the night.

***

I woke up in the morning with someone knocking at the front door. I quickly put on my dressing gown and a pair of slippers and rushed down to open the door, quite annoyed with having visitors so early. As I put my hand on the door handle I could smell coffee and pancakes. I hesitated to open the door, seeing that it was still slightly dark outside and I was all alone in my pajamas. “Maybe she’s still asleep, I told you this was a silly idea.” I knew exactly who this voice belonged to and as soon as it clicked I threw the door open to reveal the trio smiling at me.

“Yes, John – I was still sleeping. But thanks for replacing my alarm clock”, I said in an annoyed tone. Their smiles faded at that. “It’s fine just come in – it’s cold outside,” I said as I walked back inside and straight to the kitchen. The triplets followed me into the kitchen and put 4 cups and a big box in front of me. “What’s this?” I asked no one in particular. “Espresso and breakfast to kick start your day,” Jason said, smiling.

I giggled at the response and went to go get plates and cutlery. I yawned as I put everything in front of the triplets. They just looked at me, smiling but not saying anything. “You know, back home it is quite uncommon for people to disturb others before 08:00, right? It's 05:30 now – where did you even get all of this? CoffeeHeavan only opens at 07:00” I said, releasing a big yawn.

“Sorry to have interrupted the beauty sleep starshine, we just thought we could surprise you with breakfast since you didn’t have dinner last night.