The buzz of the alarm sounded loud and uncompromising in his head. He hated getting up early in the morning. Unlike Lily, who obviously loved them. She was already up and about, he could tell. The smell of pancakes was drifting back to the bedroom.  He heard little feet running down the hall.

      “Good morning, Daddy,” said Emily,  in her singsong voice as she burst in the room. “Lily says it’s time to get up cuz breakfast is almost done. We’re having pancakes.”

      “Good morning, Sunshine,” he said. “Boy, they sure smell good. Is Lizzy up too?”

      “Lizzy doesn’t like to get up in the mornings. Lily says she would sleep ‘til noon if she could. I think she’s getting up now.” Lizzy hated early mornings almost as much as he did, whereas Emily would get up with Lily every morning. He found it odd that his daughter would have Lily’s morning disposition while her daughter took after him.

      On his way to the kitchen, he stopped to poke his head into the girls’ room to check on Lizzy.  She was sitting up on the side of the bed with her eyes closed.  He chuckled to himself.  “Hey, girlie,” she jumped upon hearing his voice, and slowly looked up at him.  “Your momma is finishing breakfast.  You better come on if you want some pancakes. They won’t last long.”

      “I like pancakes,” she said as she hopped down off the bed.  He stepped aside and let her pass, then followed her to breakfast.  When they entered the kitchen, Emily was already sitting at the table, waiting for them, to start eating.

      “Come on, Daddy, Lizzy,” she said.  “I’m hungry for pancakes.”

      “Me too,” said Lizzy as she sat down in her spot.

      “Me three,” said Seth, smiling at the girls.  Lily turned form the counter with a plate of pancakes and looked at them all.  Her family.  The Lord knew how she loved them.  All three  of them.