Sunlight spilled lazily across the small kitchen, catching on the chipped wooden table and the mismatched plates stacked neatly on it. Lucy was already up, moving quietly as she poured cereal into two bowls.
"Lucy, don't forget your father likes a little extra sugar," her mother, Mrs. Annabella, reminded, stirring the pot of porridge on the stove.
Lucy laughed softly. "Got it, Mama. I won't poison him."
Mrs. Annabella shook her head, smiling. "You'd never. But he does like it sweeter than you remember."
Ruben appeared in the doorway, hair sticking up in every direction, rubbing his eyes. "I'm starving," he complained. "When is breakfast ready? I swear I can't wait any longer."
Lucy grinned. "Patience, Ruben. The porridge isn't going to run away."
"I'm telling you," Ruben said, hopping over to the table, "if I get the biggest bowl, you can't touch it."
"Deal," Lucy said, handing him a spoon. "But don't complain when you spill half of it."
Her father, Mr. Joe, walked in with a newspaper tucked under his arm. "Good morning, everyone. You two seem lively today."
Ruben laughed. "Lucy is making sure I don't eat too fast!"
Lucy shook her head, smiling as she poured the cereal into her own bowl. "You'd eat the whole table if I let you."
Mr. Joe ruffled Ruben's hair. "Better him than me. But slow down, boy. Eat, don't inhale."
Ruben grinned and took a big bite anyway, crumbs falling onto his shirt. "I'll take my chances!"
Lucy couldn't help but laugh. She grabbed a napkin and wiped his chin. "Honestly, you're impossible sometimes."
Mrs. Annabella chuckled. "At least he's cheerful. Breakfast is more enjoyable when there's laughter."
The family ate together, sharing small jokes and quiet stories. Lucy told Ruben about a funny mistake at work—how she had accidentally swept her supervisor's papers onto the floor. Ruben laughed so hard he nearly dropped his spoon.
"You should've seen your face!" he said between giggles.
Lucy smiled, shaking her head. "Don't tell anyone. I don't need everyone thinking I can't handle my job."
Her parents laughed quietly. The morning passed with gentle conversation, small teasing, and the simple comfort of being together. Lucy enjoyed moments like this—the ordinary rhythm of breakfast, the familiar voices, the warmth that filled the room.
By the time she gathered her bag and coat, the kitchen was empty except for the soft smell of breakfast lingering in the air. She kissed her mother's cheek and waved to her father. "See you tonight, everyone."
"Have a good day at work, Lucy," Mrs. Annabella said softly.
"You too, Ruben. Don't cause trouble at school," Lucy called after him.
He grinned. "No promises!"
Lucy stepped out the door into the fresh morning air, the normal sounds of the neighborhood around her. Today was just another day. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing unusual. Just life, in all its quiet, simple rhythm.