"That looks good honey," said Ellie as she planted a kiss on the top of Lita's head. "Are you all done with the cereal?"

"Yup," said the 7-year old.

"Do you also want a pop-tart?" she asked as she grabbed the dirty bowl.

"Yes please!"

As Ellie turned to put the bowl away and get the snack, Lizzy appeared in the kitchen, still in her pajamas.

"Good morning sleepy head, do you want some orange juice?" asked Ellie.

"Sure", said the teen as she sat around the breakfast table. She was the second to wake up, after Lita. The only one still in bed was Juan.

"Lizzy do you like my drawing?" asked Lita as she showed her the paper.

Her big sister eyed the drawing.

"Yeah, it looks great! Who are these supposed to be?" she said, pointing to the figures on the page.

"This is me and this Paige," she said, referring to her friend. "I'm going to give it to her when I see her after school."

"Cool, it's really good," said Lizzy.

"Thank you," said Lita.

As Ellie put down the orange juice and a couple of pop tarts on the breakfast table, Lizzy grabbed a glass a poured herself some juice.

"Lizzy, honey, do you fancy scrambled eggs or just cereal?" asked Ellie.

Lizzy considered this for a moment. "Yeah, I can have scrambled eggs," she said in the end.

"Alright," said Ellie as she walked back to the kitchen island. "Hopefully Juan will be up soon and he'll want scrambled eggs too"

Lizzy took a sip of her juice as Lita opened her pop-tarts and dived in.

"Oh, mom?" said Lizzy.

"Yes honey"

"So, uhm, my soccer practice was moved to the big stadium for today, and I was hoping you could drive me there," said the teenager.

Ellie stopped in her tracks and looked at her.

"You mean the one across town?"

"Yeah," said Lizzy, an apologetic look on her face.

"Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"I just got the message this morning. Some event which was supposed to be cancelled is going ahead and they're using our pitch for it."

"And they're not arranging transport?" asked Ellie.

"No, because it's so last minute. I can probably find someone to drive me there, but the problem is getting back, because it's going to be so late."

A few moments passed as Ellie took this in. Finally, she sighed.

"Well, I can't do it, Lita has her playdate with Paige and I promised Juan I would take him videogame shopping after school. You'll have to ask your dad."

Lizzy sighed. "Kay"

Pete appeared just as Ellie was serving a portion of scrambled eggs to Lizzy.

"Something smells good!" he said. He was already dressed and ready for the day.

"Morning honey," said Ellie.

"Good morning daddy," said Lita. "Come look at my drawing!"

Pete kissed Ellie on the cheek and then turned to Lita.

"Good morning sweetie, oh hey, that's awesome! Who are these?" he asked, pointing at the drawing.

"This is me and Paige. I'm going to see her after school today," said Lita.

"Oh that's right, you've got your playdate!"

"Yup!"

"Good morning to you too, kiddo" he said to Lizzy.

"Good morning," she replied, mouth full of eggs.

Pete grabbed a glass and served himself some orange juice, but didn't take a seat. He was always in a rush in the mornings.

"So, babe. Lizzy has something to ask you." Ellie started. ''Apparently, her soccer practice was moved to the big stadium across town and she needs a ride there and back, specially back. I've got Lita's playdate and shopping with Juan, so I can't do it."

She left the question hang in the air.

Pete needed a few moments to take this in. His gaze drifted back and forth between Ellie and Lizzy.

"I don't know," he started. "I'm supposed to meet the contractor then…"

"Please?" Lizzy asked.

Pete looked at her and considered her request.

"Ah, alright fine, I'll just rearrange," he cracked.

A huge smile swept across Lizzy's face. "Awesome! Can I drive us there as well?" she asked.

"Hey, don't push your luck with me, missy," he said.

The teenager smiled.

Pete downed the orange juice and took the glass to the sink. "Okay, gotta run, bye honey," he said as he kissed Ellie goodbye, on the lips. Lita made a 'yuck' face but didn't say anything. He came over to the breakfast table.

"Bye Lita," he said as he kissed her brow.

"Bye daddy," replied the little girl.

"Bye Lizzy," he said as he planted a kiss on the top of her head.

"Bye dad," she replied.

Everything became very still as Pete stopped dead in his tracks.

Lita's mouth dropped. Ellie's eyes widened.

It took Lizzy a second to understand their surprise.

Before anyone could speak, Pete turned and embraced Lizzy, hugging her so tight she struggled to breathe. Tears had gathered in his eyes.

When he pulled away, Lizzy noticed the moisture in his eyes.

"Oh god, not you too!" she exclaimed.

Pete wiped away his tears. "I just… got something in my eye," he said.

Lizzy rolled her eyes in a melodramatic way.

"You're both such cry-babies," she said.

At this, Lita giggled.

"Hey!" exclaimed Ellie. "There's nothing wrong with showing your emotions!"

Lizzy rolled her eyes again.

"Can't I just appreciate this moment? I've been waiting for you to call me that for a very long time! I was starting to feel left out!" he said. He pulled in Lizzy for another hug, which she didn't resist.

Underneath it all, Lizzy was glad to be able to call him 'dad'. She hadn't even been planning to do it this morning, it had just slipped out, like when she had called Ellie 'mom'. And it felt so right, like everything was finally falling into place.

"Well, I'm gonna go before I embarrass this one even more," said Pete. "Love you all!" he shouted on his way out.

"Love you too!" all the girls back said in unison.

Lizzy could feel this day was going to be the start of something good.