"It's a Hard Knock Life for Us"

Judah woke to his phone vibrating in his pocket. He groaned as he slowly stretched his aching muscles. Shiloh woke up as a result of his moving around.

"What time is it?" she mumbled sleepily as he reached for his phone. Judah looked at his phone and noticed that Michael had blown up his phone with several calls and messages. He chose to ignore them, and gently tossed his phone on the coffee table in front of him, after checking the time.

"It's 11:40." he said, his voice raspy.

"Crap!" she struggled to disentangle herself from the blanket as she stood. "I'm so late! I had a meeting at 9, and a hearing at 12! Look at me! I look like a mummy!"

Just as she tossed the blanket on the couch, Judah reached for her arm and pulled her gently back to sit by him.

"Judah, I..." She started, but Judah shushed her softly. He hummed softly as he rubbed her back soothingly. Slowly she began to relax, and finally sighed in defeat and leaned into him.

" You know I have to go to work, don't you?" she whispered quietly.

"You're not going to work today." he stated matter of factedly.

"Huh?" Shiloh turned to look at him.

He smirked. "Go take care of that morning breath,... and bed hair, ...and smeared makeup, and..."

"Oh gee! Thanks for building my self-esteem!" she muttered as she shoved him and stood.

Judah chuckled. "No. Wait! Sorry. I was just teasing!"

Shiloh turned and looked at him. "Fine!" She put her hands on her hips. " What did you have in mind?"

"Well," he drawled. "You go on up and shower, and put something comfortable on. Oh. And don't worry about makeup, you look perfect without it." She started to speak, but he held his hand up and continued. "And just brush out your hair today. I haven't seen your curls in a while."'

Shiloh smiled. "Okay. I'll go 'all natural' today."

Judah chuckled. "I just want you to be comfortable in your skin, and let me take you out for some fun today. okay?"

Shiloh nodded and headed up the stairs.

Judah stood and stretched again. Mid-stretch, he glanced at his phone still blowing up. Judah reached for his phone and shut it off.

He smiled as he thought. He's so gonna make me regret this.