Getting Ready

                                    

                                          

Lloyd's P.O.V.:
                          
I woke up and looked at my alarm clock. It read 10:32am.
                          
'Oh no! I overslept! I was supposed to have Ryder bathed and fed by now.' I thought to myself. 
                          
I immediately got up, quickly got dressed and ran into Ryder's bedroom to wake him up.
                          
"Come on son we're running behind!" I screamed as I noticed he wasn't there. 
                          
I calmed down and figured my mom had already gotten him up for me. So I went to the kitchen and sure enough there he was stuffing some pancakes in his mouth. They were his favorite.
                          
"Hey, you made breakfast?" I said to my mom as I walked into the kitchen.
                          
"Of course." She replied with a smile. "I figured you would want to sleep in."
                          
"Oh Mom you didn't have to do that." I told her. Although in all honesty, I was glad she did.
                          
"I know, but you just looked so tired last night, and you have so much to do to get ready for your friends." She said.
                          
She was right. I was really tired last night. I was really excited though, my friends were coming today. It's been so long since I've seen everyone. Over the years we always kept in touch through calling and sending letters, so I knew about everyone having kids of their own. However, when I called Pixal the other day, she said that she and Zane were bringing a plus one. I had no idea what that meant, but now I was curious on top of being excited.
                          
"Thank you." I said as I grabbed some pancakes and set down next to my son. "Morning Ryder. Did Grandma make you pancakes?"
                          
"Morning Daddy!" He said with a chunk of pancake in his mouth. 
                          
"Has he had his bath yet?" I asked my mom as I wiped some syrup off Ryder's face.
                          
"I figured it would be better to do that after breakfast." She said chuckling a little.
                          
My mom had always been better at the whole 'parenting' thing then I was, which made since because, well, I exist. Plus I was still new at doing this by myself since Kira disappeared and I was the youngest of all my friends, meaning I didn't have much experience with little kids.
                          
"Good idea." I said giggling at Ryder. 
                          
"I could give him his bath too if you want." My mom said.
                          
"No thanks, you've done more than enough already." I said. "I can do it."
                          
I waited till after breakfast like my mom suggested and then I picked up Ryder and tried to give him his bath. 
                          
Let's just say bath time wasn't his favorite. I had to chase him around the house for about a half hour until we made a deal. 
                          
"Hey bud." I said to Ryder as he stopped running. "If you get in the bath, I'll take you out on my dragon tomorrow." 
                          
"Really?" He said walking closer towards me.
                          
"Yes, but you have to be good with Daddy's friends today and take a bath. Ok?" I said.
                          
"Ok." He sighed in defeat.
                          
"Thank you." I said picking him up.
                          
I carried him to the bathroom and gave him his bath finally. Afterwards, I got him dressed and brushed his hair, and then he went to play with his toys.
                          
Sure, I could take down the Overlord with a broken leg no problem, but parenting was proving to be the hardest challenge I've ever faced. It was hard doing this whole 'parenting' thing by myself, but I liked a challenge. I enjoyed every minute I got to spend with my son. I wasn't father of the year by any means, but I was doing my best. Plus my son seemed happy so I must not be too bad at the whole 'single dad' thing.