h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*A calm stillness settles over the ranch as occupants finally fall asleep and stay asleep.*

*As dawn begins to brighten the bedroom, Layla turns in her sleep and snuggles in closer to her husband*

*The sun rises and peace reigns at the ranch. Satisfied lovers lying in deep sleep with partners, young children sleeping soundly, storing energy for the busy day ahead.*

Yoooohooooo!!

Wakey, wakey... Rise and shine! It's a glorious morning and breafast is cooking!!


*startled from their sleep the twins scream out..*

*John falls out of bed, cursing...*

*and Layla reaches instinctively for the short sword that used to be hidden beneath her pillow*

*Hyacinth Bucket calls once more.. *"I got that nice Lieutenant to drop me off.. and your back door was open... The coffee's on Major!"

*John hustles to throw on something repectable and half walks, half falls down the stairs.*

Hyacinth, How are you this bright, EARLY morning.

*Grabbing her dressing gown, Layla curses and goes to the twins*

*Mary has settled back to sleep. Richard is whimpering.. but about to sleep again*

*Downstairs, Layla can hear John's measured words to Hyacinth, who replies;*


"Yes! Lovely day, isn't it!! For some reason, known only to himself, Johnny has gone off on a jaunt.. so that lovely Lieutenant dropped me off a the end of the driveway.. He will be back later today! Now!!..Are you ready for breakfast?"


*Layla enters the kitchen, just in time to throw John a warning glare.. which basically said 'don't you dare Tom out on me.. OR vanish, Old Man!'*

*Sitting at the table*.. I'll have coffee please and so will the Major, he needs something to wake him up...

*John's brain registers one word. Coffee. He sits down at the table with hand outstretched, waiting for that mug of liquid good morning.*

*Hyacinth jabbers on as she places the coffee mugs on the table*

*Layla nods in reply.. not really taking any notice, she is more concerned about John and places her hand on his knee*

*John drains his mug and moves to get another but is almost restrained by the light hand on his knee. He smiles for the first since Hyacinth walked through the door.*

*Layla returns the smile, gets up and refills John's coffee mug*

.. Hyacinth, you seem to have called rather early and we have given Sarah some time off. Please excuse me, I need to wash and dress the twins..

*Turning to John*.. Will you come and help me when you've finished your coffee, darling?..

*Again she smiles just for him*

*John, slowly coming back into the room, looks up and smiles at Layla in reply. He slowly drinks his coffee and heads towards the stairs without a word.*

*Hyacinth can be heard muttering to herself in the kitchen*

*As they enter the nursery, Richard is standing up waiting to picked up*

*Mary is giggling as she plays with a toy Snake bought her for Christ Mass*

.. Goodmorning, Big Boy!!.. *she picks up Richard, kisses him and takes him into the bathroom for a wash*

*John looks at his daughter who he's been left with.*

Come on you. Lets go get soaked.

*He lifts Mary up and carries her towards the sound of happy splashing.*

*Layla is giggling as loudly as Richard. She is just as soaking wet too.. Richard has found splashing is fun!*

*Grinning, she undresses Mary while John holds Richard upright in the bath*


.. Careful, he's just found out how much water that sponge holds!!

*gently, she places Mary into the bath*

*John turns to Layla just as Richard throws water up in the air, hitting him, his sister and their parents all at once. As John shakes his hand to clear the water from his eyes Mary tries the same trick.8

*Squeals of laughter and giggles are heard from the bathroom*

*This game goes on until the water begins to chill and Layla picks up Mary, wrapping her in a towel, then handing her to John as she does the same with Richard*

*In the nursery, John sits in the big armchair cuddling Mary, as Layla, sitting in the rocking chair, begins to dry off Richard and dress him*

*From downstairs the smell of food begins rise, causing tummies to rumble and twins to grumble!*

*John stomach gurgles in a distubing way and so he looks across to Layla and his son.*

Do you think Hyacinth's cooking in my kitchen?

*Layla nods*.. It seems like it. She did mention something about breakfast earlier..

*Quickly dressing Mary, made more difficult because she too is complaining about being hungry, the family make their way downstairs*

*Placing the children into their chairs, John sits at the table glaring at the food on it*

*Layla tightens the belt on her damp dressing gown as she too takes her seat*

*John looks to where Hyacinth is sitting.*

This looks really lovely Hyacinth, Thank you.

*He really isn't sure how to react to this random act of kindness.*

*Hyacinth beams a smile*

H: "Eat up!! Eat up! Don't let it go cold!"


*Layla breaks up some of the eggs and little bacon for the twins and with a bit of toast, puts the plates and spoons in front of them*

H: "Oh! Wonderful! They are feeding themselves!"

*Richard giggles and is determined to show off his skills*

*Meanwhile, John, Layla and Hyacinth eat their breakfasts. Layla keeps a hand firmly on John's knee*