Archive of Our Own ^beta

The warm morning sun beamed through the windows, lighting up the dining hall where a couple sleepy heads had begun to gather at the table. Phil hopped into his chair- he was big enough now to do it himself- while Lanni and Thoma raced to their seats, bumping into Gilda on the way.

“Woah!” she stumbled, but caught herself, watching them run off with a sigh.

“Ay! Be careful where you’re going, stinkers,” Anna scolded, and followed behind them before catching both boys by the ears which earned a yelp and a quick “Sorry!” from each of them.

“GoooooOOOD MORNING!!” Emma sang as she skipped into the dining room, helping Oliver hand out their usual cups and mugs. Nigel shuffled in after them, and dropped his head onto the table beside Gillian. He still hadn’t adjusted to the noise of early mornings—and probably never would.
A few moments later, Norman stepped in with Yvette beside him, both of them smiling as they scanned the room. He expected to a table full of warm steaming food but instead he frowned as he looked at the empty dishes.

“...Where’s the food?” he asked, confused.

Everyone paused.

“...Where’s Ray!?” Violet exclaimed, eyes scanning the room for their chef.

Don gasped with a few others. “He overslept!?”

“Huh? But he never does!” Emma frowned, brows furrowing together.

“Ugh!! That brat! I’m hungry!” Barbara whined, arms crossed, while Zazie grunted in agreement.

“Uh… maybe he got kidnapped,” Lannion offered unhelpfully.
Everyone collectively groaned before springing to their feet and hurrying down the hall toward Ray’s bedroom.

“Did he go to sleep late?” Norman suggested, trying to make sure no one got trampled.

“He does that usually, though!” Gilda added with a worried frown.

“THAT’S IT, I’M BUSTING DOWN THE DOOR!!” Lannion and Thoma charged forward, only to be grabbed by Zack before he knocked lightly.

“Ray?”

Emma didn’t wait long after they heard no answer. She pushed the door open. Ray was found sprawled out in bed with his blanket half kicked off and a couple stuffy sniffles.

“EEEWWWWW!!” Thoma stuck out his tongue. “He’s sick!?”
Norman quickly covered Thoma’s mouth and shushed him, but it was too late. Ray groaned and slowly opened one eye, only to groan even louder and roll over when he saw the entire family staring at him from the doorway.

“HE’S ALIVE!!” Phil gasped and jumped onto the bed, followed by a couple of the younger kids, landing right on top of Ray.

Anna sighed and moved closer, gently brushing hair away from his face as she touched his forehead. “Yup. Sick.”

“What, so we’re just gonna starve now?” Nigel groaned, looking around at everyone. “Does anyone know how to make breakfast?”

“...”

“Nope.”

“Ray always makes it!!” Jemima whined from behind the group.

“...Seriously? Nobody?” Ray sighed from under the covers. “You’re all helpless.”

“Hey!! No we’re not! So Ray’s sick, big deal! Now it’s just up to us!” Emma nodded with a determined smile.

“Uhm… to do what?” Barbara raised a brow, “You mean you’re going to try cooking!?”

“Yup!! I mean, most of us can cook somewhat decently, how hard can it be??” Emma grinned, expecting positive reactions but instead she received silence and a couple groans.

Norman, though, smiled softly and said, “Hey, it’s not a bad idea! We can manage.”

“Don’t kill us all in a fire, please.” Ray only half joked

The group filed out of Ray’s room, though Anna lingered a little longer than necessary. After a moment, she stepped back inside and quietly shut the door behind her. She pulled the small wooden stool over and sat beside his bed, resting her elbows on her knees. She didn’t say anything yet, just sat there, watching him quietly.

"Quit staring." Ray grumbled from under the covers.

Anna laughed softly, more like a hum. "Sorry. You just look... really funny."

Ray groaned. “I’m sick, not a joke.”

She laughed a little louder. “I wasn’t making fun...! You're just amusing like this. Aren't those blankets heating you up even more? Did anyone even think to get you medicine."

"I guess not."

"Ah. Well, I'll get you some." She stood up and stepped out of the room.

After picking up cold medicine from the cupboard she headed to the kitchen to make some quick tea, but paused, watching the chaotic scene in front of her.

Emma stood on a stool, trying to establish some kind of order... but it obviously wasn't working. "Uhmmm... okay someone get the eggs and put them on the sto- NO, LANNI YOU HAVE TO CRACK THEM OVER THE PAN!! YOU DON'T EAT THE SHELL!!"

"Oops!" Lannion smiled sheepishly.

Anna sighed and stepped over spilt jam on the floor.

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"... Is it done?" Don asked, looking at the breakfast tray that held the most unburnt toast and eggs out of their several attempts.

"I think it looks good!!" Gilda nodded.

"Why does Ray get the good pieces??" Nat sighed.

"Because he's the sick one."

"LET ME GIVE IT TO HIM!!" Jemima picked up the tray and dashed down the hallway.

"Hey don't drop it!" Barbara called as several others followed the little girl. They all burst into the room, making Anna and Ray jump.

"RAY!! RAY!! RAY!!" All the kids ran around the room, excited to give Ray his breakfast.

Jemima smiled and politely laid in on his lap. "Here Ray."

Ray looked at the food, judging it with his eyes.

...

"EAT IT!!" Thoma said.

"Okay, okay." He sighed and took a bite of the egg.

"So??!!"

"Is it good, Ray!?"

"IS IT GOOD!?!??!"

"Calm down!!" Ray winced, "It's good!"

They all grinned, proud of themselves.

"You're welcome!!" Emma wrapped her arms around his head.

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Two days later, the whole family caught Ray's cold, and he was back to being their chef.