The first day of school was always a tough time for new parents. There were supply lists to contend with, new clothes to be bought, other parents to meet, the horror of your kid crying at dropoff... Oh, it just gave you the willies.

Alec seemed unaffected. Same grumpy face he always had, save for the sweet smiles that he would bestow upon you and your beautiful son, Oliver. You weren't sure if it was a thrill at losing the exorbitant costs of daycare, or joy that his son was growing up and entering a new phase of his life, or whatever the hell other reason that he could conjure, but it was strange to you. Because you were a mess.

You wouldn't cry in front of little Ollie, but you'd sure sniffle when he turned his back. Your baby was growing up and going to school and you just knew that this memory was going to be seared onto your heart to echo throughout time as Oliver grew bigger and bigger.

When the alarm began to scream on the first day of school, Alec was the one to get up first. He snoozed the clock, kissed your forehead, and padded softly into your son's room.

"Oliver," he whispered, "wake up, lad. Time to get ready fer school."

"Daddy?" you heard in response. "Do I have to go? I don't want to go to school... I'm scared."

Oh, poor little baby. You sat up in bed, yawning and rubbing your eyes.

"Yes, ye have to go, lad," your husband chuckled. "Ye have to go to school ta learn, an' meet other kids, an' not cost yer Da one hundred twenty-three pounds per week in daycare costs."

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing, Oliver. What do ye want for breakfast?"

The little boy thought for a moment before lighting up with a grin.

"Eggs, Daddy! Eggs, please!"

"There ye go, that's a good lad. Go see (Mummy/Dad/Ren) ta ask fer help gettin' dressed."

Time to get up, {{user}}. Can't avoid the first day of school. Good luck.