Title: Jate go Disney!
Pairing: Jack and Kate (duh!)
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Jate & Aaron belong to Darlton, Disneyland belongs to…well, Disney :p
Author´s note: This is written for a birthday of two sweetest and kindest twins I know – to revive the memories from DisneyWorld. ;) Love ya, girls! *hugs* p.s. This had to be set at DisneyLAND, CA, ´cause Kate´s probation doesn´t allow her to go to Florida :p
Jate go Disney!
Jack was sitting in the car, absent-mindedly playing with the keys as he listened to Aaron´s excited jabbering and watched Kate approach the charming, white-painted house and ring the bell. He watched her wait in front of the door, casually dressed, white shirt and a pair of jeans, hair let loose, beautiful brown curls falling freely over her shoulders; and he wondered, for God knows which time that year, what he had done to deserve to her her in his life and to be this happy. It had been 11 months since he had decided to overcome his demons and give this – them – a chance and he hadn't regretted it: the year he had spent living with Kate and Aaron had possibly been the happiest time of his life and although he still had moments when even simple looking at the boy was painful because he knew Claire, a sister he never got to have, couldn't be there too, he was learning to appreciate the things he did have, one of which was that Aaron was possibly the happiest child he had encountered in his life.
With that thought in mind, he casted a glance at the rear mirror, at a blonde boy sitting in his car sear and playing with a plush Mickey they had got for him in one of the Disney stores in the centre. The reason for buying him that particular toy was that they had finally managed to organize a trip to Disneyland, Jack´s busy schedule at the hospital and everyday´s life preventing them to do it earlier. Veronica, the woman who babysat Aaron when they needed her to, would be joining them too, together with her two 6 year old twin granddaughters that were in town visiting. Veronica was not keen on driving all the way there alone, so they´d agreed to stop by and let her follow them in her car. To avoid having to strap Aaron out and then back in his car seat, he offered to stay in the car with him while Kate went to let Veronica know they were ready.
Turning his attention back to Aaron again, Jack listened his childish blabbering for a few moments and smiled, genuinely amazed with the wonders that could come out of the mouth of toddlers. With his 2,5-almost 3 years, Aaron was a spitting image of Claire: blonde hair, bright blue eyes and an ear-piercing shriek that could – when he used it (and thankfully, it wasn't very often) – wake the whole neighborhood and – Jack was sure of it – a couple of other nearest ones. What amazed him even more was that he could find traits of Kate´s personality too in the boy, the most prominent ones being his inability to stay at one place for very long (except when he was watching cartoons) and his stubbornness (although she´d take responsibility only for the first one; the second one she completely blamed it on the Shephards clan, ´cause, according to her, ˝she wasn't stubborn, she was just strong-willed˝).
Jack shook his head and smiled, remembering her description of her own personality; then, wondering what was taking her so long, glanced towards the house again.
He could see Kate talking to Veronica, who was standing on the porch with two sulky-looking girls peeking behind each of her leg. Something seemed off.
˝I´ll be right back, buddy. ˝he said to Aaron; then, grabbing the keys and making sure at least one window was open so the boy could have some air, got out of the car and headed towards the house.
˝Is something wrong?˝ he asked as he approached them. ˝Hey, Veronica. ˝
˝Hey, Jack. ˝the elderly woman greeted back, giving him a smile. ˝Actually, yeah. I was just telling Kate that we can't come with you guys. Peter twisted his ankle while coming down the stairs this morning. ˝
˝Is he okay? ˝Jack asked, the doctor in him immediately awoken.
˝Oh, yeah, he´ll be fine, he´s sleeping now; it´s just that he won´t be able to walk for a couple of days and I can´t leave him home alone. ˝she explained; then added: ˝I´m sorry it had to happen precisely today, but Disneyland will always be there and we´ll go some other time, right, girls? ˝she said with a falsely cheerful tone, trying to brighten the girls´ mood; and they nodded, although Jack could see that they were fighting back tears. He smiled.
˝Hey, how about we take them? ˝he offered, causing all of them – Kate, Veronica and the girls to perk up; their faces going from uberly depressed to excitedly hopeful so fast he had to resist the urge to crack up.
˝Nah, it´s your first time with Aaron´s at Disneyland, I wouldn't want to burden you ever more. ˝she said, but Kate cut her off:
˝Veronica, don't be silly, it wouldn't be a burden. Plus, how many times you jumped in to watch Aaron so we could get some time alone, it´s about time we pay you back. ˝she said.
˝You sure? ˝
Jack smiled. ˝Positive. Plus, look at their faces: how could we go and enjoy our time knowing we left them behind? ˝he said, smiling; looking at the two girls that were now holding their grandma´s leg and looking up at her with pleading eyes. ˝So, what do you say? ˝
˝Please, Grandma, please! ˝
˝We´ll be good, we promise! ˝
˝Please, please, please! ˝
Veronica smiled. ˝Oh, okay then. You two go upstairs and grab something to wear and I´m gonna pack your backpacks, okay? ˝she said, laughing as they both hugged her tightly and then, with simultaneous ˝Thank you, Grandma! / You´re the best! ˝rushed upstairs.
Veronica was still inside when the girls came running down the stairs ten minutes later; the sight of them making both Kate and Jack chuckle. It was obvious that they had taken their grandma´s advice to ´grab something to wear´ literally, probably taking the first thing they found in their closet, considering the mismatching colors of their clothes from head to toes. However, they were kids and they were so eager to go to Disneyland that none of the adults, their grandma included, had the heart to tell them to go and change. After kissing their grandma goodbye, the girls ran towards the car and after assuring their friend that they really didn't mind taking the girls, Jack and Kate followed too.
Five Circle of Live-s, four Under the Sea-s, three Tiki Tiki Tiki Room-s, two Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo-s and uncountable Hakuna Matata-s later, they were finally at the parking lot and Jack let out a sigh of relief, positive that some of the Disney classics would stay stuck in his head for days, if not weeks later. He wasn't going to voice his suspicions out loud, but he was pretty sure Kate had brought that particular CD and even incited the kids to sing louder just so she could teasingly annoy him; a fact he couldn't prove, of course, but there was just something smug about her smile when she caught him mumbling the words of one of the songs under his breath…
They helped the girls out, handing them their backpacks; then Kate went to get Aaron out of his seat while Jack busied himself with their belongings, putting on his backpack and handing Kate her bag. Once in front of the park´s entrance, they met with Jenny, a 16 year old neighbor who´d occasionally help them with Aaron when Veronica couldn't come (and to whom they had promised they would take her with them when they went to Disneyland) and her friend Megan, both of the girls thankfully still not that much in puberty to look at Disney and hanging out with toddlers as something un-cool and best-to-avoid.
Before they entered the park, Jack lined up the twins, turning them to face him.
˝Okay, girls…before we go in, I´d like to set some things straight, okay? There are going to be some rules. ˝he said, biting back a smile when he saw them both frowning. ˝Rule n°1: me and…this beautiful woman over here…˝, he said, wrapping his arm around Kate´s waist and pulling her closer, sneaking in a quick peck on lips. ˝…have the main word. I know it´s a classic and boring one, but…someone has to cover that part too. ˝he said, winking at them. The girls giggled. ˝So…do you agree with the first rule? ˝
They both nodded.
˝Okay. Rule n°2… The only thing on the menu today is…. junk food. ˝he said, making all of them smile. ˝I don't wanna see any cereals, beans, salads or stuff like that; only ice-creams, waffles, pretzels, cheesecakes, etc. You think you´re gonna be able to live with that? ˝he asked them, smiling; and they started giggling, their reply muffled by their laughter. ˝Sorry, I didn't hear you. Yes or no? ˝Jack asked again and this time they shouted YES! so loudly some of the people actually turned around.
Jack and Kate laughed.
˝Now…rule n°3 – the most important one is…. there would absolutely be NO twin switches. ˝
Kate, Jenny and Megan laughed while the twins started giggling, looking at each other conspicuously.
˝No, no, no, no giggling, I´m serious. ˝Jack said. ˝Your grandma has known you for 6 years, so it´s easy to her. I, on the other hand, have known you for 2 hours, so…I could use a little help here, okay? ˝he pleaded, squatting down in front of them and pretending to think. ˝Now…what can we do? Oh…I know. Kate… hair-bands, please. ˝he said, and Kate handed him a couple of plain black bands, which she always had near in case it was too hot outside or her hair got in her way. Jack pointed towards the girl on the left and motioned her to step closer. ˝Okay, you are…? ˝
˝Casey. ˝
˝Casey? And you´re absolutely sure in that? ˝he asked, making the girl smile. ˝Positive? ˝
The girl nodded again, giving him her best toothless smile. Jack laughed.
˝Okay, then…´cause you´re gonna stay Casey for the rest of the day. ˝he said and Kate chuckled.
He kneeled down in front of the girl and made her two piggy tails; then turned towards the other girl. ˝So that means you´re Ashley, right? ˝
The girl nodded eagerly too.
˝Okaaay, what can we do with you? ˝Jack said, pretending to study her for a moment. He spotted a red ribbon tied around the girl´s waist and got an idea. He untied the ribbon, made Ashley a pony tail and decorated it with the ribbon. He took a step back to admire his work; then smiled. ˝Now, girls, I surely hope you weren't messing around with me, ´cause you´re staying the one you said you were for the rest of the day, okay? ˝
The twins giggled.
˝Okay then… Casey – pig tails, Ashley – ribbon, got it, Kate? ˝
Kate made the navy Yes, sir! sign and smiled at him: ˝Got it, partner! ˝
Jack caught her mischievous grin and couldn't resist: he pulled her closer and pressed a quick peck on her lips; then turned towards their brood for the day. ˝Okay...Kate´ll have Aaron, and you girls decide which one will hold mine and which one Jenny´s hand. ˝he said.
Kate laughed as both girls ran to reach Jack first, and, after a startled moment, Jack laughed too.
˝Well, I guess you can both hold my hand. ˝he said, and each girl took one of his hands happily.
˝Okay, Disney, here we come! ˝Kate exclaimed as they made their way towards the crowd...
p.s. This is probably going to be a two-part, maybe even three, depending on the feedback and the state of my inspiration.