Act Naturally Series: Ain't She Sweet
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from/related to LOST. Title is from the Beatles songs, Act Naturally and Ain't She Sweet.
A/N: This series takes place after getting off the island. No real spoilers here, simply AU story lines, if any spoilers they are from past seasons. This is a mini series of the lives of the Shepard family. This is not meant to be a super long fic, maybe 5 parts or so. Parts may be read in no particular order. Each part is its own story.
"Hi daddy!" the little girl smiled walking into her father's office.
"Hi there my little princess." Jack smiled leaning over his desk to take a look at the small girl.
Leah walked around the gigantic desk compared to her small frame and hopped onto her father's lap.
"Daddy where's mommy?" she asked.
"Mommy went shopping with Aunt Claire and Aunt Juliet."
"When is she coming back?"
Jack looked at his watch. "Maybe in two hours."
"That's a long time daddy."
"Do you miss mommy?"
"Yeah."
"I miss her too." He smiled. "Why don't we go play while we wait for mommy."
"Okay!" she said excitedly.
"What do you want to play?"
"Can we play outside daddy?"
"Of course we can. Let's go get your shoes on."
"Are you getting excited about the new baby?" Jack asked as he sat next to Leah on the swings.
"I'm the baby daddy."
When they had found out that Kate was pregnant again they were so excited. Everyone was so happy for them and the new addition to the family. Leah, on the other hand, had a hard time adapting to having another baby in the house. They tried explaining that instead of one baby there would be two, but she was not having any of that. They tried telling her that she would be a big sister and that she would always be their little girl. Some of the information had sunk in, but some days she would just act out, one of the great qualities of a four year old.
"You are the baby, but we're adding another baby too. Don't you want a little brother or sister?"
"But no one will play with me. They like the baby more."
"That's not true. Everyone loves playing with you and we love both you and the new baby equally." He said trying to soothe the little girl once again.
"Remember when mommy and I told you about all the cool things you'll get to do as a big sister?"
"Yeah." She answered shyly.
"Don't you still want to do those things?"
"Yeah."
"So then, the baby will have to be the baby for a while, and you will have to be a big girl."
"I can be a big girl daddy." She smiled.
"I know you can. You'll be the best big sister ever."
"Is the baby coming now?" she asked.
"No, we still have a couple of months sweetie." He laughed. "Do you want a baby brother or sister?"
"Um…I want a baby brother."
"You and mommy want a boy. I want another girl, that looks exactly like you and mommy." He smiled poking her little nose, making her laugh.
"Daddy can we paint a picture for mommy?"
"You bet." He smiles. Father and daughter make there way back into the house, Leah taking a seat at the kitchen table.
"What are you going to paint?" Jack asked as he was getting all the needed supplies.
"It's a secret."
Jack smiled and laid everything out for Leah. "What do you want for lunch baby girl?"
"Chicken nuggets!"
"Chicken nugget's it is. How about we invite Aaron and Jenna over for dinner?"
"Can we daddy? Pleeeeease?"
"We'll call Uncle James and Uncle Charlie and see what they say."
"K daddy."
"Mommy!" Leah screamed running and hugging her mother's legs.
"Hi my pretty girl, were you good for daddy?" Kate smiled bending down.
"Yes mommy. I painted a picture for you."
"You did? Do you want to show me right now?"
"No it's not dry yet mommy." Kate smiled at her little girl.
"Where's daddy?"
"He's with Uncle James and Uncle Charlie watching T.V."
"Why don't you go tell daddy that we're here okay?"
"K." she smiled. "Daddy!" she yelled running into the living room.
"She is exactly like you." Claire laughed.
"She's going to be a heart breaker." Juliet smiled.
"In that case, she is like me then." Kate joked.
"Did you ladies have fun shopping?" Jack asked as he walked into the front foyer. "Hi babe." He said kissing Kate.
"Shopping is always fun." Claire said smiling at her brother.
"Shopping is a womans best friend Jack." Juliet laughed.
"Well I'm glad you had a great time. The kids are playing and we're in the living room watching T.V., and I'm going to start dinner a little later."
"You're cooking for everyone honey?" Kate asked.
"Of course, the kids came up with the menu and we men are putting it together."
"That's so cute." Claire smiled.
"I'm going to change. Jr. here doesn't like tight fitting clothes." Kate laughed as she rubbed her growing belly.
"Help yourself to anything in the kitchen." Jack said as he and Kate walked upstairs.
"I'm exhausted." Kate sighed lying own on the bed after she had changed.
"Why don't you take a nap and I'll come get you when dinner is ready."
"Come lay with me for a little bit." Jack walked over and placed himself next to Kate. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. Leah kept asking what time you were coming home."
"You should have seen here when you were at your convention. Every hour she was like, "when is daddy coming home?" It was so cute." She yawned.
"Sleep." He said kissing her neck.
"Jack." He whispered. "Jack, wake up."
"What? What's wrong?" Jack said opening his eyes to find James leaning over him.
"What time is it? It's about 8."
"8? Oh man dinner."
"Don't worry about it. Charlie and I cooked. We ate without you two seeing as you were asleep, didn't want to disturb ya'll. Leah is fed and Claire is getting her ready for bed."
"Thanks. Kate was really tired from today and I guess I just knocked out with her." He laughed.
"We saved some food for you two, it's in the fridge."
"Thanks. I better get up, Leah hates it when I don't read to her before bedtime." Jack slowly removed himself from Kate, trying not to wake her, leaving her to sleep some more. After Jack and read to Leah, who was now sound asleep, he went back downstairs where James and Juliet still were.
"Leah asleep?" Juliet asked.
"Out like a light bulb. I see Jenna is out too." he smiled looking at the sleeping girl in Juliet's arms.
"So doc, know any good houses in this neighborhood?" James asked.
"You two thinking of moving?"
"We were going to tell you earlier at dinner, but you and Kate fell asleep. In 3 weeks we'll be working at the same hospital." she smiled.
"You'll be in the maternity ward?"
"Yup."
"That's great! Congratulations!" Jack smiled. "Leah is going to love having Jenna near by."
"If there are any nice houses near by, looks like we're going to be neighbors." James smiled. It had taken time for James and Jack to work out their differences. After they had worked everything out they had found that they had a lot more things in common with one another, through that they had become good friends.
"Well whenever you two are ready Kate and I can show you around and go house hunting."
"That would be great Jack thank you." Juliet smiled. "Well we better get this little one to bed."
"I'll take her." James said walking over to Juliet and taking little Jenna into his arms. "Thanks for dinner doc."
"Thanks for cooking." he laughed.
"Tell Kate I'll call her tomorrow." Juliet said hugging him.
"I will."
"And we can pick a day to go house hunting."
"Will do. You guys drive safely."
"Well will. Night Jack."
"Good night." Jack watched from the front door as they got into their car and headed home. Walking into the kitchen he found that they had washed the dishes and put everything away. Opening the refrigerator he found the left overs and warmed them in the microwave. While waiting Jack headed back upstairs to see if Kate was awake. Walking back into their room, Kate was still asleep. Knowing that she and the baby would be hungry Jack gently woke her up.
"Kate? Honey wake up."
"Jack?"
"Hey."
"How long was I out for?"
"We were out for a few hours. We missed dinner." he laughed.
"Is everyone still here?"
"No they all left. They did leave us some leftovers, I'm warming it up right now. I thought you two would be hungry."
"We are. I'll meet you downstairs, I want to check on Leah."
"Okay." he smiled kissing her sweetly. Jack headed back downstairs and waited for Kate. He was happy to here that Juliet had gotten a job at the hospital, she was a great doctor and the hospital was lucky to have her.
Finally making her way downstairs, Kate took a seat next to Jack on the couch where he was watching T.V. Handing her the plate they had set aside for them, as well as a plate of food she had been craving, they both sat and had dinner while watching a rerun of I Love Lucy. Seeing that Kate had fallen asleep once she was done eating, Jack put the plates away and snuggled back next to Kate. Kissing the top of her head Jack held her ever so gently thinking about about great his life was with Kate in his life.
Feedback is greatly appreciated!
I have to honestly say that this wasn't my best. I had hit really bad writers block and this is what came out. I promise that the other parts will be better.
Of course I am open to any ideas, I have a few in mind that I want to write about, but if you have something better feel free to let me know!
