Author´s note:

Thank you all for the kind reviews. hug Glad you liked it. And…to everyone who have been wondering…I imagined this as a series of one-shots, but not connected one with another. So…it isn't one WIP story, but series of one-shots, or…for all of you who visit LF too – dyojs that I posted there. ;)

Full House

˝DADDDYYYYY!˝ Jack was startled from his work as he heard the squeaking voice of his little one, screaming her lungs out. He was just about to get up when he saw her little figure emerging from the kids´ room and running towards him, clutching her fluffy pink blanket tightly in her fist.

˝D-d-daaaadyyy! ˝Nina repeated, stopping in front of him and raising her little hands for him to pick her up. Jack looked down at his daughter. Nina was 2, 5 years old and already a spitting image of her mummy, which caused quite big difficulties for Jack to deny her anything; because every time she looked at him with those beautiful shining emerald eyes, he would find himself drowning in them and, step by step, all the boundaries he was determined to go with through, would start melting down, one by one. This time was no exception.

He reached out his hands and gently picked her up, placing her on his lap. ˝Hey…˝he said soothingly, kissing the top of her head. ˝Hey…what happened? ˝he repeated, gently removing the hand she had pressed on her eyes.

˝T-th-thewe w-was a s-snake. ˝Nina replied, her eyes still sparkling from unceasing tears that were traveling all the way down her face, drenching the baby blanket that has been her inseparable companion ever since she was a baby.

Jack sighed, relieved. He was afraid that she hurt herself somewhere, but it was obvious now that it was just another product of child´s imagination. However, he knew that, in his daughter´s eyes, that snake was more than reality and he would have to calm her down the best he could.

˝Where was the snake, sweetie? ˝he asked, playing with her little fingers. Nina shifted a bit, snuggling in her daddy´s lap.

˝I-it w-was….in…in the st-stowy. A-and…th-the s-snake w-was a witch astually and…and it t-tuwned into a pwetty l-lady and…and the Pwince h-had a fight with the Pwincess, s-so he tuwned to the witch and…and the Pwincess w-was left a-alone and...and the Pwince and the Witch h-had…a b-bwaby. ˝the little one finished, her little body shaking with sobs.

Jack had to bite his tongue not to burst into laugh. She was adorable. Ever since he became a farther, he´s been amazed with kids´ ability to simplify the world around them. There wasn't grey for them – either it was black or white. They divided people in good or bad: good ones were called Prince and Princes; and the bad one was called Witch. As simple as that. However, he knew he couldn't let himself laugh at this, because, in his daughter's world, Price-being-with-Witch disarranged the balance of the world as easily as night-turning-to-day and day-turning-to-night would do in the real world.

˝So…the Prince finished with the Witch, huh? ˝he asked gently, swallowing down the giggle. Nina nodded sadly, rubbing her eyes with her hands. ˝But, Princes always finish with Princesses, huni. ˝he said, trying to calm her down. He could feel her little heart beating rapidly.

˝In t-this o-one they d-don't. ˝she replied, her voice intervallic because of sobbing.

˝Oookay…then can you tell Daddy where did you hear that one? ˝

˝A-Ali told me! ˝the girl replied, bursting into tears again.

Jack sighed. He should have known.

˝Aliiiii? ˝he called out, wiping away the tears from Nina´s cheeks.

˝Yes, Uncle Jack? ˝replied a small boy, appearing on the doorway. He was looking straight at Jack´s eyes, angelic smile spreading across his face. If you saw him like that, what with his straight blonde hairwhat with charming dimples you would think he was an angel. But Jack knew better. Of course, he wasn't evil or anything, but…just a little too lively and snarky for Jack´s liking. ˝Of course, Kate was finding that adorable, but…Kate wasn't stuck with 4 children to baby-sit house right now. ˝Jack thought sarcastically.

˝Did you tell Nina a certain story? ˝Jack asked, feeling the little one calming down a bit in his arms.

˝Yes I did. ˝replied Ali, nodding proudly.

˝And can I know why? ˝Jack continued.

˝Because she asked me to. ˝he said simply.

˝She asked you to tell her the story about snakes being witches and turning into pretty ladies to fool the Prince and separate him from his Princess? ˝Jack asked incredulously.

˝No. She asked me to tell her a bedtime story with Prince and Princess in it. The rest of it was all my idea. ˝the boy finished, grinning proudly.

Nina started sobbing again.

˝Hey…it´s okay, sweetie, don't cry. ˝Jack tried, kissing her head. He looked at Ali, who was standing there with the blank expression on his face. ˝And you couldn't Jack go with the classic story about the Prince and the Princess living happily ever after? ˝he sighed, knowing that the boy was probably thinking about how strange girls were.

Ali just shrugged his shoulders. ˝That would have been too…boring. ˝he said simply.

Jack sighed again. He had a girl crying frantically in his arms, and a boy who obviously had a hard time understanding why would anyone got so upset over a simple fairytale.

˝Just…just go play with Lucas. ˝he mumbled finally, lifting his daughter up so he could position her better. ˝Hey…Daddy will tell you another story, okay? ˝he said, trying to stop her crying. He turned around, only to find Alex still standing there. ˝Why didn't you leave to Lucas? ˝he asked, confused.

˝I can´t. ˝

˝Uhm…why not? ˝Jack asked again, rubbing his head in confusion.

˝Because you told me not to. ˝

Jack looked at him, more confused than ever.

˝Before, when Lucas and I were ransacking the house, you separated us and told him to go to his room and me to stay in Nina´s room and to not cross the door line. So, technically, I cant go to Lucas because I cant cross this doorway. ˝Alex finished smartly, all in one breath.

Jack was left speechless. ˝Okay, breathe, just breathe.˝ he told himself. The boy´s intelligence has always amazed him. He was like a perfect combination of his parents: from his motherhe inherited that unusual, sometimes quite scary, calmnessand the snarkhe got from his dad. Jack chuckled. If he was having a hard time dealing with this kid, he could only imagine how Sawyerwas doing in dealing with his own son. Especially when he wore that Juliet´s know-it-all attitude.
˝Okay, you won. ˝Jack said. ˝You can cross that line and you can go to Lucas. ˝he added, still trying to calm down Nina. He saw the grin crossing the boy´s face and he had to admit to himself that the boy was good in getting what he wanted.

He turned to comfort his daughter; when he felt someone´s arms hugging him.

˝Tnx, Uncle Jack. ˝said Ali, kissing him on the cheek. ˝I know I´m not an easy kid to deal with, but…that makes me even more loveable, says my dad. ˝he finished, kissed Nina´s cheek too and, before Jack could reply anything, disappeared behind the living room´s door.

Jack smiled. The kid was really bright. And quite charming, he had to give it to him. But, right now Jack had more important things to do. A certain princess was waiting for his story.

˝Oookay. ˝he said, lifting the girl and himself up. ˝Let´s read that story. ˝

He placed Nina on his hip, picked up the blanket; and headed towards her room. They have just reached the door when he heard the floor cracking and soon enough, saw two little heads peeking from the boys room.

˝Daddy? ˝ asked brown-head boy carefully.

˝Yes, Lucas? ˝

˝Can we watch ˝Brother Bear˝ again? ˝

Jack turned around and found himself faced with two most angelic faces imaginable – the two boys smiling innocently at him. He smiled. They were adorable.

˝Okay, you can. ˝he said. ˝But, only first 30 minutes – and then to bed, okay? ˝

˝Okay. ˝Lucas and Alex replied together; then closed the door behind them.

Half an hour later…

˝And then the Prince discovered Witch's real face and he left her; going back to ask the Princess his forgiveness. The Princess forgave him and they returned back to his castle. And the whole Kingdom was happy again. ˝he finished, gently caressing the girl´s hair. ˝Okay, so…was that good enough? ˝he asked, trying to stop the yawn. He was very tired and barely keeping his eyes opened; especially since Nina has been caressing his cheek with her right hand, while her left one was in her mouth, sucking the thumb. He loved tiny moments like these, when he would just cuddle with his kids, enjoying their company and forgetting on all the troubles in the world. They had that ritual on Sundays´ morning, when all of them would just lay in his and Kate´s bed, have breakfast in bed and talk about everything and nothing. Those were his favorite parts of the week.

Nina caressed his stubble slightly, her eyes closing slowly. She was drifting to sleep.

˝Daddy? ˝she said quietly, struggling with her body to stay awake.

˝Yes, sweetie? ˝he asked, placing little smooch on her hand.

˝Was thewe happily evew aftew? ˝

Jack smiled. She really was adorable. He leaned down, kissing her gently.

˝Yes, Nina, there was Happily ever after. Now go to sleep, okay? ˝

The girl nodded and Jack wished her goodnight, kissing her once again. He turned on the dolphins´ lamp that gave blurred light, but enough to keep the room illuminated enough to give it soothing atmosphere.

˝Daddy? ˝Nina called again.

˝Yes? ˝Jack asked, leaning his head backwards on a cold wall. He really was tired. And he had to check on the boys once again and feed Gabriel. ˝Please don't let her ask for another story.˝ he prayed silently, looking up.

˝I wow you. ˝the girl said quietly; then fell asleep.

Jack smiled, touched and relieved at the same time.

˝I love you too. ˝he replied; glancing one last look at the sleeping angel in the bed.

2 hours later….

Door handle clicking could be heard and the door opened slowly. A hooded figure entered the house, closed the door and placed the keys on the nearby locker. She took off the coat; her chocolate hair cascading her shoulders; and quietly made her way towards the living room. She had to force herself to stifle a giggle at the site in front of her.

The living room was in mess. Toys were scattered across the room, baby clothes was hanging from the furniture, and she was pretty sure she saw one pacifier lying under the armchair. Jack was sitting on the couch, his legs spread, his arms relaxed; fast asleep. Baby gauze was over his shoulder. His head was thrown backwards, mouth half-opened and he was drooling a little from the corner of his mouth.

Kate smiled, looking at him adoringly. She took off her shoes, crossed the room and leaned over him, placing her fists on both sides of his hips and supporting herself on them. Then she leaned in, until her face was only inches from his…and kissed him gently, like tasting him for the first time. His lips were warm under hers, as she kissed his slowly, gently nibbling on his lower lip. She smiled at she felt his forehead frowning, and she knew he was waking up. She kissed him once more; then backed away a little, knowing his habit of startling abruptly from his sleep.

Jack opened his eyes, confusingly looking around himself.

˝Hey, Sleepy. ˝Kate said, raising her hand and gently caressing his cheek. She leaned in and kissed him once again.

˝H-hey. ˝Jack replied sleepily, returning the kiss. ˝W-when did you come home? ˝he asked, not having the slightest idea what time it was.

˝Few minutes ago. ˝she replied, placing herself in his lap. ˝You were drooling. ˝she said, teasing.

˝I wasnt drooling. ˝Jack said back defensively, still struggling with keeping his eyes opened.

˝Sure you weren´t. ˝she said, pulling out their son´s baby gauze of his shoulder. ˝That´s why you have drool right...here. ˝she giggled, gently wiping away the corner of his mouth.

Jack felt himself blushing.

˝How is Claire? ˝he asked, quickly changing the subject. She and Charlie had a fight; and Claire asked Kate if she could come over. Kate of course accepted, and that was how he got stuck all alone with a baby, a toddler, and two little devils.

˝Fine. She was a mess at first; but then Charlie returned with a serenade and they made up. ˝Kate replied, grinning at the memory.

˝So, nothing serious, right? ˝Jack asked. He loved Charlie, but he couldn't stand seeing his little sister suffering.

˝Nothing serious. ˝Kate replied. ˝So….˝she said, looking around the room. ˝…seems you´ve been pretty busy too. ˝

˝Oh, don't even ask. ˝Jack sighed, leaning his head backwards.

˝That bad, huh? ˝Kate asked, nibbling on his neck.

˝Ali and Lucas ransacked the house, Gabe was having cramps, Nina freaked out over a story, which lead me having to invent another one that had Happily-evew-aftew…˝

˝Wow, seems like productive day. ˝Kate giggled, kissing him forcefully and then backing away.

˝And Ali….well, Ali….˝Jack paused, struggling to find the words.

˝Snarkiness? ˝Kate offered to help.

Jack nodded. ˝AND calmness. ˝he added.

˝See, and what have I been telling you when we were on the island? ˝Kate started. ˝That it was freaking impossible to be that calm! But noooo, you didn't want to believe me – saying I was jealous and all. ˝she finished, teasing him. ˝And now Juliet´s son is the same as his mother. And you had to baby-sit him. Call it karma. ˝she smiled victoriously.

˝Awww, you´re so smart. ˝Jack said sarcastically; then pulled her down on him; his lips finding hers, his arms wrapping around her back, his tongue begging for entrance. But their little make-out session was interrupted by the sound of baby-crying coming from the babyphone.

˝Oh, no. ˝Jack sighed as Kate backed away from him. He reached up and kissed her once more, getting up; but Kate pushed him back down.

˝I´ll do it. ˝she said gently, taking the gauze from his shoulder. ˝You lie down and get some sleep. ˝she added, leaning down and kissing him once again; then got up.

˝Tnx, babe. ˝Jack said sincerely, leaning backwards again. ˝Oh and, Kate? ˝he called, looking up at her.

˝Yes? ˝she replied, stopping in the doorway.

˝I wow you. ˝he said, smiling.

˝I wow you too. ˝she replied, wide grin crossing her face.