"Let my vacation begin!"
Finn turns off his pager, lazily tossing it to the side, and proceeds to slip out of his work boots with caution. Earlier today, there was a car accident on the bridge, a fire downtown, and as cliché as it may be, there was a cat stuck in their tree. So, no, he isn't in the mood to hear another lecture about him leaving ash footprints on the carpet.
Rachel has yet to return - for she's running behind schedule – and has appointed him to official suitcase packer. He's nervous (to say the least), because he hasn't got the slightest clue about what the girls will need. Yes, he's their father, but in his defense, she usually demands control. And if it were up to him, they would just buy new underwear, when they arrived.
After raiding the refrigerator, he then makes his way upstairs and into Lily's bedroom. Her suitcase is waiting by the door (all thanks to his wife), and he immediately starts to fill it. He finds, hanging from the top of her closet, a shirt that reads "BOWS BEFORE BROS" – which he thinks is really important, because neither she nor Ava is allowed to date… Ever.
Next, he finds both a shirt that reads "I SPEAK FLUENT BROADWAY" – which he knows Rachel will love – and a shirt that reads "GOT MY DRAMA FROM MY MAMA" – which is fitting, since she's so much like her mother, it's uncanny. Then, to incorporate the princesses – which are her favorite (and appropriate for this occasion) – he chooses a shirt with Rapunzel on the front, a shirt with Belle on the front, and a shirt with Snow White.
For Ava, he decides on a shirt that reads "STAR OF THE SHOW", another shirt that reads "SWEETER THAN SPRINKLES ON A CUPCAKE" – which he'd purchased himself – and a shirt that reads "YOU'RE JUST PEANUT BUTTER AND JEALOUS" – which he believes is too funny, not to bring. And of course, much like her sister, he sets both a shirt with Ariel on the front, and a shirt with Jasmine on the front, off to the side.
He feels very proud of this selection, and he's confident that they'll approve.
"Finn?"
Rachel peers through the door, having startled her husband, and by the tone of her voice, he can tell that she's upset. By now, he's learned her behavior. She's got the fake crying (when she want's something), the singing crying, the disappointed crying – which involves sobbing – and the crying over a guy – which he knows very well, because it's reserved for him… But strangely enough, this one is a mix, and he can't seem to pinpoint the issue.
"Hey, I didn't hear you come in," He replies. "What's wrong?"
"Besides my rapid gain in weight, uncontrollable cravings, and constant need to pee?"
She uses her sleeve to wipe the tears from her face.
"The doctor told me today, that I'm anemic - which, it really isn't that big of a deal. It's just that, I was diagnosed with severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), when I was pregnant with Lily. Then, my placenta abrupted with Ava. And now, my iron levels are so low, I need supplements… I'm just not cutout for this!"
"That's not true," He comforts. "You do everything right."
She looks down at the floor, head shaking in dispute.
"You fell short, choosing me."
"Stop."
She sniffles, and Finn takes hold of her shoulders, giving them a squeeze.
"Rachel, you need to understand… Next to those two girls, you are the most important person in my life. And if you think that for one second, I'm just going to stand here, and let you tear yourself down, then you're sadly mistaken. And you want to know why? Because these things happen, and it won't ever change the fact that I love you. This is it – you're it – and there's no place I'd rather be, than right by your side, getting through this together."
"You promise?"
"Of course, I do," He says, chuckling in response. "Now, can you please get those baby hormones under control? Disney is waiting."
She smiles.
"Fine, let's see how you did."
"Okay!"
Finn shows Rachel, all of the shirts that he picked out, and much to his surprise, she has some critiques.
"You made a good effort, but you forgot their pants."
He suddenly frowns.
"Oh."
"So, the "BOWS BEFORE BROS" – her red sequin shorts. "I SPEAK FLUENT BROADWAY" – her pink sequin shorts. "GOT MY DRAMA FROM MY MAMA" – her blue sequin shorts. "STAR OF THE SHOW" – her gray sequin shorts. "SWEETER THAN SPRINKLES ON A CUPCAKE" – her mint sequin shorts. And "YOU'RE JUST PEANUT BUTTER AND JEALOUS" – her gold sequin shorts."
"Is there a color that they don't have?" He asks, digging through Ava's drawer. "Seriously, where did they even come from?"
"Their uncle is a fashion designer... What do you expect?"
He sighs in exhaustion.
"Now, I would like to pack extra – prepare for any type of scenario - because they're little girls. They get dirty, they spill food, they have accidents… So, Lily has this shirt that reads "ALL MY PANTS ARE SASSY", and it matches her purple sequin shorts. And Ava has this shirt that reads "TINY DICTATOR" – which is super cute. Those will match her orange sequin shorts."
"Shorts," He nods. "Got it."
"And they'll also need pajamas... So, for Lily, you can pack the ones with the ballet slippers, the ones with the hearts, and the ones with the cupcakes. And for Ava, the ones with the polka-dots, the ones with the cats, and the ones with the flowers."
"Flowers," He nods. "Got it."
"And they'll need their swim gear... So, for Lily, you can pack her pineapple suit, her floaties – which she'll try to talk you out of, because she thinks she's too big – and her Moana towel. And for Ava, her mermaid suit, her vest, and her Frozen towel."
"Towel," He nods. "Got it."
"And they'll need all their toiletries... So, on the counter in their bathroom, I left an arrangement of items that will hopefully help boost their spirit. There's a package of Disney Princess toothbrushes, Frozen body wash, Disney Princess pull-ups (for Ava), Frozen detangling spray, a Disney Princess first aid kit, Frozen shampoo and conditioner, Disney Princess toothpaste, a Frozen hair brush, Disney Princess perfume, Frozen baby wipes, and Disney Princess sunscreen."
"Sunscreen," He nods. "Got it."
"And lastly, they'll need their shoes... So, for Lily, you can pack her gold gladiators, her silver sandals, her white flip-flops, and her adidas sneakers – since she won't go anywhere without them. And for Ava, her gold cross straps, her silver flats, her white fisherman sandals, and she also has a pair of adidas sneakers – which I bought to match her sister's."
"Sister's," He nods. "Got it."
Her brows furrow in confusion.
"You didn't comprehend any of that, did you?"
"Nope."
"I love you," She giggles, kissing his lips. "Just go get our girls… I'll finish up here, and then meet you downstairs."
"Sounds like a plan."
He does as he's told, letting her be, and joins their two daughters on the living room floor. They're both playing with blocks (building castles of course), and he watches in awe, as they sit their together. Unlike most siblings, who fight all the time, Lily and Ava are actually close. They have their debacles every now and then, but their difference in age, just isn't a problem.
"Alright, let's get this cleaned up," He coos. "We've got a plane to catch!"
AN: Your reviews let me know that you're reading, and they also encourage me to write more. So, please feel free to tell me your thoughts! And because you've made it all the way to the end, here's a little sneak peek of part three: Finn and Rachel tell their girls how they met!