"Will you be alright, Jack?" asked his father one last time before he headed out the door.
His fifteen year old son rolled his eyes and nodded for the millionth time, "Dad, seriously, go. I'll be fine."
Jack was in charge that night of his little sister and of the six other kids who belonged to JD, Elliot, Turk and Carla. Their parents had been invited to Bob Kelso's 75th birthday dinner. He was also having a party, which the kids were invited to, but tonight was just for the adults.
As soon as the door was shut, Jack turned to his young charges.
"Right then gang. What shall we do?"
Little Bobby, the youngest, five year old Dorian-Reid child, jumped up and down, "Read us a story, Jack!"
"Yeah," chipped in eight year old Finn Turk, "Do the voices again."
Jack pretended to roll his eyes but he wasn't really annoyed. He loved reading to the kids and was great at 'the voices,' which he supposed came from years of his father's stories with voices when he was younger.
"Alright then,' he pretended to sigh, "Maya, go and choose a story. I think it's your turn."
Seven year old Maya Dorian-Reid ran into Jenny's room, where the shelf of stories still lived, despite her now being ten and really too old for them. She came back with three Doctor Seuss books and gave them to Jack.
"Settle down then guys, settle down."
The kids had already eaten and were all in their pyjamas already. All Jack had to do was keep them quiet and maybe get them to sleep so their parents could just come and get them at about eleven. He sat himself in his father's chair and let the kids go and grab cushions and things so that they were comfortable. Ten year olds Izzy and Jenny settled on the sofa with nine year old Sam on a cushion at their feet. Finn and Maya curled up on a beanbag that they had got from Jenny's room and Bobby threw himself on Sam when he realised that all the cushions were gone. Last but not least, Jack grabbed two year old Seb Turk and let him sit on his knee so that he could see the pictures.
"Are you ready guys?"
"Yeah!" said the chorus.
"Let's go then!"
*********************************************************************
Later, when Jack heard the front door open he turned off the film he had been watching and waved to his mom who was first through the door.
"No trouble, Jack?"
"Nope."
As the others trooped in, they all split to collect up the kids who were asleep in various places. Seb was still curled up on Jack's lap, Izzy and Jenny were asleep in Jenny's bed whilst Sam, Finn and Bobby were asleep in Jack's. Maya was flat out in front of the fish tank, which she had been watching before she fell asleep.
Carefully, JD picked up his eldest son, whilst Doctor Cox took Maya and Elliot the youngest Bobby. Turk took Izzy, Carla took the baby from Jack and then Jack himself scooped up Finn. They all walked quietly to the cars outside and strapped the kids in to their seats. Bobby woke up as his father was struggling with the straps on his car seat.
"Daddy, Jack read us Doctor Seuss."
"Did he? Was it a good one?"
"I do not like green eggs and ham," Bobby giggled.
"Wow that is a good one."
The little boy spotted Jack out of the window still holding Finn and he waved to him.
"Daddy," Bobby whispered, not knowing that Doctor Cox was listening.
"What, Bobby-bear?"
"I want to be like Jack when I grow up."
"Well, that's awesome. He's a very nice person."
"I know. I'm going to sleep now."
"OK. See you in the morning."
Doctor Cox and Jack waved off the two cars as they pulled away, before heading back upstairs.
"Say, Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm proud of you, son."
"Why?"
"I just am."
