Alex and Piper always pictured Jack growing up to be, amongst other things, a cool kid.
He would read books. Loves books. He would watch TV shows or movies with substance (most of the time. Who can resist a good guilty pleasure?). He would collect vinyl records. Learn how to play guitar. Draw. The whole shebang. Jack Reed Vauseman-the very definition of cool kid.
Which was why it had surprised Alex and made her cringe, just a tiny bit, when she realized how much he loved his Mickey Mouse Ears. Ever since they got him one at the World of Disney store and saw himself in the mirror, he refused to take it off. The thing was practically glued on his head. 'Cool' he was not. He's now 'Mickey Ears lover'.
It had been an impromptu trip, came up and planned within minutes over Sunday brunch.
"Should we go somewhere? Have a family vacation or something?"
Piper's brow furrowed. "Where?"
Alex shrugged. "I don't know. Disneyland?"
Both of them practically beamed with pride when Jack sit contently with his crayons and then proceeded to sleep for the last two hours of the flight. They'd always known his habit of sleeping in moving vehicles, but they never thought he would actually sleep on the plane as well. His first plane ride and he didn't even fuss! What a champ!
They arrived at Disneyland Hotel, freshened up, and decided to go the park the next day. So it was pool time for most of the day. He was a bit tense when he got in the first time, but Piper gently tugged at his floaty, leading him around, trickling water all over him from her hands to ease his nerves. Pretty soon he was thoroughly enjoying it. Arms flailing, splashing water everywhere but mostly at Piper's face. The woman turned away to shield her face, laughing. Alex hung by the side of the pool, taking pictures, guffawing along.
As soon as they entered the park, his eyes widened and his whole face lit up. He was so giddy, he refused be lowered from Alex's shoulders and whined when Alex finally brought him down, almost going on a crying tantrum. Lips turned downward, pouting, waterworks at the ready. "Jack." Her low, raspy voice went deeper, a tone that meant business. She shook her finger no, placing him on the stroller. He calmed himself down, swallowing his tears in short hiccups while she secured his seat belts. Alex has that effect on Jack. One stern look, and he knew he would be in trouble if he continued.
Piper squatted down and gave him a smile, tugging at his Ears. "Mama's tired, Jack. We'll go around in the stroller for a while now, okay? You can still see so many things. If you want to be carried again, ask nicely, please. We can't understand what you want if you don't say it."
He nodded and wiped his nose with his hand. "Okay."
Hours after hours of rides and a petting zoo later had left all three of them visibly exhausted. They stopped at Café Orleans to grab a bite, and Jack was practically falling asleep as Piper fed him; his eyes drooped and he kept nodding every now and then.
"He looks completely spent."
Piper gave him one last spoonful and he swallowed dutifully. She leaned his body back against the stroller and he nuzzled in, closed his eyes. Gone for the day. She softly traced a finger on his chubby cheek. "God, those Ears."
"Don't even try to take it off, he'll wail."
Piper lifted her hand, even though she was nowhere near it. "I won't."
Alex finished her sandwich in one bite, rested her chin in her hand, and looked out the window. The place was bustling with people coming in and out, people walking around. It reminded her of the bustling Heathrow, a lifetime ago. All her years of traveling the world, and this was the first time she'd ever set foot in 'the happiest place on earth'. It was mostly overcrowded, and they had to wait quite a long time for every ride, and everything was way overpriced, although she was told that this was still "low season" by Disneyland's standards, a statement which baffled her. No wonder she's never set foot here. Plus, she had never have any reason to. But she saw how giddy he was, how everything seemed new and exciting. JFK and LAX and the hotel and the pool and the park; it all had enthralled him, so it was worth every penny. And, as overcrowded as it was, Alex had to admit that she actually enjoyed it.
She took her phone and snapped a picture of Jack in his stroller, still sleeping.
She thought about keeping the Ears once they're back in New York.
She thought how, years later, when he's old enough, Piper would tell and re-tell the story of today, of his undying love for the Ears, complete with pictures for proof. His cheeks would turn red and he would bury his face in his hands from shame.
Or they would place it in his bedroom and keep it there even after he'd moved out, and every time he comes home, he'll say, "How is this thing is still here?"
She could vaguely picture him in the years to come; a blurry vision of teenager Jack, and eventually, adult Jack. All versions of him that she hadn't known yet, but was sure will do. For now, she's perfectly happy seeing him as a little boy.
Alex reached over and rubbed his tiny legs, and he stirred his body only slightly, adjusting his new position in the stroller.
Maybe he'll tick out all the boxes. Maybe he won't. Either way.
You're always cool in my book, Kid. Mickey Ears and all.