A/N: Decided that I couldn't leave it where I did. Please feel free to send in any suggestions for further lockdown shenanigans. Hope you enjoy this next installment :)
Since becoming a parent, Michael had done many things that he'd never imagined or thought of before. His children had boundless imaginations and exuberance that he had no desire to quash, especially since he knew it (and their desire for him to participate) would not last forever.
Hence, why he was now in the process of drafting the 'Official Rulebook' for Pillow Knockdown.
Initially he'd been on the verge of banning the game altogether, until he considered that Jimmy and Katie were likely to invent something even more potentially hazardous. After supervising some of their matches, which usually involved little more than catching Katie when she inevitably lost her footing on the bed or keeping Ebony out of harm's way, he decided that laying down some rules would be the best course of action.
Much to Jackie's amusement.
He did his best to ignore her muffled laughter as he sat at the kitchen table with Katie on his knee and Jimmy at his shoulder, typing out the rules of the game on a laptop.
"One handed pillow holding only?" Jimmy whined, "That's not fair, why can't we use both hands?"
"Because holding on to the pillow with two hands creates too much force," Michael explained patiently, suppressing a shudder at the memory of the time Katie nearly flew off the bed into a wall. "Besides, it would require more skill," Michael added, shooting Jimmy a grin.
Jimmy considered this for a moment, "Ok," he conceded finally, "but then we should also put in that pillows are the only weapon allowed."
Michael raised an eyebrow, "Weapon is a bit strong," he commented, changing it for 'equipment' as he typed out the rule. "But that seems like a fair rule," he agreed.
Katie pouted, but otherwise made no objection to the new rule. Her favourite method of keeping her brother at a distance was to kick him, but he often used that to tug on her leg and put her off balance.
She sat up at the thought, "No hands," she declared, "we should make a rule that you also can't use your hands. Only pillows."
Michael nodded, "I'll add that to subsection of the 'pillows only' rule."
All three of them looked up at Jackie's laughter.
"Sorry," she apologised, making a concerted effort to control herself, "that's a very good rule."
Michael pulled a face at her before turning back to the laptop, "Now, the official field…"
"You said we could only play on your bed," Jimmy reminded him.
"That's right," Michael agreed, typing out the rule, "it's the only bed in the house that's big enough."
"And we're only allowed to play with you or Mummy in the room," Katie added.
Michael nodded, "Another important rule. Possibly the most important," he commented, moving it into the number one position.
"I can't think of anything else," Jimmy said after a moment, leaning on Michael's shoulder to get a better look at the screen. "Can you?" he asked, looking back at Michael.
Michael scanned the list, "I don't think so," he replied. "What about you?" he asked, looking down at Katie.
She looked thoughtful, "Can we ban Ebony from coming into the room?"
Michael hid a smile, "Maybe we can ban all spectators, not just Ebony," he suggested, "that will keep it safer for everyone."
Katie nodded, "Ok."
Michael added the final rule to the list and the three of them read it through one last time.
"Can we print them out?" Jimmy asked finally.
"And laminate it?" Katie added, looking up at Michael with bright eyes.
"Sure," Michael replied with a smile, "we'll stick it up on the back of the bedroom door so that they don't get lost."
"It needs pictures first," Katie informed Michael as he selected 'Print' on the screen.
"Maybe you can draw some before we laminate it," Michael suggested.
Katie grinned, "Ok!" she agreed, hopping off his lap to collect her pencils as Jimmy went to collect the page from the printer in Michael's study.
Michael began to pack up the laptop as Jackie came to join him, still looking amused.
"What?" he asked.
"Only you would have 'subsections' in a list of rules for a children's game," she said with a smile.
"If something's worth doing then it's worth doing right," he told her with a grin, as he stood up.
Jackie shook her head, "Michael Jardine, Pillow Knockdown expert," she teased.
"What can I say, I'm a man of many talents," he quipped with a wink.
"Yes you are," she agreed. "Thank you," she continued seriously, "for being such a good father," she explained at his questioning look. "Now, more than ever, I appreciate the way you encourage their creativity and your consistent engagement in their lives."
Michael shrugged a shoulder, "It's only a matter of time before they don't want me around, I don't want to waste that time."
Jackie smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "If it's any consolation, I will always want you to be around."
Michael smiled as he slipped his arms around her waist, "That's very good to know," he told her, ducking his head to kiss her.
"Da-ad! Nelson stole my pencil case!"
They broke apart at Katie's cry and shared a smile.
"Duty calls," Michael said ruefully.
"Good luck," Jackie said with a smile, pecking him on the cheek as they stepped out of each other's embrace.
Michael grinned as he headed to the biscuit tin, "One of the many perks of dealing with Nelson as opposed to a suspect, is that bribes are completely acceptable," he commented, saluting her with a biscuit before heading out of the room.
Jackie shook her head in affectionate amusement. Over the years she'd seen – and loved – Michael in many different contexts, but Michael the father would always be her favourite.