Challenge: One of the characters looks back on something they had to do on the bounty. Like getting up early or cleaning or sharing rooms or heck I don't know!
It was unexpectedly quiet for 3 PM on a Saturday. The kids were taking a nap, and Nya was tinkering away in the side room, leaving Jay to lounge on the couch and enjoy the moment of peace. He loved their two daughters to bits, but chasing after them all day could really put a dent in even his energy.
He glanced up at a sudden grumble of thunder. Stepping to the window, he peered out at the gathering dark clouds and the trees beginning to toss in the rising wind. He could hear the shoosh of leaves and smell the ozone and moisture swiftly approaching.
He smiled faintly. This reminded him of his time as a ninja, years ago. Living on a flying ship, they had to be particularly careful about storms—whenever it seemed like bad weather was approaching, they had to go out and prepare. They would tie down or carry in loose objects, lower the sails, and quite literally batten down the hatches so water couldn't pour in.
Jay's smile grew. It had been a long and beloved tradition to wait until the last possible moment to take care of all this. Nya would call out a warning about the approaching storm over the ship's PA system. Everyone would exchange glances, grin, and do nothing. Then, once the rain had already started pattering on the deck, once the breeze was already escalating to gusts, somebody would suddenly say, "Whooooops! We didn't batten down the hatches, now did we?" And then everyone would go outside into the gathering storm.
It was always fun. They got soaked to the skin within seconds, and they often had to bellow instructions to each other over the roaring of wind and rain. Gusts would push them this way and that, ripping sails from their hands, and often the ship would already be rolling from the force of the storm, sending them sliding and stumbling over the slickery deck.
The lightning was always Jay's favorite part; he loved to watch it flash and leap across the sky. It was usually too powerful for him to actually control, but he could always sense when lightning was about to strike one of the ship's masts. If there was any danger, he would always warn his brothers, but if there wasn't, he would say nothing. It was funny to watch everyone jump and yelp when a massive explosion of light and thunder burst from overhead.
There were special incidents, too. Tiny little Lloydkin begging to come along, and nearly getting blown off the ship; the time when all the masts had lit up with beautiful St. Elmo's Fire; Cole getting hit by a soggy newspaper; that one time when the wind had messed up their hair till they all looked like Kai—except Kai, whose hair got neater and neater instead.
Nya disapproved, for the most part. Every time the ninja came tumbling back into the ship, soaking-wet and laughing, she would shake her head morosely and mutter something about men being dummies.
She couldn't have minded too much, though, because sometimes she joined them herself.
In the present day, Jay was jerked from his reminiscence by Nya's voice.
"Sweetie, did you carry in the patio furniture? The storm's almost here."
"Whoops." Jay gave her a grin.
"Jayyyy." She tried to glare.
"Come on," said Jay, slipping his arm around her and nuzzling her hair. "Just like old times?"
The thunder rumbled again, and a soft pattering sound came from the hall. Two small heads poked around the doorframe, eyes wide.
"Mommy, Daddy, the thunder's scary . . . "
"Awww, sweetie." Jay crouched down and held out his arms for Alexia and Cassie to run into. "There's nothing to be scared of! Come on, you can help Mommy and me bring in the patio furniture."
They bundled the children up in rain slickers and led them outside. The first fat raindrops were already beginning to fall, and the family worked fast, dragging the lounge chairs and plastic table into the garage. The girls were nervous at first, but with Jay's encouragement they soon grew excited, enjoying the rising wind and rain.
"Hey, come back with that!" laughed Jay, as Alexia scampered off with a cushion. A sudden squall struck, bringing a fresh torrent of rain. Alexia squealed and let go of the cushion, which blew across the yard. The girls chased after it, shrieking delightedly.
"This family," groaned Nya, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes. "They take after you, Jay. This is all your fault."
Jay gave her a plaintive look. She tried to glare, but eventually her face split into a smile and she took his hands, nuzzling up to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her wet dress, pulling her close, and for a moment the rain and thunder seemed to fade into the background.
Somewhere in the distance Cassie yelled "Aghh, it's getting 'way! Help!" and the moment was broken. Jay planted a final quick kiss on Nya's cheek, smiling, before the two of them headed off through the rain to help their daughters defeat the rogue cushion.