Here I Am, There You Are (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Snapshot 8

"I've got it!" Alex rushed past me to grab the two plastic bags I had put on the floor to unlock the door.

"Thanks." I smiled as I pushed the front door open.

The inside of the house was so much cooler than the warm LA sun. It always felt like such a relief as soon as I entered, especially with my hormones still out of whack. The house was completely silent except for the TV playing softly from the living room. With only one grocery bag in my hand, I tiptoed towards the sound and found an adorable sight.

Jack was deep asleep, taking up the entirety of the larger part of the sectional couch with his entire body. Gracie was on his chest, lying on her stomach, held in place by Jack's hand. And Archie was curled up on the shorter section of the couch, his head on Jack's shoulder. The TV was playing some kids show, but wasn't being watched by anybody.

I turned to Alex who was carrying the four other bags and put a finger to my lips, shushing him slightly. He gave me an amused grin and carefully stepped over to join me and get a look as well. Even though he tried to be quiet, he couldn't stop the breathy little chuckle that came out of his mouth.

"He's turned so domestic," he whispered as he shook his head. "What happened?"

"That's what having kids will do to you," I responded as I started my way to the kitchen again.

He followed me. "God, he's such a dad."

I laughed as I put the bags I was holding down on the counter. Gracie was two months old and her birth had turned Jack into even more of a dad than before. Archie had already changed him, but Archie already had the same crazy energy Jack had. Gracie, though? She was still so fragile and Jack absolutely adored her.

Alex got to witness the change in Jack first hand. He was staying over at ours while he was in LA to work on some projects. Although having a newborn was a hectic time, Alex only helped out whenever he could. For example, he offered to help me out with groceries while Jack stayed with the kids.

Together, we started unpacking all the groceries, first taking them out of the bags and organizing them in piles that we could then put in their respective cupboards and fridge shelves. Alex decided to take charge of everything that required us to bed over or reach out. He was adamant that I didn't put more strain on my body than needed.

Before we could finish, however, more noise came from the living room. Gracie was starting to wake up, letting out half cries before she could even realize that she was no longer sleeping. If the sound could be heard by us, then it definitely was audible in the living room as well. In turn, Archie started whining as well. It didn't take long for Jack to come stumbling out with a crying Gracie in his arms, trying to rock her to calm her down. His hair was sticking up at weird angles, showing he stood up right after he had woken up. He seemed a little shocked to see Alex and I in the kitchen but still came up to us. I stopped putting the groceries away and instead held out my arms to take Gracie from him.

"How long were guys gone?" he asked with a yawn as he carefully transferred Gracie to me. "Cause I feel like I've either been out for five minutes or five hours."

"Like an hour and a half," Alex answered with a shrug.

Jack rubbed his face with the palms of his hands and shook his head to wake himself up more. "Fucking hell, I'm exhausted."

I kissed him on the cheek to greet him and started leaving the kitchen. Instead of complaining any further, Jack immediately took over what I had left behind and started helping Alex with the groceries. In just the matter of seconds, we had seamlessly switched rolls. I took Gracie back to the living room, giving me some privacy since I knew she was hungry.

Archie was still there, now lying on the carpet as his eyes were fixated on the TV and his hands were playing with a toy plane.

"Hey, Arch," I said to get his attention, "Uncle Alex got some snacks. Why don't you go see what he brought?"

Archie immediately perked up at the thought of snacks and scrambled to get up before rushing to the kitchen, yelling in excitement on the way there.

Usually, I didn't mind Archie being in the same room as me when I breastfed Gracie. But I also knew he had just woken up from a nap and was going to be a ball of energy in no time. It was one thing when he was content doing his own thing, it was another when he was trying to jump all over me. The smarter idea was to just send him to the two men who'd have all the time and attention he needed.

"What?!" I heard Alex gasp. "Mommy said you could have some snacks! Well, we've gotta do something about that then, don't we?"

I sat down on the lounge chair and pulled down my shirt so Gracie could latch on. As soon as she did, the crying stopped. Although the TV was still on, I ignored whatever was playing and simply stared ahead instead, occasionally looking down at her. She seemed more than content.

Eventually, Jack entered the room again and smiled at me.

"I didn't get to say a proper hello," he told me as he approached.

Once he stood right in front of me, he put one hand on the armrest to keep his balance and dipped down to kiss me. I savored the feeling of his warm lips on mine, a glow radiating in my chest. Despite everything we'd gone through over the years, he still took the time for the little things.

"Gosh, you look beautiful." He grinned down at me after he pulled away.

I couldn't help the smile toying at my lips and whispered, "I love you."