9-1-1 ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ sʜᴏᴛs

Easter - Bobby and Athena

Gracie Nash - 3

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden glow through the windows of Bobby and Athena Nash's home. The house was quiet, with the stillness that comes before the bustle of a holiday morning. In the kitchen, Bobby was already at work, whisking eggs for an Easter brunch while Athena finished up hiding the last few colorful eggs in the backyard. They were trying to make this day special, as Harry and May wouldn't be here to share the celebration and they knew that Gracie missed then dearly.

Their three-year-old daughter, Gracie, was still asleep upstairs, her tiny form nestled in a bed of pastel-colored sheets. She had been eagerly anticipating Easter for weeks, ever since Bobby and Athena had told her about the Easter Bunny and the egg hunt they had planned. Today was the day she had been waiting for, and her parents wanted it to be perfect.

Bobby glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled. "Athena, I think it's time to wake our little bunny," he called softly.

Athena walked into the kitchen, her face lighting up with excitement. "I'll go get her. She's going to be so happy."

Bobby nodded, turning back to his cooking. He could hear Athena's footsteps as she climbed the stairs and entered Gracie's room. A few moments later, there was a chorus of delighted giggles and soft, sleepy murmurs.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Athena cooed as she gently woke Gracie. "It's Easter! The Easter Bunny has been here."

Gracie's eyes fluttered open, and a wide smile spread across her face. "Easter Bunny?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"Yes, baby. He left eggs for you to find. Are you ready to go on an egg hunt?" Athena asked, lifting her out of bed.

Gracie nodded eagerly, her curls bouncing as she got to her feet. "Yes! Yes!"

Athena helped Gracie into a pink dress adorned with tiny bunnies and flowers, then took her hand and led her downstairs. Bobby was waiting at the bottom, a proud smile on his face as he saw his little girl.

"Good morning, Gracie," he said, bending down to her level. "Happy Easter!"

"Happy Easter, Daddy!" Gracie exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.

Bobby scooped her up into a hug, kissing her cheek. "Are you ready to find some eggs?"

Gracie nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. Bobby set her down, and she immediately ran to the backyard, where colorful eggs were scattered across the lawn.

Athena and Bobby watched from the doorway, their hearts swelling with joy as they saw their daughter's delight. Gracie darted from one spot to another, her basket quickly filling with eggs. Each time she found one, she would hold it up proudly and call out to her parents.

"Look, Mommy! Look, Daddy! I found another one!"

"You're doing great, Gracie!" Athena cheered, clapping her hands.

Bobby laughed, his eyes twinkling. "You're a pro, sweetheart."

After the last egg was found, Gracie ran back to her parents, her basket overflowing. "I found them all!" she declared, beaming with pride.

"You sure did," Bobby said, ruffling her hair. "Now let's go inside and see what the Easter Bunny left in your basket."

Gracie's eyes widened with excitement as they led her back into the house. On the kitchen table sat a large wicker basket filled with chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and a plush bunny that was almost as big as Gracie herself.

"Wow!" Gracie gasped, her eyes wide with amazement.

"That's all for you, sweetheart," Athena said, lifting her onto a chair. "The Easter Bunny must know how good you've been."

Gracie's face lit up with joy as she began to explore the contents of her basket. Bobby and Athena watched, their hearts full.

---

After breakfast, which consisted of Bobby's famous pancakes shaped like bunnies and eggs, the family gathered in the living room. Gracie played with her new plush bunny while Bobby and Athena sat on the couch, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.

"You did a great job with the egg hunt, Athena," Bobby said, reaching over to take her hand. "Gracie had a blast."

Athena smiled, giving his hand a squeeze. "It was a team effort. I'm just glad we could make it special for her."

As the morning turned into afternoon, the Nash family prepared for a small Easter gathering with the 118. The backyard was set up with a picnic table covered in festive decorations, and Bobby fired up the grill while Athena finished setting out the food.

Gracie, still clutching her plush bunny, watched in awe as Buck, Eddie, Hen, Chimney, and their families began to arrive. Each guest brought something to add to the feast, and soon the table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes.

"Happy Easter, everyone!" Bobby called out as he flipped burgers on the grill. "Make yourselves at home."

Gracie's eyes lit up when she saw Eddie's son, Christopher, who was just a few years older than her. The two kids ran off to play, their laughter filling the air.

Athena mingled with the guests, making sure everyone had enough to eat and drink. She glanced over at Bobby, who was now surrounded by a group of hungry kids eagerly waiting for their burgers. He caught her eye and winked, making her heart flutter.

---

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the backyard, the family gathered around the picnic table for dinner. Gracie sat between her parents, her face smeared with chocolate and a big smile on her lips.

"This has been the best Easter ever," she said, looking up at Bobby and Athena.

"I'm glad you had fun, sweetheart," Bobby said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

After dinner, the family gathered around a fire pit for marshmallow roasting and storytelling. Gracie snuggled up in Bobby's lap, her eyelids growing heavy as the night went on.

"I think someone's ready for bed," Athena whispered, noticing Gracie's sleepy expression.

"Looks like it," Bobby agreed, lifting her gently. "Let's get you to bed, kiddo."

Gracie protested weakly, but her exhaustion soon got the better of her. Bobby carried her inside, followed by Athena, and they tucked her into bed with her new plush bunny.

"Goodnight, Gracie," Athena said, kissing her forehead. "Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight, Mommy. Goodnight, Daddy," Gracie murmured, her eyes closing.

Bobby leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart."

---

As they returned to the backyard, Bobby and Athena took a moment to reflect on the day. The love and happiness that filled their home was a reminder of what truly mattered.

"I think we did good today," Bobby said, taking Athena's hand.

Athena smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "We did. And we'll keep making these memories for our family."

Together, they watched the firelight flicker, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could face anything that came their way. And as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Bobby and Athena felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the love that bound their family together.