jarah oneshots❤️‍🩹

team routledge

The morning began with a burst of sunlight streaming through the windows, painting the bedroom walls in golden hues. John B was the first to stir, his sandy brown hair tousled from sleep. He stretched lazily, savoring the quiet moment before the chaos of the day began. Beside him, Sarah slept peacefully, her blonde waves spilling across the pillow.

It wasn't long before the peace was interrupted. Valerie Jay, or Val as they called her, bounded into the room, her blonde braids already half-done and uneven, a clear result of her attempts to do them herself. At six years old, Val's bright hazel eyes always sparkled with curiosity, and today was no different. She wore her favorite sky-blue swimsuit under her oversized beach cover-up, even though they weren't leaving for hours.

"Mom! Dad! Wake up!" Val's voice was eager and commanding. "We're going to the beach today, remember?"

Behind her, Jackson Booker peeked into the room, rubbing his tired eyes. The almost four-year-old boy wore green dinosaur pajamas, adding to his endearing, slightly disheveled appearance. He held his stuffed shark in one hand and his beach shovel in the other, as if ready to start digging immediately.

"Beach!" he echoed, his voice a bit louder than necessary.

Aurora Louise, just two, toddled in next, clutching her ever-present stuffed bunny. Her light brown curls were soft and wild, her cheeks still rosy from sleep. She looked up at her parents with wide, hazel eyes, a mix of gentleness and mischief twinkling in them. "Mama, Lulu beach?" she asked, her voice sweet and still forming words. She wore mismatched pajamas—pink striped pants with a yellow starry top—and one sock.

Sarah groaned playfully and rolled over. "What happened to sleeping in on weekends?" she teased, rubbing her eyes.

"Gone. Forever," John B replied with a grin, sitting up and ruffling Val's hair. "Alright, Team Routledge. Let's fuel up for the big day."

Breakfast was a lively affair. John B manned the stove, flipping pancakes while Sarah poured juice and cut up fruit. Val was in charge of setting the table, though she spent most of the time stealing blueberries from the bowl.

"Valerie," Sarah said with mock sternness, catching her in the act.

Val grinned, her cheeks bulging with evidence. "It's quality control, Mom."

Jackson climbed onto a chair, his legs swinging beneath him. "Can I have a smiley face pancake?" he asked, pointing to the batter.

"Sure can, buddy," John B said, using chocolate chips to create eyes and a grin on the pancake before sliding it onto Jackson's plate.

Meanwhile, Aurora was content to munch on pieces of banana from her high chair, her bunny perched on the tray beside her. "Nana," she murmured between bites, pointing at the fruit.

After breakfast, the real excitement began. The kids scurried around the house, gathering their beach essentials. Val packed her sand bucket and shell-collecting bag, along with a pair of goggles she insisted she'd need to "explore underwater caves."

Jackson followed suit, carrying his shovel and a collection of toy cars he declared were perfect for racing in the sand. "They go super fast, Daddy," he explained, showing John B how one of the wheels wobbled.

Aurora clung to Sarah as they hunted for her wide-brimmed sun hat. "Haaat," she said, stretching the word out as she tried to help, though mostly she just moved items from one pile to another.

"Found it!" Val called triumphantly, pulling the hat from under the couch. She plopped it on Aurora's head, the brim flopping over her eyes. Aurora giggled, tipping her head back to see better.