Greener Pastures

Summer

"Morning, babe!" Jax said, rolling over in bed and kissing Caitlin. Sitting up slightly and leaning on one elbow whilst her hand cupped the nape of her neck, she responded, "Morning, Mr Rivers", kissing his shoulders, nose, and- finally- his lips. "So, are you excited for today?" "I'm more relieved than excited. But I cannot wait to spend this summer just relaxing with our perfect family." "I think perfect is a slight exaggeration, but I can't wait either." It was Jax's last day at work until the new school year started again September, and after all the extra work he'd done as part of his new role as vice-principal, the break was eagerly anticipated, and just as well deserved. "So you're finishing at around 5 right?" "I am indeed." "Great! We'll be waiting!" Caitlin said, grinning slyly. She'd made a banner and planned on making a mini-banquet of all Jax's favourite foods to surprise him when he got back. She'd been considering holding a small party, but decided that a 'quiet' (as quiet as possible when you have three kids under the age of 5) night in would be a better option. "What are you up to?" Jax pondered, raising one eyebrow. "Nothing!" she exclaimed over-dramatically, grinning fiercely. Rolling his eyes, Jackson reached over and tickled Caitlin's feet, arms, and stomach, until she was breathless and on the brink of falling off the bed. They cuddled up together for a few minutes longer, just enjoying the peaceful tranquillity and each other's company. "So what are your plans for today?" "I think I'll take the kids swimming, and maybe to the park, and then we'll just chill out here." "Sounds like fun!" "We can do it again sometime next week, it's meant to be really hot then, and it'll be even better with you there as well." "Thank you for that," Jax said, kissing Cate's cheek, and then kissing her all over her body. She threw her head back laughing until they were interrupted by the pitter patter of little feet, as Austin sprinted towards their bed and leapt onto it unceremoniously. "Mooooornin mummy daddy!" he exclaimed, to which his parents replied, "Morning buddy!", and "Morning Aust!". 

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By 9:30am, Jax was long gone, and Caitlin had managed to get all three of the kids, and herself, dressed. She wore a striped, vintage, high-waisted bikini under a simple lilac dress, Austin had on dark orange swimming trunks, and Taylor had on pale pink floral swimsuit whilst Autumn had the same one in pale blue. 

"Mummy mummy look!" Austin exclaimed as he splashed about in the kiddie pool whilst holding onto a bright green float. He'd recently learned to swim, and was getting really good at it. "Wow, baby! You look like a little fish! Good job!" Caitlin called out. "Thank you, mummy. But I a big fish 'member!" "Yes, I remember. I am very sorry, my big fish,"she responded, smiling at her son's toothy responsive grin. Caitlin soon went back to watching the twins flap about in their polka dot rubber rings, which- along with the floats built into their costumes and their special swim nappies- meant she didn't have to worry too greatly about their safety, and was able to keep a close eye on Austin too. Since Austin had learnt to swim, he'd developed a real love of it, and it was clear he had a talent for it, so they planned on getting a pool installed in their back garden sometime in the summer so that taking the kids swimming would be less of a trek. But for now, at least, they were down to the local pool. "Mumma, mumma." Taylor called. "Yes, baby?" "Spinny, spin?" she asked, her head tilted to the side slightly as she smiled a goofy grin. Immediately understanding what her daughter was referring to, Caitlin smiled at Taylor's adorable antics, and did as asked, gently moving the rubber ring in circles, so Taylor was spun around slightly. Taylor threw her head back laughing in response, and kicked her little it back and forth in excitement. "Tay splashy splash!" Autumn exclaimed, giggling and clapping her hands in joy. Austin swam over quickly, eager to join in on the fun. "Aurie do you want to spin too?" he asked. Autumn nodded fiercely, flapping her arms about as she said "Splashy splash Aus Aus!" Austin slowly, and carefully manoeuvred his sister's rubber ring around in circles, watching how his mum did it to Taylor to ensure Autumn didn't get hurt. Watching her three kids play, and seeing how much Austin cared about his little sisters made Caitlin burst with pride, and the wide grin on her face was one she knew wouldn't fade for at least a few hours.

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After a lunch of alphabet fish fingers, peas, and smiley face potato bites, Caitlin began preparing a spread for Jackson which consisted of her famous macaroni cheese, homemade garlic bread balls, and chopped salad with a homemade thousand island dip.

"Mummy? What time daddy home?" Looking at the kitchen clock, Caitlin gasped in surprise. "Around 35 minutes baby!" "What wrong mummy?" "I just wanted the four of us to make daddy some fairy cakes, but they won't be ready when he gets home." "That's okay mummy, we can still make them. I go get Aurie and Tay?" "Yes please bug!" 

"Honey, I'm home!" Jackson called out, just two minutes later. "Daddyyy!" the kids called out in unison, all abandoning their posts in the kitchen, and running towards their dad with the kind of reckless abandon that only children have. He walked into the kitchen, the twins in both his arms, and Austin attached to his left leg. Laughing, Caitlin put down the bowl of mixture, before taking one of the twin's from her husband, and kissing him. "Hey baby! You're home early!" Glancing at his watch, Jax couldn't help but laugh. "Only by five minutes babe!" Caitlin shook her head. "No. You usually finish at 5, and are home at half past, so you're actually 33 minutes early!" She teased, sticking her tongue out before adding, "I'm impressed". "Why thank you. How was your day? The kids said they had fun swimming." "You're welcome. And yeah, it was fun. Aust was my special helper as always, and he was spinning Aurie around in the pool earlier while I span Tay. It was adorable." "That does sound pretty darn cute." "Well done for helping mummy out bud," he said to Austin, ruffling his hair affectionately, "High-five?!" he asked, to which Austin responded by clambering up onto one of the stools behind the kitchen island and enthusiastically high-fiving his dad. "How was work Jax?" "It was good, thanks. Miles is definitely looking forward to this time off as much as I am!" he moved behind Cate, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck and shoulders, after having placed Taylor safely down on the floor. "So what are you baking?" "Fairy cakes," she replied, turning around slightly to look Jax in the eye, "I wanted to have them done before you were home, but I was running behind with all the other stuff and then you were early, so they're not done yet" she pouted. "Aw I'm sorry babe," he stated, pulling her closer and kissing her cheek before adding, "Wait, what 'other stuff'?". Sighing, as she realised she'd ruined the surprise, Caitlin finished measuring out the sugar before once again turning around to face Jackson. "I made you a spread of all your favourite things as like a mini-banquet. And I made a welcome home banner and everything. But now I've ruined the surprise!" Jackson grabbed her hands- kissing each of them in turn- before passionately kissing Caitlin. "Thank you so much Caitlin. Really. I love you. And you haven't ruined the surprise! We still all get to enjoy your hard work. Now c'mon, lets bake!" he exclaimed, cementing his words by promptly throwing a hand full of flour directly at his wife's face. Gasping, and moving away from Jackson in horror, Caitlin picked up an egg and hurled it at Jackson's face. As soon as it hit its' target, she called out "Kids, we're having a food fight! Lets all get daddy!"

Twenty minutes later, the fairy cakes were finally in the oven, and Jackson was covered from head to toe in egg, flour, butter, and sprinkles. Caitlin and the kids were slightly messy, but no where near as much as Jackson, as the kids had obediently opted to gang up on their dad with their mum. Laughing, Caitlin looked at Jackson. "Jax, go shower! The kids and I will ice the cakes, and then we'll have bath time after you're done. "Ok," he agreed, grinning, "I love you Cate". Laughing at the state her husband was in, she responded, "I love you too."