Endless || Jonah Marais ✓

♪ FORTY-SEVEN ♪

A/N: I have no idea how old Jonah's little brother is. So, for plot purposes, throughout this story he will be six.

Update: I was informed that Zebulon is in fact older, and I also forgot about one of Jonah's sisters.

2020 Update:
I'm well aware that Zebulon is older than Jonah, but I love having baby Zebulon in this story so much that I've decided to keep his character as is :)

××××

"Jonah!" A teenage girl who appears to be around Callie's age squeals, tackling him into a hug the second the couple step over the threshold. "I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too," Jonah chuckles, hugging the girl in return. When she finally let's go, he steps back to Aurora's side, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Esther, meet my girlfriend, Aurora. Aurora, meet my sister, Esther."

Aurora waves, smiling shyly as her usual sassiness turns into nerves and timidness at what his family will think of her.

"So you're the 'amazing and gorgeous' girl Jonah kept rambling about when he called the other day," Esther smirks, giggling as Jonah blushes. "He literally talked about you for nearly three hours straight. Isn't that right, Jo?"

Her small smile widens at the nickname as she glances up at the flustered boy. "Where was I when this happened?"

"You were arguing with Carmen over Danny and Rafe from Pearl Harbor," Jonah murmurs, his cheeks flushed, obviously searching for a way to change the subject.

"Esther, will you get the cake out of the oven?" An older woman with hair just like Jonah's questions, not noticing Jonah and Aurora as she bustles into the entryway. "I want it ready bef- YOU'RE HOME!"

Aurora can't help but laugh as Jonah's mother tackles him into a hug strong enough to rip him away from her side.

"And you must be Aurora," she states, catching her off guard as she hugs her as well. "Welcome to the family, darling."

"Thanks," Aurora says, moving back to Jonah's side as she releases her from her strong grip. "It's great to finally meet you, Mrs-"

"Please," his mother interrupts, "call me Carrie."

"Where are Dad and Zeb at?" Jonah asks, picking up the luggage he had dropped.

"They're visiting our new neighbors. A lovely couple finally bought that huge house down the road," Carrie informs them. "There's plenty of time until dinner. Why don't you go unpack?"

Jonah nods, moving towards the staircase. Aurora follow closely, examining the pictures that line the walls.

"Aww," she coos, pointing to one in particular that catches her eye. A two year old was smiling brightly, standing next to a sand castle at the beach. "Baby Jonah was adorable."

Jonah pauses on the last step, turning to look back at her with an offended expression. "So you're saying I'm not adorable anymore?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," she teases, moving past him and down the long hallway. "Now, which door leads to your room? I'm in desperate need of a nap."

"Second door on your left," Jonah answers automatically, trailing behind her. "And you wouldn't be so tired if you hadn't fought Andy and Brooklyn."

"I had to get my point across," she states simply, throwing open a bedroom door.

Aurora come to a stop in the middle of Jonah's old bedroom, taking it all in as he moves around her to sit the bags down.

The walls are painted a deep shade of blue, matching the hallway. In one corner sits a small, electronic piano and a guitar. On the opposite side of the room, facing the door and also near the closet, sits a large, wooden dresser. In between it all is tidbits of random objects such as pictures, books, and baseball trophies. Centered against the back wall is a queen sized bed with a grey comforter and dark blue pillows.

"What are you thinking about?" Jonah questions, resting his chin on top of her head and wrapping his arms around her waist as he walks up behind her.

"I'm thinking about how welcoming your mother and sister are," she responds honestly, leaning back against his chest. "And about taking a nap."

"Well, it is nap time," Jonah chuckles.

Before she can realize what he's doing, Jonah picks her up bridal style and tosses her onto his bed.

"I am more than capable of throwing myself onto the bed, Marais," Aurora pouts, glaring playfully at the boy.

"But where's the fun in that?" He asks through a yawn, laying down next to her. He smiles innocently as she continue to glare. "I love you, Aurora Daniels."

She sighs, realizing she could never even pretend to be mad at the amazing boy next to her as she snuggles into his chest. "I love you too, Jonah Marais."

××××

"Nap time is over!" A little boy chants over and over as he continues to jump on the bed.

Groaning, Aurora opens her eyes and rolls over slowly, surprised to find Jonah sleeping soundly through the attack. Sitting up, she grabs one of the boy's legs, causing him to fall onto the mattress in a fit of giggles.

"Don't wake Jonah up," she whispers, gesturing towards the snoring teenager. "Our long flight made him really tired."

The younger boy nods solemnly, clambering off the bed and grabbing her hand. Leading Aurora out into the hallway, he shuts Jonah's door and turns to her.

"You're Aurora, aren't you?" He questions, dropping her hand.

"Yep," she smiles. "You're Zebulon, aren't you?"

The boy nods proudly. "Do you want to play with me? I got new Legos yesterday!"

"I'd love to play with you," Aurora laughs, following Zebulon into the bedroom beside Jonah's.

She looks around, quickly realizing that it is not, in fact, a bedroom. The large room is filled with tons of toys bound to keep any kid entertained for hours.

Zebulon sits down in the middle of the room and she follows suit. It's quiet in the toy room as Jonah's brother and Aurora quickly become lost in their own little worlds, each of them fascinated by the items around.

"How old are you?" Zebulon asks randomly, not looking up from the building he's creating out of Legos.

"I'm eighteen."

"My sister is younger than you," he says thoughtfully. "But she thinks she's too old to play with me."

"That's crazy,"Aurora scoffs. "There's no such thing as being too old for toys."

"Are you dressing up for Halloween?"

"Of course I am," she answers, glancing up from the tiny car she's messing with. "My plan was to go as a doctor but I might change my mind."

"I'm going as Spiderman," Zebulon informs her.

High-fiving the boy, she gets back to work on the racetrack that goes with the tiny car.

Jonah stumbles into the room moments later, appearing more energized than before.

"You know, since I'm the one named after Sleeping Beauty, I should be the one that sleeps longer," Aurora chuckles.

Jonah goes to retort but is cut off by his mother.

"It's time for dinner and I want you on your best behavior, Zeb," she says, appearing in the doorway before turning her attention to Jonah. "Our new neighbors are joining us tonight. I hope you and Aurora don't mind."

"Of course not. What are their names?" Jonah asks, not showing any surprise as I jump onto his back.

"Tiffany and Charlie Daniels."