Sibling Rivalry

Bubble Trouble

"Liam look!!" Bri beams, swinging around her bubble wand, creating long massive bubbles, practically sparkling in the sunlight.

The four year old wore a denim button down dress, (that was twirling wildly as she spun with her bubbles) and white leggings with little gold hearts. Her hair in a long pony tail, held up with a pink bow. 

"Your getting the soap all over," Liam giggles, his little sisters sleeves completely drenched in the soap water. 

Today he was dressed in grey and white striped shorts, and a neon yellow shirt. His hair a mess as a result of having just been playing on the swings. 

"Better soap than dirt." Alex chuckles, seated in one of the robins egg blue patio chairs. Determined to pry his children's eyes from the tablets, xbox, DS, phones, and TV, he's practically dragged them outside to enjoy the sunshine.

The dad wore a bright red 'Best Dad Ever' Tv shirt, (one of many he had received on fathers day each year), and a pair of jeans. He was entirely enjoying the freedom from dress pants and button down shirts, on this rare day off.

"Can I go inside now?" Rustin groans, he'd been seated in the grass, watching the younger two running around the massive, lush green backyard. 

The teenager was wearing a black and white stripped shirt under a purple short sleeve button down shirt, his hair spiked up and a bit hidden under an indigo beanie, along with black jeans. He was not as excited about the idea of no electronics. 

"No, c'mon don't you want to enjoy the sunshine?" Alex chuckles, standing and stretching. Preparing his dad body to go and play with his children, who had begun to call for him to join them.

"It's boring. How come Mason doesn't have to 'enjoy the sunshine'?" Rustin sulks. He had planned on spending the day watching Netflix and ignoring his homework.

"He's not finished with his online class for the day," Alex states. 

The whole situation was conflicting for the father at first. How could his oldest son get kicked out of school? He had been beyond furious. That was until each of his sons, came to him to explain. But what spoke more than words to him, was that each child approached him separately, and begged him to keep it a secret from the other.. Rustin had confessed to being bullied. That Mason was only trying to be a good brother by handling it for him. And Mason had apologized for not having handled it calmer.. but that he wouldn't take it back. Because he was always going to fight hard for his family. 

How could he be angry at his son for such a thing?

The answer?

He wasn't. Of course he voiced that he could never approve of violence. But brothers stand up for one another. He was proud of his boys, even if it meant paying for online classes, while his lawyer argued with the schools response. 

"He's lucky" Rustin whined.

"You sound like Brianna, whining like that." Alex chuckles, strolling over to Liam and Brianna, who were now playfully wrestling, rolling around in the dirt.

"Hey hey hey," Alex groans laughing, plucking the two up, Each screaming and laughing. "Play in the soap not the grass," He snickers.

"Can you push me on the tire swing??" Liam giggles, squirming as his father set him on his feet. 

"Me too!" Bri squeals, smiling as Alex tossed her up into the air. 

Alex smiles warmly and nods, the younger kids were always easier to entertain. 

"Yup, take turns yeah? Liam asked first okay?" He chuckles, setting his daughter down and following Liam over to the tire swing. 

Brianna bobbed her head up and down, hurrying over to Rustin, who she thought looked as though he needed someone to play with.