Jett's gone off to bed, and the rest of the family is wrapping up the evening. The last few nights Justice has given Jace his bath, and now it's a routine he adores and looks forward to. Jace is learning more words every day, and he shares imaginative tales with Justice while the tub fills. Once it reaches the near top, into the bath Jace plunges. Once bath time is over, Justice and Juliana take Jace up to his bed and tuck him in. With all the day's excitement, he quickly falls asleep. In the wee hours of the morning Jett wakes to the sounds of the fridge opening and closing, and tea being brewed. He smiles to himself and throws his covers off. 'Hey Dad. Back to your super early mornings, huh?' Justice grins, 'You know it. Wanna join me?' Jett brings a cheese sandwich to the table. 'You know, I really missed hanging out with you before dawn.' Justice muffles a vibrant laugh, 'It's something I'll never stop doing, my early rising. How did you sleep?' Jett leans back in his chair, 'I did! It was awesome. I won't miss that stupid monster.' Justice moves to pour his tea, and Jett uses the opportunity for a selfie. I'm awfully well rested, so I must look amazing. Justice stifles another laugh, 'Looks like beating the monster has boosted your confidence.' Jett shrugs, slightly embarrassed about his pose. He finishes his sandwich and heads up to the computer to play video games. His Dad remains downstairs drinking his tea and reading, and once on the landing he can hear his Mom in the shower. He barely has time to load his game when a faint whimper carries from Jace's room; he decides to go see if he's okay. 'Good morning! Let's go use the potty.' Jace smiles at Jett and slides out of bed. In the bathroom the potty process is a tad tedious, but when Jace is successful Jett can't help but cheer for him, 'Way to go! Let's go see Mom.' After his potty success, Jett carries Jace down to Juliana. 'Here he is! The super big boy!' Jace smiles and giggles. Juliana breaks from prepping lunch and smiles, 'You used the potty, good job!' Jett grins and places Jace on the floor. 'I'm going up to play my games. Call me if you need me.' Juliana watches Jett climb the stairs and her heart brims with love for her sons. 'All right, Jacie. What do you want to do now?' Jace reaches his hands out and wiggles his chubby fingers, 'Hugs!' Juliana melts as she holds her little boy. Justice turns the corner, 'Aw, you two. That's the stuff.' He picks up Jace and plays with him, flying him on his back up to the second floor landing. Baby delight echoes through the house. 'Hey Jules,' calls Justice, 'I'm needing a break here. Will you come get Jace?' 'Sure hon, just a sec.' Juliana washes the last of the lunch prep dishes. Justice's needs are pressing, so he sets Jace on the floor. 'Wait for Mommy, bud.' Moments later, Juliana meets Jace at the top of the stairs, 'My cutie pants! Come give me a hug.' 'Are you ready to eat something?' Jace's eyes light up. 'Nummies!' Jett finished playing his games and takes a shower. After, he takes a look at himself in the mirror. He has his familiar new school jitters, and this time the only person he really knows is that ridiculous Alexander Goth. It's going to be fine, just like it was before. I bet there's some cool people there. Juliana calls Jett and Justice as she places Jace in his high chair with his his new favorite food, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 'Come and eat everybody!' She digs into her cobbler with gusto. Jett joins them first, bringing with him a plate of leftover birthday cake. Juliana wrinkles her nose, 'How can you eat chocolate cake for all three meals, all day?!' Jett laughs, 'The same way you can eat that cobbler.' They both giggle. Jett sits down and takes a bite, 'I passed your room on the way down and Dad had the light off. I think he's already gone to bed.' Jace puts his arms in the air and with great emphasis says, 'Dad go nigh nigh, in his beed.' Jett smiles, 'That's right! I'll be going to beed soon too. Are you getting sleepy?' 'No!' Jace grins and everyone laughs. Juliana gathers a peanut butter scented Jace up in her arms, 'Alrighty, let's get you to bed. Say night night to brother,' Jace smiles and scrunches up his fist in a wave, 'Nigh nigh!' Juliana changes him into his jammies, and tucks him in. She reads his favorite story to him while his droopy eyelids battle with sleep. Soon he's in dreamland. Juliana is exhausted. She tip toes from Jace's room only to tip toe through her bedroom, careful not to disturb Justice while she changes. Settling in next to him she pulls the covers over her, falling into a deep sleep. Despite the stillness in the house, Jett isn't tired at all. Years of sleep abuse from the monster have left him content with only a few hours of rest. He sits at his Mom's computer and plays video games. Still brimming with pent up energy, he decides to have a dance session in his room. He turns the music to the lowest volume and dances with skills definitely inherited from his Dad. Jett eventually manages to fall asleep only to hear his Mom making breakfast. The smell of omelettes drifts into his room; he throws back his bed covers, quickly makes his bed, and is at the dining room table in a flash. 'Good morning! I thought we'd have your favorite breakfast for your first day of school.' 'Oooh, yum! Thanks, Mom!' Jett eats heartily. Justice drifts down the stairs, 'Something smells amazing. Slow down buddy! Your gonna get heartburn.' Juliana laughs while she clears her plate, 'Can I get some for you, hon?' Justice smiles, 'Not yet, thanks. So, Jett. High school. It's going to be great!' Jett chews and swallows, 'I don't know about great, but I'll make it. I stayed up kinda late last night.' 'Those nerves of yours, it's going to work out. First day jitters only come once.' 'I hope so! I'll let you know when I'm home.' Justice pats Jett's back and fills his mug of tea. Jett clears his plate, changes his clothes and he's off to his first day of high school. 'Bye! See you this afternoon!' His parents answer in near unison, 'Bye!' Juliana and Justice sit together at the table. 'Mr. Jace isn't awake yet, is there anything you need to catch up on before he is?' Justice chuckles, 'We certainly won't fill the time with a festival!' Juliana flushes, 'Agreed! We're too old for more babies!' Justice takes his spot on the sofa with a book and his cup of tea, while Juliana works on her next writing project upstairs. After about an hour, she hears the soft shuffle of knees and palms on the stairs; Jace is awake. 'Good morning!' Juliana sweeps him up in her arms. 'Mama, I fly,' Jace extends his arms for the wings of his plane. Juliana holds him close, and they start to play. She flies him down the stairs on her back, coming in for a brief landing in the kitchen. Justice grins as he watches them goof around. 'Good morning, Captain!' Jace giggles, 'Down, down. Potty!' Juliana stops and gives Justice a questioning look. 'Do you think he's got it?' Justice grins, 'The only way to know is to try and see.' Juliana sets Jace down and he walks to the potty and sits down all on his own. Sounds of action bring on happy cheers. 'Justice, he did it! Way to go buddy!' Juliana smiles with satisfaction. 'I can't believe he's figured it out this fast. Must be all the help from his brother.' Justice claps his hands, 'I totally agree. This must be a record. You did it, Jace! Great job! No more diapers for you,' Jace smiles proudly at his Mom and Dad. Juliana picks him up and places him in his high chair. 'Time to eat! How about some yogurt?' Jace grins big, 'Yes! Yes!' Juliana sits with him as he happily finishes his bowl of yogurt. The whole time they chat about all things that make a toddler think. He's growing and changing so quickly. He speaks as though he's twice his age. From previous experience, Juliana knows he must be a genius. Jace loves to play blocks, so Juliana plays with him. Justice finishes working on the garden and smiles at the scene inside. Juliana turns to him, 'How's it looking out there?' Justice beams with affection. 'I don't know how I missed it, but we have a patio outside. It's incredible. At twilight, let's enjoy the view.' 'I'm so happy you like it! It's for us.' 'Like it? I love it.' Justice suddenly disappears, and the urn on the table rises. 'Justice?' Juliana is still getting used to that. Jace looks up from his blocks, 'Daddy?' Juliana smiles reassuringly, 'He's here, he'll be back soon.' Justice emerges from the urn and Jace smiles, 'Daddy!' Juliana smiles with him, 'See? I knew he'd be right back.' Justice grins playfully, 'Not sure what gets into me, but I sometimes have this overwhelming urge to possess objects.' The front door opens and in strolls Jett. 'I'm back!' The whole family greets him. 'How did it go?' Justice's the first to ask. 'It was alright. I still don't know many people.' Juliana answers from the kitchen, 'You have lots of time to make friends.' Jett grabs a snack while his Mom makes chili. 'There is some good news.' Almost at the same time, Justice and Juliana answer, 'What?' 'You know that kid that used to harass me for no reason? He graduated this year!' Juliana smiles, 'I knew something good would happen. I'm happy you don't have to deal with him.' 'Same goes for me.' Justice smiles. 'Things can only get better from here.' After dinner the boys were keeping each other company, so Juliana asked Justice to sit with her on the patio. 'Sit down.' She pats the spot on the bench next to her. 'I had it built so that we could sit out here and watch as the sun dips behind the mountains.' Justice sits close to her, 'That makes sense, it's always been your favorite.' Please click 'Comments' to share your thoughts. Thank you!
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