Here I Am, There You Are (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Snapshot 11

I couldn't help but bite my lower lip subtly as I watched Jack walk out of the water. He shook his head, making droplets fly from his hair. My heart raced just a little at the way his swimming shorts clung to his legs. The view of his chest was being blocked by the way he was holding Gracie, with one arm underneath her butt and the other making sure she didn't topple over.

I grinned at the two of them as he walked up to me, where I was lying down on my towel and hiding from the sun underneath our beach umbrella.

"I think we've got a future professional surfer on our hands!" Jack laughed as he handed me Gracie and got down onto the towel next to me.

"Really?" I chuckled, wrapping my arms around Gracie's body to keep her in place on my lap.

He nodded, his grin widening, lying down on his side and raising up one leg. "Every time a wave approached, she giggled like it was the funniest thing in the world. I'm telling you, she's got some serious wave-riding potential."

I couldn't help but laugh at the mental image of Gracie in her strawberry swimsuit, attempting to balance on her personal tiny surfboard, conquering the waves with her infectious giggles. "I can't believe I missed that!"

"I'm thinking matching family surfboards for our next trip," he teased with a nudge. "What have you been up to?"

I shrugged, pushing my sunglasses further up my nose. "Reading my book, enjoying the view of you walking out of the water..."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, was it a good one?"

"The book or the view?"

He gave me another smug smile and leaned in, capturing my lips with his own. I kissed him back, feeling the salt and sand on his skin. It was a stolen moment amidst the sounds of the waves and the laughter of other families enjoying the beach. Gracie, seemingly used by our display of affection by now, reached out to grab a fistful of sand and let it go on my leg.

"I'm giving you a solid ten out of ten," I whispered against Jack's lips, ignoring the mess Gracie was making.

Jack pulled back, a playful glint in his eyes. "Yeah? The book can wait, but this view," he gestured toward himself, "is always ready for a sequel."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at my lips. "Smooth, very smooth."

Gracie was now reaching out to grab at his sandy hair. He avoided the painful grip and gently tickled her belly, eliciting squeals. Despite being a father for over four years – nearly five – watching him interact with our kids always made me feel all warm inside.

"I'm glad Zack's looking after the kids tonight..." I confessed with a cheeky look of my own.

There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I told you Hawaii was the perfect destination."

As if he could sense that we were talking about him, I could hear Zack yelp loudly closeby. He suddenly ran past us, kicking sand up in the process, Archie sprinting after him. Jack chuckled at the chaos that ensued, Zack and Archie leaving a trail of laughter and sand behind them. Gracie, captivated by the commotion, giggled and clapped her tiny hands.

"Looks like they're on a mission," Jack remarked.

I grinned. "I think Zack might need a bit more training if he's going to keep up with Archie."

"Don't tell him that."

We watched as Zack and Archie continued their sand-filled escapade, their laughter echoing against the backdrop of the rolling waves. It was a scene of pure joy, a snapshot of our family holiday that I wanted to freeze in time.

"I can't believe how much Archie's enjoying this," I said, a hint of nostalgia already forming for a moment that hadn't yet passed.

Jack nodded, his gaze following Archie. "It's the simple things, you know? The sand, the waves, the laughter. These are the moments he'll remember."

I smiled, grateful for the truth in his words.

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The next chapter is the last one. So, last call to request anything to be added before then!