Anywhere But Here - (open)

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel grinned seeing their mum smile a little. “Exactly, I was just doing what my older and wiser brother did, learning from the best brother each and every day.” She said trying not to laugh, well she could take a leaf or two from Jason’s book but then where was the fun in that. Their mum had a point but then what was the point in having a younger sister if she couldnt annoy him a little from time to time.

Seeing Phoebe walk over and sit next to their mum Rachel smiled, there really was nothing better than family. “So Jason what speech are you going to give to Phoebe and Conner when they do exactly what we’ve done?” She asked knowing that kids would be kids no matter what though then again maybe his kids were going to be a little better than they had been.

[Deleted]

Jason looked at Rachel when she said that. "To listen to each other when one says to stop." he replied before looking over to Connor and Phoebe, who were watching them at the same time. While he did like to tease Rachel every now and then, Jason knew when to stop. It was a lesson he wanted the kids, mainly Connor, to understand.

As he said that, Ice walked over and sat with Jason, who pet him behind the ears, causing the dog to wag his tail. Phoebe smiled a little as she watched her dad do that to Ice, then giggled a little when she saw him wag his tail.

[Rachel Murphy]

When Jason spoke about listening and stopping she nodded. Although it was fun to annoy her brother and to tease him she didnt want to push him too far or to make things difficult for his kids to understand either. “Yes, your father’s right. Listen and stop when asked or things can go wrong quickly.” Rachel said to both Connor and Phoebe, if they both listened then that was half a battle as listening had to be learned.

Rachel chuckled when Phoebe giggled watching Ice and Jason. “You know you and Shani are a match made in heaven but you and Ice, you’re one lucky guy Jason.” Rachel said with a smile and no hint of sarcasm, teasing or being anything but honest.

[Deleted]

Jason looked over to his sister when she said that, then nodded in reply. "I know" he said gently, his tone humble as he said that. Ice looked at Jason, then walked over and licked the side of his face. Jason smiled a little when he did that, then pet Ice behind his ears. "Thank you Ice" he said to the dog, who barked softy in reply. Phoebe giggled when Ice did that. "Your funny Ice" she said to him.

Ice looked over to Phoebe, then laid on the floor and put his paws over his eyes. Jason smiled a bit and shook his head a little when Ice did that.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel sat back and watched the family interact with each other, it really was one of those days where she was glad to be there and to be able to laugh and smile and joke with them. Quite honestly it was just nice for the break away from work and to spend time with the people she loved most in the world. “So, who’s doing the festive dinner this year?” Rachel asked wondering if it was her turn to host the family or if something else had been thought about. She was back to practical mode or at least planning mode.

Rachel said festive simply because using the word Christmas was going to be a cause for chaos. It was a way off yet but planning never really hurt. That and she could hopefully get a good working shift over Christmas that meant the entire family could be together.

[Deleted]

"We are" Jason and Shani replied, "Shani wanted to share a few family recipes of her's that she brought over with her when she came to America." Jason added while watching his family. Mrs. McGuire smiled a little when Jason said that to them, clearly happy that her daughter in law wanted to do that.

Jason saw the look on his mom's face after he said that, he could tell that she was happy at the news. Ever sence he was a kid all he wanted was to see his mom happy.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel grinned hearing that as she glanced between Jason and Shani. “Well if you need a hand, just ask I should be around if I’m not working.” Rachel said, she was dreading the rotas for that time for the simple thing that she wanted to spend her time with family but then someone had to do a job. She knew that most people did but then hearing Shani was going to share a few family recipes that had her sold on it all.

“So Jason, what would you like this year? Initialled socks?” She asked with a grin, okay so yes she would of course get him a joke present but then there would be a few serious things in there too. The heartfelt things that she hoped he would like along with the ones she knew would annoy him too.

[Deleted]

Shani nodded in reply when Rachel said that to her, as did Jason before looking over to his sister. "Well....I could use some new snow camouflage." he said in reply while looking at her. Their mom looked over to him, knowing that her son was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Jason glanced over to her, then looked back to his sister while holding Shani's hand. "And didn't you get me initialled socks last year?" he asked off the cuff while looking at her.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel nodded and chuckled, “Snow camouflage? Really, is that all you want this year.” She asked just making sure that she didnt turn up with something entirely odd. Rachel knew her brother was a great hunter and outdoorsman as she pondered over last years present. “Yeah, you know me always go for the socks. You cant have too many socks, besides I keep losing mine to the washing machine.” She stated thoughtfully.

“Then again I could always get you some snow boarding holiday for the two of you? Nothing like shoving someone down a snowy hill.” She offered with a smirk as she looked at Shani as if it was a great suggestion she had made.

[Deleted]

Jason watched as Rachel said that and looked over to Shani, who nodded in agreement with Rachel. "If you want to know what else I want, talk to Shani later." he said to his sister as their mom went into the kitchen. Jason glanced over to her at the same time, then looked back to Connor and Phoebe, who were still interacting with Ice at this time. Jason smiled a little as he watched them interact with the big dog.

Ice took it all in stride and played back. When he wasn't working, Ice was a big teddy bear, something that Jason was thankful for. He knew that Ice would never hurt the kids and the kids knew not to get too rough with him.

[Rachel Murphy]

“Okay okay, Shani we can plot his presents later.” She said with a grin looking between Shani and Jason. “You sure you want to put us in a room together to decide?” She asked trying not to chuckle too much. Watching the children with Ice it was nice to see them all get along together for a change not that they didnt but Rachel was glad to see them all together for a change.

Rachel watched them play as she looked toward Jason and grinned. “One very lucky guy.” She said as she glanced toward Phoebe, Connor and Ice. To have a family that was like theirs was a great thing and she appreciated it more and more each day.

[Deleted]

Shani nodded in reply when Rachel said that, grinning a little as well. Jason looked back to his sister when she spoke, then nodded to her before going back to interacting with Ice and the kids. Jason was thankful everyday to have the family that he did. It wasn't lost on him how blessed he was for them and to pray for them every day. At the same time, he wouldn't think twice about giving his life to keep them safe if it ever came to that.

Shani knew that as well as she had the same mentality as Jason when it came to protecting the kids.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel was glad that the two of them could go and plot something together. It was nice to get on with her sister-in-law as for a long time she had assumed that the girl Jason would marry might be an absolute monster. Family meant as much to her as it did to him and she knew she was lucky that he had found a wife that thought the same way about a lot of things. The one thing Rachel was sure on what the entire family’s commitment to family.

They would all do anything it took for the other and with two cops, one doctor and a paramedic in the family they were the best protected in her head. They had their blood family and the family of precincts and fire houses outside of that to make up one huge family.

[Deleted]

A while later, Jason was helping his parents out their car so they could head home. He was thankful that they were able to come and spend time together with him, Shani and the kids. Ice stayed by the front door and watched Jason as he interacted with his parents. At the same time, Shani was getting the kids changed for bed later. Her and Jason would let them stay up a little longer sence Rachel was here.

After talking with his parents and see them off, Jason went back into the house, bringing Ice with him after speaking in German. The big dog followed Jason inside after the door was locked, wagging his tail at the same time.

[Rachel Murphy]

Rachel had wished their parents good bye and hung around to help out with what she could. Family dinners were truly the best and what had started out like a lost day for her was now ending as one of the best days she could image. To see her brother happy and his family happy it was like a wish come true, she had always looked up to him as he was like a second father to her. Yes she annoyed him but then that was what little sisters did best.

She could only wait until Connor and Phoebe started to do that too and then it would make the whole role reversal quite fun to see. When Jason came back inside with Ice she grinned, “Literally the best day ever.” She said with a smile, “Thanks for letting me come over.”