Title: Jumping In Puddles
Fandom:Due South
Rating: No rating
Length: 1061
Content notes: Written for the Challenge 60: Washing
Author notes: No notes, just hope that you enjoy it.
Summary: Ray having fun with his kids





Ray woke on one of his days off from work and stretched, popping some bones as he did. Smiling, he glanced to his left and saw Ben smile back at him. They just had time for a quick peck on the lips before the bed was pounced on.

Jessica, their three year old, jumped between them, chanting, “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!”

Jason, their eighteen month old, waited to be lifted onto the bed to join them as he was too small to climb up himself. “Da...da…da!” he said.

Sitting up now, Ben and Ray hugged their children as Dief joined them, not wanting to miss out on a hug. Of course he got one from them all.

Jason snuggled against Ray clutching his ‘Blankie’ and sucking his pacifier and Jessica cuddled against Ben.

Ray asked, “Did you guys sleep OK?”

Nodding, Jessica answered with glee, “Yes Daddy and I dreamed of puppies.”

Looking at his daughter with affection on his face, Ray inquired, “You did? What did the puppies do in your dream?”

Jessica had the Ben ‘Look Of Storytelling’ on her face as she replied, “They chased butterflies, but they didn’t catch them and they just played.”

Ben then asked, “Jason, did you have any dreams?”

Jason nodded with the pacifier in his mouth.

“Did you dream about trucks and cars cartoons again?” Ben asked.

Jason nodded again. Ben took the pacifier out of his mouth so he could talk. “Was it a fun dream?” he asked his son.

Smiling now, Jason sat up but didn’t lose contact with Ray, “Yessss,” he said, “flying cars!”

Ray joined in, “Wow that sounds really cool.”

“Coooool!” agreed Jason.

Giving Jason another hug Ray gave them both the good news, “Guess where we are going to today.”

Both were eager to know. “Where, Daddy?” asked Jessica.

Using his best excited voice, Ray told them, “We are going to put on our rain coats and boots and go to the park to feed the ducks and jump in puddles, what do you think?”

Jessica and Jason clapped their hands and let out a squeal of delight, “Yeah!”

Jessica was giddy with excitement as she tried to get her words out fast, “Oh Daddy that will be so much fun,” then turning to Ben she asked, “Daddy are going too?”

Tucking her blonde hair behind her ear Ben answered sadly, “I can’t sweetheart, I would love to, but I have to get things ready for the Prime Minister’s visit in two weeks’ time.” He wished he could go with them.

Biting her lip sadly, Jessica replied, “OK Daddy, will you come next time?”

Smiling now, Ben nodded, “Of course, and you will have fun with Dad, won’t you?”

Looking at her Daddy Ray, Jessica smiled a big smile, “We’ll have the bestest time.”

They were soon all dressed for the day and downstairs eating their breakfast. Ray had to admit that he was just as excited about going to the park as the kids were. He loved listening to their laughter and their energy was infectious, it never failed to make him smile and feel even more blessed to be their Dad.

Pulling up outside the Consulate, Ben turned to say goodbye to the kids, “Bye Jessica, Jason, you have a good day. Be good for Dad, alright and Ray, you be good for them and no misbehaving now!”

Putting his hand on his chest Ray feigned shock, “Me? Would I do that? I wouldn’t misbehave, would I kids?”

This made the kids giggle and say, “No Daddy” which was followed by more giggling.

With a kiss for each of them and a pat on the head for Dief, Ben made his way inside the Consulate as the rest of his family made their way to the park.

Armed with brown bread as Ben had told them is was healthier for the ducks, they had fun feeding them and making up stories about all the different ones that they saw. Of course Ray took a million photos, which Ben was going to love looking at.

On the way out of the park they splashed in the puddles, giggling and loving the splashing. There was a giant sized puddle and Ray asked, “Do you guys all want to jump in this together?”

The both shook their heads and Jessica replied, “No Daddy, it’s too big.”

Ray would never make them do anything they didn’t want to do, so he said, “OK guys, how about I do it?” and Ray jumped in, only to find himself waist deep in water, to his shock. Holding back curses he looked at the kids who were falling over with laughter and that made Ray laugh.

The Park Ranger helped him out and placed a barrier around the hole. “Oh my god, sorry Sir, this hole was meant to be covered, are you hurt?” he said.

Shaking his head and splashing water everywhere, Ray replied, “No...no I’m not hurt thank god, but what if one of my kids had fallen in? It could have been so much worse!”

The Ranger paled and kept apologising, which went on until Ray decided he just wanted to go home and get dry. So after letting him off, Ray took the kids by their hands and took them back to the car, with Dief following.

Thankfully he had towels that he could sit on as the wet dirty clothes would have wrecked the car’s upholstery. Ray was never, ever as glad to step inside their house as he was when they arrived home from their adventure in the park.

Once he had the kids in their PJ’s and in front of the TV with a snack and Dief was snoring, Ray said, “OK guys, I am going for a shower, I need to get this dirt off me, now you be good down here.”

Smiling at their Dad, they agreed as they watched him leave the room.

The hot water felt great on Ray’s skin and the pressure relaxed his muscles that were sore from the fall, he couldn’t wait to lie in Ben’s arms tonight as he was bone deep tired.

Telling Ben the story later on in bed and getting laughter from the man he loved made him feel lucky to have the family that he did, jumping in puddles and all.

The End…