[Open] Just another day in Paradise

[Charlie Parker]

Charlie had finally taken the advice everyone had practically been begging him to take, and had taken a day off. He had been working 14+ hour shifts every day to make up for an officer that had been shot and wasn't going to be back to work for about two months. Then when he would finally get home he would have the kids to deal with, and Melody. Of course Brody being there had helped him more than he probably knew, but it was still a lot to handle, and he was quite regularly exhausted. According to the ever blunt and honest Sebastian, he looked like shit. In all honesty, he felt like it most days too.

So he finally took one day off, he'd earned it well enough, considering that 14 hours a day 7 days a week was far more than the 40 hours per week overtime that government officials were given. He was fairly exhausted, and half tempted to just stay home and sleep the whole day, but Chuck had other plans for daddy's day home. When the six year old came flying into Charlie's room and leaped onto the bed around 10 am, Charlie was fairly reluctant to wake up, but Chuck was persistent... a character trait that Charlie knew he got from Sebastian... and Charlie finally gave up and woke up. There was no use in trying to sleep with Chuck jumping up and down on the bed.

This was one of those moments when he had to remind himself to "think like Anthony...just grin and bear it." He didn't want Chuck to know that he was totally stressed out and all that, so he had to put on a smile every time he was around the kid, even on his worst days... or days like this when he really would have liked to keep sleeping. So he finally rolled over and sat up, looking over at the excited six year old. Hey bud... He said, sounding quite groggy despite his best efforts not to. shouldn't you be in bed? He was really hoping Chuck would agree that he should be... but the little boy shook his head enthusiastically and retorted, Nope... it's 10 o' clock... Brody says its more healthier to go to bed early and get up before 10.

[/s]

Charlie raised an eyebrow at Chuck's response... he'd been getting a lot of "Brody says..." answers lately, and he was starting to wonder what his brother was teaching his kids in his absence. Oh he does, does he? he asked Chuck who was still grinning broadly. Yup... he also says I don't need no ejucation and I should go join the NFL now.[/s] Oh good lord... it seemed Brody could tell Chuck to go jump off a cliff and the kid would do it without thinking. Ahuh... where is Brody anyway? He asked after a moment, though he was fairly sure he knew the answer. Still sleepin[/s] Was the answer, just as Charlie had known it would be. Alright. He said with a sigh, getting up out of bed, lets go make you breakfast.

By the time breakfast had been made and eaten, the baby was taken care of and sleeping again, and Chuck and Charlie were both dressed and ready to go... Brody was still in bed, and Charlie had a good feeling that he'd been out late last night with some girl doing the sorts of things that were never ever even hinted to when the kids were around... unless you wanted Charlie to pull out his gun and shoot you. He was kind of sensitive on that subject being brought up when Chuck and Jamie were around. The two boys were smarter than some may have presumed to believe. They understood a lot more than they thought he did. Anyway, Charlie left Brody a note on the table telling him that he was taking Chuck out to the stable, that Melody had eaten and been changed, Jamie was still asleep as usual, and there was food in the oven for them, then headed out, the over enthusiastic Chuck in tow.

It wasn't very often anymore that Chuck and Charlie spend time together, considering Charlie usually worked from ten in the morning until midnight, and Chuck had school at eight, which left almost no time for them to be together. Sometimes though, Chuck would pretend to go to sleep when Brody put him in his room, only to stay awake and wait for the sound of Charlie's car pulling into the driveway, then would book it down the stairs followed closely by the German shepherd, Jigsaw, as Charlie walked in the door. He never lasted long after that, and usually crashed within about five minutes of Charlie getting home. It was nice though, to be greeted like that... made the long day seem just a little less stressful.

When they got to the stable, Charlie haltered Brig and Major, and just put a hackamore on , not concerned at all about any of the horses acting up. He put Chuck up on the paint mare bareback like he'd done so many times. Cheers was a godsend when it came to kids. You could put a kid who'd never ridden before up on her, and thanks to her impeccably smooth stride and gentle nature, you could believe that the kid wouldn't fall off unless they did something really really stupid. Charlie had tried to get Chuck riding lessons, both to force Sebastian to face the child he'd created and so Chuck could learn to ride better... but Sebastian always somehow or another failed to show up to the scheduled lesson. Sure Charlie was profoundly disappointed with Sebastian for that, but Chuck was just as happy as ever and never seemed to care that Sebastian never showed up.

Anyway, as it were, Charlie started Brig and Major out of the stable, Cheers following along behind on her own free will with Chuck already aboard, and once they were out in the open air, he gave Chuck the reins, letting him feel like he was in complete control, even though Cheers was just following Charlie and the two geldings. Brigadier dwarfed Charlie, Cheers, Major, and Chuck with his massive bulk. The police horse was four now, and he had definitely filled out. He was over 17 hands, Charlie hadn't ever bothered to figure out exactly how tall, and he was a very broad chested horse. His legs were about as solid as a telephone pole. He was also a very calm horse... though Charlie would be the first to admit he certainly wasn't the most intelligent animal in the whole world. He got along with any horse that came his way, and never seemed capable of telling the difference between when another horse was being mean to him or just playing with him.

Because of that, Brig was often put out in the pastures with the horses that were mean to other horses. Like Sebastian's mare... she was a spoiled brat, and she was always picking on the other horses... but big dumb Brig never humored her by running when she came after her because he thought it was just a game. Of course, this came in handy for Charlie, considering a police horse couldn't very well be a mean horse, and the lack of intelligence made him more apt to just do whatever Charlie told him to. When he was pushing through a crowd, he'd just keep right on going, knocking people out of his way if need be, but never stepping on anyone's feet. He was a good horse... young and still learning, but he was definitely a good horse despite his unintelligent demeanor.

When Charlie, Brig, Major, Cheers, and Chuck reached the pastures, Charlie opened the gate and turned the two police horses loose, and let Chuck and Cheers wander in. Out in the pastures Charlie was quite confident that there was no way Chuck could get hurt. If he fell off, it was a relatively soft landing, and there weren't any other horses, besides Brig and Major, around that could interfere with them, and they were too interested in grazing to pay any mind to Chuck or Cheers. Charlie had grown up with horses, and it seemed only right that Chuck should too. The six year old seemed to enjoy it almost as much as he enjoyed his football, so Charlie figured it was a good way to occupy the kid's time without having to be too involved. He was quite worn out, and chasing after Chuck all day wasn't something he was up for right now. As Brig trotted off, stretching his long legs, Major stopped instantly to eat, and Cheers ambled ever slowly out into the pasture turning which ever way Chuck asked her to, Charlie leaned back against the fence wearily. He had a good life... but sometimes even the best life could wear on someone, and it had definitely done so to Charlie. He enjoyed it though. His kids might drive him crazy, but they were the only thing keeping him sane.[/center][/size]

[jessicaa]

Time...Time...Time

It was early morning when Lucy woke up, she has been in bed late after staying up to watch a movie but however much she tried to sleep she found it so hard to fall back into the dream she was having. Still able to picture it, hoping that if she could hold onto the wonderful dream of her and Lady as they were cantering across the beach, Daisy at foot, obviously a dream because Daisy couldn't run that fast, but it was so magical, the wind in her hair, no hat of course, and she looked stunning, the wind grabbing her mane and her tail as she powered on through the sand while on board, Lucy had her hair lose, hanging around her shoulders as she wore a lovely long white dress matching the shades of white in Lady's coat, and best of all she was bareback. The best way to ride, how you can feel so in tune with the body of the horse, how ever muscle can be felt through your own, if only it wasn't a dream.

When she did wake up at 7 o'clock she was tired, but not enough to make her want to stay in bed, she wanted to sleep yes, but her body over ruled that and so she got up and jumped into the shower, Daisy soon waking up and was scratching at the door, this wasn't the normal routine. She wanted food and Lucy knew it. After shouting at her to stop Daisy soon returned to bed, well so Lucy thought but she didn't bother her any more. When she got out she put her hair in a turban and went outside and sure enough as soon as the door was open, Daisy jumped out of bed and was fussing around her.

Easy girl, give me chance Lucy laughed at the Labrador, she was such a sweetie and those puppy dog eyes were just so cute, nobody could help but love them. Moving around she went to the kitchen and gave her her breakfast as she looked at the clock. Only 7:30. Putting a piece of toast in the toaster she went back into the bedroom and changed from her dressing gown to some skinny jeans and a jumper, the weather was getting chilly outside and you needed to wrap up and keep warm. Just as she pulled the woolly jumper over her head she heard the toaster, grabbing that she ate it, intently watched by Daisy for any crumbs that might just fall. The day looked lovely outside, it was still a nice day even if it was starting to get chilly.

When back in the bedroom she put her hair into a bun to dry, keeping a few strands for around her face, hopefully it would dry curly, but who knows, it is always different. After applying her makeup and brushing her teeth for the second time that morning she looked at Lady and thought for a bit, Right, lets go for a walk jumping up at the word walk Daisy was hot on Lucy's heels as she went to get her dogs lovely red jacket from the hook next to her collar and lead. Come on then, walkies she smiled as the golden Labrador wagged her tail. Slipping on her jacket and also making sure that all straps were in place for Daisy's and made for the door. Her phone in pocket and treats in the other she stepped out into the lovely morning.

Heading toward the stables Lucy soon changed her mind and went into the woods to waste time, she liked the scenery here and although it was not overly warm outside, the morning sun really did sine and the horses would be keen to have a good roll without their coats on, it would be lovely in the summer when the sun was at its best, it was always nice to think of what it will be. The woods were already full of color but the transformation would be incredible. A few hours later it was about 10 o'clock and they were getting to the yard, it was lovely to be thinking that they could just come from the house to the stables with just a few hours in the woods.

Hitting the main part of the yard, Lucy looked for Lady's head and soon enough, the grey's head came out of the stable and wickered to Lucy and Daisy. Hello girl she said for the second time that morning, how are you my lovely girl Lucy soothed as she ran her hand up and down the mares face, blowing softly into her nose the mare replied, they were a strong partnership and it was obvious. Letting herself and Daisy into the stall, Lady looked down onto the golden lab and blew into her back, the dog just stood there and let her be sniffed, they were best buds and it didn't bother most people, Lucy was happy with it and that was enough. Grabbing the grooming kit from the shelf she set to work on the grey's coat. Daisy in the normal place, curled up in the corner of the stable while Lady stood, head over the door.

To Lucy the idea of grooming a horse was so important, the bond that it forms it just incredible. Lucy would love to say and would if asked that, if you groomed a horse everyday for a year and nothing else, that alone would have made a bond so strong the horse would trust you to the enth degree and she believed that most definitely. It isn't just about working with them it is about letting them know that they are safe to be with you and if you can achieve that through the ground work then you have the grounds for a very good partnership.

When she was happy with the coat and could see that Lady was going to fall asleep when she needed to be awake, she grabbed the head collar to take her to her pasture. Daisy followed obediently and walked alongside Lucy and Lady. Reaching the paddock she opened the gate and let Lady in, the gate swung shut and she let the mare lose, sliding the head collar over her head, the mare looking for her one treat, gaining it and then letting one last pat be made before walking a few steps away from Lucy she stopped to graze. Securing the gate Lucy climbed on top to watch her mare for a few moments and seeing they were going to be there for a while, Daisy soon settled on the ground.

Back home it was hard for you to just chill out like this, it was difficult because so much was to be done, it wasn't that you could just stop for a bit because people always wanted something doing. The weather also wasn't the same and that meant that you couldn't just bask in the sun like this. Lady was obviously enjoying the sun on her back and the relief of flies on her tummy, and Daisy seemed content and that made Lucy content. Gazing over the field and around her, she noticed someone else was there at the pastures too, not noticing them as she had come in and let Lady go. There was a bloke watching a boy, perhaps a son or a friends child her was looking after but he wasn't on the ground with the guy, he was on the back of a mare, a paint with some sort of head attire, not sure from this distance though as to what it was Lucy could see quiet clearly that the lad was bareback.

It made her smile to see how chilled the guy was that this little boy was to just walk around like that, nothing protecting him like a saddle would had the horse want to run, clearly this horse was going to, but it was nice to see the picture. That is the best way to get the perfect position, the best way to see if you can really move with a horse and also one of the best ways to gain a good bond. It was nice because when you can ride a horse bareback you can do most things on it, the difference that it makes is so drastic because it makes your seat better, more stable and you know how the horse moves and can work with them. Hopping off the fence, Lucy opened the gate and waited for Daisy.

See you later Lady she cooed and walked towards the guy. He was a tall guy and was watching the boy intently, she didn't want to startle him so stood quietly next to the fence he was stood at but in sight.

He is going to be a good rider she smiled.

[Charlie Parker]

Having three children at 23 was definitely not how Charlie had seen himself when he was younger. He was an awful older brother, always ditching his younger brother, blaming things on him, and doing any number of other things that made him a bad sibling. For that reason he had never seen himself as a dad... but things had obviously changed. When he first met Hayley she didn't tell him about Chuck, but did later, and Charlie was so in love with her that the fact that she had a son didn't make a difference to him. Even her being an alcoholic and drug addict didn't make a difference to him, even though he was a policeman. It was about a year after meeting her that she wound up pregnant. They hadn't planned to have children, but we all know how that happens. After sending Hayley away after the baby was born, he met Peyton, and it didn't take him long to fall in love with her. She was everything that Hayley hadn't been... only trouble was that she didn't have long to live.

Unlike with Hayley, Charlie wasn't blinded by love so as to not see any of her issues. Peyton didn't have anything to keep him from wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. She was kind and caring, she probably hadn't ever even considered drugs and never drank a drop of alcohol in her life. Her son was her whole world, and even though Jamie was somewhat withdrawn at first, after a while he started getting along well with Charlie and his two kids. Peyton died a few months later, asking Charlie to take Jamie since she had no family on her side and Jamie's grandparents on his dad's side had been the ones who took him off life support, ending his life, and neither she nor Jamie had any desire to ever see them again. He'd gone from a bachelor living on his own to a single dad of three kids over the course of two years. He did have a girlfriend now, and Chuck absolutely adorer hed, and she didn't come with any kids attached. Though it wasn't exactly the way he had imagined his life going, he loved all three of those children as if they were all his own and he wouldn't change any of this for the world.

He had worried about Jamie for a while after his mom died, because he completely withdrew into himself and wouldn't talk to anyone about anything. He didn't cry, he didn't start acting out... he just drew away from everyone. It lasted for a few months until he slowly started to come out of it, and then it was as if nothing happened. No one doubted that he was really just hiding how he really felt, but no one was going to bring it up. He was only seven and had already lost both of his parents within four years of each other. There was no way he could walk away from it unscathed. He was definitely different from most kids. He had the intelligence level of someone at least twice his age and he was always more interested in what the adults were doing than playing with Chuck and Melody. There was really very little about Jamie that was normal as far as personality went.

Charlie was shaken from his thoughts when someone a short distance away piped up about Chuck going to be a good rider. He turned towards the girl and shook his head slightly. He's more of a football junkie than a rider. He said with a smile, If it was up to him he'd be on the field 24/7 Charlie had no doubt that the older chuck got the less he would ride. He practically lived for football, especially the Broncos team, and even at only six he was absolutely convinced that he would play for the Broncos one day. There was absolutely nothing he liked better than the game. He wasn't apt to be all that tall considering his dad was only 6' and his mom was about 5', but when you took into consideration how dedicated to the sport the kid was, his lack of height probably wouldn't be much of a factor in his ability and skill in the game.

Charlie had never been a football player. He was only 5'10" and not exactly built like a football player would be. He made a much better policeman than he ever would have made an athlete. He didn't understand Chuck's obsession with football at all, but he wasn't going to try to stop him from doing what he wanted. His parents had tried and tried to get him to do something other than police work, and the more they tried the more determined he was to not do what they wanted. Knowing what it was like to have your parents try to change what you wanted was enough to make Charlie want Chuck to do whatever it was that he wanted to do. After all, what more would a dad want for his kids than for them to be happy?