She’s My Mommy!
summary: bubs has not gotten used to jack being around just yet… he chooses to be a bit diabolical, and a tad rude towards jack while cherry is quite literally obsessed
word count: 1.4k
warnings: child angst?, parental stress, parenting <- i really don’t know if you would consider these warnings but incase you do.
disclaimer: anything created with in this AU is entirely fictional. Anything that may pertain to real life is entirely perchance or can be proven as a fact. example: Jack Hughes plays professional hockey. Fact: he plays for the NJ Devils.
notes: please keep in mind that this au is a dad!jack alt. universe therefore at times there may be discussion of parenting styles/discipline styles. this does not mean that i parent/disciple this way (I am not a mom anyways just an auntie) if you disagree with what i have written omit it and plug your own style in.
© property of rowdyluv ; do not copy and re-upload as your own - anywhere. do not place my work inside AI codes, do not translate.
Jack pulled his car into the driveway, the sun casting long shadows across the pavement. He stepped out, the crunch of gravel beneath his signature white sneakers echoing in the quiet afternoon. The house in front of him had become a familiar, mostly welcoming and regular place of visiting. The Bluey curtains flowed gently in the wind and the giddy giggles could be heard easily out the open windows. Jack smiled to himself and walked up to the front door, barely giving the door a knock before a tiny tot was attacking his legs in a hug.
“Jack!” Cherry exclaimed, still hugging on to his legs. He laughed and leaned over to pick up the tiny toddler and walked inside.
“She’s not stopped asking about when you would get here.” Y/n said taking her daughter away from Jack and sitting her on the couch next to her brother who was scowling at Jack with his arms crossed.
“Go way” Bubs huffed, kicking his feet into the cushion, earning himself a scolding from his momma.
Jack's eyes met Y/n's, a silent question lingering. She rolled her eyes and mouthed 'don’t worry'. But Jack felt a pang of something. Responsibility? Maybe it was the way Bubba's frown made his little cheeks pucker up and his nose crinkled. Or perhaps it was the way he clutched his blanket so tightly, the blue fabric was sure to have creases left.
“Mister, if you’re going to be a grumpy pants you will go take yourself a nap.” Momma and Bubba held each other’s gazes until Bubba stuck his tongue out and furrowed his eyebrows at her.
“Alright then. C’mon, let's go. To your bed sir, you are not going to act like this just because you’re angry.” Momma scolded. “We talked about this honey.” Her voice dropped to a softer tone.
Jack felt the tension in the room thicken as Bubba’s eyes brimmed with tears and he reluctantly waddled away from the couch. He knew that Bubba wasn’t used to him, but he hadn’t anticipated the toddler’s jealousy to manifest so clearly today. It wasn’t his place to discipline, so he took a seat next to Cherry, who was happily munching on goldfish crackers. He offered her a gentle smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.
“Jack, play dolls?” Cherry asked, looking up at him with wide hopeful eyes and a smile full of goldfish.
‘Talk about a new meaning to “the snack that smiles back” slogan.’ Jack thought and had to suppress the look of disgust that wanted to cross his face.
“Sure cher, let's go play whatever you’d like.” Jack smiled back and grasped her hand as she led him over to her little doll house.
“Mhmm, you be Mommy and i be me!” She chirped.
A few moments later, the door to the twins' bedroom creaked open and Y/n emerged, her face a mix of relief and exhaustion. She gently closed the door behind her, ensuring not to disturb the now-slumbering Bubba. She took a deep breath and turned to Jack, who had been quietly playing dolls with Cherry, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the Cherry’s babbling dialogue.
"Well, Bubba finally nodded off. We had a little chat about his feelings before the nap. He's still adjusting to you being around." She sighed, her eyes reflecting a hint of sadness at her son's struggle to accept the new presence in their lives. "They aren’t used to having a man around. I didn't think he’d react like this being so young. Cherry has been asking questions for a little bit about her F-A-T-H-E-R but Bubs doesn’t seem to care. That’s why the idea of him being upset didn't really cross my mind.”
“Hey, it is okay. Not everyone likes everyone. But one day, hopefully soon, the little dude does decide to like me.” Jack nervously laughs and shrugs. “I think he's pretty cool so I'd be pretty bummed if he hated me forever.”
Y/n nods sympathetically. “He’ll come around, he’s just being like his momma.” The two share a laugh and Cherry joins in with a little giggle, as if she understands. “Why don’t you stay for dinner? I’m going to make pasta. Hopefully I can continue smoothing out the little man’s mood.”
Jack accepts her offer and she heads off into the kitchen and Jack goes back to playing with Cherry.
The house was quiet, with only the sound of Cherry’s giggles and the occasional clank of a doll hitting the floor. Bubba’s door remained closed, the little rascal’s snores faintly audible through the thin wood. Y/n’s kitchen was a whirlwind of activity as she searched through her cabinets, her eyes scanning over various jars and cans. Finally, her hand landed on an empty jar that once held her homemade spaghetti sauce. She glanced around and nope. Not a single ingredient. How could she forget she needed to make more sauce!
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping slightly. “What a day.” She grumbled under her breath.
“Everything okay, Y/n?” Jack asked entering the kitchen, startling Y/n. “Sorry didn't mean to scare you. Cherry wants some juice.”
“It’s fine, I just realized we’re out of pasta sauce. And with Bubba’s mood today, I don’t want to risk serving a sad plate of dry noodles for dinner.” Y/n said with a hint of frustration.
Jack looked at her, his eyes filled with understanding. “Do you want me to run to the store?”
“No.” Y/n sigh. “I really need to be the one to go. It’s a certain recipe for a homemade sauce. I’ll just wake him up and take them both with me.” She was so defeated and her voice wavered as if she could cry.
“Dont be silly, Y/n. I’ll stay with the kiddos. Let him sleep. I’ll play with Cherry. Go do what you need to Momma.” Jack gave her a reassuring smile and Y/n looked at him as if he hung the moon.
“But-“
“No. Go, I’ve babysat before. I’m the funcle.”
Y/n grabbed her keys and nodded at him slowly. “Thank you. I owe you.”
While Y/n dashed to the car, Jack settled back into the living room with Cherry, who insisted they play her favorite ‘video game’, “LeapFrog’s Paw Patrol Adventure." The TV screen flickered to life with the cartoon pups, and Jack found himself lost watching her play through a series of pixelated educational preschool games and chipper music. Occasionally helping of course.
Amidst the giggles and electronic barks, Jack heard a soft snuffle from the hallway. Bubba’s door was still closed. He turned back to the TV, but the sound came again. This time, it was unmistakable – Bubba was up.
“I’ll be right back ok, Cher? I’m going to go chrck on your brother?”
Cherry nodded, still engrossed in her little game, until she heard Jack loudly say her brother’s name and she turned around.
Jack’s eyes grew wide as saucers, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Bubba standing right behind them, a blue crayon in one hand and the couch cushions looking like a modern art masterpiece. The blue wax had been scribbled in abstract swirls, the letter B, and jagged lines across the cream fabric. Bubba looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with mischief, before he flopped himself back on the couch to continue his artwork.
Jack quickly pulled out his phone, snapped a picture, and sent it off to Y/n.
“Bubba, why? Why did you do this?” Jack asks softly, walking over to the side of the couch next to his head where he flopped down.
“She MY mommy! I’m man of house. Not you.” Bubba yells in Jack’s face then puts his face into the pillow next to him, starting to cry.
Jack feels his heart clench, He had always been good with kids, and now he’s met his match. He sighs heavily and sits on the floor, leaning against the couch. The weight of the situation pressing down on him like a heavy blanket.
“Oh, Jacky sad.” Cherry pouts coming over and sitting on his lap leaning into his chest. “It okay Jacky. I half of bubby and i like you a whooooooole lot.”
Jack smiles and chuckles a little. “I like you too Cher, I like you too.”