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Climb High and Ride Far (7) : In the middle of a metropolis, there aren’t many opportunities to get out and appreciate a nice snowfall. Sure, maybe you can look out of your window and appreciate the beauty of nature, but when was the last time you got to do something fun, like go sledding? Maybe never! This year, Destiny City has gone out of their way to set up the perfect hill for sledding–sixty feet tall, four hundred feet long, in a recently landscaped area of land close to the heart of the city. Vendors have set up stalls with snacks and artisan goods, and you can bring your own sled, innertube, skis or snowboard–or borrow, courtesy of the city, if you don’t have one already. Whether there’s been recent snow or not, DCU has some artificial, environmentally friendly artificial snow to keep the slopes fresh. You might not find an opportunity like this without heading elsewhere in the city, so why not take advantage of some fresh, free Winter fun?
Eli figured instead of staying inside today he would take the kids out and about. While his wife was out handling some business with her older sister, he would entertain his children…Well one considering the other was only capable of looking mean, eating, pooping, peeing and crying. He loved his daughter dearly, and would burn the world for her and Colin if it meant they would be safe from all the evil in the world. But he always found it funny that their little girl would come out looking so much like him and not at the same time. Before they left, he made sure both children were bundled and ready. He very much preferred to carry Willow in the baby carrier on his chest, strollers were nice but he really wasn't feeling the whole break it down and set it up tom foolery. His oldest, Colin was ever the excited ball of energy he's always been, booking it to the door as soon as he was ready.
“Daddy let’s gooooo! Little Willow is going to miss out on all the snow!”
Eli chuckled, grabbing the cute purple hat to place on his daughter’s head. Lily would kill him if their children were not properly bunded. He made sure to have the backpack that's actually a diaper bag secured on his back, leaning down to kiss the top of his daughter's head. She was asleep right now, but he felt like that would change as they got walking. The city center wasn't too far from where they stayed (He hoped to get a house early next year and then maybe they could rent out the penthouse), so there was no need to drive, thank god because he hated driving. “Alright Col, go on and open the door so we can get going. Did you text mommy to let her know you were going to take pictures?” While the hill was around sixty feet tall, there were some sections that were marked for gentle slopes where families had younger children. He planned on letting Colin on those. If it was just him and his son he would take him down the full hill on his lap. But because they had the princess, that would not be possible this year.
“Yes daddy! I even sent a heart emoji too! She responded with a thumbs up and a have fun! I think Auntie Rose wants pictures too~” Colin waited for his father to walk through the door and lock it before he grabbed his hand automatically, walking with him to the elevator door. “Daddy can I get snackies and a toy when we get to the big big hill?!” Eli chuckled and nodded. “Sure. You know the rule about sweets though right Col?” “Yes! No sweets till after dinner. Is chef chef stopping by?” He didn't think it was the day for the chef to stop by since they still had a fridge that was partially stocked. “No I don't think so buddy. Did you want the dino nuggies again?” “Yes! I also want to get toys for all my cousins! Can I?” At that, Eli did sigh a bit. Colin had a lot of cousins. “Sure sunshine. But don't go overboard alright? Mommy doesn't like high credit card bills.” Even if they could more than afford it, he wanted to make sure his son knew how to be frugal and not rely on money like most rich kids did.
As the elevator dinged, he felt Willow shift a little and he looked down to see if she woke up, which apparently was yes since he was greeted with the sweetest smile. “Hey there baby girl.~” Colin turned with a smile walking a little bit ahead since they were getting off the elevator. “Willow!!!! Daddy lemme see her I wanna give kisses!” Eli happily squatted so Colin could see his sister. “Hai baby Willow! I'm going to give you kisses now, okay?” The baby blinked then made what could only be a happy sound once Colin kissed her on the head. “We’re going sledding down the big hill! Daddy says you can't go this time but that's okay you can take pictures of me for auntie Rose!” Eli stood up and held out his hand for Colin to take, nodding to security as they left their apartment. He was so glad they were all bundled, he even put his long hair in a bun so that it would fit under his hat better.
The walk to the city center was a short one, with Colin pointing out all the things and taking pictures with his kid phone (Eli made sure to set it to where he couldn't access apps like TikTok or Instagram…s**t that that was not good for a developing child. Hell he couldn't even access YouTube unless he got permission from him or Lily. He wanted to make sure Colin had the best upbringing possible, without the taint of social media. He could contact him or Lily as well as their other friends and 911 but that was it. Taking pictures was granted as well and a nice digital drawing app in case he wanted to make digital pictures.), the excitement grew by the minute. “Daddy! I see the big big hill! I want to go sledding first okay?” Eli nodded, leaning down to kiss him on top of his head. “I know sunshine, we have to get you something to go sledding in first yeah? E te mana'o e lafo ata ia Tinamatua ma Tamamatua?” (Do you want to send pictures to Grandma and Grandpa?) He made sure to make the distinction between his grandparents and Lily’s just so Colin could practise his samoan. Sure enough, his son responded instantly, “Ioe! O le a maua e Tinamatua ma Tamamatua ni ata sili ona lelei!” (I do! Grandma and Grandpa are going to get the best pictures!) Eli smiled, knowing his son was super smart but then again, a lot of his friend’s kids are multilingual. His cousin’s children included. “Alright kid, we’re here. Need you to hold my hand the entire time alright? Do not wander and don't let go. If you want something let me know okay?”
Colin nodded, grabbing onto his father’s hand tightly while they walked to the booth to rent a sled, Eli chuckling when his son of course picked the dinosaur one with rainbows and unicorns. Willow made a cooing noise and he looked down. Did you want to see your brother princess?” Carefully, he shifted the baby till she was front facing, making sure the blanket he had tucked around her was still snug. He could see her blue eyes looking around curiously while frowning the moment someone she didn't know walked by. Eli led Colin over to the part of the hill marked for younger children, giving him permission to let go of his hand so he could start his sledding journey. He held his kid's phone, taking pictures as he went along, and even some videos. There was a pause for him to take pictures of himself and Willow. Of course they both looked unamused but Eli’s eyes were twinkling. He took a picture of him kissing the top of his daughter’s head as well as Colin’s for Lily, sending them immediately.
Colin managed to mess up going down and he thought he would have to go over and help him when the child jumped back up with a smile and a cackle, running back up the hill to get to it. About a small hour later, Colin stated he was hungry and that was when he held out his hand for his son to take, dino mittens taking hold of his plain gloved hands to lead him over to one of the booths for a snack. Colin picked out cocoa and a hotdog then they both settled at a table in one of the heated clear tents. While Colin ate his food he took Willow out of her carrier and took out a bottle from his backpack so he could feed her. He wasn't all that hungry himself but he would make sure his children ate. After that quick break, they got ready to head out once more. “Colin, are you okay to keep going? I don't want you to have an upset stomach because we didn't wait long enough.”
Colin giggled, “ I'm fine daddy. I wanna go do more sledding! Please?” Eli was a bit skeptical, but he figured he would be fine. He just didn't want him getting sick and vomiting. “Alright, we will go. Put your mittens back on and fix your hat alright? If you get sick, daddy will get in trouble because momma will be very mad.” If there was ONE thing he was scared of, it's the wrath of his wife. Granted, Lily was the cutest thing on the planet (no his cute aggression didn't trigger because he was mostly able to hold it at bay but even then if it did manifest, it just meant she couldn't …Walk for a day or two.), but her temper was something phenomenal when it came to their children. Eli watched his son sled for another hour and a half before they went shopping for souvenirs and headed home. Colin went down for a nap instantly and he changed and dressed Willow in a onesie while he went about heating up the food that Chef left for them to eat for the week.
He could cook and does sometimes, but Chef was just too good at his job and if he was willing to travel from the Jacobs family home then he wasn't going to make stuff. Tonight would be spaghetti apparently with zucchini noodles, something that he had to get used to but that didn't take long. In fact he was happy that Chef fixed them rather clean food since it helped him to stay in shape easier and Colin also got used to a more healthier lifestyle. Fast food was not a thing for them and even when they did have it, it was for emergencies only. He kissed the top of his daughters head as she yawned, “Nap time princess?” a sleepy blink was her response and he figured a nap wouldn't hurt. He carefully placed Willow in his bed and grabbed Colin before laying down himself. The food would be fine in the microwave for a bit. Lily would be home in a couple of hours anyway.
