Disclaimer: nope, don't own.

Summary: He reads sleeping beauty to his siblings.

Justin- 8 years, Alex- 6 years, Max- 4 years.

Their parents are gone to their grandparent's house- they didn't tell him why but he suspects that that his grand mom may be sick. It scares him, but he's the older one, he has to stay strong for his siblings. It scares him even more to think that they left Uncle Kelbo in charge. All day long, he and Alex have been playing and pulling pranks, and in the process they destroyed so many things in the house, including his mother's lamp. He wonders how they are going to explain everything to their parents when they get back.

He sighs softly and sits down in his room, on his side of the bed. That's when Alex comes running in, chased by Max, who has a book in his hand. When they both jump up on the bed and settle down, he can see that the title of the book reads "sleeping beauty".

"Justin, help me!" Alex pleads, tugging on the sleeve of his shirt. "Max is asking me to read this thing aloud. I hate reading!" she sticks out her tongue childishly, at him, at Max, and at the book.

Max's lower lip quivers, like it does when he is about to cry. And Justin panics. He quickly picks up the book. "That's okay. I'll read it. You can all listen."

Max smiles happily, settling down on the other side of Justin, away from Alex. Alex frowns, shifting closer to Justin, putting her arms around him, and claiming what is hers. Max should know that she is not going to share Justin with him.

He begins reading. She listens, snuggling closer to him with every passing minute. Her eyes get droopy, and at some point she notices that Max has already fallen asleep. She frowns to see that Max is sleeping in their room, but their parents are not home and he can't sleep alone, so okay. She doesn't want Justin to stop reading though, she likes listening to his voice, its kind of nice and soothing and makes her feel safe, and she wants to hear how this story ends. It's been such a long time since her mother read this to her, she doesn't even remember.

When the story ends, Justin is tired, and she is almost asleep, rubbing her eyes to forcefully keep herself awake.

"Go to sleep", he whispers softly, gently rubbing her back.

"But what if I keep sleeping like sleeping beauty?" she asks fearfully, looking up at him with big brown sleepy eyes. He doesn't think he'll ever see something so innocent in his life. "What if I don't wake up again?"

He smiles reassuringly, pulling her flat against him. "Don't worry; I'll wake you up with a kiss then."

She is kind of excited for her birthday, but not as excited as she used to be before, now that she finally realizes that with each birthday she is only getting old. She groans, shoves her face deeper into her pillow, settles down on her stomach, and kicks whoever the hell is trying to shake her awake. If someone wants to wish her on the birthday, what can be a better present than letting her sleep all day?

She hears Justin groan in pain, and oh, she just found a better present. "Alex!" he hisses, "Wake up! Come on, sleeping beauty!"

She smiles fondly at the memory that surfaces in her mind, but has the decency to turn around and roll her eyes. "You forgot how to wake sleeping beauty up?"

He frowns, trying to understand what she's saying. He remembers how to wake her up, he has to... And "oh!", the light-bulb in his head flashes. Finally! And his lips are on hers.