#Nicole also loves her Belle very much and finds the ME references funny

[ordinaryxxgirl]

"...P-Pfft...H-Hearing Belle quote video games is actually kind of cute...Oh my god, it's actually adorable? ...Maybe I should play more video games in my free time... I swear, I have the cutest girlfriend in New Eridu...!"

[averyonelovesjack]

right (I)~ daniel seavey and jack avery

requested: yes

I know you probably have a lot to do so it's never a rush and this may be a little weird because I don't have a plot just an idea and if it doesn't work out that's alright! Or if you don't want to do it that's also alright, but maybe a love triangle story? Maybe 2 of the boys like the reader and she likes them both or 1 of the boys and a random guy likes the reader and she likes them both and you can of course choose who she ends up with Sorry that's a complicated idea, but much love!

summary: a love triangle between a girl’s best friend and his band mate.

warning(s): love triangle, cursing

word count: 2947

SIDE NOTE: while writing this, i needed some opinions on what to do, so casually i asked my sisters for some help. well, my twin sister explained an extremely hilarious alternate ending that had us laughing for like twenty minutes. moral of the story is that i had difficulty deciding the ending of this story and yeah i’m sorry. it’s also lowkey left open

My body sank in with time and eventually it was too late to stand up easily. The music of lemonade mouth played in my ear, but my eyes were too tired to look up and watch the final scenes, as it was already dark out and i could barely stay awake.

Beside me laid a sleeping Jack Avery, who had his head rested gently in my lap. My fingers stabilized in his hair, running through it as he slept like I used to do when we were younger. i admired the way the sleeping boy looked so peaceful. Almost as if nothing in his life had harmed him, like he was an innocent, full-hearted, perfect guy.

My eyes traveled from his perfectly curled hair to his nose ring that sat so nicely and attracted me so greatly. I stared at his tiny freckles that spotted his face and looked at his eyes that were so poorly wired that he needed to wear contacts everyday. Although, i personally enjoyed it more when he wore glasses because he did wear them so well. 

a tiny smile arrived on my face as i looked at him through the tv lighting. and with that, i closed my eyes and let sleep take over my body.

“JACK FUCKING AVERY GUESS WHAT?” I ran through the house, absolutely excited about the fact that I’d gotten an A on the test that I was absolutely sure I was gonna fail. All thanks to the extra studying that he’d help me get in. 

I busted through the door of his bedroom, opening it widely and looking around to see where he was. Instead of my eyes connecting with those of jack’s, they met a beautiful girl sitting in the middle of his bed, his body beside hers. My body bounced backwards, taken aback by the fact that there was a girl our age sitting there with his hand on her leg. Shock was written on my face as I stared.

“o-oh shit, sorry,” i quickly close the door, hurt finding its way through my body. it was pretty obviously something more than just a friendship between that girl and jack. in only the brief seconds i was in there, i had noticed that he was awfully close to her face and his hands were on her bare legs, only covered by shorts (as it was even hot in LA this time of year). She was smiling an awful lot too, and she was gorgeous from head to toe.

My feet moved faster as i left the house, trying to avoid any contact with the boys. It was awkward enough to walk in on Jack when he was with another girl, but to have to face any of the boys and explain why in earth i was sprinting out of their house, that’d be double the embarrassment. 

It had been two weeks since the incident. Although Jack and I texted a little bit, our normal conversations carrying on, I couldn’t bring myself to reenter their house. I guess it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, but it hurt to see that he finally was no longer my secret. Other girls could see him now. They could see his charm and his kind personality and his handsome looks. I was no longer the only one who could love him in the ways that i did, and what really hurt was that he would love them back, too. He’d give them the love and attention that I’d been dreaming about him giving me since the day i turned fifteen and i realized that it wasn’t just a tiny crush that i could get over. 

So when he’d text me to come over, to hang out, to go do things, I’d make myself busy. A lot more time studying and spending time with my roommates. I certainly left my house a lot more, and it wasn’t to just go spend it at his house. I kept myself busy to avoid the dark thoughts that came with the sudden realization. 

Today, Jack asked me if I wanted to come over and watch Titanic with him. As much as I loved the movie, it didn’t seem like the right path back to a normal friendship. Instead, I had to run errands at the grove. Buy some new clothes and some new books for school. It was almost summer anyways and the bikini prices would go drastically up in a few weeks. It’s a better sale now.

Nicole, my roommate, was wandering Hollister when I dropped my new sunglasses on the ground. I let out a squeal, silently praying as i bent down to pick them up. Almost like a cliche movie, someone else’s fingers reached down to grab them for me. My eyes wandered up, ready to thank a stranger when they graciously met the eyes of Daniel Seavey, Jack’s band-mate. 

“shoulda known it was y/n dropping her glasses,” He let out a laugh, handing me the undamaged pair of shades that i took from him with ease, “how’ve you been?” 

i looked at him with a smile, “i’ve been pretty good,” I reply and add, “busy! how about you?”

“fine,” daniel answers, “it’s been boring without you being around as much. i kinda miss your sarcasm.” 

“as a normal person does,” I joke, each of us letting out a laugh.

“i was so spoiled with you there. now i see all of these other people and i’ve really started to miss you. i mean, you’re less loud, less obnoxious. much nicer. plus, i could beat you at almost any game-” He tells me.

“other than mario kart” i finish for him and he laughs.

“yeah, other than mario kart. you kicked my ass at mario kart,” daniel nods his head, looking down. it’s quiet between us for a second, “well if you get less busy, call me up. we used to know how to have a good time when jack wasn’t around.” 

i nod my head, “i think i will definitely take you up on that offer.”

I sat down in the practically empty coffee shop as I watched Daniel park his car in one of the spots across the street. i got here a little earlier, having my friend drop me off here on her way home from work. Daniel would most likely drive me home after we finish. 

The little bell above the door rang through my ears as i watched Daniel sit down in front of me. He sends a smile my way, starting conversation easily, “hey. how was class?” 

“fine,” i answer, “boring, but compared to what i was doing afterwards, any class would be boring.” 

Daniel laughs at my reference to our little date, “i’m so happy you found some time to hang out.” 

“yeah of course. i’ve missed seeing you. all of you, really.”

“i feel like you used to be around all the time and it’s so weird that you and jack aren’t hanging out as much anymore. what even happened?” 

i frown at the thought, “i sorta walked in on him and a random girl. a little scarring, especially to my ego.” 

daniel nodded his head, “i’ve always known that you like him.”

“not anymore,” i add to his sentence.

“oh? i guess that’s good,” he smiles.

“yeah, not worth the pain. i think there are other guys out there that will make me happier,” i continue.

“you know i’ve had a crush on you since jack first brought you over. you’ve always been off limits, though.” 

“not a crush,” i correct.

“what do you mean?”

“a crush is someone that you like, but will never have the chance to have therefore you are crushed,” i explain, “and you have the chance to date me.”

“that’s very bold of you,” 

“you want to do something bold or am i going to have to do everything myself?” i smirk.

daniel leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest as he grinned, “i’m intrigued.”

i shake my head, a laugh leaving my lips as i stand up, moving around the small coffee shop table. I rest my hand on his face and lean down to interlock my lips with his. He’s pleasantly surprised, but lets his hand reach my face. Our kiss was short and sweet. I stepped away, recognizing dani’s rosy red cheeks as i sat back down.

“certainly bold,” He smiles, not quite looking at me yet. 

“you liked it?”

“yes, i freaking liked it,” he exclaims, making me laugh, “god, you’re perfect.” 

“shut up.”

“whatever, beautiful.” 

“daniel.” 

“i didn’t say anything, gorgeous.” 

“i’m going to leave and pretend this never happened if you say anything else,” 

“okay, okay i’ll stop,” he laughed, throwing his hands up in surrender. I watched him with a straight face, but couldn’t keep it as he sat there and mumbled, “pretty,” 

our little relationship had blossomed over the past two weeks and we bonded nicely together. daniel was quite happy when he saw that i made more time to see him, unlike what i’d done for jack after our little mishap. we didn’t spend much time at home, really, but at fun dates. mini-golf, movie theaters, all the chipotles that you could find in los angeles. it was a funny relationship and we spent a lot of time laughing. we were happy with each other.

today is the first time that i’ve been back to the why don’t we house. i assume that jack understands that daniel and i are dating. we’ve gone back to texting and we facetimed once, but i didn’t mention anything about my new relationship with his band mate. i mean, not that it’s any of his business. he’s already got his own girlfriend, hannah, who i assume is the girl i walked in on. 

my head rested in daniel’s shoulder as we were only millimeters apart on the couch. honestly, there was no distance between us because i was practically on top of him. we’d decided on an old comedy, animal house. it was highly inappropriate, but also extremely hilarious. i laughed into his neck as the front door opened. daniel paused the movie and looked to see who it was, mainly to be sure it wasn’t a bunch of murders or fans. either could be deadly.

instead, it was jack, who threw his keys on the hook and walked in. it took him a second, but he recognized me as very close to daniel very quickly. he furrowed his eyebrows and walked over.

“what are you guys watching?” he asks, his voice unsteady, “you haven’t been here in a while, y/n”

i turn slightly red, “animal house.”

“ahh, funny movie,” he gives us half a smile, “you left something of yours here last time, do you want to come to my room and get it?” 

“can’t i get it later, the movie’s on,” i make up an excuse.

“i have to leave soon. can you come get it now?” 

“jack, you can’t just bring it to me. i mean, what’s the big deal?” 

“y/n, come on.” he whined.

daniel’s hand clapped my thigh a little bit as he stood up, “hey it’s fine. i have to go to the bathroom anyways, we can take a break for you to get whatever you left.” 

i give him half a smile and stand up as well, forcing a smile and following jack to the familiar room. it was quiet until we got there, when he practically stared me down, “so you and daniel?” 

“what did i leave?” i ask.

“nothing, i just wanted to talk to you alone,” Jack tells me, crossing his arms over his chest.

“yes, daniel and i,” i answer his prior question, “what does it matter to you?”

he scoffed a little bit, “i don’t know, y/n. what does it matter to me?” 

“what does that mean? you’re mad at me now?” 

“it’s been a little obvious, i mean come on, you’re not fucking stupid, y/n,” Jack spits at me, “i have liked you since we were like fifteen.” 

confusion split my brain as i stared him down. i was angry; beyond angry, furious. where did he get the right to mess with my heart like that? to either a, watch me fall for him for several years and do nothing but get another girlfriend and later on claim he likes me, or b, recognize that i’d been in love with him and take this opportunity to lie and embarrass me? he can’t just pretend that he likes me when he has a girlfriend, it’s not fair, “no you haven’t, jack.” 

“yes, i have. i don’t know where you want the proof, but if there’s anything to show, i’ll show you,” 

“jack, you have a girlfriend. the girlfriend i walked in on. you don’t like me. you’re just jealous that i’m finally happy with daniel.”

“i don’t have a girlfriend, y/n. hannah was a one time thing and nothing happened. she was sweet and i was sick of being alone. i thought you didn’t like me anymore and i had nothing to lose.” 

“you waited three years to tell me this. you waited three years and watched me like you for the longest time and decided to do nothing. finally, when i find a little light in my life, when i get someone like daniel to like me, you decide it’s time to admit this? i am happy now, jack. i don’t know if you see that, but he makes me happy,” I scoff at him, crossing my arms over my chest.

Although I figured that I portrayed myself as knowing that I wanted to be with Daniel, I wasn’t quite sure. Being in this relationship with him, it’s been nothing other than fun, but it wasn’t anything serious yet. Then again, we’re still young and we have nothing but time. And he’s extremely sweet and knows me well. He’d only want the best for me. But then there’s Jack. If I choose Daniel, is there any chance of us rekindling our relationship? Is there any chance that we’d become friends again? And if I choose Jack, what does happen to my relationship? when we fight or when we break up? do we know each other too well to date? or is it going to be like we were best friends, but more now? I wouldn’t know unless I tried.

“I can’t believe you,” i break up my thoughts by speaking to him.

“y/n, please give me a chance. you’re not going to regret it. you’re my best friend, i know everything about you. i know your favorite song, both current and of all time. and i know your favorite movie and food and restaurant. i know what you like to do and i know what to do when you’re stressed or have anxiety. i know how you like to study. I’ll be there for you more, i promise. just give me a chance,” It was strange seeing Jack be so needy. He wasn’t usually like this, he didn’t act like he needed anything, even when he was extremely passionate. 

“jack, you hurt me when i thought you didn’t like me,” i tell him, “and as much as i want to know what it would be like to be in a relationship with you, i am just getting to know daniel and i really like him. i’m not ready to just drop everything to be with you and i am certainly not ready to hurt him in any way. i’m sorry, because i don’t want this to ruin our friendship. you know that our friendship means the world to me, but for now, this is what i need to do.” 

“y/n, please don’t do this,” he tells me, “i don’t want to lose you.” 

“you aren’t. i’m still here, i’ll always be ready to go see a movie or go to whichever fast food restaurant you want or if you ever want to help me study, but as friends, jack.” 

“y/n,” 

“i should go, he’s probably back from the bathroom. we can talk later,” i give him half a smile and walk out of the bedroom, the smile leaving my face. tears nearly slid out of my eyes as i struggled to control myself.

it felt as if the small and narrow hallway walls were caving in on me and i took rigid breaths, unsure of how to regain my control over the situation. it felt impossible that i’d made a decision in that amount of time, especially when i didn’t think i’d ever be able to make it. and if that’s true, then how do i know i made the right decision? how do i know that i didn’t just make the wrong decision and that i will break two guys? how do i know that daniel and i won’t end tomorrow but jack will be too heartbroken to even look at me?

as i reached the end of the hallway, i forced a smile onto my face, looking at daniel who smiled politely, “hey baby, you get what you need?” 

i sit down next to him, faking yet another smile and sending him a white lie until i could explain later, “yeah, it turns out it wasn’t mine. probably christina’s or something that she left when she visited.” 

“oh, that makes sense,” Daniel tells me, happy as per usual. He leans in, kissing my cheek softly and sending chill down my spine as he presses play on the movie. let’s hope i was right.

part II, part III

[roslinadama-sinequanon]

Christmas in Connecticut-Chapter 13

A little fun Christmas fluff-Because it’s pretty evident that Andy is a dog person. Anyone else ever notice how much he seemed to like the dogs they came across on the show, he had real affectdion for them (as a dog lover I noticed and appreciated this). I remember the little one he raced off to catch and was then cuddling in his arms--Provenza made him give the dog to Rusty to walk and get back to work. Provenza is NOT a dog person. Anyway, that’s where the inspiration for the first scene comes from.

Also in this chapter we meet Sharon’s sister and brother in law, Christine and Ed. For reference, when writing them I pictured Dana Delaney and Brian Dennehy.

You can find Chapter 13 here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13293105/chapters/30889320

and here:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12789981/13/Christmas-in-Connecticut

and here:

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening In the lane snow is glistening A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird Here to stay is a new bird He sings a love song as we go along Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say, "Are you married?" We'll say, "No man" But you can do the job when you're in town

Later on we'll conspire As we dream by the fire To face unafraid, the plans that we've made Walking in a winter wonderland

***

“So, you like dogs?”

Andy glanced away from TV at William’s question. He’d been so engrossed in the football game, he’d hardly been aware that Guinness had jumped up on the couch and had his big golden head resting on his lap. Or that he’d been patting that head.

“Yeah, I do. We had one when Nic was a kid. Cute little mutt.” He’d lost Bandit in the divorce, along with Nicole. At least with Nicole he’d gotten visitation rights. Not so with Bandit.  “After my divorce there was no way I could take care of a dog on my schedule. You can’t have a dog when you’re getting stuck at work for sometimes 13 or 14 hours. But someday, maybe when I retire, I‘d like to get another one.”

“That’s why Mom never let us have a dog,” Ricky said. From the tone of his voice, Andy could tell this had been a bone of contention in the Raydor household.

“Ricky, you know I would love to have had a dog, but like Andy said, it wouldn’t have been fair to the dog. I didn’t work the crazy hours he did, at least not once I moved to the PSB, but with work and you and Emily and all your extracurricular activities there just wasn’t time.” She left out the dealing with everything “on my own” but it was there, and they all knew it.”

“Besides, Mom let us have cats.” Emily jumped in to her mother’s defense.

Ricky nodded. “Princess Buttercup.”

Rusty raised an eyebrow. “Princess Buttercup? That’s what you named your cat?”

“It’s from the Princess Bride,” Emily said.

“What’s the Princess Bride?”

“You’ve never seen the Princess Bride? What did you, live under a…” Ricky stopped himself, horrified at his open mouth insert foot moment.

Rusty flushed, as the room grew quiet. He was embarrassed to know they were all thinking about his horrible childhood of abuse and neglect, but before the moment could become even more awkward with Ricky starting to apologize, Andy interjected.

“It’s a great movie.”

“You watched the Princess Bride? And you liked it?” Rusty snickered at the idea of Andy Flynn watching a movie with that title.

“Dozens of times. It was Nic’s favorite movie. And yes, I liked it.”

“It’s still one of my favorite movies,” Nicole said.

“Don’t let the name fool you. It really is a great movie,” Ricky agreed. “It’s not just some sappy girly love story. It’s funny.”

“And full of swashbuckling adventure,” Andy added.

“Swashbuckling?” Rusty was still skeptical.

“Yeah, you know, pirate stuff, sword fights. When we get back to LA, we’ll have a movie night and watch it together. It’s one of your mother’s favorites too.”

“Not that there is anything wrong with sappy girly love stories.” Sharon ruffled Ricky’s hair as she walked past him to sit beside Andy on the couch. “And as far as pets go, let’s remember that against my better judgment, I let you get a lizard.”

Andy turned to look at her. “You had a lizard?”

“I didn’t have a lizard, Ricky did.”

“After she refused to let me get a snake.”

Sharon shivered at the memory. “No snakes in my house. We compromised on the lizard…What?” She asked at Andy’s grin.

“Nothing. I was just thinking--you’re the master negotiator at work AND at home.”

“Yes, well, that negotiation came back to bite me on the…well, rear end,” she said, keeping it clean for the little ones who were laying on the floor playing ‘Chute‘s and Ladders‘. “Ricky broke his arm playing Pop Warner football and guess who had to clean the lizard cage?”

“Terrarium,” Ricky corrected.

“Cage, terrarium, whatever you want to call it, I had to clean it.”

“Aw, Mom, you know you developed a nice little relationship with Draco.”

“If by nice little relationship you mean I stopped nearly having a nervous breakdown every time I had to pick him up, then yes, I did.”

Andy squeezed Sharon’s hand. “You have a great mom, Ricky. If I’d ever had a lizard my mother would have let it die before touching it.”

****

White wash!” Ricky raced out from behind his fort like a World War 1 soldier charging out of the trenches and chased Emily with a large pile of snow in his hand.

“Don’t you dare!” She shrieked, slipping on the ice as she tried to avoid being slammed in the face with the pile of snow. “Ricky stop, I can’t afford to hurt my foot again.”

Ricky stopped, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Oh, you’re good sis.”

“What’s a whitewash?” Scott asked, ducking his head behind the wall of snow that protected him from the snowballs whizzing overhead. Everyone had gone out to the front lawn bundled up against the cold to help the kids build a snowman, after which Ricky had suggested building forts, picking teams and having a snowball fight.

Andy grinned at the boys and bent to pick up a pile of snow before approaching Sharon with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “I’ll show you what a whitewash is.”  Seeing what he was all about she turned to make her get away but he grabbed her by the coat before she could bolt.

“Andy, Andy stop!” Her tone was far more commanding that Emily’s shriek.

“Just trying to educate the boys.”

“Andy I mean it---”While trying to twist out of his grip, they both lost their balance and fell back into a large snow bank. Andy rolled on top of her his eyebrows twitching in what he thought was a menacing manner but which only made Sharon giggle.

“I’ve got you just where I want you pretty maiden.”

“Andy.” Her voice grew low, threatening. “I swear to God if you whitewash my face there will be a certain part of your anatomy that will not be functioning properly for the rest of this vacation.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, wouldn’t I?”

“You‘d be cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

Sharon lifted her knee. “Try me.”

Andy dropped the snow and quickly rolled off her. “Okay, you win.”

“Oh for goodness sakes. She can‘t knee me in the balls.”

With that statement, Sharon felt an icy handful of snow smashed forcefully into her face. 

“Now that boys, is a whitewash.”

Gasping and sputtering, Sharon quickly rubbed the snow out of her eyes so she could see her assailant. There she stood, familiar hazel eyes dancing with mirth, her hands on her hips and a cocky smile.

Sharon rose, eyes narrowing in her best Darth Raydor glare. “Christine Mary O’Dwyer Simmons, YOU are going to pay for that.”

“Oh yeah, who’s gonna make me?”

Before Christine could even blink Sharon had hooked a foot behind her calf and pulled her feet out from beneath her so she fell into the same soft pile of snow, then treated her to her very own whitewash.

“That’s enough girls.” Colleen had come out of the house when she’d heard the car drive up and was surveying her daughters with a shake of her head. “You two sound exactly like you did when you were eight and nine years old.”

Sharon and Christine grinned at each as Sharon extended a hand to help her sister up out of the snow. “Good to see, sis.” She said.

“You too.” Christine pulled her into an exuberant hug. “Where the hell did you learn how to do that? I didn’t even see it coming.”

“You don’t mess with a cop, Chrissie.”

“Geez. I guess not.”

Andy watched the sisters with amusement. This was a completely new side of Sharon. “You must be Christine,” he said stepping forward with interest. There was no denying the two were blood. Though Christine was a little shorter than Sharon was and as he got closer he noticed that her eyes were hazel rather than Sharon’s vivid green, they shared the same porcelain and rose complexion dotted with a few whimsical freckles and the same thick auburn hair, though Christine wore hers in a shorter pixyish cut while Sharon’s fell over her shoulders in waves. If he had to classify them, he’d call Christine cute, while Sharon was beautiful. Then again, he might be a touch biased. No one, in his eyes, could hold a candle to his Sharon.

“Must be. And you must be the very dashing Andy Flynn.” After shaking his hand, Christine looked him up and down. “You’re even better looking in person.” Andy laughed at the flirtatious flutter of her eyelashes.

Sharon groaned. “For God sake Christine, do you have to say absolutely everything that pops into your head?”

“Uh, yes.” Christine was as irreverent as Sharon was circumspect.

“Are they always like this?” Andy turned to the heavyset bearded man who was also watching with amusement.

“Pretty much.”

“Hey Ed.” Sharon stepped into the big man’s embrace.

“Hey, gorgeous. I don’t know how you do it Sharon; you get more beautiful every time I see you.”

“Quit flirting with my sister.” Christine’s protest was belied by her affectionate smile.

“Just stating facts. The O’Dwyer girls are something to look at, wouldn’t you say?”

“I would,” Andy agreed.

“Andy, this is my brother in law Ed Simmons. He‘s not even Irish but he‘s got the gift of the blarney. Ed, Andy Flynn.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too. You’re a cop right?”

“Yes, a lieutenant with the LAPD.”

“And Sharon’s your boss.”

“Yep.” Andy grinned, not at all put out by that fact. “Best boss I‘ve ever had.  

“I bet. So, what’s that like? Is it kind of sexy, being bossed around by your girlfriend? That can be a turn on.”

“Ed!”

“Actually, sometimes it is.”

“Andy!” Sharon shoved at him with her shoulder.

“What? I’m just saying…. “

Sharon cut him off, turning to the rest of the family. “Why don’t we all go in for some hot chocolate? How does that sound? “

“It sounds like you’re changing the subject.” Andy fell in step with her as everyone began heading back toward the house. “And you’re turning a pretty shade of red.”

“Must be a hot flash.”

“Yeah, that’s it.” Andy chuckled at her discomfort.

“You need to behave. “ Sharon pointed a warning finger at him, which only made Andy laugh harder.

“There you go again, getting all bossy. “ He leaned in closer so only she would hear. He didn‘t want to completely embarrass her. “It is a turn on, you know.”

“Andy Flynn you’re incorrigible.” Her reprimand was laced with amusement. This boyish, playful, slightly naughty side to Andy had always been irresistible to her.  

“Mmmhmmm. And you love me for it.”

Oh yes she did.  

***

Once inside the foyer, with coats and hats removed, there were hugs all around. Sharon was hugging her youngest niece Bridget who was in grad school and had come down from Massachusetts with her parents when she saw Christine hugging Ricky. Her sister’s eyes clouded over with pain, but it was only for an instant and anyone who didn’t know her as well as Sharon might have missed it. By the time she had pulled back, to look up at her nephew Christine was grinning and teasing him about his scruff.

“Hard to believe this tall young man came from your body, isn’t it?” she said to Sharon.

Sharon turned wistful. “It is. I can still remember so clearly how easily he fit in the crook of my arm.”

The sad look touched Christine’s face again compelling Sharon to take her hand, squeezing it gently. Their eyes met, acknowledging that pain without a word.

TBC