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[blessed_by_god]

Sharon didn't have many afternoons away from Hera. She had plenty of babysitter options, but as tired as she ever got, or as cranky or even ill, the desire wasn't there. As silly as it sounded, she would miss Hera. She wouldn't even know what to do with herself, anyway. Her breaks used to come in the form of push-ups and drills, but now she didn't

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[wayward_dad]

John had been taking the long way back to his hut from the archery range, looping out to the beach and passing the dock. It was hot as a damned oven and he figured the spray from the ocean would feel good.

Walking along the shore, the crossbow he'd slung about his back banged against his hip with every other step. The sunlight glinted off the white beach, making him squint as he headed up past the sign post.

When John caught sight of Sharon, he slowed down considerably. He hadn't exactly been avoiding her, but it had probably looked that way.

November was a real pain in the ass.

[blessed_by_god]

Sharon glanced over and was surprised to see who it was that had caught her eye. She was still for a moment, unsure how to act around John anymore. It was...well, God, it was stupid.

"And here I thought you'd forgotten our date," she said, smiling over at him.

[wayward_dad]

His brows lifted slightly until he figured out she was just trying to lighten the mood. Wearing a small, slightly uncomfortable smile, John shifted his weight, his eyes focusing on her expanding middle.

There was no denying it any longer -- not that they'd exactly been doing that anyway. But people were likely starting to talk. While John didn't give a damn what people thought, he felt ill at ease for Hera's sake, for the boys.

He and Sharon had been supremely stupid -- but they were both determined to make the best of the situation.

"I had you penned in," he said, slowly walking over to where she had settled down.

[blessed_by_god]

"That's not very romantic," Sharon said, lower lip pushing up along with her eyebrows.

"So what are you up to? You don't look like you've come to swim." She motioned to his clothes and weapon with her book.

[wayward_dad]

"Not a romantic kinda guy," he said lightly.

That was a lie.

Once upon a time he'd been that kind of guy -- before Mary died, before he'd been forced to walk down a path he hadn't ever dreamed he'd find himself on before. But that had been a lifetime ago. John wasn't the same man. Not even close.

"I was out at the archery range for a bit. Figured it was nice out, oughta take the long way home." A brow arched. "I see you managed to score some alone time."

[blessed_by_god]

"Yeah, and I don't know what to do with myself," Sharon said, glancing up at John. "I thought I'd come to the beach to read, but it's really hot and I can't sit back because all I have is a towel, not a chair, and there's just sand everywhere." She laughed, mostly at herself. What the frak was wrong with her that she couldn't even enjoy the beach like a normal person?

[wayward_dad]

As she laughed at herself, the corners of John's mouth twitched the slightest of bits. "Sounds to me like you're just overwhelmed from the unexpected freedom, even if it is only for a little bit." While Hera was a terrific little girl, kids were demanding.

He was probably going to have to spend a lot more time with Hera than he'd been to get some practice under his belt again. Hera would have to become a part of his life just as much as this new baby would. It was the right thing to do.

[blessed_by_god]

"You might have a point there." Sharon flopped back onto the towel with a sigh, looking up at the clouds, pretty streaks of white in a perfect blue sky.

"It's hard for me to think of anyone besides Hera anymore, let alone myself." It probably wasn't right. Normal people probably didn't cling to their children the way she did, but when Karl disappeared it was all she could do to keep herself sane. To feel like she was being a good mother.

"If you have any suggestions of a better way to spend my time," she said, waving the book, "I'm open to them."