Her phone starts ringing at 3am.  She glances at it.  The number is blocked.  That means it isn't anyone she knows or anyone she wants to talk to.  There's a sinking feeling in her gut.  Who would be calling at 3am?  Jen stares at her phone for another moment before forcing it to voicemail.  If it's important, they'll leave a message.  She's not ( Read more... )

It's still dark outside as Jen tries to get dressed for work.  She has the light on in the closet and the baby on the bed next to her sleeping husband.  She's been up for half an hour and already she's having a shitty morning.  Jaime watches as Jen pulls things off hangers and tries them on only to not be able to button anything.  Pants, skirts-- ( Read more... )

She needed to escape the confines of four walls.  She needed to be vertical and to stretch her legs.  She's still really sick and she just lets her legs carry her without though.  She's wearing too much clothing for the warm island weather--long, knit pants that ripple in the breeze and a wool sweater that she has pulled closed over her middle.   ( Read more... )

Monday morning.  The first of what could be many OB appointments.  Jen woke up feeling emotionally numb and physically ill.  She spent the early morning hours wandering around the house on autopilot.  Alex watched her every move, but she didn't notice.  They sat in bed together, drinking coffee slowly and silently.  Time has a way of moving forward ( Read more... )

[Borrowed greeneyedspy.  I will eventually give him back.]

No matter which ocean it is or what part of the world it's in, an empty beach and a vast ocean has a way of making someone feel so alone in the world.  Jen sits by herself in the dark, in the sand, watching the waves inch ever closer.  The tide has started coming in and the water threatens to lick her ( Read more... )

It's late when Jen and Noemi finally get back from the hospital.  They checked her out, loaded her up with a round of IV fluids, and sent her home again.  She's fine.  She should just get used to the contractions and just keep treating them like she has been.  They're going to be around for the next 18 weeks.  She toes off her shoes by the door and ( Read more... )

She's alone.  And even if Mike Franks were in the room with her, she'd still feel alone.  They mix as well as oil and Burberry.  The air inside the diner is still and stifling, warmer than the outside and without the breeze.  But she's not nervous.  As the hours ticked by, she found an almost peace, an acceptance of what was about to happen.  Her ( Read more... )

Pop pop pop.  Rapid succession, round after round ( Read more... )

What time is bed time?
[Borrowed ncis_ljgibbs]

The floor in the bedroom creaks, muffled thumps in the hallway--sounds that tell Jenny he's awake.  A few moments later, she hears, "So this is where you are."

She pauses painting the window trim and looks over her shoulder.  Jethro is standing in the doorway in just a t-shirt and shorts, his hair sticking out at ( Read more... )

November

Somehow, she found herself in the desert again.  But at least it's the New Mexico desert instead of the California desert and she's not alone.  And there's not a diner in sight.  Together, she and Jethro had hopped in their rental car and wandered off into the desert to escape the hordes of children that were inundating Stable Graces.  The ( Read more... )