One. [[closed to friends]]

[island_juliet]

Juliet really can't believe that a year - an entire year - has gone by this fast. It's been up and down, up mostly because of Jonah. The universe, she's almost convinced, has a thing againt her. Dying really should have been enough. Losing James once should have been enough. But now she's lost him twice, and she knows that the only reason she's

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[yippiekiyaymf]

John and Margaret exchanged glances. Then John started pretending to show Maddie one of the picture books he'd gotten the birthday boy, and Jonah climbed up next to him, then plunked himself on John's lap to get read to.

Margaret, with Sonny in her arms, approached Juliet, after giving her a moment.

"Need a hand?" Not that Margaret had any to spare with Sonny in her arms. "Need a baby?"

[island_juliet]

"I don't know. This was hard on her, she's been...living here with not a whole lot to remind her of what happened back home."

[yippiekiyaymf]

"Then to be reminded like that, that's a lot. Well, if it'll help for someone to make a pain in the ass of himself, you know I'm the man for the job."

[island_juliet]

"Then I'm putting you on it, Chief," Juliet says with a smile.

[yippiekiyaymf]

He gives her a salute.

"Yes, ma'am."

[island_juliet]

Jonah comes back over and tries to get back on the couch, hurling himself against the edge, letting out a squawk. Juliet lifts him up and he moves to look at Sonny in John's arms.

[yippiekiyaymf]

"Did you know you were once this little? And you couldn't do much more than sleep, eat, and poop either."

[island_juliet]

Jonah reaches over, lightly touching Sonny's arm. He's curious about her, this little thing.

[yippiekiyaymf]

Sonny lifts the arm, fist gently making contact with Jonah's cheek.

"She's not too good with her hands yet. She's not really trying to hit you." That'd come later, in pre-school.

[island_juliet]

Jonah bends and examines her up close, babbling quietly to her. Then, he kisses her cheek.

"Good boy. Gentle, Jonah. Very soft," Juliet praises.

[yippiekiyaymf]

"Real men are gentle," John said with approval, smiling up at Juliet.

"You did good, mom."

[island_juliet]

Juliet smiles softly. "Thank you. Sometimes..." She lets out a breath. "I just never thought I'd be doing it by myself."

[yippiekiyaymf]

He nods, compassion in his eyes.

"And before that, you didn't know you'd be doing it at all. This village is a real kick in the ass that way."

[island_juliet]

"I've started to wonder if..." Juliet wets her lips. "If I'd known he'd leave, would I have ever...done this. Asked him to do this?"

[yippiekiyaymf]

John looks at Jonah where he sits babbling happily. "If there's a chance you wouldn't have had him...I'm selfish enough to be glad you didn't know."

[island_juliet]

"God, I'm so glad I have him," Juliet takes a deep breath, forehead knitting as she tries to fight back a wave of tears. "I feel like it cost me."