John Baptiste. [powered_otaku]

[sweetsalome]

        It's one of those perfect summer days, one that isn't too hot, too humid. Right after a hard, cold rain, that cools everything down and leaves just enough moisture in the reserves for when the sun shines high over head. Salome's Grandparent's house sits on three acres of land, enough for a great back and front yard, but not enough to be considered country. Far back away from the road, it rests on top of a slight incline, that is just right for sledding when the snow falls in the winter. Two stories tall, it's painted white with blue shutters, that get repainted every two years, a task that her grandfather complains about, but always does proudly. There is a front porch and a back porch, maybe some years ago they were connected, but it seems someone had gotten rid of it years before.

On the back porch there is a swing, it's chain rusted and when it rocks back and forth it squeaks. Not an annoying squeak, but steady and simple, it's sound changing with the back and forth movements. It's one of the things on grandpa's to do list, but never seems to get done. There are four old apple trees a few feet away from the back porch, in the spring their leaves turn dark and about mid-summer the married couple talk at great length over what is the perfect time to pick the fruit. In the end, their largest issue is what to do with the apples they don't eat, turn into preserves, or bake into pies. The setting is idyllic, and for the most part, so is life in the Snyder house.

But like most things the exterior does not match the interior.  The Snyder's have an almost rabid hatred for anything to do with Liam Collins, and who can blame them?  The man took away their daughter, and through lengthy court custody battles, have left them with very little money to survive.  Despite the fact that they can't get a third year law student to look at their case, they still hold out hope that they will one day have their daughter back.  It's painfully obvious, and a weakness that is easily exploited.

       This morning, Salome and Jonba sit on the back porch with finger paints and large sheets of paper.  An old book with pictures of paintings sits propped up on the railing.  Salome is trying to convince the boy to make a painting like the vase of flowers in the book.  The boy needless to say is having none of it.  He is much happier smacking his multi-colored hands down on the paper, or just rubbing his chubby fingers around in circles in globs of paint.  Painting is just not a talent that the Collins possess, clearly.  It doesn't seem to matter, the boy is laughing and having a great time of it.

Comments

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro puts the cooler on the blanket to hold it down. "Now, now, Jonba," he says as the boy tries to take some of the cookies. "You must first eat your lunch."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"No cookies?" He looks up at him with a completely innocent look on his face before looking at the package of cookies in his hand. "Listen to Hiro," she tells him softly and kneels down on the blanket.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Cookies taste even better after lunch," Hiro smiles. "You will see." He starts unloading the cooler. He spies a juice pack for Jonba and frees the straw and puts it in the foil-covered hole. He hands it to Jonba as he relieves him of the cookies.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Jonba is more then happy for the trade, he sits down with Elmo and sips his juice. Reaching up she combs her fingers through the boys dirty blond hair before looking over at Hiro. Scooting a bit she starts to hand out the sandwiches and cool drinks that her grandmother packed.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"It all looks so good." Hiro's stomach rumbles loudly. He looks a little chagrinned, but he laughs. "Obviously I am starving."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Giggling, she handed over a sandwich and then took out some fruit salad and potato chips. Pulling Jonba close, between her legs she picked at her sandwich and offered him bites.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

The sandwich disappears very quickly. He really is starving and it's very good. He watches Salome and Jonba. There are little things he remembers when he was with his mother - sharing food, keeping him close, little smiles. Jonba is giving her that adoring look children give their parents when they are happy. He feels a tug at his heartstrings watching them. He wants them in his life.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Do you love me, baby boy?" She teases him and he shakes his head quickly, she asks him again and he gives her a look. "Clearly, I am going to have to steal my love." She winks at Hiro, before grabbing the boy and kissing over his neck making growling noises. Jonba shrieks happily and wiggles in his mothers arms, when they settle down she brushes hair away from her eyes and fixes Hiro with her gaze.

Finally she curls a finger to beckon him closer.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro smiles at her antics with Jonba, then moves over when she crooks her finger. "Hmmm?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Do you love me, handsome man?" She whispers before kissing his mouth very lightly.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I love you very much, sun goddess." He's half-expecting an "ewww" from Jonba. He's at that age that most boys don't like kissing.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Jonba remains silent, but watches them for a moment before stealing a cookie. The boy is nothing but sneaky, and as Salome smiles against Hiro's mouth, she pulls back. "Do you think you could handle both of us? Love us?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro watches the cookie disappear. "I think I can. You and the cookie monster. And Elmo." He strokes her cheek gently. "And I love both of you. I cannot imagine my life without you both."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"The cookie monster better watch it," she grinned catching the movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning her attention back to Hiro for a moment. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, you are so good to me, to Jonba. I love you very much." Sighing she kisses him once more.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

He kisses her again. When he pulls back, he has a huge smile on his face. He looks over at Jonba who seems intent on taking another cookie. "No, no, cookie monster. Finish lunch first, then the cookies."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Jonba's face pulls into a pout and Salome shakes her head slowly, "you know big boys don't pout." Taking her sandwiches she pulls off a few more bites and offer them to him. Still sulking he takes them and chews obediently. Taking a deep breath she pushes Jonba with her toe until he started to smile again.

"You sure you want this pouting boy?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro grins maniacally. "Then the tickle monster will get you!" He rolls over to where Jonba is and starts tickling his sides until he's helpless with laughter.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

The little boy shrieks with laughter, falling on to the blanket. He playfully tries to wiggle away, having a lot of fun playing with the older man. "He-woo! 'top!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro tickles him a little more, then stops. "Will the cookie monster finish his lunch?" His fingers start flexing like he's going to start up again.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Yes! Yes!" He rolls over and gets up on his knees, crawling to Salome he ate the bite of sandwich out of her hand. "Well you certainly found away to get him to listen to you."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro picks up a second sandwich and polishes it off nearly as fast as he did the first one. He digs out a good portion of fruit salad. He loves fruit. "When I was little, my mother used to bribe me with fruit. We even had a persimmon tree. She would pick one for me when I was a very good boy."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Not Cookies?" She raised an eyebrow at him, and smiled, she liked it when he spoke about his family. Jonba put his head in Salome's lap before reaching out for a piece of fruit from Hiro, "please?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Cookies are not as popular at home as they are here. Dessert is usually yokan or red bean paste buns or cake. We also usually call them 'biscuits', like the British." Hiro holds out the piece of fruit, ready to pop it in Jonba's mouth if he opens it.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Yokan, what's that?" She askes before opening a bottle of water to take a drink of water. Jonba rolls over and opens his mouth wiggling his hips as he waited for Hiro to throw the piece of fruit.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro tosses it towards his mouth. "Yokan is red or green bean paste which is fairly solid, not like you find in the buns. It is shaped in little slabs."