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

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Jonba is sitting up in bed, crying, he's scared since he woke up and no one was there for him. Salome wraps her arms around him and tries to soothe him, "Hey, we're here. We're here."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro sits beside them and takes his hand. "We would not leave you, Jonba."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

His cheeks are streaked with tears and Salome wipes his nose with a tissue before kissing his head. "Would you like a hug from, Hiro? It will make you feel better." The little boy nods and cries a bit more before holding his arms out for the older man.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro takes him in his arms and squeezes him enough so that he definitely feels it. "I love you, Jonba," and it's the truth. This child is becoming very important to him. He is already seeing him as his own. Perhaps not of blood, but certainly of his heart.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

He curled up against Hiro's chest, he can't say it, can't even formulate the thoughts right, but he's grown close to the man. His father doesn't play with him, hug him like this, and it feels good to have someone hold him. Hiccuping softly he calms down and closes his eyes.

Salome's heart melts at the sight of them, and reaching over she kisses Hiro's forehead. "Watch him while I get him a drink, okay?" Very slowly she moves from the bed and starts to move to the door.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro nods and moves so his back is against the headboard. He gently strokes the blond curls, trying to be soothing He can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt or abuse such a sweet child, but he knows such monsters exist. He will protect both of them with all of his power.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Jonba looks up at Hiro and wipes his nose with the back of his hand. "Luv wou, He-woo. Nice He-woo." It's hard for him to explain, and so he does it the best way he can. Salome comes up to the room, sitting down she offers a sippy cup full of water to Jonba.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I love you, too, Jonba." He lets Salome handle the sippy cup. Although he is not yet quite attuned to Jonba's intricacies, he knows the boy has given him something more than mere affection. Children can be extremely perceptive, which many adults fail to understand.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." She settles on the bed and lets out a long held breath. "I hate when he gets upset, it's really not very often but still." Jonba drinks contentedly, his head on Hiro's chest, listening to the rumble of his voice.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Children should not have nightmares, but sometimes they do. At least if we are here to hold him, he will not be frightened for long. Will you?" He smiles at Jonba. Holding Jonba in one arm, he puts the other one around Salome so they will all feel connected and Jonba may feel a little more reassured.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Salome moves up the bed and rests against Hiro's side, cuddling close as she rubs Jonba's leg. The little boy smiles up at Hiro and shakes his head, he has no real clue about what he's talking about, but he feels important agreeing with him. "Jonba is very resilient, it runs in the family. I don't think he likes being alone though, kind of like you."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Life is always better when there is someone close. I do not like to feel disconnected." He kisses Jonba's temple, then kisses Salome's. "It is always best to have your family near."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I think I can agree on that," Salome hugs Hiro with one arm. Jonba slides off Hiro's lap, and crawls to the edge of the bed. Climbing down, he went in search of some toys since conversations like that go a bit above his head. "See, resilient."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"It is a good thing he is. He will need it until things completely settle down." He hugs her as he watches Jonba picking up toys. "Where is Elmo?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Looking around, she sits up and then pushes lightly at Hiro, "you are sitting on him!" Laughing she tugged on the red fuzzy leg. Jonba looks up from his cars and gives them an odd look.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Oh no! I squished Elmo!" Hiro shifts so that Salome can pull him completely out from under him. "Are you ok?" he asks the toy.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Oh no!" Salome giggles as Jonba walks over to the side of the bed and looks up at them. "Elmo?!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I squished him!" Hiro cries in mock horror. "We will have to refluff him."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Quick, doctor, prep the patient! We must save his life!" Jonba is now concerned with the well being of Elmo. Climbing up onto the bed, he stares at them.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"We need a fluffer, nurse!" He holds out his hand for an imaginary instrument.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Fuffer!" Jonba cries and smacks his hand down on Hiro's, giggling. "Save Elmo!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro makes drilly type noises, all the while fluffing and moving Elmo around. "Anti-squisher!" He holds out his hand again.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Salome is laughing so hard she is in tears as she watches a very serious Jonba smacks Hiro's hand. "Swusherrr!" It was his attempt at 'squisher'.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro makes squeeky noises, while working his arms a whole lot like he's fixing a car engine. "Now we close! Closer!" He holds his hand out again.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"'Oser! Fix Elmo!" He actually puts his fist in Hiro's hand to show that the tool is a little different. Salome has officially laughed herself to death.