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]

"Grrr! Stwong Jonba." He makes muscles and then bounces up and down on Hiro's chest. Salome, finally calm, kisses Hiro's shoulder and settles next to him.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Do you want to fly?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Yes! Tobe yo!" He waved his arms, his brown eyes wide with excitement.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro picks him up and makes airplane noises as he hefts him up and down. "Flying Cookie Monster!"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Jonba shrieks happily, he loves going up and down, it's like he's really flying. It's easily his new favorite thing to do. Laying next to them, Salome tries to grab at Jonba, always missing which the little boy thinks is hysterical. "I am going to get the little boy, I'm going to eat him all up!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Oh no! Cookie Monster! She will eat you! Tobe yo!" He keeps getting Jonba close to Salome, then flying him away.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"No, 'ome! No eating!" But he is laughing wildly, kicking his legs as Salome tries to grab at the little boy. She tickles his stomach and gnaws playfully on an arm.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Oh no! Do not let her eat you! Tobe yo!" He is laughing as hard as they are.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I enjoy eating little boys!" On her knee she gnawed on Jonba's neck. The little boy was giggling breathlessly, and when she had enough of Jonba she dropped down to Hiro. "Annnddd big boys!" She started in on his neck as well.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"No, no, please do not eat me! I will be a good boy"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Ohhh Hiro tastes good!" Salome rumbles before Jonba waves his arms, "me 'ome, me!" Grabbing the boy he brings him down to Hiro's chest so she can nibble on them both.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro is getting tickled by both of their squirming so that he's giggling and squirming himself.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

When the door downstairs slams, Jonba's head goes up like some sort of alert hound. "Ganma!" He starts to wiggle free of them, before Salome grabs him and throws him back on the bed. "Nope, you're our prisoner. Isn't that right, Captain, Hiro? You're going to take him on your ship!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Arrrr, that be right, wench! Ye now be my prisoner, matey, unless ye have some treasure to hand over."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Nooo treasure!" The little boy tries to explain, giggling, he tries to sit up but Salome just pushes him back down. "He's gonna be a tough nut to crack, Captain. You might have to give him raspberries!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I think ye be right. Are ye ready for the raspberries, matey?" He pulls up Jonba's shirt enough to expose his belly. "One last chance to give me yer treasure, matey."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

The curly haired boy is giggling and wiggling like a mad man, only playfully trying to get away. "Nooo treasure! No 'berries!" He tries to push his shirt back down.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro blows a big fat raspberry on his stomach, then a couple of smaller ones. "Will ye be surrendering that treasure, matey, or do I have to give ye more?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Each raspberry makes Jonba laugh harder, he calms when Hiro lifts his head and grins. "mo! mo!" Then he changes his mind and pushes at Hiro's hands. "No mo! Yes, mo!" Indecision is a terrible thing.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro blows a few more little ones, then another big one on Jonba's stomach. "Arr, give me the treasure!"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Bending down, Salome whispers something in Jonba's ear and lets the boy up. He tackles Hiro, giving him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. "For yoo!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Arr, that be it! I will let ye go, matey." He hugs him. "Go see yer gramma."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Ganma!" Grinning, he slid off the bed and grabbed Elmo before running out of the room and down the stairs to find grandma. "You are an easy pirate to please."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I am a sucker for certain blondes and their children," he grins. "Want to see gramma?" He stands up and holds out his hand.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Why Hiro Nakamura, I do believe I've found your weakness." Laughing she hops off the bed and into his arms, wrapping her legs around him. "Are you going to stay for dinner?"