Odds Against

Meta: ~7 Sep 2024; Hill-Egan-Riley residence, The Backyard, Vaucluse, NSW, Australia
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A tentative knock at the new house's front door startles Andrea.
Sky, jostled, whines and waves a pudgy fist.
Lennon pops to her feet— "I've got it!" —weaves between the boxes waiting to be unpacked to the foyer.
Andrea shifts Sky, guiding tiny lips back to her breast.
Sky grunts, resumes dinner.
""Ray?"" sings Lennon. ""It's Jackson. Can he come in?""
Andrea blinks. "S-sure."
Jackson shuffles in two steps behind Lennon, eyes fixed somewhere around her tattooed calf.
Lennon steers him near the easy chair, announces, "I'll go check on Sunny." Down the hall she goes.
"'ey, Hill," mumbles Jackson, flicking his eyes over Andrea and Sky.
"Hey, Jackson. Have a seat."
He perches, clasps his hands between his knees. Takes a deep breath. "You, um, feeling okay?"
"Yea. Still a little sore, /definitely t-tired." Eyes firmly on Sky. "Lennon's been helping us a lot."
Quiet nursing sounds.
"Are ye happy?" Jackson asks quietly.
"Wha?"
Jackson rubs the back of his neck. "Happy?" Clears his throat. "Are you happy being a mum?"
Andrea oozes deeper into her chair. "Yea. I really am. Happier than when—" Her throat closes.
Jackson grunts, looks up with a crooked smile. "'m totally jealous, ye know."
Andrea smiles, "I kn—" She ducks her head, blushing.
Jackson shifts.
An idea blooms!
Andrea squeaks—
Jackson glances up, raises an eyebrow.
—eases to her feet, beckons him to follow.
He shoves to his feet, trails her to the nursery.
"Lennon." Andrea tilts her head toward Jackson.
"Oh, no! No ye—" Jackson jazz-hands.
Lennon grins, settles Sunny in Jackson's arms.
He gets a hand under Sunny's fuzzy head, tucks the little body close.
"Thought you'd still remember those babysitting lessons," smugs Andrea.
"I'll go make us some snacks," Lennon chirps as she saunters out.
Jackson huffs.
Sunny yawns hugely.
Jackson blinks rapidly, strokes a downy cheek.
Sunny coos, turns and nuzzles his finger.
Andrea wipes her eyes on her shoulder, kisses Sky's crown.
Sky pushes away, yawns hugely.
"'ey, bean," croaks Jackson. "I—"
Sunny turns toward the new voice, opens puffy brown eyes.
Jackson swallows.
Andrea turns, settles Sky in the bassinet. "I, uh, wish ye could've—"
"Stop. Please."
Andrea shuts her mouth with a click, tucks Sky under a blanket.
"Wasn't meant to be, I guess," murmurs Jackson. "Maybe in a different universe, ay?" Strokes Sunny's cheek again.
Another enormous yawn.
Jackson sighs. "Well, ye and your sib can sleep tight in this one 'cause your idiot sorta-uncles are gonna do everything they can to keep you safe." Looks through his lashes at Andrea. "And we're gonna stay outta yer mum and dads' hair."
"Jackson ...."
Sunny squirms in Jackson's hold, squalls.
"Sounds like someone wants mum." He steps closer to Andrea.
She eases Sunny from his arms, bounces gently.
Sunny snuggles closer, gurgles.
Jackson shifts his feet, rubs his neck—
His mobile buzzes from his coat pocket.
—sighs. "I need to get back." Deep breath. "You an' yours take care, Hill."
"You, too, Jackson."
He bobs his head, "I'll find my way out," and shuffles out.
Andrea listens, kisses Sunny's crown.
Door opens.
Door closes.
Lennon reappears with a plate of sandwiches. "Aw, he's already gone?"
Andrea nods, chews her lip.
"Well, more sandwiches for us, then."
Category:Ficlet
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Category:Sunny (ficlet)
Category:Sky (ficlet)
Category:Sunny
Category:Sky