A Bedtime Story
childofspacegypsy1
Synopsis: Tag for Lost Tribe. Sometimes people make the wrong choice. Jennifer gets a little help figuring it out. J/R
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Leaning back against the wall of the balcony, Jennifer stifled a yawn and smiled down at the cooing bundle on her lap. Hoping the sound of the waves and the cool darkness would help lull Torren to sleep, she never heard the doors slide quietly open.
"Well, we have had quite the adventure today, don't you think little man?" He smiled sleepily up at her as she rocked her legs back and forth.
"There was all the oohing and aahing and adoring smiles of my nurses in the infirmary. I hope your mother knows what a heartbreaker you're going to be." Jennifer grinned down at the baby, who merely blinked innocently back at her.
"Then," she continued, "there was our rousing food fight in the Mess, nice shot with the carrots to Woolsey's head, by the way."
Looking down to see Torren's eyes drooping heavily, she continued in a softer voice. "And we mustn't forget our bath. I say 'our' considering that while you were in the bathtub and I was not, we were both equally wet when it was over. So, here we are. As promised, to sit outside for a bedtime story."
Looking up, Jennifer let her head fall back to rest on the wall and stared at the starry sky. Absentmindedly rocking her legs, she didn't realize she was now talking to herself, Torren being fast asleep in her lap.
"I know lots of fairytales and nursery rhymes, but let me tell you about a girl I know. You see this girl did something very stup...silly. Like with most things in her life she made the obvious choice. Took the path of least resistance. Followed her head, not her heart." She looked down at the sleeping child and whispered, "But you know what?"
Before she could answer her own question a warm body dropped down beside her and deep voice spoke softly into the silence. "What?"
Startled, Jen looked up into Ronan's dark eyes and immediately answered without even thinking. "I was wrong."