Disclaimer: I don't own The Mentalist. This is purely for fun and not for profit.
A Life Lost and Given Up
He blinked his eyes open to the bright sunlight streaming unbridled across his face. He took a few more moments to readjust to the sunlight before sitting up a bit. The soft white sheets that were covering his body slid away from his torso and pool on his lower belly. His blonde hair was sticking straight up while he stretched his arms up. His eyes closed softly, feeling better rested than he had in ages.
"Look who's finally up," a familiar voice teased from the doorway. Lisbon was leaned against the door, holding a steaming mug of tea, dressed in his shirt, which was ridiculously large on her, and wonderfully adorable.
"Mm-hm," Jane nodded sleepily. He pushed the covers off and padded over to her, his sleep pants catching on his heels. "You're up early,"
"Mm-hm," she echoed, "I made you breakfast."
He looked over her shoulder, "Where is it?"
"It should be here any moment now," There was a loud giggle and the soft thud of little feet behind her. "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I have in years," he yawned, stretching his jaw out.
"Daddy!" He glanced down at the little boy standing at his knee. He was holding a tray with a large plate of eggs and toast. "Breakfast! Me an' Mommy made eggs for you. She said you'd like 'em." The boy held up the tray for Jane to take. Jane took the tray and set it on the bedside table.
"Thank you, buddy," Jane ruffled the boy's hair gently and scooped him up into his arms. "Maybe I should tickle you as thanks, what do you think?" He glanced over his shoulder at Lisbon. She grinned broadly and joined him as he dropped the boy onto their bed. The boy squirmed and laughed loudly, his laughter music to Jane's ears.
Lisbon joined him cheerfully, her shoulder bumping his happily.
"Mommy! Daddy! Stop!" The boy squealed. "Stop!"
Jane let up with a hearty laugh. He ruffled the boy's hair again, causing the boy to swat at his hand.
"Did you feed your puppy?" Lisbon asked. The boy glanced away sheepishly, "C'mon, go and feed him," The boy shuffled out of the room quickly and Lisbon fell back on the bed next to him.
Jane relished in the feel of her soft thigh next to his abdomen. She smelled, just so perfectly Lisbon. She turned her head to face him and he did the same. They were nearly nose-to-nose. "Hey," She greeted softly.
"Hey," He lifted a hand to her cheek and brushed the pads of his fingers over her cheeks. "Thank you,"
"For what?"
"Everything," he leaned closer, ready to kiss her.
But suddenly he was in a cold, dark room. His nose filled with the smell of the sea and smoke of the locals' cigarettes and cigars.
In that moment, his heart shattered.
There was nothing else he could do but sob and mourn for the life he had lost and the life he had given up.
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~EBH
