A Little Life

A little over a year had passed since the incident that had involved Sid had occured. No one had seen Sid since then - he had disappeared as fast as he could come. Angelina was married two months into Julijana's pregnancy; she and Tad were now both Merridews. Julijana had had some difficutlies since that night. She wasn't sure, as much as she wanted a child, whether or not she wanted the one that was a part of Sid. However, she couldn't bring herself to kill the unborn child and on November 4th she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

His name was Roger Sid Mitchell.

When Roger was first born Julijana wasn't even sure that she wanted to keep him. But when the doctor placed the small baby in her arms that first night she suddenly changed her mind. The following year Roger had grown from a small baby into a child who looked around toddler. His hair had gone from a peach fuzz into the light blonde color of his mother's - it had grown long enough that it flopped into his face. His eyes were dark in color.

Julijana sat quietly on the couch of her three room apartment. She had moved there, curtosy of her parents, after little Roger was born. The apartment wasn't big or anything special - it was very plain. All of the walls were white; the furniture that was in the house was white or a dark wood color. Julijana wasn't being funded much and she wasn't working, so she had a problem supporting Roger.

There was a light cooing sound, and Julijana looked out infront of her. Roger was coming towards her, crawling on all fours. When he finally reached his mother he grabbed at the hem of her skirt and began pulling. His mother smiled fondly down at him and she picked him up, kissing him gently on his forehead. Roger giggled and waved his arms slightly. Julijana placed him on her lap and Roger grabbed for her hair. Julijana kissed him on his forehead again and she began to rock Roger slightly.

Roger smiled, his head resting on his mother's shoulder. Though he was too young to express it, Roger adored his mother as every young child did. She would be the only woman he ever loved in his entire life. Unfortunately, Roger was born with a deep and dark anger. This was an emotion that flowed over from his father. Roger had inherited his father's anger and all of his looks. Those dark brown eyes of his matched his father's perfectly. His face, though he was still young, showed his father clearly.

There was a knock on the door. Julijana placed Roger on the couch and went to answer it. Luckily it was only Angelina and Tad.

"Hello!" both girls cried out at the same time as they hugged each other.

"Do you mind that we're visiting?" Angelina asked. "It's been quite a while since we've seen each other."

"No, not at all," Julijana replied. Angelina and Tad walked in. "Sorry if it's a little plain, but I can't afford much and support the baby," Julijana added on after a moment. Meanwhile, Roger had slipped himself off the couch and crawled over to his mother. He grabbed onto her leg and Julijana took it as a sign to pick him up.

"Is that Roger?" Angelina asked, walking over to Julijana and looking at Roger. Roger, who was not used to seeing anyone other then his beloved mother, cowered slightly.

"Of course," Julijana replied. "Can you really not tell? He looks exactly look his father."

Angelina frowned at the mention of Sid. Tad came over and put an arm around his wife. "He looks like a handsome young man," Tad said. "He reminds me of our Jack."

Julijana smiled. "I forgot that you had a son!" she exclaimed. "How's he doing?"

"Perfectly alright," Angelina responded. "He's with his nanny right now."

"Do all Merridew children gain nannies?" Julijana asked.

Angelina frowned. "Julijana, you know that both of us have hardly any time to watch Jack while we both work."

"I know, I know," Julijana said to her friend. "Its just that I couldn't imagine being away from Roger."

Tad smiled. "That's understandable," he replied. He looked down at his watch. "Angelina, we've got to get going."

Angelina gave Julijana a hug. "Come and visit us," she said. "We're in the big house in London on Thames Street."

"Alright," Julijana said as her friends left. "Good - bye!"

Once they were gone she turned to Roger. Her son was staring up at her. She sighed and looked at the clock. It was late enough to put Roger down for an early bed time. She carried her son into the bedroom - there was a single bed for her and a crib for Roger. She changed her son and placed him down in his crib. She pondered slightly on the thought of Angelina's son Jack. She had never seen the boy before, but she had a feeling that he was undoubtly spoiled. Tad Merridew, though he was sweet, was slightly spolied himself and it wouldn't seem right if his son didn't come off the same way too.

Once Roger had fallen asleep Julijana sat by herself on her bed. She loved her son, and yet there was something foreboding about him.