First one, just a little idea. Let me know what you think!
Elizabeth looked out over the landscape of Algeria and prepared herself for a long flight home. Her thoughts were quick to turn to a little boy. A little boy who was hesitant without her hand, a little boy who ran to her for protection against his sisters, a little boy who had long ago stolen her heart.
She wondered if that same little boy was hesitant at that party-If he had looked for her hand.
"Guys, c'mon," Stevie yelled as she and Alison ran toward the horses.
"We're coming," Henry assured.
"Let's go see the horsies, Jase," Elizabeth cooed into her son's ear.
"C'mon, Jase," Henry knelt down.
"Dad!" Stevie yelled impatiently.
"Hold on, Stevie," Henry answered and reached for Jason's hand. Though, Jason was quick to turn away.
Henry looked at Elizabeth.
"Do you want my hand, Jase?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah," Jason mumbled softly.
Taking Jason's hand in hers, Elizabeth proceeded to walk toward the horses, but Jason wouldn't move.
"Go get the girls, I've got him."
"You sure?" Henry asked.
"Yes," Elizabeth said, her frustration beginning to show.
"Should we go see daddy and sisters?" Elizabeth asked.
Jason shook his head in response.
"Alright, let's go," Elizabeth encouraged.
The two began their walk and were approaching the horses when Jason stopped and cowered into his mother's side.
"No...Horsies," He cried.
"Come here, baby," Elizabeth cooed as she picked Jason up, "It's okay."
Jason buried his head in her shoulder as she carried him the rest of the way.
"Mommy, can we pet them?" Alison asked excitedly.
Elizabeth looked at Henry.
"What?" He defended, "I told them they had to wait for you."
"Go ahead, Noodle."
"Jason, buddy," Henry tickled his son's cheek, "Look."
Jason tightened his grip around his mother's neck and snuggled close to her, causing Elizabeth to wince.
"He doesn't like you, dad," Stevie informed.
"Stevie," Elizabeth shot her daughter a look.
"He's three…" Henry defended.
"Jason," Elizabeth whispered, "Should we pet the horses...Look!"
Jason looked at the horse in front of him for a brief moment and quickly turned away.
"It's okay," Elizabeth soothed, "He won't hurt you."
"I'm petting him, Jason," Allison said.
"Yeah, look at Ali, she's petting him, should we try?" Elizabeth encouraged.
Jason looked at the horse and then his mother, and extended his hand partway.
"Good," Elizabeth smiled taking his hand and placing it on the horse. She watched as Jason's eyes lit up and a smile crept upon his face. "Look at you...You did it, Jase!" She laughed.
Elizabeth glanced over at Henry.
"Jason," Henry called, catching his son's attention, "Do you love your mommy?"
"Yes," Jason replied as he snuggled close to her once more.
Elizabeth wanted so desperately to hold that little boy again, rocking him back and forth as she soothed his every worry. She wanted to go back to a simpler time-a time where she was certain she could help him. Alison was easy, she would tell her everything and... Stevie...One way or another everything would come out. But with Jason everything was a secret, a secret only Henry, if he was lucky, would be let in on.
Jason seemed so foreign to her. She thought she'd raised him differently. Though, she also realized her job had kept her away from doing most of the "raising" part. She wanted him to need her...To want her. And one thing was certain, her arms were stretched wide open for him.