Here you go! Based upon my aunt and the constant battle of single mothers. They are the true superheroes in this world. :)

Please review! And THANK YOU to all who have already. You make me so happy.

Thanks!

Alivia

Disclaimer: Do not own. Nope. Zilch. If I did...I wouldn't have to be accompanied to go into PG-13 movies. Teehee.

January, 2002

Red heels clacked against gray pavement as Jennifer Shepard made her way up her sidewalk towards her home, exhausted from the case she'd just worked for nearly three days straight. She hadn't been home to shower, or eat, or do other things that are normal tasks. She also hadn't seen her sixteen month old daughter in that period of time.

Thank God for her sweet housekeeper, Noemi. Without her, Jenny doubts she would have been able to get by at all. As it was now, it was a tough situation for all involved.

She fumbles for her keys in her purse, and hurries to open the door. The smell of food wafts towards her, and she takes a deep breath, eyes adjusting to the lighting. It feels good to be home.

"I'm here," she says as she approaches the doorway of the kitchen, hoping to get the poor Hispanic woman's attention as not to startle her. She's cooking enchiladas; good ones. Jenny licks her lips.

"Hola, Senora," the older woman murmurs happily, flashing her bright smile. She feeds her daughter who sits at a highchair in the corner, and quickly replaces the lid of the food in order to communicate with Jenny more freely. The sixteen month old girl doesn't like it. At all.

She fusses, and both women turn to look at her.

"Oh, dolce," Noemi admonishes gently, ruffling the auburn curls, quieting her. "Why do you act like this the second mama comes home?"

Jenny purses her lips. "Thank you so much, Noemi. The case was just so..."

The woman holds her hand up, and raises a dark eyebrow teasingly.

"That is what you pay me for, no?" Both smile.

"I have made dinner, but I cannot stay long. I have with babes of my own," she says sweetly, stroking the baby's cheek. The baby scrunches up her little nose, making Jenny smile.

Jenny thanks Noemi again as she leaves, and bids her farewell.

The second the door closes, a new story line plays out.

Blue eyes well up with tears, and a small mouth opens wide as wailing pierces the previously rather peaceful home. Lillian Shepard decided she was unhappy. And that was definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Jenny hurried back to the kitchen, where she made an attempt to hush the child. When Lily made it very clear she didn't want anymore food, (chucking the pieces of carrot at the ground) Jenny lifted the squirming girl from the seat, and carried her into the study where a couch awaited.

Gentle, slender fingers stroked one chubby cheek, and that hushing alto voice tried to lull the kid, but nothing seemed to work. Jenny was not really used to Lilly being this temperamental. A headache began to set in as she rubbed the little girl's belly. Those loud wails turned quieter and then disappeared all together eventually, leaving simply small hiccups. Jenny knew Lily was tired, as meaty fists reached up to cover eyes.

Jenny tried not to be put out by the fact that the second she got home and Noemi left Lily did begin to fuss. She tries to put it off as just being tired.

She tries to ignore that it might be contributed to the fact she hasn't seen her in days.

She saw Jethro the other day. It was a short moment, at the agency. She also saw his wedding ring, and the freshly tousled hair. Can't stop thinking that maybe the two are connected, because they also might not be. And she has no right to be jealous. She's the one who walked away.

The fire Noemi must have put on earlier is soothing, and with the constant motion of a mother's hand, Lillian Juliette Shepard is soon fast asleep.

Jenny carries her up the stairs carefully and places her in her bassinet. She shuts the door, because Lil is easy to wake up, like her father was. Moving to her own bedroom, Jenny kicks off her heels and eats her dinner quietly. She sleeps that night, thankful that Lily is sleeping through it.

She tries not to regret anything.

Even the fact that she can't help but mentally wince every time Lily does something that reminds her of Jethro. She is grateful. In a way. As she is also alone.

It's a tough line to walk.