if once was great, why not a second time through?

[called_lioness]

It's warm--well, hot, really--and Lucy's been tree climbing again.

Some things you don't get tired of, and hanging from a limb like a monkey is apparently one of them.

She's terribly mature, really, but she's also enjoying the pull under the knees and the rush of blood to her head.

Maybe not terribly mature.

Comments

[last_adam]

So utterly and terribly mature. So's Adam. Which is why he's resolutely not laughing at her from below.

[called_lioness]

"Oh, shut up," she says cheerfully, pulling herself up to sit on the branch.

[last_adam]

"I didn't say anything!"

He insists it, and it's true, though he continues to laugh as he sits down, leaning back to look at her.

"Doesn't look like the most comfortable of positions."

[called_lioness]

"It's actually rather nice for the first few minutes," she shrugs, and looks down at him.

[last_adam]

"And how many first few minutes have you been up there?"

[called_lioness]

"I lost count," Lucy says cheerfully, "after the fifth time I started feeling light headed. In between I've been reading. Lovely way to spend an afternoon."

[last_adam]

"I suppose, though I'd suspect it's better for the books to be inside. What're you reading?"

[called_lioness]

"My books will survive. They're used to being well-loved," she smiles. "Our Town. Ever read it?"

[last_adam]

"Not in a long time. Are you enjoying it?"

[called_lioness]

"A great deal," Lucy answers, resting her chin on one hand as she smiles down at him, hair falling foward. "And how are you, Adam?"

[last_adam]

"I'm quite well."

He can't hide the grin, nor does he really try to.

"Despite, perhaps, the irritation of certain persons."

[called_lioness]

"Which persons, and why do you look like the cat who's caught the canary?"

[last_adam]

"You're rather the cause of that -- or the motivating factor, anyway. And Thom.


...only, reversed."

[called_lioness]

"I'm glad you added that bit," she laughs. "What on earth did Thom do?"

[last_adam]

Adam shrugs, and wraps his arms around his legs.

"He's not happy with Alanna and I."

[called_lioness]

"I rather got that impression from Alanna recently. Why? Do I need to send the twins after him?"

[last_adam]

Hopefully-

"They could take Puff?"

And then a pause, while he breathes.

"He's not happy about the marriage, among other things. Her birthday present."

[called_lioness]

"Puff would likely object. And why doesn't he like her birthday present. Jealous because he wants one of his own?"

[last_adam]

". . . . NO."

He sighs, then, a deep one.



He tries to think of a good way to put it. There isn't one, really, is there?


"Have you ever noticed the charm around she wears around her neck? Wore?"

[called_lioness]

"In passing. Never gave much thought to it."

Lucy slowly hangs from her knees again to get her head closer to his level.

"...Why, Adam?"

[last_adam]

"It was given to her when she was, I don't know. I guess she had to be thirteen or so. It's protection."

[called_lioness]

"Against what?"

And why does she have a bad feeling suddenly?

[last_adam]

"Pregnancy."

[called_lioness]

"--And she's not wearing it now," Lucy says in a very calm voice that she doesn't entirely recognize.

[last_adam]

"She's wearing a different necklace instead."