Primeval drabbles: Snapshots

[knitekat]

Title: Snapshots

Author: knitekat

Word Count: 14 x 100

Characters: James Lester, Stephanie Lester (OC), William (OC), OCs

Rating: 15

Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.

A/N1: For the P100 challenge 200: Past Prompts – 115 (Parents), 71 (Family), 59 (Joy), 1 (Introduction), 110 (Big Brother), 33 (Christmas Tree), 64 (The Future), 21 (Devastation), 150 (Bedtime Stories), 119 (We Need To Talk), 173 (Obsession), 174 (Hospital), 61 (Sleepy), 3 (Determined).

A/N2: Part of my Dreams Of Yesterday drabble series. Thanks to the ever wonderful Fred for the beta.

Warning: Angsty, OC death.

Meet The Parents (115 - Parents)

James smiled nervously as Stephanie squeezed his hand and laughed lightly. “They won't bite, James.” She tugged him down the path towards the cottage, waving madly as she yelled, “Mum, Dad, we're here.”

James swallowed in his suddenly-dry throat. He couldn't help wondering if this was a good idea. If Steff's parents would approve of him.

“James.” He caught a glimpse of a smiling face and a floral dress before he was engulfed in a hug. “Come in, dear. You must come and meet Harold.”

James shot Steff a helpless look as he was dragged inside.

Surrounded (71 – Family)

Stephanie smiled as she entered the front room and spotted James looking rather nervous and out of place, surrounded by her entire family. Not that any of them would realise that, of course. James' façade was almost perfect. Only their close relationship let her see how uncomfortable James was.

She sat down beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder, her hand squeezing his in comfort. “OK, James.”

James nodded as he ran his fingers through Stephanie's hair. “I am now.”

“Sweet talker,” Stephanie murmured as she leaned in to kiss him to cheers and laughter.

I'm a Daddy (59 – Joy)

“James? I have something to tell you.”

James quirked an eyebrow at her. “Sounds ominous.” Stephanie was fidgeting nervously. “Steff? What's wrong? What did the doctor say? What's wrong? Are you sick?”

“I'm pregnant.”

James blinked at her, had she said... he slowly repeated the words back to her, “You're pregnant?”

Stephanie nodded, uncertainty projected in her every movement. “Are you OK with that, James?”

James nodded, a wide grin appearing on his face. “We're having a baby.” He picked Stephanie up and spun her around. “I'm going to be a daddy.”

First Time (1 – Introduction)

James held his breath as he looked at the baby in Stephanie's arms, his son. He reached out a finger and smiled as a perfect little hand reached out and grabbed his finger.

“James?” Stephanie's voice broke though his awe-struck silence.

“He's perfect. Just...” James shook his head. He couldn't believe he had helped to create this child.

“James, say hello to your son, William James.”

Tears ran down his face as James looked at his new family. His voice cracked as he repeated, “Hello, William James.” He leaned in to kiss Stephanie. “Our son.”

I'm Your Big Brother (110 – Big Brother)

James smiled as he knelt on the floor, stroking his sleeping baby's cheek. He glanced up and held a hand out to his eldest. “Come here, William, come say hello to your baby brother.”

William shyly approached, his face becoming an expression of joy as he stared at the tiny form inside the crib. He looked up at James and asked, “Daddy?”

“Yes, William?”

“Am I a big brother now?”

James nodded, “Yes you are.”

William looked thoughtful and then carefully held the baby's hand. “I'll look after you. It's what big brothers do.”

Christmas Time (33 – Christmas Tree)

Stephanie laughed as she watched her boys play and wrestle on the floor. She grabbed the Christmas tree as a foot caught it and admonished the culprit, “James Lester, really, you're as bad as the boys.”

James grinned at her and pulled her down and into a kiss. Their moment was broken by a tug on James' arm and a little voice asking, “Can we open our presents now, daddy?”

James glanced at Stephanie, and at her nod, “One at a time, boys.”

Soon the boys were playing with their new toys as their parents watching contentedly.

Plans (64 - The future)

James carded his fingers through Stephanie's hair as they lay snuggled in bed. “Where do you want to go this year? Switzerland? Somewhere in the Mediterranean?”

Stephanie sighed as she melted into his touch. “Somewhere warm, James.”

“The Caribbean?”

“Now that's wishful thinking, love.”

James gently kissed her hair. “I can afford it with my last promotion. The children would love it.”

“They'd love to go to Disney World.”

“We can do that next year.”

Stephanie waggled an eyebrow. “Are you going to plan all our holidays right this instant?”

“Ah.”

World's Ending (21 – devastation)

The doctor's words echoed around and around in James' head. He heard the words, but couldn't bring himself to understand them. As if refusing to do so would make it all go away.

He shook his head as his brilliant mind told him exactly what those words meant. Tears leaked from his eyes, denying his control and he collapsed to the floor as his knees buckled.

He looked up at Stephanie as she wrapped her arms around him, and he just cried as she rubbed his back. He just didn't see how he could live without her by his side.

No Happy Endings (150 – Bedtime stories)

James smiled softly as his children settled around him, snuggled close as he found his place in the story book.

“Do the voices please, daddy.” The other two rapidly agreed and James began to read. His children laughed as he used various voices for the parts of the different characters.

As he reached the end, he had to swallow as he read about the characters' happy ever after.

Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, James scooped his laughing children one by one and settled them into their beds. He kissed each goodnight and wished them sweet dreams.

Making Arrangements (119 – We need to talk)

Stephanie patted the bed, “We need to talk, James.”

James swallowed hard and sat beside her, her hand clasped in his firm grip.

“I want to make memory boxes for the children, James. I don't want them to forget me.”

“They won't.” His voice was strained.

“I know, love.” Stephanie smiled, “I've prepared a list of things I want the children to do, and that box is full of birthday cards.”

She sighed as she saw James' stricken expression and pulled him into her arms, gently stroking his hair. “I haven't given up, love.”

Searching High and Low (173 – Obsession)

James' head hit the desk with a bang and he jerked awake to rub his tired eyes. He glanced at the clock and sighed as the display showed 3am. He had to be up for work at six and he needed to sleep. But he hadn't found the answer he was searching for, he needed to find it, it was far more important than sleep.

He took a quick break for some much needed caffeine and to check on Stephanie. Watching her as he drank gave James the boost he needed to return to scouring the internet for any treatment.

Putting on a Brave Face (174 – Hospital)

James had never liked hospitals, probably due to the number of broken limbs he had managed to collect over the years. But now, his dislike had intensified into hatred.

He hatred the clean corridors and the smell of disinfectant. The cheery smiles of the staff, hiding the horror of the truth beneath. He hated walking towards the ward, the words 'Oncology' all too noticeable and all too terrifying.

But most of all, he hated seeing Stephanie here. Pale, weak, her beautiful hair gone and her eyes dulled by pain.

He smiled and hid his hatred deep, never letting her know.

Falling Asleep (61 – sleepy)

Stephanie's blinked sleepily and yawned, her eyes drifting closed. “I'm sorry, James. I'm just really tired.”

James nodded, his throat suddenly dry and constricted. “Can I stay? I love to watch you sleep.”

Stephanie raised a shaky hand and James leaned into her caress. “I love you, James.”

James blinked back his tears. “I love you too, Steff.” He held her hand and watched her drift into sleep.

He stayed there, tears slipping down his face as the bleep became continuous. He let out a harsh half-sob, half-howl of pain and held her tight, rocking back and forth.

For Stephanie (3 – Determined)

James held his head high and although his eyes were red, they were dry. He gripped the hands of his youngest children, squeezing gently to reassure them as they sniffled.

He smiled at his eldest who, like him, was determined to walk proud and dignified to... James swallowed hard, his façade almost cracking until he clamped down hard on the grief that swirled in his heart and threatened to engulf him.

He would be strong for his children. Stephanie would have wanted that. He would be their mother as well as their father, always there for them, no matter what.