Paradox-o-rama Color drabbles
Title: Baby's First Halloween
She kicked the door shut with her heel and followed the sound of her husband's voice. Hitching the paper bag up on her hip, she leaned against the doorjamb as she watched the two most important men in her life. Aaron chased a cheerio around on the tray of his high chair while his daddy explained the importance of the Prime Directive. The smell of pumpkin bread wafted through the air. One pumpkin was already carved, the image of Leonard Nimoy's Spock backlit by a dancing flame. Appropriate, given the circumstances. However, she did hope it was an electric candle because she wasn't so keen on the idea of fire near the baby.
Entering the kitchen, she put the bag on the counter and peeked inside the pumpkin. Candle, of course. She should have known. Aaron gurgled at the sight of her, arms rising towards her. She plucked him out of the high chair and he cuddled up to her. Such a sweetie, just like his daddy. Moving behind Sheldon to examine the new pumpkin, she brushed a kiss against the top of his head.
"The Prime Directive, huh?"
He carefully laid the Xacto knife down and dabbed up a little pumpkin juice before turning to face her. Laying a hand on her hip, he looked at her very seriously and replied,
"It is never too early for Starfleet Training, Penny."
She laughed and then motioned him up. When he rose, she passed the baby over.
"Here you go, Spock. Hang onto your captain while I get the camera."
"Whatever you say, Lieutenant."
He settled the baby in his arms, reaching to pat the wrinkles out of the unitard. She came back with the camera and schooshed up close. Holding the camera up and out, she said, "Smile," before taking the picture. Aaron fussed a little at the flash, but a few bounces set him back to right.
"We'll have Leonard take a proper picture when he gets here. It's Aaron's first time role playing!"
She started to unpack the groceries, smiling to herself, while her husband lectured her on the difference between role playing and cosplay. She just loved Halloween.
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Title: Baby's First Autumn (Vacation? I'm not sure yet)
She sat on a picnic bench, chin resting on her knees, arms wrapped around her legs, as she watched her son run on chubby legs through fallen autumn leaves. She loved her life in California, but there are definitely things she misses about Nebraska. Seasons were one of them. Crunching sounds filled the air as Aaron started to make little hops. The air smells like autumn, with the faint scent of a wood fire drifting to her nose. The air was crisp, hinting of a frost. She shivered a little in her light jacket. Aaron had a stick now and was hitting the leaves, laughing when they swirled into the air.
"Really, Penny, when I agreed to come to Nebraska despite Aaron's youth, I did think you had more planned than letting our son brandish a stick."
She got up and tucked herself against Sheldon, wrapping an arm around his waist. Her husband was bundled up in a down jacket, despite the relatively mild temperatures.
"Well, you never know, Sheldon, maybe he's pretending to be a Jedi."
His large hand cupped the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. After all this time, he could still make her crazy.
"Is he?"
His tone was faintly skeptical and she laughed softly.
"He's playing. Just let him enjoy. He'll tire himself soon enough."
Aaron looked their way and waved enthusiastically before running after a leaf caught by the wind. They stood there together, watching their son run through the falling autumn leaves.
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Title: Before Baby 1
Her wedding bouquet was a giant bunch of sunflowers. In a rare eloquent moment, Sheldon compared her smile to the sun while they were walking through a botanical garden, their fingers twisted together. His free hand was hovering over a sunflower when he said it and ever since then, sunflowers were her favorite flower. It was one of her favorite memories, despite Sheldon's hissy fit when a bee got a little too close.
Her veil was a hand-me-down from her mother who got it from her mother. It was her something old as well as her something borrowed because, really, she's only holding it for the next generation. In idle moments, she thinks about having children with Sheldon and it didn't freak her out like she always thought it would. She always pictured a little boy with his eyes and her hair. She already knows he'll have Sheldon's brain, but he'll have her to educate him properly in pop culture.
Her dress made her feel like a princess, yes, a cliche, but true. It fell beautifully, made her butt look small, and boosted up her chest. There were small glass beads on the bodice and, when she was illuminated just right, she sparkled. Her shoes were new, a present from Sheldon, actually. After they started dating, he developed a preference for her in heels. He said it made it easier to kiss her. That was a favorite memory, too.
Her groom waited for her, his blue eyes watching her intently. She walked towards him and into her future.
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Title: Baby's First Fourth of July
Her toes curled into the sand and she almost cried at how good it felt. It was freakin' sand on a freakin' beach and, really, it wasn't like it was special, but it'd been so long. She hadn't wanted to try to navigate the rough terrain while heavily pregnant, like she could've even convinced Sheldon it would've been fine. The man had practically wrapped her in cotton battening the entire pregnancy.
Now, after playing the 'You got me pregnant and therefore I had to suffer through ten hours of labor' card, she'd gotten Sheldon to agree to come for the fireworks show. He sat with Aaron under a giant beach umbrella while she'd found a quiet spot to sit for a minute. Or two. Or ten. Maybe fifteen. She looked up at the nighttime sky, appreciating the stars above. Pregnancy had a way of grounding a body.
As she traced the Big Dipper with her gaze, the first firework shot off, exploding in a shower of red and orange sparks. A second one soon followed and she leaned back on her palms to appreciate the show. She always thought the sparks looked like glitter against the black velvet of the sky. The waves gently lapped against the shore, contrasting with the sharp crack of the fireworks' explosions.
It is not, however, loud enough to drown out the distant sound of a wail. Dropping her chin against her chest, she squeezed her eyes shut and wished really, really hard. The sound came again seconds later and she sighed. Rising to her feet, she picked up her flip flops and headed back to her family.
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Title: Baby's First Christmas
As she hummed along with a carol, she gently bathed Aaron. Playfully squeaking his rubber ducky, she laughed when he grabbed for it, splashing her a little. The front door slammed and she said,
"Daddy's home, baby! Shall we see if he bought us a present?"
She grabbed a towel and wrapped him up, the edges dipping the water. Smacking a noisy kiss on his cheek, she reveled in the clean baby smell. The house was gaily decorated for Christmas. She had won this battle with Sheldon back when they first moved in together, before Aaron was even a twinkle in his daddy's eye. She thought he eventually caved because it made his mother happy. Mama Cooper loved coming up to spend Christmas with them. His brother and Missy came when they could, and it was a full house for Aaron's first Christmas.
Aaron entertained himself by sucking on an edge of the towel as she searched for her husband. He was in the kitchen, holding a few large colorfully wrapped presents. Aaron made happy noises when he saw his daddy and Sheldon turned.
"Hi, Daddy, we missed you. Why don't you put those under the tree before Santa comes?"
Sheldon rolled his eyes, but complied, kissing her cheek as he went. Mama Cooper wiped her hands on her apron before reaching for her wet & naked grandson.
"C'mon, lovey, let's get some clothes on you. Give your Momma & Daddy a chance to smooch under the mistletoe."
In the time it took her to look up, Mama Cooper had whisked Aaron away and she was left with empty arms, staring at the greenery.
"What are you looking at?"
Arms wrapped around her waist and she leaned back for a moment before twisting around. Raising her arms and interlocking her fingers behind his neck, she gestured with her chin.
"Your mama seeded the house. I think she wants another grandbaby."
He huffed, exasperated, but a hint of a smile played around his lips. Tightening his lips, he leaned down and kissed her.
"Happy Saturnalia, Penny."
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Title: Long Way Around
Penny slams the trunk closed and brushes her hands together. The wind whips up the dust and tendrils of her hair fly into her face. She tucks them behind her ear and looks around one more time. This land had been in her family for a couple of generations and she felt a bone deep connection. She grew up here, knew every field and every dip in the land. She knew the best trees for climbing and the perfect spots for picnics. She knows the most secluded part in the creek for skinny dipping and she knows the best fishing pond. The land is in her blood.
Still, she always knew her future wouldn't be found here. She wants more than farming could bring. She doesn't want the life half of her friends have, settling down with husbands in the same town they grew up in. Community college wasn't enough to satisfy her craving for more, but the English class gave her the spark of an idea. She'd write a screenplay and go out to California to sell it. She'd play the lead, of course, and it would be a giant box office smash. Everyone would know her name and the world would be wide open to her. The only thing left to do was get going.
Her gaze surveys her surroundings again. She knew her family was against this plan, but she figured they'd at least see her off. Sighing sadly, she turns to get into the car she bought for $500 from a former classmate. Just then, she hears the barn door creak open and she whirls around. Her father is heading towards her. Walking quickly, she meets him halfway. They stand there in awkward silence for brief moments. Finally, her father hits her lightly on the shoulder and says,
"No matter what happens, Slugger, you can always come home."
Tears well in her eyes and she flings her arms around her father. He hugs her back, tightly, and it's hard to let go, but she reminds herself of all that's waiting for her. She steps back, wiping her eyes with her hand. Clearing her throat, she replies,
"Thanks, Daddy. I best be going if I want to avoid traffic."
He nods, folding his arms across his chest, and she walks back to her car. She settles in and looks in the rear view mirror. Her father is standing behind her, the barn behind him, and she turns to wave. He lifts a hand and then she starts the car to drive into her future. California, here she comes.
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