@notphoenix
Jessica Jones sat on a bench at Bryant Park watching families go past.
It was really creepy.
Or, at least, that’s what Jess was telling herself. But staring at people wasn’t a crime, was it? She had her hands folded lazily in her lap as she actually sat quietly and contemplated things. The investigator was so stranger to watching silently, studying, internalizing things about the people walking by. But now, even though she was watching young couples and their babies enjoy the amenities of the park, her focus was almost completely turned in on herself.
Why do babies need so many things? Strollers, diaper bags, what was all that crap? Are we going to be able to afford that?
Luke was looking for security work, sure, and Jessica was thinking of pulling some old strings to find an actual job with actual health insurance, but the thought of turning back to desk work (even if only for a little while, to support their weird little family) was already exhausting her. And now there was the idea of moving, since it clearly wasn’t safe to live in her office anymore if the ninjas knew where to find her.
Do I know how to hold a baby? Can I be gentle? I’m not good with this stuff. Will the baby get either of our powers?
She sighed, trying not to pitch a silent fit and leave all at once. She and Luke were making this commitment- they both wanted it. But the real work had barely begun. At ten weeks, Jessica’s lower abdomen had only the slightest bow to it- not really noticeable to anyone except for her. She felt it in the fit of her jeans, mostly, but it was subtle. Sometimes Luke even asked, “You sure you’re not just slouching?”
Jessica knew how excited he was for this. Watching the other families passing by and thinking about how little she knew about all that was making the woman tense. Like she’d already failed before trying.