The Navigator

34. Hydrogen Bonds

Author's Note:

Song Credit: When I Get There, Big Wild

This Chapter contains some mature language and sexual themes. This story is rated mature so discretion is advised.

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Jax let the warm water just fall for a moment, surface tension and cohesion compelling the rivulets that ran down his skin to merge before the force of gravity and the friction of his skin forced them apart and away again. Falling, binding, dissolving- a perfect disillusionment. Faith of hydrogen bonds the most readily to form and the easiest to break. His belief was stronger than that, based on something more real, yet less tangible than molecular science. His core was now anchored to the fickle and impossible belief that love was enough. Enough to swear too and enough to hope for, if he could have his love he would be satisfied. If at the end of his life, when he himself began to dissolve and break apart, he could say he belonged to her- then he was sure he will have died happy.

The reflection of his waking yesterday was fresh and he ran through it again, a reel of happiness that repeated itself over and over. Consistent in his memory, but each new pass offered more for him to enjoy, to cherish. He had woken to a rustling in his bed, and a creature pounding small fists at his back while something light tickled his face. He had started his crawl back to consciousness just as a small bottom slammed against his side then proceeded to bounce up and down with great energy.

"Oh Gemmie! Be nice!" A voice broke in through the flouncing "I said 'let's wake him up' not brutalize him."

Jax had felt the mother approach but before the source of destruction could be removed he had awkwardly grabbed the girl by the shirt and hauled her over his back and into his arms, where he aggressively snuggled her. Holding her tight and placing several quick kisses to the top of her head. Gemma had struggled, pushing away from him as she giggled, trying ineffectually to escape a cuddly fate that, to her, was worse than death.

He had heard Addy approach and felt gentle hands at shoulder and waist as she peered over him to watch. That was simply unacceptable.

Jax had rotated, lifting Addy bodily to throw her over him and into the bed on the other side of their child, arms tight enough around her that Gem became the perfect ingredient in a Jax and Addy sandwich. Legs were tangled as best they could be with him still under the covers and her outside of them, arms and stroking hands everywhere. He clutched his girls to him as he breathed them in, his family, blood and bone, a sought and chosen fate.

They did not remain for long, the impatience of toddlers unmistakable as a squirming between them as Gem had forced her way out of his hold. Flopping over her mother to the other side of the bed, and had Addy turned, pressing her back against him as she kept wary eyes on the girl. Jax had smoothed down her hair, bandages catching in soft tresses so he could see as well, wondering as to the goal of the tiny individual.

He had nearly realized too late what all parents must already know, when given freedom- children always chose the most dangerous path. Gem had gone head first off the side of the bed, and both adults rushed to catch her. Jax just ahead, managing to catch a tiny ankle in strong fingers. The owner of said appendage began immediately to wail at the unfairness of not being allowed to smash her face onto the floor if she damn well pleased.

"What in the world! How is she mad at me?" He asked as he sat the girl down who had been swatting at him with tiny furious hands, face screwed up in abject protest against the mistreatment. It was the silliest thing he had ever seen but his snickers only made it worse, globes of frustrated tears falling down her face.