Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 13: A rest under the shade of a palm tree

"The miracle of life Juliet. I don't know how you do it. I used to not believe in miracles, but this island's changed me. You know, now your work could change the way we look at medicine. But the thing is, finding someone who won't take advantage of you because of that. You could help so many women back on the mainland become mother's. Why didn't you take the offer at the university? You would've had enough to take care of yourself and Hayley. You wouldn't have come to the island..."

Tears sprang to Juliet's eyes as Jack stopped speaking for a minute or two.

"If I had taken Ed's place as head of medical research and development at the university, I would've never met any of you Jack. You would still be on this island, and I would be home. With my sister and Julian. Hayley. James and I would've never met. I don't think I could live with that. My life for now is here, on the island. With James, Cara and all of you. Even with all the horrors. I may need professional help later, but for now, I'll deal with what the deck has given me. What about you Jack, do you ever regret coming here?"

Frowning Jack threw a twig towards the roaring waves of the ocean.

"I didn't really have a choice in the matter did I? I was kind of forced here. Of course not on purpose. Desmond forgot to push the button in the hatch. Then everything just went to hell. I don't know what my life would've been like had I not met Kate. Together we made Megan. She's got more of her mother than me. God knows I spoil her."

He looked up when he heard Kate speak.

"Megan wanted to come and see Juliet and the baby. I brought you some water."

Jack smiled at Megan and pulled her into his lap.

"Hey tumble bug. What are you doing up? You are supposed to be taking a nap."

Megan grew cross with Jack.

"No daddy. NO NAP."

Her face lit up when she saw Juliet.

"Julet. Cawa."

Megan tried climbing into Juliet's lap but Kate stopped her.

"Sweetie, we can't climb in Aunt Juliet's lap while she has Cara ok?"

Looking confused Megan began to fuss.

"No mama. Want Julet. Pease?"

Kate couldn't resist Megan's pleas. Juliet handed Cara over to Jack and took Megan into her lap.

"Did you come over here to say hi to your cousin?"

Megan nodded her head and looked wide-eyed over at Jack and was running an index finger along her right arm.

"Baby?"

Juliet smiled at Megan and kissed her forehead, rocking her a bit.

"Do you want to say hi to Cara? Be really careful with her ok?"

Megan smiled as Jack leaned over toward Juliet with Cara.

"Pinger!"

Juliet was confused at first and then she saw that Cara had grabbed ahold of Megan's finger.

"Oh, she grabbed your finger huh? She likes you."

Megan pretended to be shy and hid her face in Juliet's shirt.

"Julet."

Juliet giggled and watched as Megan settled against her chest. She yawned and closed her eyes.

"Night. Night."

Kate smirked at Juliet and then gaped at her.

"Juliet how do you do that? With you she just knocks right out. She fights a nap every time I try to put her down."

Juliet carefully shift against the palm tree.

"All about how you approach it."

Juliet could clearly see a hint of jealously below Kate's pretty features, but it disappeared.

"Well I'll have to keep that in mind."

To Be Continued...