Twelve Months

July

When Sara had awoken this morning, the thought had crossed her mind to drag the three men in her life to some frivolous activity that, by lunchtime at least, she had figured they would enjoy. The zoo, for want of a better family outing, had become the all too apparent victim; chosen and paid for with a quick phone call, leaflet in hand and a broad grin gracing her face.

Now that they were actually here, the Three Musketeers plus the infant D'artagnan had discovered that maybe her first thought was not always the best. Lincoln was sulking, his face pursed as he absently kicked at the chipped bark pathway that wound around the exhibits. If that's what they could have been called. They reminded Lincoln so much of Fox River, his pain and endless isolation etched onto each and every furry face he encountered.

However, on the opposite end of the scale, Michael's face grinned with excitement and he held his wide eyed son in his arms, exposing him to every sight and sound he would only ever encountered had Sara given birth in the jungle. Cole took in his surroundings, the high whistles and the chattering of tiny primates with a slightly fearful expression; a mirror image of his furry cousins clinging to their mother's backs.

Ever the doting father, Michael lifted his son closer to his face, whispering the names of each animal they came across. Cole's tired eyes searched his father's and gargling noises came from the infant. As Sara watched them, she could only imagine what Cole was thinking, her own laugher slipping from tightly bound lips on a cough. She followed the pair loyally, pushing the rattling rubber rimmed wheels of Cole's empty stroller awkwardly on the path.

This particular July was mild, not even close to becoming hot yet and somewhere, in the back of his mind, Lincoln blamed global warming. He wished LJ had come today, if not for the mindless mental torture of wild animals, then to keep him company. If the bustling zoo had to reminded him so much of his incarceration, Lincoln wanted LJ with him. Alas, a petite blonde named Alyson with brimming blue eyes and a polite disposition held his attention today and kept him from his family duties.

"Linc, are you ok?" Sara's voice shook the burly man from his daydream and his head snapped up from his shoes and their eyes met. Sara's hazel orbs glowed radiantly in the warming sunshine, her brow minutely furrowed with concern and her half open smile faded from her face. Lincoln gave her a warm smile and motioned around him with a lightly tanned arm.

"It's just a little too familiar, you know?" he admitted, his gaze dropping to his feet once more where his dark brown leather effect trainers had picked up dust from the pathway, splattering the grey matter all over his toes.

"Oh I'm sorry," Sara said in a pleading tone, which was met with a half smirk. "I didn't think," She stuttered slowly, placing her hand to her forehead and accenting her low intelligence. Lincoln balled his fists in his pockets as they followed Michael's footsteps side by side.

"It's fine," Lincoln lied with a sigh. "We're not here for me anyway," he smiled with a small nod towards the black haired bundle in Michael's arms. Sara turned her head towards her son, who was desperately trying to sleep through his father's ramblings. A small laugh left Sara from low in her chest.

"Does he even look bothered by any of this?" She chuckled. "He's trying to sleep but Michael wont let him," she added a little frustrated. Lincoln swung his head to hers and grinned. Sara caught his infectious grin and her pearly white teeth peaked from her smooth lips.

"This isn't for Michael?" Lincoln mused, a rumbled laugh following his words. Sara raised her eyebrows with her smile.

"If I'd known screaming animals would make him grin like that..." Sara started with a chuckle but her words trailed off with her thoughts. "Never mind," she shook her head. Lincoln smiled to himself and was thankful she hadn't divulged any further information.