Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 75: Joy and comfort in bonding

Juliet rang the doorbell on Angela and General Stevenson's house and sighed with anxiety clouding her mind. It had only been a couple of weeks since she'd last seen the little boy she'd given birth to. She didn't even know his name. Toby deserved to know his brother, and what his name was. But Toby was at home with James and the girls. She heard a baby crying behind the door and it only made her more anxious. When the door opened, she saw Angela holding the small boy in her arms.

"Oh! Juliet! Come on in! I was just about to feed him. I'm sorry about the mess. Everything's just been so crazy and hectic since we brought him home from the hospital."

Taking a look around her, Juliet noticed the walls were lined with photos. She guessed some were General Stevenson's family, and some were her family. Smiling awkwardly, Juliet stared at the flailing boy in Angela's arms.

"What's his name?"

Juliet traced his tiny pink nose with her index finger. Angela smiled down at him.

"Tobias. Tobias Andrew Stevenson."

Juliet got tears in her eyes as the two women went over to the couch and had a seat.

"That's a beautiful name."

Angela got up after she placed Tobias in Juliet's arms.

"Would you like to feed him Juliet?"

Juliet smiled and her eyes lit up.

"I'd love to. Thank you."

As Angela left for the kitchen Juliet stared down at Tobias, who had now opened his eyes. He had locked his gaze on hers and didn't let go. He was grabbing bits of her shirt and
stuffing them in his mouth. A piece of her told her she should just go ahead and feed him. The other half told her not to.

"This isn't my house buddy."

Tobias cooed at Juliet and continued munching a piece of her shirt. Angela came back into the living room with a heated bottle and was about to hand it to Juliet when she noticed
the look on her face.

"You know if you want to nurse him, that's fine with me. I know how important breast milk is for babies when their this age."

Juliet broke eye contact with Tobias for a brief moment to look up at Angela.

"If your uncomfortable with me doing that, I can just give him the bottle. Really, it's no trouble."

Angela put a hand on Juliet's. Shaking her head and smiling, she spoke up.

"Juliet, I realize now that my attitude towards you in the hospital was completely unfounded. Tobias deserves to know he has two mommies. Two mommies and a daddy who love him very much. Get to know him."

Juliet decided to strike up some small talk with Angela.

"I have worked for years helping women get pregnant. You know if you two wanted to try to have a second child down the road, I may be able to help you get pregnant."

Angela had tears in her eyes.

"You mean, I could get pregnant?"

Juliet smiled and listened to Tobias eating.

"Yes. I just have to isolate the problem. I know I asked this before, but when did you notice you and Lawrence were having trouble conceiving?"

Angela played with Tobias' toe and frowned.

"Four years ago. Twice a month we tried. Could you tell if its me, him or both of us?"

Juliet looked thoughtful and nodded.

"I'd have to run more tests on the both of you to determine what's causing the problem."

Tobias was getting squirmy under the blanket and Juliet adjusted him so that he was comfortable. Angela had a look in her eye that Juliet hadn't seen before.

"If this works, I want you to know how grateful I am. I love Tobias. I do. But I didn't give birth to him. You did."

Juliet furrowed her eyebrows and looked serious.

"What are you saying Angela?"

Juliet had straightened herself out and was trying to piece together Angela's thought process.

"I love Tobias. But he's not mine. I didn't give birth to him."

Tobias let out a cry and stuffed a piece of Juliet's shirt in his mouth. Putting him up to her shoulder, she began to burp him.

"Ok Angela listen to me: Tobias is yours. Doctor Jacobson confirmed it. The blood test confirms he is yours."

Angela played with Tobias' foot and sighed.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm missing something here. He's a wonderful baby, but I just don't think I have the same natural maternal instincts as you do."

Juliet shook her head and held Tobias towards Angela.

"Angela, look at this baby. He's got your eyes, and your husband's nose. He is a perfectly healthy little boy. Don't sell yourself short."

Angela was holding a lot of self-doubt, Juliet wasn't exactly trained in this kind of area of help. She wasn't a therapist.

To Be Continued...