Chapter Text
The air in the hospital room was thick with a mix of anxiety and anticipation as Lisa Cameron endured the final stages of labor. Ward stood by her side, his normally composed demeanor betraying hints of nervousness and excitement. They had prepared for this day for months, imagining the joy of welcoming twins into their lives.
Sarah was the first to enter the world, her cries echoing through the room like a symphony of new beginnings. She emerged strong and full of vigor, tiny fists flailing as if eager to explore her surroundings. Lisa's heart swelled with love and relief at the sight of her daughter, and Ward couldn't hide his beaming smile.
"Sarah Evangeline Cameron" Lisa whispered, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks as she held her newborn daughter for the first time. Ward leaned in close, pressing a gentle kiss on Lisa's forehead, overwhelmed with emotion.
But their joyous moment was soon tempered by the impending arrival of the second twin. Jesse James, unlike his sister, arrived into the world silently, his tiny form appearing fragile and delicate. The room seemed to hold its breath as the medical team worked swiftly to stabilize him. Lisa's heart clenched with worry, her eyes darting between her two newborns — one vibrant and crying, the other still and pale.
As Jesse James or just James was whisked away to the neonatal intensive care unit due to his precarious health, Ward's initial elation quickly turned to disappointment. A baby boy. He had hoped for another daughter, someone he could dote on and shower with love. This unexpected turn left him unsettled, though he tried to mask his feelings behind a façade of forced cheerfulness.
In the following days, Sarah thrived under the attentive care of Lisa and the hospital staff. She nursed eagerly, gained weight steadily, and quickly became the center of attention for visitors and well-wishers. Lisa spent hours marveling at her daughter's every movement, cherishing their bonding moments as she nursed Sarah and whispered sweet lullabies into her ear.
Meanwhile, James's early days were a stark contrast. His fragile health demanded round-the-clock monitoring and care, and Lisa found herself torn between her newborn daughter and her son fighting for survival in the NICU. Ward, unable to connect with James as he had with Sarah, distanced himself further. He rarely visited James in the NICU, choosing instead to spend his time with Sarah, inadvertently reinforcing the growing divide between the twins.
Sarah, even in her infancy, displayed a remarkable sense of protectiveness towards her twin brother. Whenever she was held close to James's incubator, her tiny fingers would reach out as if to comfort him. Rafe, their toddler son, took an instant liking to JJ. He would sit beside the incubator, babbling softly to his baby brother with a tenderness that belied his young age.
Lisa, torn between the needs of her twins and the emotional distance growing between Ward and James, found solace in her children's bond. She often marveled at how Sarah seemed to sense James's presence, her eyes lighting up whenever they were reunited after brief separations. It was as if their bond transcended mere sibling connection; it was a silent understanding that bound them together from the moment they were conceived.
Ward's disappointment in James's fragility only seemed to deepen over time. He struggled to understand his son's needs, viewing him through the lens of weakness and unworthiness. Lisa's attempts to bridge the gap between father and son often fell on deaf ears, as Ward busied himself with work and distanced himself emotionally from James's struggle for survival.
Arguments between Ward and Lisa became more frequent as they grappled with the complexities of raising twins under such challenging circumstances. Lisa pleaded for Ward to see James's potential beyond his illness, while Ward grew increasingly resentful of the additional strain James's condition placed on their already strained family dynamics.
The first few months passed in a haze of emotions — joy, fear, hope, and sorrow intermingling in the Cameron household. Sarah and James's bond grew stronger with each passing day, their connection a beacon of light amidst the stormy seas of their parents' tumultuous relationship. As the twins approached their first birthday, their futures remained uncertain, their paths intricately woven together yet destined to diverge in unforeseen ways.
As the years passed Sarah and James celebrated their second birthday, the contrast in their treatment became increasingly apparent to James. He watched with a child's keen observance as Ward lavished attention on Sarah, presenting her with a beautifully wrapped gift that elicited squeals of delight from his beloved daughter. Meanwhile, he stood by, forgotten in the shadow of his sister's joy.
Confusion and hurt welled up inside him as he struggled to comprehend why his father's affection seemed reserved solely for Sarah and Rafe. He couldn't articulate the feeling gnawing at his young heart, but the ache was palpable as he looked up at Lisa with questioning eyes.
"Mama," he finally voiced his confusion in a small, trembling voice, tears brimming in his eyes. "Why doesn't Daddy love me like he loves Sarah and Rafe?"
Lisa's heart shattered into a thousand pieces at her son's innocent question. She knelt down, enveloping her son in a tight embrace, her fingers gently brushing through his tousled hair. "Oh, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Daddy loves you very much. He just... has a different way of showing it sometimes."
But James, though young, was perceptive beyond his years. He sensed the undercurrents of tension that rippled through their household like a brewing storm. He knew the sting of Ward's dismissive glances, the lack of warmth in his rare interactions. It hurt in a way he couldn't quite articulate.
Rafe, at eight years old, had taken on a protective role over his baby brother. He noticed James's sorrow and rallied around him with fierce loyalty. Whenever Ward's attention waned, Rafe would swoop in, offering James his favorite toys or sneaking him extra cookies when Lisa wasn't looking. Sarah, too, showed unwavering devotion to her twin, holding Jamea's hand and whispering reassuring words whenever he felt lost in the shadows of their father's neglect.
Lisa, caught in the middle of her children's conflicting needs and emotions, found herself increasingly at odds with Ward. Their arguments escalated from whispered disagreements to heated confrontations that echoed through the walls of their once-harmonious home. Lisa pleaded for Ward to see James's inherent worth, to acknowledge his vulnerabilities and strengths alike. Ward, stubborn and prideful, hardened his heart against his son, viewing him as a reminder of disappointments and unmet expectations.
The day of their second birthday party was a poignant culmination of these tensions. Ward had meticulously planned a celebration for Sarah, oblivious or perhaps indifferent to the fact that it was also his son's special day. As the festivities unfolded, Sarah's laughter rang through the house, her eyes sparkling with joy as she unwrapped her gifts.
James watched silently from the sidelines, a hollow ache settling in his chest as he realized he wasn't even an afterthought in his father's mind. His eyes filled with unshed tears, his small shoulders slumping under the weight of rejection.
Rafe, ever perceptive, noticed James's crestfallen expression. With a solemn determination, he took his brothers hand and led him to a corner of the room away from the festivities. "Don't worry, bro," Rafe whispered softly, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and fierce protectiveness. "You're the best brother anyone could ask for. We love you."
Sarah, too young to fully grasp the complexities of their family dynamics, toddled over to JJ and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "Happy birthday, Jay!" she exclaimed, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
Lisa's heart shattered anew as she watched her children rally around James, shielding him from the hurt that threatened to consume him. She exchanged a pained glance with Ward across the room, their eyes reflecting the fractured state of their once-united front.
Later that evening, after the guests had left and the house grew quiet, Lisa found herself standing in the dimly lit hallway outside James's room. She could hear muffled sobs emanating from within, the sound of her son's heartache breaking hers in return.
Inside, James lay curled up in his bed, tears streaming down his cheeks as he clutched a small toy car Rafe had given him earlier. Lisa sat down beside him, brushing his hair back gently and murmuring soothing words of comfort.
"Mommy," JJ whispered, his voice trembling with raw vulnerability. "Why doesn't Daddy love me?"
Lisa's heart shattered all over again. She pulled JJ into her arms, holding him close as she struggled to find the right words. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, her own tears mingling with his. "Daddy... Daddy has his own way of showing love. But you are so loved, Jay. Never doubt that."
As she rocked her baby back and forth, the weight of their family's discord hung heavy in the air. The road ahead seemed fraught with challenges, uncertainties looming on the horizon. But in that tender moment, mother and son found solace in each other's embrace, their bond a testament to the resilience of love in the face of adversity
As some months passed Lisa's return from her work trip was met with a scene that chilled her to the core. As she drove up the familiar driveway, her heart sank at the sight of Ward and Sarah playing happily in the yard. The air should have been filled with the laughter of their children, but instead, a heavy silence hung over the house like a shroud.
Rafe, usually the first to greet her with a hug and a smile, stood by the door to James's room, his face streaked with tears of frustration and worry. Lisa's pulse quickened as she rushed towards him, her mind racing with dread. Something was terribly wrong.
"W-ward locked Jay in his room," Rafe choked out, his voice trembling with emotion. "He's been crying and crying, Mom. I can't get the door open."
Lisa's hands shook as she fumbled for the key, her heart pounding in her chest. Her maternal instincts screamed at her, urging her to hurry, to reach her baby boy who needed her desperately.
Finally, the door yielded to her frantic efforts, swinging open with a creak that echoed through the silent hallway. Lisa's breath caught in her throat as she stepped into the dimly lit room, her eyes falling on JJ's crib in the corner.
What she saw next would haunt her nightmares for years to come.
His tiny form lay curled up in his crib, his small body shaking uncontrollably. His cheeks were streaked with tears, his chest heaving with the effort of his sobs. The room was cold, the winter air seeping through the cracks in the window. James's diaper was overflowing and soiled, evidence of neglect that twisted Lisa's gut with fury.
"Jay!" Lisa cried out, her voice breaking as she rushed to his side. But as she reached out to comfort him, James recoiled in fear, his cries escalating into panicked screams. He was burning with fever, his skin flushed and clammy to the touch. His breathing was labored, each breath a struggle against the invisible weight crushing his tiny chest.
"Stay 'way!" JJ shrieked, his voice hoarse with terror. "Don't touch me!"
Lisa's heart shattered into a million pieces. She had never seen James like this — so terrified, so broken. She fought against her own tears as she desperately tried to calm him, to reassure him that she was there to help. But he pushed her away, his small frame trembling with fear and confusion.
Rafe stood frozen in the doorway, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he watched his baby brother suffer, helpless to ease his pain. Sarah, sensing the tension and fear in the room, toddled over to James's crib, her eyes wide with concern.
"Dad!" Rafe called out, his voice breaking with anger and desperation. "Dad, please come!"
But Ward remained outside, unmoved by his son's cries. His indifference cut through Lisa like a knife. She turned to him, her voice cracking with fury. "Ward, how could you? How could you lock him in here like this? He's sick, he's terrified, and you... you didn't even care!"
Ward's expression hardened, his jaw clenched stubbornly. "He's fine," he muttered dismissively. "He's just being difficult, like always."
Lisa's chest tightened with rage. "He's not fine, Ward! Look at him!" she shouted, gesturing towards her son, who continued to cry and hyperventilate in his crib.
Finally, Ward relented, stepping into the room with an air of resignation. He glanced briefly at James, his face a mask of indifference. "Fine, take care of him then," he muttered, turning on his heel and stalking out of the room.
Lisa gathered James into her arms, heedless of his protests, and carried him out into the warmth of the living room. She cradled him close, murmuring soothing words and pressing kisses to his feverish forehead. Sarah clung to JJ's side, her small hand reaching out to touch his cheek in a gesture of comfort.
Rafe hovered nearby, his eyes red-rimmed with tears of frustration and sadness. "I'm sorry, Jay," he whispered hoarsely. "I tried to help you."
Lisa held her baby close, her heart breaking for her son's suffering. She rocked him gently, whispering promises of love and protection, vowing silently that she would never let him feel abandoned or neglected again.
As the hours passed, James's fever slowly subsided under Lisa's loving care. He drifted into a fitful sleep, exhausted from his ordeal but comforted by the warmth and security of his family's embrace.
In the aftermath of that harrowing day, the fractures in their family seemed irreparable. Lisa's love for her children burned brighter than ever, a fierce flame of maternal devotion that would shield them from any storm. But the scars of neglect and indifference ran deep, leaving wounds that would take more than time to heal.
The aftermath of the traumatic incident with Ward left Lisa and Rafe even more protective of James. They were determined to shield him from any harm, physical or emotional, that might come his way. Sarah, especially, became her twins constant shadow, never straying far from his side.
From the moment he woke until he drifted off to sleep, Sarah and Rafe were there, attending to his every need. They insisted on helping Lisa bathe him, gently washing his delicate skin and coaxing hesitant smiles from him with their playful antics. Sarah, despite her discomfort in the cramped crib, insisted on sleeping beside James every night, her arms wrapped protectively around him as if to shield him from nightmares and the lingering trauma of being locked in his room.
Mealtimes became a family affair, with Sarah and Rafe eagerly spooning pureed foods into James's mouth, celebrating each swallow as a triumph over his previous struggles. They cheerfully changed his diapers, sharing whispered secrets and silly faces to keep him entertained, even when he was too weak to smile back.
Playtime was another cherished activity for the siblings. Sarah and Rafe eagerly shared their toys with their baby brother, introducing him to colorful blocks and plush animals, patiently teaching him how to stack and sort with the same enthusiasm they once reserved for themselves. They would sit in a circle on the nursery floor, Sarah and Rafe on either side of James, guiding his hands as he explored new textures and shapes with wide-eyed wonder.
Despite their physical similarities as twins, Sarah looked significantly older and larger than JJ to the point their own parents would sometimes forget they were the same age. Her protective instincts seemed to stem not just from sibling love but from a maternal urge to care for her brother. She would gently wipe away his tears, stroke his hair soothingly, and whisper comforting words into his ear when he woke from fitful sleep.
Rafe, too, became fiercely protective of his baby brother. He would stand guard whenever visitors came to the house, his small frame puffed up with pride as he ensured James’s toys were not taken without permission. Rafe's protective nature, combined with his animated laughter, filled the room with joy.
Meanwhile, Lisa wrestled with her own feelings of guilt and helplessness. She watched her children with a mixture of pride and concern, marveling at the bond between Sarah, Rafe, and James that only grew stronger with each passing day. However, she couldn't ignore the reality of Ward's neglect and indifference towards their son, which continued despite the traumatic incident.
Late at night, when the house was quiet and her thoughts were her only companions, Lisa found herself considering a painful decision. She couldn’t bear to see her baby suffer any longer under Ward’s neglect. The idea of giving James up to Luke, who had always harbored a deep affection for her, began to take root in her mind. It tore at her heart to think of separating JJ from his siblings, but she couldn’t shake the belief that Luke could provide a loving and stable environment that Ward seemed incapable of offering.
Lisa kept her thoughts to herself, unsure of how to broach such a devastating topic with anyone, especially Sarah and Rafe, who had become James’s unwavering protectors. She feared their reaction, knowing they would not easily understand or accept the idea of their brother leaving their family.
As days turned into weeks, Lisa’s internal struggle intensified. She observed Luke from a distance, noticing the genuine care and concern he showed towards James whenever he visited. Luke seemed to understand her baby in a way that no one else did, offering him quiet reassurance and a sense of security that Ward’s presence could not provide...
One evening, as she sat alone in the nursery with JJ fast asleep in Sarah’s arms, Lisa found herself at a crossroads. Tears blurred her vision as she gently stroked JJ’s cheek, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and sorrow. She whispered silent apologies to her sleeping son, promising him that whatever decision she made would be in his best interest.
“I love you, JJ,” Lisa murmured softly, her voice choked with emotion. “I just want what’s best for you.”
With those whispered words, Lisa made a solemn vow to herself and to JJ. She would find the courage to confront her fears and make a decision that would protect him from further harm, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness in the process.