Sunday Snippet: Choice to Make

Happy Valentineweek to those who celebrate. I'll throw in Galentine, friends with benefits,and all things hearts and flowers, too. February is a short but sometimesbrutal month. Celebrate whatever you can.

Very busy work weekwith some great projects. Ran into a few glitchy things in a manuscript andthat slowed my flow down. I actually enjoy that sometimes. Makes me stop andthink about the story and how to suggest better changes.

Semi-decent viewingweek. Made it through my shortened list of shows but had no time for my rewatchof Battlestar Galactica.

Started off withthe season three opener of My Life Is Murder. Still enjoying this showso much. I think three is the last season so I'm going to savor it.

Started a newtwo-part Agatha Raisin. Very much enjoyed the antics of Wilkes and I'm alittle bummed that Bill and Toni aren't really connecting. Also kind of wishRoy had more to do.

Watched the seasontwenty-five opening episode of Silent Witness. Kind of cool to see Sam Ryanagain. I think this season is focused around one main case and I'm kind ofexcited to see where it goes. Also kind of great to see Nikki and Jack maybeget their bookmark on the same page. We'll see how that goes.

Caught anotherepisode of Death in Paradise. Very interesting premise for this one. Enjoyedthe unraveling of the case to find out who did it.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Elementary. I like Joan's resistance to staying with Sherlockbut it would be more interesting if she actually said why she didn't want tostick around.

Watched another episodeof The Batman. I'd forgotten about this one and kind of loved how Barbarafigured out who Batman is then decided she had it all wrong. Fun episode.

Caught another episodeof Classic Rugrats. I have vague memories of the two vignettes andrather enjoyed both.

Got another episodeof The Secret Life of Amy Benson in and pretty much loved it. The storyis moving along and I'm excited to get more details to her past.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Choice to Make,a novella where the Fates step in and offer a choice.

Here's theminiblurb:

Hallen and Will never get the timing right until theFates step in and give them a chance. But each has a choice to make, and cosmicirony may rear its ugly head … again.

And a preview snippet…

Will dropped his pen. That's it.The final tests are complete." He gave Hallen a wide grin. "It'shabitable. You found us a new home." His heart filled with pride at heraccomplishment.

Hallen blinked. "You're serious?"Wonder filled her voice. "I can't believe it." She slumped back inthe chair. "What's next?"

Will's stomach growled. "Idon't know about you, but I'm getting some dinner. Wanna join me?" Hearched a brow.

They'd spent a lot of time togetherover the past three days. She might need some time alone. He started for theexit.

Hallen hopped up. "I can definitelyeat something. My stomach's been in knots since we made orbit." She followedWill out into the corridor.

He didn't blame her for beingtwitchy. No one had known if the planet she led them to would be able tosupport life. The big, beautiful rock could, and they all had some decisions tomake. Human and clone—living together… Could they finally get things right?

The not being certain might explainthe odd restlessness he'd had since they arrived at the coordinates Hallenprovided. Change is coming. He didn'tknow why the idea calmed and terrified him in equal measure.

The dining hall had a handful ofpeople, so they found a quiet table in a corner. Hallen tucked into her foodwith gusto. Some things never changed, and another layer of satisfactionrippled through him.

Hallen glanced up. "Is itweird this is like the best pasta I've ever tasted?" She swirled anotherforkful up.

Will cracked a grin. "Amazinghow good something tastes when it's sprinkled with a victorious feeling."

Hallen nodded and they ate insilence for a while. Once each cleaned their plate, they headed to the drop-offarea. Will broached a topic he'd been putting off, mainly to avoid dredging uppast hurts.

But she faced a big decision abouther former lover, the one she discovered to be a clone only weeks before she'ddisappeared. He'd put his life on the line—in her memory—during the final daysof fighting for their lost planet. Toxic exposure to a clone-specific form ofradiation ravaged through him and he'd been isolated since before her return.

Will kept his tone casual. "Haveyou checked on James recently? How is he?"

Hallen's face fell. "He's notgood. He can't communicate verbally anymore. But he's still able to write and sign."Her voice lowered when they exited the dining hall and started for quarters. "Hetold me he's not going down to the planet."

Will paused. "Are you okaywith that?" Even if she and James weren't together anymore, she rarely letpeople go.

She held up a hand. "Can wetalk about this inside?" Her head tilted toward her quarters.

Will nodded. "Sure, I'm donefor the night." He strolled into her space and settled on the sofa besideher.

Hallen took a moment beforeresuming their conversation. "To answer, no, I'm honestly not all rightwith James staying behind." She met Will's gaze. "But he made it clear,in the nicest possible way, that I don't have a say in his decision." Hereyes welled with tears. "And I get that. I do. But he's basically choosingdeath because he can't care for himself." Her voice broke.

Will's heart went out to her andthe bitterness he expected didn't hit him between the eyes.

He put his arms around her and drewher close. "I'm sorry, Hallen. I know this isn't what you'd want for him."Hell, Will hated the idea of James staying behind, even if they'd been closerto rivals than anything else.

Hallen sought solace with Jameswhen Will walked away from her after their one night of passion. They'd finallylaid the ghost of his brother to rest, and Will had been ready for them tostart a future. Hallen … not so much. Will had learned a valuable lesson fromthe whole debacle. Hallen had to come to him on her terms. Not his.

She snuggled into him. "Shouldn'tdump this on you. I made a mess of everything and everyone." Her gaze roseto meet his. "It's selfish, but I'm glad you're here." She put herhead on his shoulder.

Will wrapped an arm around her."No place I'd rather be right now." He meant every word.

She let out a small gasp and her shouldersshook. He let her cry the cleansing tears she needed to expel. He brushed hishand over her hair and murmured soothing words until she finally fell asleep.

They'd never had such an honestconversation about their past mistakes. Something real and true with no morehiding behind angst and snark. A big step for them. His lips curved and hishead lolled on the back of the couch when his drifted eyes shut.

This story ispretty much complete minus a few finishing touches. I'm so excited to get itready for publication!

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye