~Eleven'sPirouette~ and counting stars

[bibliophile;]

JJ nodded. "Lets go bowling."

Kris heard him walk in. "What do you want?" She asked impatiently, not looking up from the page of War and Peace.

[twofrogsinacoat]

Sarah nodded a bit. "Okay. Can we go right now?"

Luke raised an eyebrow and slowed his steps. "Um...bringing Carrie in?"

[bibliophile;]

JJ nodded and grabbed his jacket and keys.

Kris glanced up. "Okay," she said in the same tone.

[twofrogsinacoat]

Sarah walked to his car and climbed into the passenger seat.

Luke sighed. He gently set Carrie beside her on the bed, then sat beside Carrie. "Are you mad at me for something?"

[bibliophile;]

JJ got in and drove.

Kris sighed, setting the boom aside. "A little. All you ever dobis watch that football crap. Then when you do pry your eyes away, it's to punish the kids! And WE never di the things we used to. Never go to dinner or a movie. We hardly even cuddle before bed now."

[twofrogsinacoat]

Sarah looked over at him and smiled a bit. "I'm sorry for not being very...lively."

Luke sighed and looked at her. "I'm sorry you feel that way." It hurt a little, that she thought that was all he did. "Do you want to do something together? We can, if you want. I miss you, Kris. And I don't like punishing the kids; they need discipline. I don't like being the bad guy."

[bibliophile;]

"It's okay," he said.

Kris sighed and got up. She walked to the window. "When you sah things like that it makes ne feel like a bad mother," she said in response to the last part. "I just don't know anymore.If you really 'miss' me then why haven't you made an effort to change things?"

[twofrogsinacoat]

Sarah took his hand gently. "I'll be more fun, I promise."

Luke sighed. "I don't mean to make you feel bad, Kris. I don't want to be super strict but I don't think we should live without restrictions." He got up and walked to her. "I don't try to make an effort because I didn't know that you felt the same way." He hesitated, then kissed her cheek gently.

[bibliophile;]

JJ smiled. "Its okay."

Kris sighed. She didn't react like she used to. No goosebumps raised at his touch. She still loved him more than words but... "I've felt like this for a year, Lucas." She rubbed her forearm. "I'm just not happy anymore," she admitted quietly.

[twofrogsinacoat]

Sarah kissed his hand gently and offered a smile. "So when do your parents get back, again?"

Luke winced. "It's been that long?" he asked. His heart and stomach sank as she said that she wasn't happy anymore. "Kris..." He didn't know what he could say. He loved her so much. True, he didn't always get goosebumps or feel the fireworks in his mind when they kissed, but he still loved her. Did she love him?