Title: Carrot

Summary: It was one of those moments one wanted to seal in their memory forever. A golden instant, perfect in its hilarity, and the humiliation of a foe.

Copyright: © Copyright 2005 Ishling25. All rights reserved. Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Ishling25.

Author’s Notes: Decided to definitely expand into a series. It's just the little moments that make life special. All involving Tegan, of course, since she's the star.

It was one of those moments one wanted to seal in their memory forever. A golden instant, perfect in its hilarity, and the humiliation of a foe.

Damien suppressed a grin, watching James Parker, his competitor for the promotion to Assistant Editor, struggled to wipe baby vomit off his three-piece Armani suit.

Instead, he schooled his features into the picture of contrition, rocking his six-month-old daughter gently. “I do apologise.” He said, carefully keeping the amusement out of his voice. “Mira just fed her, and well…” He shrugged, privately thinking the bright orange essence-of-carrot spit up contrasted nicely with the navy suit.

“Don’t worry about it, Damien.” James said tightly.

“I could lend you a jacket, perhaps.” Damien suggested lightly, though he knew it was impossible. He and James were completely different builds.

Mira glided over, resplendent in her pale-green strapless dress, which hung to the top of her matching stilettos, and hugged her new curves perfectly. “Did Tegan throw up on you, James?” She asked, seemingly sincere. Only Damien saw the glint of laughter in her dark eyes. “Oh dear. It’s such a pity you have broader shoulders than Damien. Otherwise you could have borrowed one of his jackets.”

For a second, Damien felt a stab of sympathy for James. He, too, knew what it was like to have to walk about smelling like baby vomit. But then he noticed the way James’s green eyes were focussed on Mira’s chest, and the sympathy faded.

“Yes, too bad.” He agreed, ice-blue eyes glittering as he handed Tegan to Mira.

“Someone’s sleepy.” Mira sang, taking Tegan away.

Rob Carew, Damien’s boss, walked up then, and clapped Damien on the back. “Wonderful party, Porter, simply wonderful. That wife of yours is a gem. And the little daughter is such an angel. Parker, what happened to your suit? You should be more careful.”

Ah, yes, a wonderful moment indeed.

End Ficlet