Betty POV:
I groaned, my head falling defeatedly into one hand while the other crumbled the piece of paper in my hand.
"Jug, how do we plan a birthday party-gathering-thing for a boy turning 8? After our... shenanigans, my head is all fuzzy.".
"Well, as you know, I hated my birthday.", Jug said, unraveling the paper and kissing my head quickly before continued my. "Seeing as I know what not to do from experience, maybe I can come up with some ideas.". His teeth bit another Pop's french fry in half, the other half being shoved into my mouth as soon as I peeked up to take a relieved breath.
"Relax, Betts. All he wants is those who love him to be there with him on his special day. How hard can it be? Why don't we just invite the Andrews family, Kevin, the Topazes, and your mother?".
"I think Ash would love that.", I acknowledged optimistically.
"What can I say?", Jug asked. "I'm just full of great ideas.".
"Not the time to get cocky, Jones. I don't think you'd want me to go full psychotic, emotional wife on you. But yes, you are brilliant. I married you for a reason.".
"Yeah, I'd rather you not start bawling over my abundance of brain power. There are much more worthy things that are begging to be cried over. I do appreciate you pointing out my brainpower, though, so thank you for that.".
Just as I was about to jokingly scold him, the phone began to ring.
"I'll get it, Jug.", I said as I hurried over.
"Hello, you've reached the Joneses.", I answered.
I waited.
And I waited.
No response.
"Um... Hello?".
This time, the only thing I got that even resembled life of any sort happened to be breathing. That's it. Just breathing, no words to help decode whatever message they were trying to convey.
"Fuck this.", I murmured into the mic, shoving the phone back onto the wall before I turned around, smiling as I hummed irritatedly.
"Who was it?", Jug asked nonchalantly.
"I wish I could tell you, Jug.". He frowned in response, which I didn't mind seeing as it was more than I got in that phone call.
"The only thing I could hear was heavy breathing.".
"Teenagers have been acting stupid these days, Betty. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.".
"Who said I was worried?".
"Don't pretend I don't know you inside and out, Betty. You're easier to read than Ashton's read-along books.". He walked over, holding his arms out for me to snuggle into. I noticed heart rate accelerated slightly once my head was on his chest, but he focused his attention on slowing mine as he rubbed my back.
"Relax. It was just a phone call. Nothing happened. I'm here.".
~~
"Mom, can we have pizza tonight? I've been kinda craving it lately.", Lola asked, waiting patiently for my response while I cleaned the dishes and comprehended the phone call from earlier.
"Lucky for you, Lola, I've been craving it as well. It should be here within the next thirty minutes.".
"Awesome! Thanks, Mom!". She walked around the counter to stand next to me in front of the sink, reaching into it to pick up another dish.
"I can do it, Lola.", I said. "You should go do your homework.".
"I already finished my homework. Besides, I want to help. You seem like you're under a lot of stress, so I want to do what I can to help relieve that stress for you.". She smiled lovingly, stroking my arm once before extending a hand to take the soap from me.
"That's very kind of you, honey. Thank you.".
"It's really no-".
She was cut off by the doorbell. She looked back and forth between me and the door before quickly brushing off the confusion.
"The pizzas probably early. I'll go get the door.".
"Honey, I would've gotten a notification saying that the pizza was being delivered.", I explained. "Trinity?! Did you invite your friends over? I told you, no friends over on a school night!", I yelled, groaning as a I got no response.
"Trinity knows better, Mom. I'll go get the door.".
With that, she ran over, unlocking the door and swinging it open, only to reveal our empty patio on the other side.
"Uh... Baby, just close the door, okay? You're letting the cold air in.".
"But-".
"It's just a ding-dong ditcher. You go upstairs okay? Also, tell your dad to come downstairs.".
"Mom, should we be worried?".
I forced a soft smile, gripping the counter beside me harshly, feeling the chill of the granite on my fingertips as they pressed onto it.
"We're just fine, honey. I just want to discuss our plans for the rest of the week with him.".
She frowned again, but took a deep breath before complying. I sighed, ready to tear my hair out over the smallest of things. I hadn't realize Jug had made it down until I felt his hands unhinge mine from my hair, taking them and cupping them into his hands.
"What's wrong, Betty? You look miserable.", he informed me, as if I didn't know that already. I immediately threw myself into his chest, needing my anchor to settle my nerves. He did, kissing my temple a few times before he just let himself respite with me in silence.
"Betty, why don't we invite the gang over tomorrow night so that you can relax and have fun for a bit? I think that could be a good thing for you right now. You're paranoid.".
"O-Okay.".
The doorbell rang again, every hair on my body standing up. Jug chuckled half-heartedly, walking away to answer the door.
"Pizza's here, guys!".
