Our Child

Chapter eighteen

Once they reached home, the evening drew in at a slow pace. The family sat together, Jennie and Jisoo trading light conversation about their day whilst Annie finished her actual homework. Jisoo explained how she sent the camera off so the photos could be produced, but kept quiet about what they were. The actress always loved surprises. Jennie was less sold, but accepted her fate.

At dinner, Jennie watched as Annie chopped up her chicken all by herself, her little nose scrunched up in concentration. Jisoo smiled at Jennie, mocking Annies face. Jennie had laughed, short and quiet, but still enough to surprise herself. The mothers had washed the evening dishes together as Annie watched the Lion King again. After, Jennie had cuddled up with Annie on the couch whilst Jisoo took a phone call. Jennie did not ask who it was.

As the night drew in, Jisoo once again put Annie to bed, allowing Jennie to do her nightly rituals in peace. Dousing water on her face, the mother went over today's events, thinking over every word with care. Productive was an understatement, with questions safely answered and stored. But, a new set was soon to arise soon, such as returning to work, something Jennie considered to be a tomorrow problem. For now, she knew both Annie and herself were warm, fed and safe. Nothing else mattered.

Wearing a pair of shorts and a warm jumper, Jennie slid into bed and picked up Jisoo's book. By this point, the princess was basically bored, no longer scratching the days into the castle walls. Instead, she explored the beautiful gardens and enchanting hallways, picking flowers to place in the drawing room. Unbeknownst to the protagonist, a dark spectre lurked in the shadows, watching over her every movement. Jennie wondered if the evil being was waiting to strike, or maybe for the princess to spot it.

With a click of the white door, Jisoo entered, back in her purple T-shirt and white joggers. Jennie payed her no mind as the actress slowly got in the bed. After finishing her chapter, Jennie put the book down and turned off her lamp, allowing them to be submerged in darkness. Lying down, Jennie faced away from her ex, simply closing her eyes and awaiting rest.

Alas, Jisoo had other plans. After a couple minutes, Jennie felt a finger trace along her spine before moving away again. Shivers ran through her as she did, like a ripple in water, breath faltering ever so slightly. She felt her eyes open, all too aware of what lay so close behind.

And then it came, Jisoo's voice more siren than human, "Jennie."

The woman in question did her best to ignore the fluttering in her stomach, pressing her lips into a line.

"I know you're awake," Jisoo spoke again, clearly drowsy, "It's been a long day."

Jennie tried her best to compose herself, yet her voice still came out airy, "It has."

Jisoo took Jennie's speech as permission to move closer, "I know it was a lot, and I'm sure we have a long way to go with Annie, so I just want to say how amazing you are, if anyone can see this through, it's you."

Praise was not something Jennie was entirely used to, her cheeks growing warm, "Thank you, Jisoo."

Dormant for only a moment, Jisoo spoke again, "May I come closer, Jen?"

"Why?"

"I want to hold you," Jisoo voiced, her longing coming through.

Jennie paused, thinking it over. Her common sense felt depleted, and one brief trace of affection had felt her hungry for more, "Yes."

So, Jisoo did, shuffling nearer, laying her arm over Jennie's waist. Jennie tensed for a moment, goosebumps erupting as Jisoo's breath hit the back if her neck, but that quickly passed. Becoming more comfortable, Jennie shifted her body so it would line up better with the other. This caused her jumper to rise. Jennie could feel Jisoo's hand on her bare skin, over her stomach, something she was not ready for. With no hesitation, Jisoo grabbed and dragged the fabric back over Jennie, placing her hand over it for a moment before letting go. Back in university, Jisoo would have teased her, tickling, or pulling her top up further, all in an attempt to make Jennie laugh. The mother was thankful for the new approach, moving Jisoo's hand to rest back over that spot once more.