Babysitter With Benefits

36

Gianna's P.O.V

When Natalie pulls into the driveway, and parks, you take an unsettled breath and thank her quickly before pushing your door open.

"Do you need me to come in?"

"No. Thanks. I'll be fine"

"Sure?"

You nod, and close the door, heading towards the front door, already felling eyes lingering on you as you approach the house. You open the door, refusing to let your self-deprecating thoughts shy you away from comforting the two children you've come to love. When you enter you notice Grayson crying on the steps.

"Gray?"

Upon seeing you, he races into your arms as you walk towards him, crying out for you.

"Gia!"

You wrap your arms around him, frowning when you look at Rissa in the living room, her face pale, as she rubs at her eyes.

"Are you guys okay?"

Rissa's brows furrow, and she hops up off the couch, ditching the knitted blanket around her shoulders to run into your arms.

"Gianna!"

The kind warmth you feel from their arms encircles you shadows the pain momentarily. You wrap your arms around them, crushing them to your sides, letting them find comfort in your arms.

"Sh, sh... I'm so sorry guys. So so sorry. Its okay. Everything is gong to be okay"

You stroke their heads, letting them cry for as long as needed, when your gaze settles on Jeremiah lingering against the wall beside the doorway to the loving room. His hands are shoved in his pocket as he regards you impassively.

It must be so hard seeing his children in pain. He may be stubborn, and set in his ways, but he does love them. He's always been overprotective of them. This must be killing him.

After a few minutes of inconsolable crying, Jeremiah cuts in, wrapping his arms around Grayson to lift him away from you, but Grayson stiffened in his fathers grasp, and cried out for you.

"Its okay, shes not going anywhere. I promise. She not going anywhere"

"Gia, don't leave. Please"

His voice groggy and soft as his eyes flutter closed in Jeremiah's arms. By Gray and Rissa's pale yet splotchy faces, you can tell they've been crying for hours tirelessly. You catch Rissa when it feels like shes slipping against you.

"Rissa... do you want to lay down?"

"No"

Always so stubborn. I can tell shes falling asleep.

You hum softly, rocking her slightly, before you move to lift her, inhaling a sharp breath when you struggle to hold her weight in your arms.

"I can come back for her. Give me a sec"

You nod, and set her back down, careful to keep her tightly held in your still. She stirs gently, wrapping her arms around your neck, her mothers name uttered drowsily as she falls into unconsciousness.

I cant imagine what Rissa is going through.

When Jeremiah returns, he scoops Rissa up, placing a soft kiss against her forehead, before he frowns, realising he's just done that in front of you.

"Do you need my help?"

You step forward, and he gives you a sharp shake of his head.

"Stay here. Ive got it"

I guess I deserved that. Clearly he's angry with me.