Oh, this is gonna be a gas!

Exhaustion

41k! You guys are incredible and I am so honored and humble! You have trusted me with not only an amazing person but have embraced the character I have created

While Lizzie had taken a break Jo was now in one of her busiest seasons. She had multiple Marvel movies as well as Loki coming out. On top of Marvel, she had a few private shoots for some a-list celebrities on top of managing the number of assets left to her by her grandfather. It was a juggling game, to say the least. She rolled out of bed between 3-4 am and didn't return till as late as 1 am. The stress was starting to weigh on her. Her bright eyes had dulled, dark circles formed under her eyes and she was dropping in weight. At 1 am on this particular night Jo walked into the door dragging her feet. She let out a gentle cough as she looked up to see Lizzie reading on the couch. Lizzie set her book down upon seeing Jo. Lizzie stood before opening her arms, Jo quickly went into them. Jo collapsed onto Lizzie exhausted. Lizzie caught her guiding her onto the couch. Lizzie leaned down kissing Jo's forehead it was hot, and not the kind of hot you get from the California sun, it's fever hot. "Baby you are sick."

"Nu-uh." Jo wined like a child

"You have a fever."

"I'm just tired that's all."

"Baby you are running yourself beyond exhaustion. You are running yourself sick."

Lizzie scooped Jo's head into her hands causing their eyes to meet. When Jo's exhausted eyes met Lizzies calm orbs she burst into tears "I'm just so tired."

Lizzie pulled Jo into her kissing her face "Shh. I know. I know." As Lizzie rubbed her back she said calmly ad lovingly "I am going to call in for you. You are taking tomorrow off and maybe the next day. You have no say in this matter so there is no point in arguing. I hate seeing you like this. Okay, my love?" Jo nodded her head still pressed into Lizzie. "Let's get you up to bed." Lizzie stood slowly Jo went to stand but Lizzie scooped her up placing her hands under Jo's butt to properly support her. Lizzie gently carried her wife up the stairs. When Lizzie laid Jo onto the bed Jo was already asleep. Lizzie gazed down at her "Oh baby." Lizzie quietly walked to the foot of the bed she gently let her fingers pull on Jo's shoe strings before slipping her shoes off her sick coming next. Lizzie then slipped Jo's pants and bra off leaving her in underwear and a shirt. She placed the cover over Jo before kissing her forehead as she left the room. Lizzie made her way down to the living room she grabbed Jo's phone off the coffee table knowing Kevin was more likely to answer if he believed it was Jo. After a few rings, Lizzie heard "Hello Jo."

"Hey, Kevin. It's Lizzie actually."

"Okay! What can I do for you, Lizzie?"

"You know I hate calling your personal like this but Jo is sick-"

"-is it COVID?"

"No. We are both vaccinated and haven't been exposed. She is just running herself sick."

"Thats your wife for you. What can I do to help?"

"I'm making her take tomorrow and maybe the next day off if that's okay for you?"

"For Jo? That is perfectly fine! She trained her people well. They can manage without their Mamabear for a day or two."

"Thank you, Kevin! I'm sorry for calling you so late."

"It's totally okay Lizzie! Let me know if you need anything else."

"I will. Thank you."

"Have a goodnight Lizzie."

"You too Kevin."

After she hung up she walked upstairs slipping into the bed pulling Jo against her. The next morning Lizzie woke to find Jo sound asleep in that same position. Lizzie stayed perfectly still admiring every inch of Jo she could see. Jo's face has relaxed to a more calm and natural position. Lizzie gently reached out letting her hand stroke Jo's face. The bones of her face protruded ever so slightly more and it broke Lizzies heart. Lizzie laid there for several hours before her bladder made itself known. She begrudgingly slid out of bed keeping from waking Jo. 

A few hours later Jo slowly opened her eyes slightly disoriented about her whereabouts. She looked over to see Lizzie reading on the couch, their couch, Jo looked at Lizzie Jo admired the way Lizzie tucked her legs under her. How she had chosen to tie her hair up. The way her slender fingers held the hardback book. "You are quite the sight."

Lizzie snapped her head up a large smile on her face "There are those bright blues I've missed."

"Me too."

Lizzie stood up walking to the bed. She climbed on resting her back against the headboard. Jo moved to lay sideways her head in Lizzies lap. Lizzie reached put running her hands through Jo's long hair. "You can't do this to yourself."

"I know-"

"Josephine." Lizzie warned "I have known you for years and the only other time you have dove this deep and recklessly into work was when Popaw died. Did something trigger this"

"I just want to work."

Lizzie looked down at her "You have always put a lot on your plate but you have also always managed it really well. Getting 2-4 hours of sleep a night isn't good."

"It's a busy time Lizzie that's all."

"But it no-"

"Elizabeth!" Jo quickly quieted "I don't want to talk about it anymore."

As much as Lizzie wanted to push she knew now wasn't the time. She nodded leaning down to kiss Jo "Okay baby. Okay."

The two stayed in comfortable silence until Lizzie whispered "Why don't we cuddle in bed and watch movies today?"

"Can we?"

"Absolutely." Lizzie smiled "What do you want to watch?"

"Starwars marathon?"

"Are you picking that for me or for you?" Lizzie raised her brow

"Both of us."

Lizzie said, "Why don't I get us some movie food why you get it started."

Lizzie lifted Jo's head walking to the kitchen while Jo opened the Disney+ app clicking on her profile. An ironman profile picture with the name "Joey" a nickname only Lizzie and Jo's grandma is allowed to say. Lizzie returned with her arms filled with tons of different snacks. She laid them on the bed before returning to her old spot. Jo looked back at her hesitantly/ Lizzie patted her lap "Come on." Jo smiled settling back on Lizzies lap. Halfway through the second movie Lizzie looked down to see Jo sound asleep. Lizzie let her finger lazily trace patterns on Jo's cheek "Oh baby what's going on in that beautiful brain of yours? When will you learn you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore?"

That night Jo's phone began to ring. She picked it up "Hello?"

"Hello, I am trying to reach Josephine Olsen."

"This is she."

"Hello, Mrs. Olsen we are calling on behalf of The Row."

"What do they want?"

"Mary-Kate and Ashley wish to schedule a meeting with you-"

"They have my number. Always have. You tell them to give me a call."

"Ma'am I'm not sure-"

"I know you are just trying to do your job I understand that but this isn't going to work for me so if the twins want to do business with me have them call me."

"Yes, Mrs. Olsen."

The line went dead and Jo looked down at her phone. "What bullshit."