Forever and Always

~11~

"No!"

"Jules..."

"No!!!"

Any other day Jessie would have smiled and cooed at the adorable sight of Jules refusing to take off one of Elliot's old hoodies. The hoodie was obviously too big for the small child. The end was dragging across the floor and even with the sleeves rolled up, her hands were still hidden inside the fabric. And normally she would have sighed and let her wear it especially seeing at it helped Jules cope with Elliot not being around.

But not today

Jessie crouched down to Jules's level. "Jules c'mon you can't wear that. It's way too big for you".

But the child holds tough as she wraps her arms around herself hugging the hoodie closer to her as she snuggles her face into the neck of the hoodie. "No!"

Jessie lets out a huff through her nose. She gently takes the hem of the hoodie in her hands. A small smile gracing her face as she remembers all the times she use to play with it when Elliot use to wear it. Or all the times she stole it from her.

"Jules we're going to the park to see Dylan. You won't be able to run around and play in that" Jessie tries again. But at the sight of Jules puppy dog eyes she relents.

"How about this?" Jessie negotiates. "If you take this off, you can wear your arsenal jersey and training top".

Jules pouts still clutching the old hoodie. But eventually sighs and nods. Jessie smiles as she pulls the hoodie off her revealing her pajamas. "Now go get ready. We have to meet Dylan at the park and I might have a surprise for you if you get ready".

At the mention of a surprise, Jules instantly perks up the pout now long gone as she tilts her head. "What is it?"

Jessie chuckles as she bops her nose causing her to scrunch. The action was so familiar to Jessie that for a split second she blinked and saw Elliot. But she shook her head and smiled at the younger girl who reminded her so much of the girl she loved. "Well it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you would it?"

Jules whined while Jessie chuckled and patted the top of her head. "Now go get changed".

And with that Jules skipped off to go get changed. The previous argument gone from her memory. Now focused on the fact she gets to see her sister soon. And whatever her surprise was.

Jessie smiled as she watched Jules run off. Leaving her to look at the hoodie in her hands. She can't help but laugh at the hoodie. Her eyes flickered between the number 3 and the initials EG etched into it. Jessie smiled as she brought the red hoodie up to her nose and I haled deeply.

It was the hoodie which started everything

The hoodie she had been teased over relentlessly years before hand. Honestly Jessie probably would have put it on if it wasn't for the fact that it was a bit too small for her now. Granted it was a few years ago that she had first put this on.

Jessie didn't realize how long she had been staring at the hoodie until she felt a small tug on her sleeve. Looking down at Jules who was now donning black leggings and a arsenal training top.

"You okay mom?" Jules asked as she slipped her hand into her mom's.

Jessie smiled down at the girl. She squeezed her hand lightly to reassure her, "Yeah I'm okay. Now c'mon we don't want to keep Dylan waiting".

Jules nodded before skipping into the kitchen to see Christen and Tobin both up. "Chrisy! Toby!"

They both waved at her. "Your up early" Christen smiles as Jules hugs her leg.