No Harm, No Fowl

Chapter Twelve: Birthday

Alma woke up in the morning to Jenny laying quite literally on top of her, somehow the two had maneuvered in their sleep so that she was sprawled over her body with her head under her chin, snoring lightly. She suppressed a chuckle as she did her best to maneuver so she could see her face, but Jenny just made a small noise of protest in her sleep and hid her face further, burrowing her hands in Alma's still slightly damp hair. The dark haired woman glanced over at the clock and sighed, seeing that she had to get up and get dressed. She looked down at her little predicament and frowned, wanting to let Jenny sleep but needing to somehow get her off of her. So she very carefully and slowly rolled over so that Jenny laid on the bed, reaching up and detangling her hands from her hair. She chuckled almost silently as Jenny grabbed onto Alma's hand, and Alma kissed her knuckles before laying Jenny's hand on her stomach and climbing out of bed.
She did her hair as always, put on her button up, skirt, and blazer, but there was one thing different about her look that day. She added the pair of sapphire earrings and necklace from Jenny. Once she was ready, she headed downstairs where she began cooking breakfast. She hummed quietly as she bustled around the kitchen, making an excessively large meal as she usually did. Finally she finished up and set everything out on the table, knowing the children should start filing down in seven minutes and twenty six seconds. So she lit her pipe and leaned her elbows on the kitchen counter, gazing through the window as she smoked and let her mind wander peacefully. Suddenly she was dragged out of her thoughts by a pair of arms snaking around her thin waist and warm breath and kisses on her neck. She instantly recognized the familiar scent and smiled, straightening up and turning her head to see Jenny, who promptly set her chin on Alma's shoulder and allowed her to kiss her cheek.
"Happy birthday, darling."
"Thank you Jenny." Alma smiled wider and put her hands over Jenny's on her stomach.
"You left me this morning." She pouted playfully, stepping forward so her entire body was pressed against Alma's back.
"I had to get up, and you were sleeping so peacefully."
"You were watching me sleep?" Jenny exclaimed, feigning shocked offense. Alma stayed quiet but leaned her head against the other woman's, taking a deep, content breath.
"Oh my birds. This is so cute." A voice giggled from behind them, breaking the two apart instantly. They whirled around and were met face to face with Emma.
"Emma listen-" Jenny began, but the blonde girl cut her off.
"Come on, don't give me that, we all know you're a thing. We're not all that dumb. I fully support it, as does everyone else. I mean, Olive- Shoot, never mind, she's gonna kill me. Anyways, welcome back Jenny!" Emma grinned and Jenny smiled back awkwardly, now wondering what she was going to say about Olive.
"Why are you up already, anyway? You shouldn't be down for another four minutes and fifty two seconds." Alma said, changing the subject smoothly and checking her watch.
"I couldn't sleep last night, so I just came down early this morning." Alma's eyes widened almost imperceptibly, and Jenny's cheeks grew the tiniest tinge of pink. "By the way, I hope you two had a good night." Emma said simply and Jenny flushed brightly as the teenage girl spun on her heel and strode out of the kitchen toward the dining room.
"Perhaps she doesn't know, and was just being nice?" Jenny offered up.
"I surely hope she doesn't. We did keep fairly quiet." Alma said, glancing up at the stairs.
They didn't continue their conversation as right on time, they heard the heavy thunks of Olive's boots. Soon all of the children were downstairs and everyone was seated at the table.
"Happy birthday, Miss P!" Emma exclaimed, followed by a cacophony of similar statements.
"Thank you, children. But you all know it's not a big deal, and we aren't going to treat it as such."
"But Miss Peregrine, it's your hundred and fiftieth!" Millard exclaimed loudly and Jenny choked on her water.
"You- You're a hundred and fifty years old?" Jenny asked incredulously. Alma just shot the invisible boy one of her famous looks.
"Well, not physically. Physically, I'm somewhere in my twenties. Maybe early thirties. I don't quite remember. It's been a long time. But technically speaking, yes, I'm quite old." She admitted.
"That's incredible. And that's because of the loop?" Matilda spoke up, excitement sparkling in her eyes.
"Yes. It preserves our physical age when we enter it, but obviously we're around for a lot longer than we look. I'm eighty eight, but look about sixteen!" Emma grinned and was met with a shocked look from both Matilda and Jenny. Most of the children then excitedly told the two what their real ages were.
"So I'm dating someone who is about a hundred and thirty years older than me?" Jenny leaned over and whispered teasingly in Alma's ear while the children were distracted, her voice laced with amusement and a small smirk on her face when she pulled away.
"I suppose that would be correct." Alma said quietly, softly smacking Jenny's knee under the table where it wouldn't be seen.
"Hm. I don't mind." Alma let out a soft breath she didn't realize she'd been holding at Jenny's words. She was secretly afraid that the age difference would be a problem, once it had been brought up. She was beyond glad that Jenny didn't mind. "Now, eat. You're all much too distracted." She ordered loudly.
Everyone did as told, and soon they had all finished and were sitting around at the table waiting for Miss Peregrine and Olive to come back from doing the dishes.
"The age difference must be off putting, isn't that right?" Enoch crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair as he spoke to Jenny.
"I'm not quite sure what you're talking- why- Why would that matter?" She asked, eyes slightly wider than usual.
"Some people might find it a little weird to screw someone who's that much older than you." He said bluntly and Jenny flushed and sputtered at his language.
"Enoch, it's not- We aren't... Okay, first of all, no. Second of all, no. Third of all, there are children at this table. Where on earth are you all getting these ideas anyway?" She shot a concerned glance at Matilda but she was deep in conversation with Millard and Bronwyn, thankfully not listening. And Emma had her hands firmly over Claire's ears, a dirty glare steadily aimed at Enoch.
"It's so painfully obvious. We'd have to be either blind or really damn stupid to not know."
"Enoch! You know the rules, watch your language." Emma exclaimed but he waved her off.
"Oh, and you might want to go touch up your makeup." He smirked, and Jenny looked confused for a moment.
"I'm not wearing..." She trailed off and a look of horror crossed her reddening face as she stood and went upstairs as quickly as possible, pulling at her shirt collar so it covered more.
"I didn't see anything wrong with that poor woman's makeup, Enoch. Leave her alone." Fiona said, disdain heavy in her voice. Enoch just casually touched his neck, though no one caught it. No one had noticed but him.
"Alright children, it's almost time for our walk. We have three minutes and fifty seven seconds. Is everyone ready? Wait, where did Miss Honey go?" Alma entered the room with Olive, scanning the table.
"Enoch sent her off." Emma said, removing her hands from Claire's ears.
"What? Why?"
"Her makeup was messed up. I believe she's off fixing it." He said simply.
"Emma, why were your hands over Claire's ears?"
"Cause Enoch can't keep his mouth shut."
"No, it's cause she doesn't think little Claire can handle the truth." Enoch retorted.
"And what exactly is this truth you're talking about, Mr. O'Connor?" Alma placed her hands on her hips. Enoch stayed quiet, electing to inspect his hands thoroughly instead of starting more trouble.
Jenny came back downstairs, this time wearing a scarf tied stylishly around her neck. When she saw some of the children examining her with suspicious looks on their faces, so she paused and shivered.
"I got cold." She explained and the corners of Alma's lips twitched up, before returning to her usual stern expression.
"Just in time. Now, let's be off." She turned and strode out the door, Jenny hurrying to catch up to the group.
Jenny walked alongside Alma, who gave her a casual lesson on peculiar history. Matilda walked with them too, listening with much intrigue.
"Do you have books on this?" Matilda asked.
"Yes, of course. I'll show you to the library when we return to the house, and I'll show you the history books. You may read anything you'd like from the library." The little girl lit up with excitement.
"Do you have Shakespeare?" Alma looked down at her, impressed that someone so young would be interested in the infamous poet.
"Yes. We have his entire collection. I'll show you where those are as well."
"Thank you so much!" Matilda exclaimed, jumping to hug Alma. She laughed in surprise as the girl practically leapt into her arms.
"I take it you like to read, dear?" She said amusedly, now holding Matilda as she walked.
"Oh yes, very much. It's one of my favorite things."
"When I first met her, she came to my class knowing how to read perfectly while I was teaching the others how to read the shortest words. She was six and a half." Jenny said with pride.
"That's incredible. You're a young genius, Matilda."
"Thank you. I just really like stories. My brain comes up with them all the time. I just can't turn it off." She explained as Alma set her down.
"I'd love if you told me one of your stories sometime, darling."
"And I'd love to tell you one! I absolutely love telling my stories."
"And they're all very, very good. I've heard quite a lot. I've never once not liked one." Jenny reached down and held Matilda's hand as they walked.
"I should very much like to hear one then. Do you happen to have one ready for today?"
"Oh yes. I actually came up with a new one just last night." Matilda grinned at Alma.
"Wonderful, if you'd like to then we can wait and meet in the library after lunch. I'll show you where the books are and you can tell me your story." Matilda nodded eagerly and Alma gave her a small smile. It was clearly a genuine smile, but Jenny noted that it wasn't like the smiles that she gave her. She celebrated internally at this, knowing that Alma even smiled at her differently. She realized that they were arriving back at the porch of the house and rushed up the steps and inside to hold the door for everyone.
As Enoch went past, he glared at her, though it wasn't as dark as it had been when they first met. She elbowed him playfully and he did it right back. She snickered at the antics and Alma watched from the rear, letting out a single quiet laugh to herself.
"Be gentle, you two." She warned as she came inside to stand next to Jenny, Enoch going inside. "He doesn't hate you. I don't know what you did to win him over, but he tolerates you now. Maybe even likes you a little." Alma said as Jenny shut the door behind the children who had gone inside. The rest had scattered into the garden to do their chores, leaving Alma and Jenny alone.
"Really?" Alma nodded and Jenny laughed. "He has an interesting way of showing it."
"Certainly so." Alma cracked one of her warm smiles, drawing one instantly from Jenny.
"Did you know that you smile at me differently than you smile at the children?" Alma tilted her head to the side in thought at this.
"Well, I suppose I hadn't thought of it. But it does quite make sense."
"Oh, and why's that?" Jenny said with a small smirk.
"Because you're mine." Alma pulled Jenny forward by her hips and ghosted her lips over hers. Jenny grinned and wrapped her arms around Alma's neck, closing the already short distance between their lips firmly. After a moment, Alma pulled her mouth away to speak quietly. "All of this..." Alma ran her hands up Jenny's sides and cupped her jaw for emphasis, "Is mine."
"I love you so much, bluebird." Jenny said suddenly, catching Alma off guard and thus bringing a bit of pink to her pale cheeks.
"I love you more."
"No-"
"Don't argue with me, Jenny." She warned, giving her a stern look which effectively shut her up. Jenny panicked internally, she loved it when Alma let the headmistress demeanor slip out, it gave her butterflies every single time. She closed the gap again, eyes fluttering shut as she lost herself in the fiery kiss. They broke apart when they heard the door handle rattling behind them, hurriedly brushing off their crinkled clothes. The door opened to reveal Hugh, who dashed inside, followed closely by Millard.
"Boys, no running in the house." Alma reminded them and they shouted and apology, drawing a sigh from her. "All these years and yet they never learn."
"Boys." Jenny said with a note of joking disdain as she elbowed her girlfriend, who started laughing. Jenny broke out into a grin. She hadn't expected Alma to find it so funny, but her laugh was becoming one of her favorite sounds so she wasn't complaining. "What's so funny, darling?"
"What you said. Since, you know... Two women here." She said through a finally fading fit of giggles.
"I didn't even-" She cut herself off with a fit of laughter of her own. Soon they were both laughing and giggling quietly, holding onto each other's hands as though they depended on it. Which they very well might have, as their chests were starting to hurt from trying to be quiet as they laughed. Finally the two composed themselves, and Alma put her hands on Jenny's shoulders, looking her up and down thoroughly.
"You scare me when you do that. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Jenny asked, flicking Alma's nose.
"I'm just thinking of how gorgeous you are, and how lucky I am that someone as wonderful as you walked into my loop all those weeks ago. And that this incredible woman somehow managed to fall for me, of all people."
"Of all people? Alma, you are the most wonderful woman I could imagine. I don't ever want to hear you say anything like that again. You're mine, and no one gets to talk about my girlfriend like that." Jenny stepped closer and kissed her softly. "You're perfect."
"No, you're perfect."
"Oh, not the arguments again-" Jenny was cut off by Alma grabbing her chin and pecking her lips, before pulling back away.
"Jenny."
"Yes?"
"I think it's useless to hide it at this point." Jenny nodded and Alma continued, "I think we should tell them. I know it hasn't been very long that we've been officially together, but they know anyway and perhaps they'll leave us alone about it if we confirm."
"I think so too. If you're really comfortable with it, we can tell them."
"It's fine to tell them. We'll just still be careful with shows of affection in front of them. Holding hands is alright, but that's as far as we will go. The occasional hug is okay too." Jenny agreed and slipped her hand into Alma's.
"When do we tell them?"
"Let's announce it at lunch."
"Perfect. Alma, I can't wait. This still doesn't even feel real." She touched Alma's face with a surreal smile and the woman leaned into her touch.
"It's real." Alma turned her head just enough that she could kiss Jenny's hand and closed her eyes, breathing in the peace and joy of the moment.
After standing like that for a couple minutes, hand in hand and Jenny's thumb stroking Alma's face, she checked her watch.
"I have to make lunch now. Go enjoy the company of the children. And don't run off again." She leaned her forehead against Jenny's and whispered very quietly, almost too quiet to be heard at all, "please."
"I won't leave again, bluebird. I promise. I'll never leave you." Alma scoffed at the name but kissed her cheek, watching her go outside to the garden to interact with the children. She smiled to herself as she went off to the kitchen and made lunch. She heard some faint voices floating into the kitchen coming from the living room, though she couldn't quite make out what was being said. It sounded like Millard's voice though, and Matilda... Was that Enoch, too? And definitely Emma. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the assortment of voices but ignored it and finished up lunch. By the time she was done, the voices had died down and she set the table, then went to the living room and collected them. She'd been correct about the assortment, which was unsurprising. Then she went outside to collect the others and bring them in for lunch. She was happy to find Jenny bonding with Olive, Bronwyn, Claire, and Fiona. Once she had gathered everyone, she stood at the head of the table with Jenny beside her. The children watched them with intrigue as Alma cleared her throat.
"Children, there is something I would like to address before we begin eating. Firstly, seating arrangements. The seat next to mine will belong to Miss Honey, and between Millard and Olive is where Matilda will sit. That way there is no more confusion or arguments and we can make the best of our timing."
The children mumbled agreement, through some were quite disappointed.
"Why do we need seating arrangements for them?" Bronwyn asked, genuine curiosity filling her voice and face. Emma held back a smirk.
"I just told you, dear. To avoid arguments, confusion, and wasted time. Now, there is one other thing I'd like to say." She took a breath and her eyes darted briefly over to Jenny.
Without another word, she stepped to the side so she was closer to Jenny and slipped her hand into hers. Some of the children looked confused while others instantly lit up. Alma looked to Jenny to continue.
"Go ahead, Alma. You've got this." She said quietly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Alma cracked a smile and took one last deep breath before speaking.
"Miss Honey and I are officially a couple."
Instant chaos ensued. There was cheering and shouting, excited faces and jumping children, and of course lots of congratulations and "I knew it". It wasn't long until the two felt bodies slamming into them with hugs, and in the chaos Alma thought she could see the ghost of a smile on even Enoch's lips. But it was too insane to tell for sure.
"Alright, children, calm down!" Alma called, and after a moment the two finally hand space to breathe. Jenny was laughing, her cheeks were pink, and she turned to Alma once the children were seated again. She pulled her in for a hug, and though she wanted so badly to kiss her, she didn't because she knew how Alma felt about showing too much affection in front of the children.
"Congratulations." Jenny's jaw dropped in surprise and she pulled out of the hug to look directly at Enoch, the owner of the voice that had just spoken.
"Thank you, Enoch." She grinned at him and he nodded curtly.
"Don't get used to it. But if someone's going to date our ymbryne, it might as well be someone who makes her as happy as you do." He said gruffly, and Alma pinched the bridge of her nose as Jenny giggled and gave her a loving look, not even bothering to try to hide it anymore. She finally tore her eyes away from her and slipped her hand back into hers, brown eyes instead falling on the children. She scanned their faces and grinned when she saw a huge smile plastered on Matilda's face.
'You were right.' She mouthed, and somehow Matilda's grin widened even more.
"Now that's enough of that. Let's eat." Alma said, but not without a smile. She remained firmly hand in hand with Jenny even as they sat down, which didn't go unnoticed.
"Miss Peregrine, we might want to do something else in lieu of movies tonight." Horace was sitting nearby so he spoke quietly. Alma looked at him with a questioning look as she chewed, and he silently willed her to understand. Suddenly her eyes widened and she nodded shortly, grip tightening on Jenny's hand.
"Thank you Horace. I am so very sorry." She looked away and rubbed her face lightly.
"It's not a big deal, Miss. I'm quite used to it. I just thought I'd warn you." She nodded gratefully and Jenny hid her face by looking down and pushing her food around her plate, her appetite slightly reduced by the knowledge that she didn't even have to be walked in on to be seen with Alma, thanks to Horace.
Once everyone had finished their lunches, Alma took Jenny and Matilda to the kitchen where they started on the dishes. They worked in silent happiness and soon they had finished up.
"I knew it." Was the very first thing Matilda said. Now that they were away from the rest of the children, she took this chance to give Alma a huge hug, then turned to Jenny and hugged her very hard.
"Matilda, that's the biggest hug in the world. You're going to hug the air out of me!" Jenny laughed out, hugging back just as tight.
"I'm so happy for you, mama. I'm so glad you found her." Jenny's heart instantly melted and happy tears formed in her eyes. That was the first time Matilda had called her that. She'd just been using mom recently, never anything else. though it took her a while to adjust to even that.
"Me too, baby. Me too." She whispered, picking the girl up and kissing her forehead. "And I'm so glad you approve of us."
"Of course I approve! You two are perfect for each other. Like soulmates."
Jenny froze. She hadn't thought of that. Could it be possible? Were soulmates even real at all? Jenny wasn't sure. She supposed it was possible, but that was something to find out later, as their relationship blossomed. Jenny opened her previously shut eyes and they connected with Alma's piercing gaze as she grinned. She jerked her head in a 'Come here' motion and Alma joined them, wrapping one arm around Matilda and the other around Jenny. Jenny leaned her head on Alma's shoulder and had only one thought in her mind at that moment.
Family.
"I love you both so much." She whispered, and was instantly squeezed tighter by both.
After a another couple minutes of basking in joy, Alma pulled away from the two and checked her watch.
"Let's be going, shall we? We wouldn't want your story cut short, dear." She said with a wink and strode off, followed by Matilda and Jenny. She led them into a part of the house they hadn't been in before and motioned around.
"Welcome to the library. We don't have very many modern books, but you name the old book and we probably have it. Over here, this is where the Shakespeare plays and sonnets are. And this is my collection of peculiar history." She walked around, pointing out shelves, followed intently by the little brunette.
"There's so much. This is incredible."
"Well, when you live for so many years, you can create quite the collection." Alma smiled and sat down on a couch, beckoning to an armchair across from it for Matilda to sit in. Jenny immediately sat by Alma and took her hand in her own.
"Once upon a time, there was a young girl who knew she was different from the moment she could form her own thoughts..." Matilda began, motioning with her hands for emphasis, and instantly Alma and Jenny were both hooked in. After Matilda had been telling the story for a few minutes, Jenny leaned against Alma and whispered in her ear.
"Can I lay my head on your lap?"
Alma thought for a moment, then nodded. Without hesitation, Jenny stretched out across the couch and rested her head in the other woman's lap. Matilda smiled and continued her story as she noticed Alma's fingers start stroking her mother's hair.
"And so her father and mother both left to go to war when she was only seven years old. She was left with her grandmother, who soon passed away and left the special little girl all on her own..."
"Oh Matilda, this is heartbreaking." Alma said, and by this point she was holding Jenny's hand with one of her own, the other still running through her hair.
"Do you need me to stop?"
"Don't you dare."
So Matilda continued. The story was a rollercoaster of emotions, as Jenny knew they always were. She genuinely didn't know if this one would end happily or not, and she was dying to find out, as was Alma. Finally Matilda reached the end of her story, which was clear by the slowing of her pace.
"He drove the knife into her chest, though she wasn't sad. She had sacrificed herself. And she died with a smile on her face, because she knew that in just a few seconds she would be reunited with everyone she had ever loved. As she closed her eyes for the final time, she felt every weight lifted from her and it was as though every song were sung in harmony and that the world was right once more." Matilda finished with a bowed head. Jenny blinked the tears out of her eyes and sat up, wiping the stray droplets off her cheeks.
"Matilda, you amaze me. That was incredible." Alma stood and motioned for her to do the same. "You came up with that yourself?"
"Yes. It just randomly came to me when I couldn't sleep, and I thought it had a suitable enough ending to share with you."
"It was fantastic. I'd love to hear more someday soon. Unfortunately we don't have time now, but perhaps you could tell one during the time we would normally watch Horace's dreams tonight, if you'd like."
"I'd love that, Miss Peregrine! Thank you!"
"Of course. Thank you for this, Matilda. I quite enjoyed it. Now, go off and play with the others before dinner." Matilda grinned and nodded, bouncing out the door and shutting it behind her. "She's very special, Jenny."
"Incredibly so. Every single day, I think about how glad I am that she found me. I owe everything to her. I mean, if I hadn't met her, I'd still be Agatha's toy. I'd have not become the headmistress and gotten my father's house back, we wouldn't have come to Cairnholm, and I wouldn't have met you." Jenny said, stepping forward and taking Alma's hands. "I don't know where I'd be without her."
"You'd be a strong woman. You'd have gotten away eventually. I know you, Jenny, your strength is there and it always has been. Matilda helped you find it." Alma kissed Jenny on the nose and she giggled.
"How long do we have?"
Alma removed her hand from Jenny's to check her watch.
"Eight minutes and thirty three seconds."
"Perfect."
Jenny leaned in as though she was going to kiss Alma, who's eyes fluttered shut, but at the last second she pulled back and instead started singing.