Little Mikaelson

Chapter Twenty

Penelope POV
Ever since we came home from the Bahamas the entire house has been oddly....tense. Sage and JJ have been at each other's necks and Willow avoids both of them while staying under Hope. Meanwhile Josie and I have been butting heads more than ever, everything just feels off.

"So how are you feeling today, Penelope?" my therapist asked, I let out a sigh and rubbed the back of my neck as she waited for my answer. I've never liked that question.

"I've had better days, lately I've been really stressed..." I admitted avoiding eye contact, I heard her hum and scribble something in that damn notebook.

"How so?" she followed up and I let out a huff thinking about my recent thoughts. I feel...ungrateful.

"I guess I'm still adjusting to working from home and seeing Hope and the kids all day-every day, this is the first summer in a while where I'm actually home. Usually I'm at the office or out of town for business." I recalled thinking about how just a few months ago my daily routine was completely different, the woman in front of me frowned slightly at my submission.

"Are you regretting your decision to work from home more?" the blonde wondered causing my head to shoot up in her direction, I viciously shook my head. Kind of.

"No! Of course not, it's just lately Josie and the kids..." I couldn't finish my thoughts due to the overwhelming stress I'm feeling.

"How is my godbaby?" the blonde asked noticing my frustration and I groaned just thinking about the little one. Did I forget to mention that I chose Jade to be my therapist? Whoops....

"Working his older sister's nerves, they damn near burnt Sage's studio down last night." I revealed and Jade's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"Why, what happened?" she asked worriedly, all I could do was shrug my shoulders since...

"We don't know, neither of them have spoken a word since it happened. They won't even speak to Hope which taking a toll on her, you know how she is." I disclosed, the vampire in front of me hummed and nodded her head with an understanding smile. Being home has felt like a chore lately.

"Mommy Bear Hope. How have you, her and Josie been doing lately?" the question we always come to has finally made its way into the conversation.

"Some days it feels like cloud 9 and other days I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop..." I professed holding in a breath that I can't seem to let go, Jade looked down to her notebook to write something else down.

"What do you mean?" she inquired after looking up from her book to meet my eyes, I huffed out the breath I'd been holding and begun playing with my engagement ring. Maybe I'm just overthinking, maybe.

"Sometimes it feels like Hope still doesn't trust us, at least not completely." I confided as I frowned at the thought of her not trusting us, of her not trusting me.

"But she accepted your proposal, you don't marry someone you don't trust." my friend tried reassuring me but it brought me no comfort. Hope has been so tired and guarded lately, how could that possibly make me think she trusts us?

"I know but sometimes it's like her and the kids are their own little family, while Josie and I are just....there. Josie still tries to be as involved as possible but lately I've just been giving up." I guiltily confessed turning my gaze towards the window, Jade cleared her throat and I could hear the uncomfortableness in it.

"Well have you talked to Hope or Josie about this?" she questioned to which I absentmindedly shook my head, I was focused on a few kids playing in the park across the street. They look so happy and carefree.