Nanny ___ Chaesoo

Chaesoo 17

Rosé
                     

I woke up first and slipped off the couch, where we must have fallen asleep last night. I remembered her wrapped around me, so entangled I didn't know where I ended and she began, but I didn't recall falling asleep. We had definitely worn out each other physically on top of an emotionally exhausting day. 

                     

After finding my scattered clothes and dressing, I took a moment to cover her with a blanket lying over the back of the couch. I stared down at her for a moment, taking in her beauty. She looked so open in sleep, and her vulnerability sent a pang through my chest. I rubbed it absently as I stood up and left her. 

                     

I'd planned to go to my room to shower and change, but the sound of Sky's feet coming down the stairs made me pause. I waited for her to come into sight, feeling self-conscious in the clothes I'd worn last night. 

                     

She flashed a bright smile, and she looked so adorable in her purple gown and crooked pigtails she must have styled herself. There was a new lightness in her step, and she was bouncing when she reached me. A lump in my throat surprised me, and I cleared it with a cough. I was optimistic she was going to be fine now. It wouldn't be an overnight process, but she was going to heal and have a childhood again. 

                     

"You're up earlier than I expected." 

                     

She grinned. "You're up early too. I was starving." 

                     

My stomach rumbled, and I laughed. "I guess I am too." A shower could wait, I decided. I didn't want to ruin her good mood. 

                     

"Have you seen Mom? She wasn't in her room." She bounced a few steps ahead of me, saying in an oblivious way, "Neither were you." 

                     

I had to bite back a nervous giggle. "I think she fell asleep on the sofa." 

                     

"Oh." She whirled to face me. "Let's make her breakfast and take it to her." 

                     

"Sure." I followed her into the kitchen, looking for Margot. I didn't want to step on her toes by helping myself to the appliances, but she wasn't working yet. It was a little past six, so I wasn't surprised. 

                     

With Sky's help, as she'd clearly spent some time in the kitchen before, I found the ingredients for pancakes. I had learned to cook a few years ago, but I wanted to keep it simple for Jisoo to ensure there were no disasters. 

                     

Sky busied herself cutting strawberries with a plastic knife. It made me nervous, but she quickly assured me Margot had bought the special knife just for her, and it wouldn't cut her fingers. I still kept an eye on her as I flipped the pancakes, cooking until we had a respectable stack that would feed all three of us. 

                     

"Only one plate is going to fit on the tray," said Sky as she popped another berry in her mouth.