Growing with J.A.C.I.E. (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 24

The apartment was in chaos. My dad, after helping us out for a week and a half, had decided to return home and reunite with Ben. As he got into the taxi, everything still seemed normal. Eliza had just been put down for a nap, and it was around ten in the morning. We were going to have to take on our first moment alone with Eliza until Jack's parents would arrive later that same day, but it all seemed okay.

Unfortunately, about half an hour after my dad left, Eliza decided that sleep was for the weak and became extremely fussy. Jack and I took turns trying to soothe her without much luck. One of us would take charge while the other got a breather so we didn't go insane at the same time. She didn't need a diaper change, and she didn't care much for a feeding either. She was simply being fussy.

Eventually, we got Eliza to settle down in the crib in our bedroom. As soon as we managed to put her down and she seemed content, Jack and I exchanged a glance. Our tired eyes spoke volumes, especially when our gazes simultaneously flickered towards the bed. Maybe we could dare to take a nap while Eliza slept.

Jack took the initiative, suggesting, "How about we lie down for a bit? Just rest a little..."

I nodded, the idea of lying down seeming like such a luxury. "Yeah. Just a little before we need to prepare for your parents' arrival."

Together, we slowly and carefully got onto the bed, not wanting to accidentally startle Eliza. Once Jack laid down, I shuffled closer and put my head on his shoulder, taking a deep breath in. The curtains were still closed, making it nice and dark. It was so easy to just fall asleep...

"We shouldn't sleep, though, there's so much to do," I reminded Jack. My dad had helped us to strip the guest bedsheets and put them in the laundry, but we still needed to make the bed and clean up a little more.

He hummed in agreement. Immediately, silence fell over us again, only the gentle lullaby of Eliza's breathing filling the room. Before I knew it, my lids grew heavy and I found myself drifting into a state of semi-consciousness. The soft rustle of the curtains, the distant sounds of the city outside – it all faded into a soothing melody. I could feel Jack's breathing slow down as well. There was no use fighting it, we both fell asleep.

We shook awake to the sound of the intercom buzzing loudly through the entire apartment. It completely shattered the fragile calm. Jack and I shared a dazed and puzzled look, both confused by our sudden awakening. The realisation dawned on us simultaneously – Jack's parents had already arrived.

I sat up, running a hand through my dishevelled hair, and Jack mirrored my movement. The urgency to greet his parents clashed with the exhaustion that still clung to us.

"I'll go," Jack said, his voice hoarse with sleep as he attempted to rush off the bed.

At the same time, I checked my phone, my eyes going wide at the time. "Shit, I was supposed to feed Eliza an hour and a half ago."

"I'll open the door, you go feed her," Jack instructed, hurriedly making his way to the front door, where the intercom hung.

I stumbled towards where Eliza slept, the realisation of the missed feeding making my heart race. The intercom buzzed yet again, amplifying the chaos of the moment. Luckily, the sight of Eliza simply lying in her crib calmed some of my anxiety. She was awake, but wasn't crying. Still, the way she moved around showed me she was looking for food.

I gently picked her up, causing her to make some grunting noises. The realisation still hurt me – we had overslept and I was behind on Eliza's feeding schedule.

"They're coming up!" Jack called from the living room.

I took a deep breath, attempting to gather myself. Eliza's well-being came first, Jack could handle his parents alone for now. I sat back down on the bed, turning on the table lamp on my bedside table, and began feeding Eliza. The rhythmic suckling nearly made me fall asleep again, but then the commotion of people entering through the front door shook me awake.