The No Kiss Contract (Jensoo)

18

"Ma?"

"Yes, Lou?" Jennie paused at the dresser where she pulled a set of pajamas from the drawer.

"I like it here." He flung his towel away and spun in place naked in the middle of the room until he flopped on the floor, giggling crazily. His comfort level had definitely improved.

"What do you like about it?" She helped him into his pj's. She knew he was old enough to do it himself, but she couldn't help it.

"I like the tub in our bathroom. It's really big. I like the trampoline. I like the room where you do your work and the bar. And I like Jisoo. She's funny. We had fun at the playground."

"Good. I'm glad."

As predicted, there wasn't a lot for Jisoo to do at the playhouse today while Cherry and the rest of the cast lounged on the stage and did a dry read of Act I. Jennie met with the director to get a sense of what she wanted for the set. Thankfully, she was a minimalist and planned to use mostly lighting effects to convey mood and tone. Jennie's job was to design a few tall flats that suggested trees and greenery, so she got started right away and made some sketches for her to approve. The sooner Jennie was done with it, the sooner it was off her plate.

Jisoo volunteered to hang with Louis at the park next to the theater, and they both seemed tired and happy when Jennie and Cherry met up with them. Jennie appreciated how easy Jisoo was making their transition to life in Elmdale. Jisoo was trying really hard. Harder than Jennie had initially thought she would. It couldn't be easy for a busy, single woman to adjust to a ready-made family, but Jisoo didn't seem bothered by the intrusion in her personal space that two additional people—plus Cherry—had made.

It would be so nice for Jennie to relax into the comfort of having another adult around, sharing the load, giving her a break. But she couldn't allow herself to succumb to the illusion of what her life was at the moment. For now, it was enough that they were settling in without too many problems. Now if she could get Louis to stay in bed, she could finally get some work done. "Do you like your bedroom?"

"Yeah. I like that Jeff is on the wall now. When are you going to color him in?"

In an effort to make Louis more comfortable, she had sketched out the beginnings of the mural for his wall. There was now a charcoal outline of a friendly-looking octopus lounging along the baseboard trim.

"I have to get some different paint first, but soon." She tucked him into bed and gave him Jeff, and then she snuggled down next to him with the book she had chosen earlier. "Do you think you'll be able to stay in bed tonight?"

"I think so." He raised his head so he could see the walkie-talkie in its charging cradle on his nightstand. "You'll answer me if I call you?"

"Absolutely. I have mine in the studio. Now are you going to read to me or what?" She handed him the picture book, entitled I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean!

"Ma, this book is for babies. Can't I read from my encyclopedia?"

"I like stories. Read me a story."

They had read this story probably a thousand times. It used to be Louis's favorite, back when she was the one who read to him, and before he discovered nonfiction books filled with facts about the ocean. It probably wouldn't be long until she'd have to start buying marine biology textbooks for him, but for now, he indulged her request and read the story that both of them had practically memorized at this point. Another plus—it was a very short read.

Louis's voice droned quietly and Jennie fought her fatigue. She couldn't allow herself to fall asleep in his bed. She had too much to do. After he finished reading, she cuddled with him for a bit, and then left the room, making sure his nightlight was on and his door was cracked about five inches, just the way he wanted.