The Bird and the Bee

Chapter 9

Miss Honey couldn't sleep much at all that night. Matilda was fast asleep in bed still, but between the aches in her body and trying to process the day, she could rest. Eventually she found herself downstairs in the parlor, cozied up on the chair as she watched the fire in the fireplace flicker. The warmth was comforting, the few crackles heard helping distract the woman from her raging thoughts. Exhaustion eventually caught up to her, her head growing heavy as she dozed off.

~~~

"Alma?" Jenny says groggily, still half asleep and she heard the woman gently shush her. She opened her eyes slowly, noticing it was still dark out and grew confused when she felt the woman's arms under her.

"You fell asleep downstairs." Alma whispers. "I need to change your bandage, but try to go back to sleep."

Jenny went to say more but her voice lulled off, her eyes demanding to shut once more, the warmth of the woman against her enough to lull her back to sleep. Alma had carefully brought Matilda to the guest bedroom, tucking the girl in who thankfully stayed asleep before she brought Jenny to her bedroom to fix up her wound. She knew the brunette was likely upset with her, but she would still help nonetheless.

The ymbryne quietly opened her door, shutting it behind her with her foot before laying the woman down on the bed. The first aid kit was already on the night stand, Alma sitting down on the edge of the bed and resting her injured hand against her lap. The woman was in and out of sleep, her breath catching when she felt the ravenette undo the bandage.

"Don't move your hand." Alma scolds, her tone then lightening a bit. "I don't want the stitches coming undone."

Jenny let out a few quiet whimpers as the ymbryne worked on cleaning it, being mindful not to make the bandage too tight. The older woman felt her heart ache with each one, gently taking the woman's hand in hers to try and soothe the pain, but knew there wasn't much she could do. She brushed away a tear that fell across her cheek, Jenny already going back to sleep, but kept her hold on Alma's hand. The headmistress assumed she fell asleep and went to stand to go spend the night in the parlor, but was held back by the woman's soft voice.

"Please stay." Jenny whispers, opening her eyes to meet the ymbrynes. "Please."

Alma looked at her before allowing herself to give in, her hard expression softening as she walked over to the woman, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I wasn't leaving, Jenny." She whispers, giving the woman's hand a comforting squeeze. "Let me change and I'll be right back." She assures her, Jenny's cheeks turning a faint pink as she thanked her. The ymbryne got out one of her nightgowns, thinking for a moment before taking out another one.

"Here, this will be more comfortable." Alma says, walking over to her and setting the nightgowns on the foot of the bed, taking the younger woman's hand to help her sit up.

"I don't want to intrude."

"Nonsense, Jenny. Go ahead." She encourages, leaving to the bathroom to change into hers.

Miss Honey looked over at the nightgown, carefully taking the soft satin in her hands, her cheeks burning when the faint smell of vanilla lingered on it. It would be a bit difficult to unbutton her top with stitches in her hand, but she thought she'd try at least unbuttoning her pants. With only a little stinging in her hand, she was able to slip them off but she fumbled with the buttons of the blouse, her cheeks burning slightly from embarrassment as she struggled. Alma had waited for a few minutes in the bathroom, finally cracking the door open to ask if she was done, not wanting to intrude on her privacy.

"I'm struggling a bit." Jenny admits with a small nervous laugh.

"Do you need help?" Alma asks, waiting a moment before Jenny gave her a yes.