Burden

*~chapter forty-two~*

(so from the last chapter there's been a 6 month gp of me writing so this may be confusing and fast past but that's because I want to wrap it up!)

~couple of months later!~

After a brisk walk back from the nearest store, the door swings shut behind me, and I head straight for the kitchen, arms weighed down by grocery bags. The faint hum of the fridge and the early-morning quiet welcome me as I begin unpacking. This has become my routine, a small but comforting system I've built for myself. Every Saturday, I go out early to stock up for the week ahead. It's the only time I can manage it, knowing the girls are still sound asleep, enjoying their rare chance to wake up late. These peaceful mornings are my own, a little pocket of time to prepare for the days to come before the house fills with energy and noise.

While flipping pancakes and scrambling eggs, the faint sound of giggles and tiny, deliberate footsteps drifts into the kitchen. A knowing smile tugs at my lips. Moments later, the girls burst in, shouting at the top of their lungs in an attempt to startle me. I feign surprise with an exaggerated gasp, clutching my chest like their little prank worked, which sends them into fits of laughter. It's a small ritual we've fallen into, and their delight makes playing along worth it every time.

Once breakfast is ready, I plate the food and get the girls settled at the table, making sure their drinks and napkins are within reach. With their chatter filling the kitchen, I grab a plate of food and a mug of coffee for Jasper. For the past week, he's been running himself ragged, staying up late and waking early to tackle ongoing issues at his company. Last night, though, I think he finally pushed himself too far and fell asleep in his office.

Balancing the plate, I knock on the door to his office. There's no answer—no movement, no gruff acknowledgment. I wait a moment, then sigh softly. "Of course, that means come in, Maeve," I murmur to myself, nudging the door open with my hip and stepping inside. 

going to his desk I see him not asleep but staring deeply at the computer while leaning back in chair.

"jasper" I say adverting his attention to me, which he does slowly. "Maeve" he responds, things have changed between us, I guess we've gotten closer since I started living in his house and look after his little sister, but its good I think. 

"you should eat, you didnt have dinner last night" I sternly stated, it wasn't an option, with that he rolls his eyes a little and grabs the plate from me, I come around the side to put his coffee infront of him, this caused him to grab me and pull me to sit on him, "jasper!" I yelled, a tad shocked at his action, all this sleep deprivation mustve gotten to his head.

though I dont attempt to move, I wonder why that is. "what" jasper mutters out with a small smirk resting on his lips, causing me to roll my eyes this time. "have you eaten?"jasper says handing over me his fork, I lean back putting y head in his shoulder to whisper "you know this is your food because I was worried about you not eating, not about me"

like I said really close.....

"just eat your food and then go to bed" I got  up looking at him, "sorry that's not going to happen I have a meeting in like half an hour." he says smiling back up at me. I frown grab his chin "your spreading yourself to thing, get Scott to pick up some of the slack." he grabs my wrist looking up at me "nah" standing up grabbing his stuff and pulling me downstairs, asshole can't wait 10 minutes and have food. 

he goes over and says goodbye to his sister before leaving the house, 

"hey mae, you look angry, like yelling angry" Mellisa says "that's because I am Mel, your brother is a doofus" I tell them while walking over to the sink to do the dishes.