The Bird and the Bee

Chapter 22

Later that evening, Alma and Jenny were washing the dishes as the children wasted time before the movie had to start. The two of them didn't say much, mostly the sound of the water filling the room and the occasional sound of one of the children nearby. But it wasn't awkward, more of a comforting silence. One that both of them took the chance to focus on since it was a break from the chaos the past week had given them.

Jenny glanced at the taller woman, Alma's indigo eyes placed merely on the dishes, not noticing her gaze. Not until the younger woman glanced quickly to the hall and when she was sure no one was nearby, she gently rest her head against her shoulder as she rinsed a plate off. Alma looked over when she felt her do so, her cheeks tinting a faint pink as she focused on the dishes, but the sweet smell of the woman's honey perfume made it difficult to ignore her. The ravenette leaned down and placed a quick soft kiss on the top of her head, returning back to the dishes and she checked her pocket watch.

"The children will be down for the movie, we can go ahead and go to the parlor." She states, Jenny turning the water from the sink off and drying her hands after Alma did, following behind her to the room.

Horacss dreams were mostly per usual, him trying on outfits, etc. Though Miss Honey was a bit embarrassed when she seen the incident from the library appear, glancing a few times over at Matilda. She didn't want the girl to find out just yet, but it was a bit too late now. Jenny was so focused on the girl, she didn't notice that Alma kept stealing brief looks at her. She didn't know the people - the Wormwoods from what she gathered - that well, but each word from them was sending a flicker of anger through her. That is until the man grabbed her by the jaw and Alma was practically seething by then. Horace's dream ended shortly after, the projection stopping and Miss Peregrine turned the lights back on. Jenny didn't really notice the gaze of some of the children on her when they started to leave for reset, the woman immediately walking over to Matilda who seemed to be on the verge of tears.

"It's alright, little bee." Jenny says softly, kneeling down in front of the girl.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was planning to soon, I didn't know that Horace knew as well." Jenny says quietly, glancing over when she felt the older woman's hand on her shoulder.

"I can handle reset with the others. You both are welcome to stay here." Alma says gently, her hand dropping from the brunettes shoulder as she walked outside of the home.

"Why didn't you tell me at the library?" Matilda asks, Jenny going to brush away one of her tears but the girl didn't want her to.

"I'm sorry, I was going to, Matilda. Truly I was, but I didn't know when would be the best time to bring it up."

"You should've told me when you found out." Jenny hasn't ever seen the girl upset with her and it hurt to see that she was. Matilda stood from the couch and when Jenny went to follow, the girl snapped at her. "They're my parents, you could have told me!"

Jenny watched as she stormed off, a bit hurt at the wording but she scolded herself for being upset. Truly they were Matilda's parents, as much as the phrasing hurt, she would never be her true parent. She should have told her, she deserved to know.

The brunette walked upstairs with a shaky sigh, deciding to go ahead and change and then retire to bed. She wanted to check on Matilda, but she didn't want to push it in case the girl wanted time for herself. Jenny made her way down to Alma's room and stepped in, taking out one of her own nightgowns and went to the bathroom to change just as she heard the whistling of the bomb nearing the home. She'd be lying if she said her nerves weren't bothering her as Jenny felt the home shake slightly as Alma reset the loop. Ignoring it, she changed into the pale pink nightgown of hers, making her way back to the bedroom and glancing at the bed, immediately curling up on Alma's side. The brunette let out a soft sigh, the scent of her perfume intoxicating her as she looked out the window, a flash of light coming through until it was night again. Glancing down at the floor, Jenny wondered how Matilda was doing, especially with reset happening, but chose to give her some space.