All My Love

Chapter Fifteen

"Every time I look in the mirror, all these lines on my face getting clearer, the past is gone-" Elizabeth's phone began singing. She groaned and began groping around her nightstand looking for it so she could turn the horrible alarm off. With a pounding headache Elizabeth rolled out of bed, she left her room to turn the coffee pot on when she saw Tuukka fast asleep and falling off her couch. Elizabeth suppressed a smile and tip toed through the living to the kitchen hitting the coffee pot before grabbing herself some aspirin. There was a reason she didn't drink and the hangover that came with it was a big part, Elizabeth hated feeling like she couldn't think straight. Elizabeth checked the clock above the stove and saw she was ahead of schedule, it was only 3:43. Waiting for her coffee and trying to thank Tuukka for looking after her last night Elizabeth began to make muffins so that when he woke up breakfast would be ready. Elizabeth was finally starting to feel the drugs kick in as she filled the muffin tins with batter. Humming to herself Elizabeth put the muffins in the oven and started to eat the left over muffin batter not caring that she was getting some on her face. In the middle of licking the spatula arms wrapped around Elizabeth causing her to shriek and drop in into the bowl with a clatter. "Sunshine, it's not even four in the morning yet go to bed," Tuukka muttered with a sleepy voice resting his chin on her head. Taking a deep Elizabeth attempted to calm her erratic heart by listening to his steady heartbeat. "I have to work so I thought I would make you thank you muffins," Elizabeth told him closing her eyes and leaning back into his chest. "You should open the shop late you only slept for two hours," Tuukka said walking backwards and dragging Elizabeth along with him. "I have muffins," Elizabeth protested not wanting to admit how much she would love to go back to bed with Tuukka. "As soon as the muffins are done we're going back to sleep," Tuukka said the sleep still evident in his voice as well as determination. Elizabeth nodded and turned the oven up a little to cut down on the baking time while Tuukka turned off the coffee pot so she wouldn't try to caffeinate and claim she was fine to open the shop at normal time. After they each accomplished their small tasks Tuukka pulled Elizabeth close to him again and settled leaning on the counter rubbing her back softly. "Stop, I'm going to fall asleep like this," Elizabeth murmured into his bare chest feeling more tired than when she first woke up. Before Tuukka could say anything the timer went off indicating that muffins were done. "You know, I know you're exhausted it's okay, there's no need to pretend like you don't need sleep," Tuukka said quietly across the room. Elizabeth pretended that she didn't hear and took the muffins out of the pan to cool but when she finished she didn't protest when Tuukka picked her up to carry her to the couch. He laid down on the couch settling Elizabeth half on top of him, half between him and the couch. "Get some sleep sunshine," he whispered rubbing Elizabeth's back watching as she moved her head over his heart to listen to his heartbeat as she drifted to sleep.

Jonathan opened the door quietly as to not wake up any of his sisters. Leading Erica, the girl he spent New Years with and his friend from high school, into the condo he was hoping that Beth wouldn't be up and about just yet and catch him red handed. Jonathan stopped in his tracks causing Erica to bump into him when he saw Elizabeth and Tuukka passed out together on the couch with the two dogs on the floor next to them. "Is that the sister you were worried about?" Erica whispered peering over his shoulder not sure which twin she was looking at. Jon nodded, "Looks like we don't have to be super careful. I just have to change and we can go get breakfast." Still being quiet the two made their way to Tori's room where Jon's bag was. Jonathan changed quickly and came back to find Erica sprawled out on Tori's bed. Laughing he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder exiting the room and heading for the door. Jonathan didn't notice that his sister and Tuukka were up from the couch until he walked by the kitchen. Peering in Jonathan saw they were laughing; Tuukka was helping Beth up from the floor where she was surrounded by blueberries. "Awwee," Erica sighed softly just loud enough for them to hear and look over. "Jonathan have you learned no manners?" Elizabeth began to scold moving away from Tuukka. "You do not just carry a girl around over your shoulder, she probably doesn't want to see you ass," Elizabeth said making everyone laugh. "Hi I'm Erica," Erica introduced since she didn't think Jonathan's sister remembered her. "It's been great Beth but my friend Erica and I are going for breakfast," Jonathan said before his sister could become best friends with the girl slung over his shoulder. "Bye Beth!" Erica called with a wave to the laughing girl in the kitchen.