you.

chapter 36

IVY'S POV
*joey's mom parks in the parking lot of bed bath and beyond and turns off the engine. i lift my head up and look down at joey. he was asleep and i kiss his forehead.*

ivy- we're here baby

joey- hm?

ivy- you fell asleep and we are at the store already

joey- oh okay. i'll get out in a second

*i giggle and get out of the car, leaving the door open for him as i walk over to jen. she hugs me out of nowhere and i hug back. i look at her, being confused, and ask her if everything is okay.*

jen- yes everything is perfect. i've never seen joey so in love with someone who takes such good care of him

ivy- you raised him right. i just fell in love with him for how he was

jen- thank you, for the comment and for everything you've done for joey

ivy- you're welcome

*we look over at joey while he gets out of the car and stretches. he walks over to me and holds my hand. i intertwine our fingers and start walking into the store behind jen. joey drapes his arm around my shoulder and kisses my forehead while we walk. i look up at him with a smile on face and walk with the both of them to the bed section.*

jen- i know you had a twin at your old house so you can get a double if you want

ivy- i think that would be a lot more comfortable so i'll get a double if that's okay

jen- of course it's okay

ivy- i just don't want to waste all of your money

jen- i wouldn't be wasting it. it would be to help you. it's okay ivy

*i nod and we pick out a comfortable mattress, some sheets, and a couple pillows. next, jen brings joey and i over to the dresser section.*

jen- i don't know how many clothes you have and the closet might be big enough but you can get these small drawers to keep things organized

ivy- that would be nice, i'll get one of the big bins and the small clear drawers

*she puts them in the cart and i help her. joey looks at me with a pout on his face and i pout back. i end up smiling, causing him to smile back and i kiss his cheek. we turn towards his mom and she's looking at us while smiling. i blush from embarrassment and we walk over to another section. we put everything i needed in the cart and we walk over to the cash register. after jen paid for everything, i thank her and push the cart to the car. joey helps me and opens the trunk. we get in the car after loading everything into the trunk*

ivy- thank you baby

joey- you're welcome

JOEY'S POV
*my mom drives home with ivy and me in the back with everything else. she holds my hand and looks out the window. i intertwine our fingers and holds her hand in between both of mine. she turns to me with a smile and kisses my cheek. i smile back just as we pull into the driveway and my mom turns the car off. after carrying everything into the empty room,my mom goes downstairs to start making dinner and i helps ivy take my bedframe out of the box. we put it together within a matter of minutes and we put her mattress on it. i jump on the bed and she giggles, jumping down next to me. she lays her head on my chest and looks at all the other things that still need to be put together or hung up.*

joey- we don't have to finish your room by tonight. we have however long you want it to take

ivy- i think we should put my desk together and the chair that goes with it and we can be done for tonight

joey- sounds like a plan

*we take out my desk and start putting it together. i hand joey the screw and hold the pieces together so he can screw them in. we finish after 45 minutes and then we move onto my chair. all we had to do was put the seat on the wheels and it was done.*

jen- kids, dinner is ready!

sophia- coming!

bella- i'll be down in a second mom!

joey- ivy and i are coming right now

*i look at ivy and she's looking around her room. i hug her from behind and rest my chin on her shoulder. she takes a deep breath and i let go of her, walking to the front of her, only to see her eyes filled with tears. i immediately become worried and hug her tight. she holds onto me and sheds a few tears on my shirt. i wipe her tears and shut the bedroom door, texting my mom that we need some time alone. she says okay and i bring ivy over to her bed and sit down with her next to me.*

joey- what's wrong baby?

ivy- everything

joey- what do you mean everything?

ivy- i want to be happy. i want to live and not cry every single day of my life. i want to be able to move on from the past and not keep worrying.

joey- what are you worrying about?

ivy- if my sister would like me living here, how different it'll be her than home. i'm even still worrying about not keeping you happy and sophia hating me

joey- you make me so so happy. you never have to worry about not making me happy. sophia doesn't hate you, i know it feels like she does but she doesn't

ivy- we don't know that. i probably ruined your bond with her for all i know

joey- stop putting yourself down. you didn't come between anyone and me in my family. you've only made it better okay?

*she nods and looks at the wall, a tear rolling down her cheek. i gently wipe it with my thumb and she looks at me. i take her hands in mine and look into her eyes. she looks into mine and takes a deep breath.*

joey- we'll get through this