Page 36 of Saved By Two

This time when our plates are empty, Jessica insists on clearing the table. I give Caleb a look that says, let her do it.

“So Jessica, where are you on your Marvel-thon?” I ask.

I watch as she loads the dishwasher, making sure she’s careful. Hell, it hurt her to reach for a glass earlier. It’s why I moved them all to the lower shelf and rearranged everything so it’s easier for her to reach. I’m sure Caleb will say something once he notices because he doesn’t particularly like change. Everything has its place. I’ll happily toss my dirty clothes into the laundry bin, yet he’ll fold his.

“I was getting ready to watch Thor.”

“Fancy some company?” he asks, his eyes roaming to mine. I raise my eyebrows, and he shrugs.

Joining Jessica in the kitchen, I dig around the cupboard and pull out a box. “We even have popcorn.”

She glances between us both. “You don’t have to watch it with me,” she says as I unwrap the packet and place it in the microwave.

“We want to,” I assure her. Well, probably more me than Caleb. He’s usually the more restless of us, but if he knows how much I love something, he’ll make it work. And I know he wants Jessica to spend more time out of her room with us. Because it’s clear something seems to have shifted, not by much, but enough to ease some of the heavy tension of the past week.

“Yeah, okay.”

Caleb claps his hands together. “I’ll go get the TV ready while you’re waiting for the popcorn,” he says.

“Shall I get us some drinks?” Jessica asks.

“Yes, please. Caleb and I’ll have a coke.”

When we make our way into the living room, Caleb has the film ready to go and the ambient lighting for our viewing pleasure.

He pats the spot next to him for me and points to the other side for Jessica, so I’m in the middle.

“I thought you might like the pouffe footstool, and there’s a blanket in case you get cold.”

She smiles and sits as I help adjust some of the cushions behind her back until I’m sure she’s comfortable.

I pass out the bowls of popcorn, and then Caleb hits play.

Twenty minutes into the film, he’s already asked me about fifteen questions. It's a love-hate trait and probably why we never go to the cinema. But he’s making an effort for Jessica.

I love that she’s patient and answers some of his questions, how comfortable she is with us.

I realise she's asleep only when I feel her head on my shoulder. I go to move, but Caleb squeezes my knee. I glance at him, and he shakes his head.

He holds his finger to his mouth before whispering in my ear, “Let her rest while we watch the rest of this.” He kisses my temple, his attention moving back to the screen.

A heavy weight across my lap pulls me from sleep, and I blink away the fogginess as I peer down to see Jessica’s head resting on the cushion in my lap.

A hand squeezes my shoulder, and I turn my head to face Caleb.

“Shit, what time is it?” I ask, stretching my neck.

He glances at his wrist. “Just after six.”

I look down at the sofa and notice her legs are up, and she has another throw over her.

“I covered her when I got up to use the toilet, and when I returned, you were out, too.”

And that’s when I notice a throw covering my legs. “Did you sleep?” I ask.

He shrugs. “A bit.”

I reach down and stroke the hair away from Jessica’s face. “Did she stir at all?”

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