Page 51 of Jasper

She raises her hands and waits until I drop the nightie over her head, letting me dress her like she’s the most precious thing in my care, because she absolutely is.

Patting her softly on the hip, I smile down at her, studying her closely. “Good girl.”

Next comes her hair, so I lead her into the bathroom, then plug in the blow dryer, setting it to the lowest, warmest setting. She stays still, staring back at me in the mirror, her expression curious and soft.

I take my time.

First, I untangle the mess with my fingers, separating her silky locks carefully. Then I find her brush and start working gently, trying not to hurt her. She hasn’t shared much with me about her past, but I suspect she’s been hurt enough in her lifetime already. I’d rather be the person who helps her heal that pain.

She hums occasionally, a sleepy, happy sound that fills the quiet space between us. Fluffy walks between our ankles a few times and then moves on to find something else to entertain him. The animal might be an eyesore, but he’s a pretty damn good cat. And thankfully, the vet I called to come give him an exam said he didn’t have rabies or any other diseases. So I’m putting up with him for Ariana’s sake.

“Bye, Floofers,” Ariana mumbles sleepily, waving at Fluffy’s butt as he leaves.

I mask my smile and force myself to focus on the task at hand. Once her hair is mostly tangle-free, I sweep the brush in slow, soothing motions as I finish blowing it dry. I run my hand through the pink strands repeatedly, loving the way it flutters through my fingers like satin.

“Fucking Kool-Aid,” I mutter.

Her eyes are closed as she soaks in my touch, but she smiles. “It’s cheap and really, it’s the better choice since there are fewer chemicals in it than regular hair dye. In my opinion, they’re doing themselves a disservice by not marketing it as temporary hair color.”

She shrugs like what she said makes perfect sense, so I don’t argue. If she wants to use a juice drink to make her hair pink, I’ll buy the company and keep her cupboards stocked with the stuff.

After one last sweep with my hand, I lean down so my mouth is near her ear press a gentle kiss to her temple. “All done, baby.”

“Thank you,” she whispers shyly as she opens her eyes to look at me.

I can’t stop myself. I turn her to face me, then kiss her forehead, holding my lips there for a long beat before pulling away.

Next is her teeth.

I find her toothbrush in the drawer and squeeze a dollop of minty toothpaste onto it and hold it up.

She blushes but opens her mouth when I tap her lower lip with the bristles.

My chest aches in the best way as I brush her teeth, careful and thorough, making sure to get every corner. She presses her warm hand to my chest as if she needs me for balance, making me feel like a king.Herking.

When I finish, I offer her a cup to rinse her mouth and then wipe a tiny leftover spot of toothpaste from her lower lip with my thumb.

“Such a good girl.”

She beams up at me like she always does when I praise her. I need to do it more often.

“You thirsty at all, rainbow?”

She nods sleepily. “A little.”

I go into the bedroom and find one of the new sippy cups I bought, a soft-seal kind that changes from purple to pink when there’s cold liquid in it. I fill it with water, click the lid on tight, and hand it to her.

She hugs it happily against her chest and smiles so sweetly, I have to grit my teeth until it’s painful to keep from mauling her. She’s probably sore from all the gardening, and it might be even worse tomorrow.

Finally, I lead her to the bed, pulling back the comforter and helping her climb in. I slide in beside her, tugging the covers around us before gathering her smaller body against mine.

She fits perfectly there.

Tucked under my arm. Nestled against me

My fingers trail up and down her arm in slow, lazy patterns as she snuggles her face into my chest, her body curling around mine like she belongs nowhere else.

This... this is peace.

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