Call Me Jess

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

(beaver startles & pulls his arm away from her. ae relax slowly upon realising it's just jess, just his lover; ae don't fall back asleep however & instead lay awake under the hood of aer jacket as aer fingers run through jessʼs hair.)

Jess relaxes into it almost instantly, eyes falling closed and leaning into his hand

(alexis & romiley share a knowing look as the two sit down on the opposing couch together, alexis behind romiley, following his wifeʼs finger as she reads a novel — some kind of mythological murder mystery?)

(beaver taps a message to jess.) ʼ-.-. .- - ... . .--. .... --- -. . / .. ... / -.. . .- -..ʼ (catsephone is dead)

Jess flinches a little, looking up at him, the tension that had begun to drain out of her body returning. She doesn’t know how to reply.

(beaver doesn't either - in fact he doesn't say anything further of the matter; ae merely return to massaging her scalp with & leaving small twirled knots in her curls.)

She slowly lays her head down again, leaning into his hand and slowly relaxing all over again.

(at some point jeremiah starts to wake, followed by his brother soon after, thus beaver gets up to keep ʼmiah entertained whilst shea babbles to jess using random words of what he's heard put together to sound vaguely like english, like ʼmusurdʼ & ʼbabyʼ, or on some occasions like now ʼscaryʼ.)

Jess shifts, lifting Shea into her lap, listening to him with nods and gentle promptings

(alexis glances over with a concerned frown as he listens to his grandson babbling of ʼscariesʼ in his sleep. he waits until the young one is quiet before speaking.) ʼʼmight wanna keep a journal of notes of this, the nightmares, to see how often they occur.ʼʼ

Jess nods, “I have one for myself,” she admits softly, kissing Shea’s head, “I know the scaries while you sleep aren’t nice hun,” she tells him softly, “Mama and papa will keep you safe.” She assures him gently

ʼʼno like.ʼʼ (shea mumbles, hiding his face in jessʼs chest.)

(beaver comes back in with ʼmiah kicking his legs, not to get away but—) ʼʼheʼs flying.ʼʼ

Jess smiles softly, wrapping her arms around Shea comfortingly

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

(beaver startles & pulls his arm away from her. ae relax slowly upon realising it's just jess, just his lover; ae don't fall back asleep however & instead lay awake under the hood of aer jacket as aer fingers run through jessʼs hair.)

Jess relaxes into it almost instantly, eyes falling closed and leaning into his hand

(alexis & romiley share a knowing look as the two sit down on the opposing couch together, alexis behind romiley, following his wifeʼs finger as she reads a novel — some kind of mythological murder mystery?)

(beaver taps a message to jess.) ʼ-.-. .- - ... . .--. .... --- -. . / .. ... / -.. . .- -..ʼ (catsephone is dead)

Jess flinches a little, looking up at him, the tension that had begun to drain out of her body returning. She doesn’t know how to reply.

(beaver doesn't either - in fact he doesn't say anything further of the matter; ae merely return to massaging her scalp with & leaving small twirled knots in her curls.)

She slowly lays her head down again, leaning into his hand and slowly relaxing all over again.

(at some point jeremiah starts to wake, followed by his brother soon after, thus beaver gets up to keep ʼmiah entertained whilst shea babbles to jess using random words of what he's heard put together to sound vaguely like english, like ʼmusurdʼ & ʼbabyʼ, or on some occasions like now ʼscaryʼ.)

Jess shifts, lifting Shea into her lap, listening to him with nods and gentle promptings

(alexis glances over with a concerned frown as he listens to his grandson babbling of ʼscariesʼ in his sleep. he waits until the young one is quiet before speaking.) ʼʼmight wanna keep a journal of notes of this, the nightmares, to see how often they occur.ʼʼ

Jess nods, “I have one for myself,” she admits softly, kissing Shea’s head, “I know the scaries while you sleep aren’t nice hun,” she tells him softly, “Mama and papa will keep you safe.” She assures him gently

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

(beaver startles & pulls his arm away from her. ae relax slowly upon realising it's just jess, just his lover; ae don't fall back asleep however & instead lay awake under the hood of aer jacket as aer fingers run through jessʼs hair.)

Jess relaxes into it almost instantly, eyes falling closed and leaning into his hand

(alexis & romiley share a knowing look as the two sit down on the opposing couch together, alexis behind romiley, following his wifeʼs finger as she reads a novel — some kind of mythological murder mystery?)

(beaver taps a message to jess.) ʼ-.-. .- - ... . .--. .... --- -. . / .. ... / -.. . .- -..ʼ (catsephone is dead)

Jess flinches a little, looking up at him, the tension that had begun to drain out of her body returning. She doesn’t know how to reply.

(beaver doesn't either - in fact he doesn't say anything further of the matter; ae merely return to massaging her scalp with & leaving small twirled knots in her curls.)

She slowly lays her head down again, leaning into his hand and slowly relaxing all over again.

(at some point jeremiah starts to wake, followed by his brother soon after, thus beaver gets up to keep ʼmiah entertained whilst shea babbles to jess using random words of what he's heard put together to sound vaguely like english, like ʼmusurdʼ & ʼbabyʼ, or on some occasions like now ʼscaryʼ.)

Jess shifts, lifting Shea into her lap, listening to him with nods and gentle promptings

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

(beaver startles & pulls his arm away from her. ae relax slowly upon realising it's just jess, just his lover; ae don't fall back asleep however & instead lay awake under the hood of aer jacket as aer fingers run through jessʼs hair.)

Jess relaxes into it almost instantly, eyes falling closed and leaning into his hand

(alexis & romiley share a knowing look as the two sit down on the opposing couch together, alexis behind romiley, following his wifeʼs finger as she reads a novel — some kind of mythological murder mystery?)

(beaver taps a message to jess.) ʼ-.-. .- - ... . .--. .... --- -. . / .. ... / -.. . .- -..ʼ (catsephone is dead)

Jess flinches a little, looking up at him, the tension that had begun to drain out of her body returning. She doesn’t know how to reply.

(beaver doesn't either - in fact he doesn't say anything further of the matter; ae merely return to massaging her scalp with & leaving small twirled knots in her curls.)

She slowly lays her head down again, leaning into his hand and slowly relaxing all over again.

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

(beaver startles & pulls his arm away from her. ae relax slowly upon realising it's just jess, just his lover; ae don't fall back asleep however & instead lay awake under the hood of aer jacket as aer fingers run through jessʼs hair.)

Jess relaxes into it almost instantly, eyes falling closed and leaning into his hand

(alexis & romiley share a knowing look as the two sit down on the opposing couch together, alexis behind romiley, following his wifeʼs finger as she reads a novel — some kind of mythological murder mystery?)

(beaver taps a message to jess.) ʼ-.-. .- - ... . .--. .... --- -. . / .. ... / -.. . .- -..ʼ (catsephone is dead)

Jess flinches a little, looking up at him, the tension that had begun to drain out of her body returning. She doesn’t know how to reply.

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

(beaver startles & pulls his arm away from her. ae relax slowly upon realising it's just jess, just his lover; ae don't fall back asleep however & instead lay awake under the hood of aer jacket as aer fingers run through jessʼs hair.)

Jess relaxes into it almost instantly, eyes falling closed and leaning into his hand

(alexis & romi are dancing when jess enters the living room, both grinning at each other; neither make a sound as beaver is laid across the couch with both babies curled up against his chest, all three boys ʼpeacefullyʼ asleep.)

Jess smiles softly, settling onto the floor beside the couch, laying her head against Beaver’s arm.

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck

(benji grumbles as well, stirring to a wake, surprised to see her.) ʼʼoh. hi.ʼʼ

l

“Hi..” she mumbles, sounding sleepy, “Beaver’s... somewhere.” She mumbles

ʼʼmmm... ʼppears jules is too.ʼʼ (xe sound amuse, a sleepy grin on his face.)

“Mmmhm.” She nods a little, fingers playing idly with his shirt

ʼʼmmm... want breakfast?ʼʼ

“Mmm prolly should.” She mumbles, fingers smoothing over some wrinkles

(benji grumbles, stretching xyr arms above his head, shirt rolling up to show xyr tummy a bit before he pulls it down & stands, hand offering to help her.)

She huffs and take his hand to stand

ʼʼwhyʼre you huffiiing.ʼʼ (he whines, pouting at her as xe pull her down the hall to the kitchen.)

“Cuz I was comfyyyyyy.” She grumbles, stumbling as she follows xem.

ʼʼah, but consider: food. & maybe boys.ʼʼ

“‘Ve got a boy already.” She mumbles, laying her head against his arm as she sticks with him

ʼʼi meant the babies & beaver but sure.ʼʼ

“Mm.” She hums, clearly still sleepy

(beaver & juliette aren't in the living room or the kitchen when benji & jess arrive, & neither show up when benji finishes cooking up cong zhua bing, a special breakfast that reminds him of xyr siblings.)

Jess has perched herself on the counter, idly kicking her legs

ʼʼhere you go.ʼʼ (he hums, handing her a plate.) ʼʼcong zhua bing.ʼʼ

“Thanks,” she smiles, taking a bit, “This is really good.”

ʼʼshould be, ʼsmy nanaʼs recipe; i need to visit her soon actually that's a good idea...ʼʼ (he trails off, biting into his food, humming.)

Jess nods a little, going quiet as she eats

(benji finishes first, cleaning up xyr plate & putting it away. some habits forced by his parents were useful & beneficial.)

Jess slips off the counter as she finishes to clean her own dishes, “Should prolly pick up the twins.”

ʼʼdo you want help with ʼem or will you be okay?ʼʼ

“I’m all good if you’ve got stuff to do.” She says with a shrug

ʼʼi think i have work today actually so i should probably head back & get ready. I'll see you around?ʼʼ

She nods, “Thanks for breakfast.”

ʼʼcourse.ʼʼ

She smiles, giving his hand a squeeze, “Have a good day at work.”

ʼʼi will.ʼʼ (he grins, pecking her cheek & heading off.)

She hums, a bounce in her step as she goes to pick up her babies

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck

(benji grumbles as well, stirring to a wake, surprised to see her.) ʼʼoh. hi.ʼʼ

l

“Hi..” she mumbles, sounding sleepy, “Beaver’s... somewhere.” She mumbles

ʼʼmmm... ʼppears jules is too.ʼʼ (xe sound amuse, a sleepy grin on his face.)

“Mmmhm.” She nods a little, fingers playing idly with his shirt

ʼʼmmm... want breakfast?ʼʼ

“Mmm prolly should.” She mumbles, fingers smoothing over some wrinkles

(benji grumbles, stretching xyr arms above his head, shirt rolling up to show xyr tummy a bit before he pulls it down & stands, hand offering to help her.)

She huffs and take his hand to stand

ʼʼwhyʼre you huffiiing.ʼʼ (he whines, pouting at her as xe pull her down the hall to the kitchen.)

“Cuz I was comfyyyyyy.” She grumbles, stumbling as she follows xem.

ʼʼah, but consider: food. & maybe boys.ʼʼ

“‘Ve got a boy already.” She mumbles, laying her head against his arm as she sticks with him

ʼʼi meant the babies & beaver but sure.ʼʼ

“Mm.” She hums, clearly still sleepy

(beaver & juliette aren't in the living room or the kitchen when benji & jess arrive, & neither show up when benji finishes cooking up cong zhua bing, a special breakfast that reminds him of xyr siblings.)

Jess has perched herself on the counter, idly kicking her legs

ʼʼhere you go.ʼʼ (he hums, handing her a plate.) ʼʼcong zhua bing.ʼʼ

“Thanks,” she smiles, taking a bit, “This is really good.”

ʼʼshould be, ʼsmy nanaʼs recipe; i need to visit her soon actually that's a good idea...ʼʼ (he trails off, biting into his food, humming.)

Jess nods a little, going quiet as she eats

(benji finishes first, cleaning up xyr plate & putting it away. some habits forced by his parents were useful & beneficial.)

Jess slips off the counter as she finishes to clean her own dishes, “Should prolly pick up the twins.”

ʼʼdo you want help with ʼem or will you be okay?ʼʼ

“I’m all good if you’ve got stuff to do.” She says with a shrug

ʼʼi think i have work today actually so i should probably head back & get ready. I'll see you around?ʼʼ

She nods, “Thanks for breakfast.”

ʼʼcourse.ʼʼ

She smiles, giving his hand a squeeze, “Have a good day at work.”

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck

(benji grumbles as well, stirring to a wake, surprised to see her.) ʼʼoh. hi.ʼʼ

l

“Hi..” she mumbles, sounding sleepy, “Beaver’s... somewhere.” She mumbles

ʼʼmmm... ʼppears jules is too.ʼʼ (xe sound amuse, a sleepy grin on his face.)

“Mmmhm.” She nods a little, fingers playing idly with his shirt

ʼʼmmm... want breakfast?ʼʼ

“Mmm prolly should.” She mumbles, fingers smoothing over some wrinkles

(benji grumbles, stretching xyr arms above his head, shirt rolling up to show xyr tummy a bit before he pulls it down & stands, hand offering to help her.)

She huffs and take his hand to stand

ʼʼwhyʼre you huffiiing.ʼʼ (he whines, pouting at her as xe pull her down the hall to the kitchen.)

“Cuz I was comfyyyyyy.” She grumbles, stumbling as she follows xem.

ʼʼah, but consider: food. & maybe boys.ʼʼ

“‘Ve got a boy already.” She mumbles, laying her head against his arm as she sticks with him

ʼʼi meant the babies & beaver but sure.ʼʼ

“Mm.” She hums, clearly still sleepy

(beaver & juliette aren't in the living room or the kitchen when benji & jess arrive, & neither show up when benji finishes cooking up cong zhua bing, a special breakfast that reminds him of xyr siblings.)

Jess has perched herself on the counter, idly kicking her legs

ʼʼhere you go.ʼʼ (he hums, handing her a plate.) ʼʼcong zhua bing.ʼʼ

“Thanks,” she smiles, taking a bit, “This is really good.”

ʼʼshould be, ʼsmy nanaʼs recipe; i need to visit her soon actually that's a good idea...ʼʼ (he trails off, biting into his food, humming.)

Jess nods a little, going quiet as she eats

(benji finishes first, cleaning up xyr plate & putting it away. some habits forced by his parents were useful & beneficial.)

Jess slips off the counter as she finishes to clean her own dishes, “Should prolly pick up the twins.”

ʼʼdo you want help with ʼem or will you be okay?ʼʼ

“I’m all good if you’ve got stuff to do.” She says with a shrug

ʼʼi think i have work today actually so i should probably head back & get ready. I'll see you around?ʼʼ

She nods, “Thanks for breakfast.”

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck

(benji grumbles as well, stirring to a wake, surprised to see her.) ʼʼoh. hi.ʼʼ

l

“Hi..” she mumbles, sounding sleepy, “Beaver’s... somewhere.” She mumbles

ʼʼmmm... ʼppears jules is too.ʼʼ (xe sound amuse, a sleepy grin on his face.)

“Mmmhm.” She nods a little, fingers playing idly with his shirt

ʼʼmmm... want breakfast?ʼʼ

“Mmm prolly should.” She mumbles, fingers smoothing over some wrinkles

(benji grumbles, stretching xyr arms above his head, shirt rolling up to show xyr tummy a bit before he pulls it down & stands, hand offering to help her.)

She huffs and take his hand to stand

ʼʼwhyʼre you huffiiing.ʼʼ (he whines, pouting at her as xe pull her down the hall to the kitchen.)

“Cuz I was comfyyyyyy.” She grumbles, stumbling as she follows xem.

ʼʼah, but consider: food. & maybe boys.ʼʼ

“‘Ve got a boy already.” She mumbles, laying her head against his arm as she sticks with him

ʼʼi meant the babies & beaver but sure.ʼʼ

“Mm.” She hums, clearly still sleepy

(beaver & juliette aren't in the living room or the kitchen when benji & jess arrive, & neither show up when benji finishes cooking up cong zhua bing, a special breakfast that reminds him of xyr siblings.)

Jess has perched herself on the counter, idly kicking her legs

ʼʼhere you go.ʼʼ (he hums, handing her a plate.) ʼʼcong zhua bing.ʼʼ

“Thanks,” she smiles, taking a bit, “This is really good.”

ʼʼshould be, ʼsmy nanaʼs recipe; i need to visit her soon actually that's a good idea...ʼʼ (he trails off, biting into his food, humming.)

Jess nods a little, going quiet as she eats

(benji finishes first, cleaning up xyr plate & putting it away. some habits forced by his parents were useful & beneficial.)

Jess slips off the counter as she finishes to clean her own dishes, “Should prolly pick up the twins.”

ʼʼdo you want help with ʼem or will you be okay?ʼʼ

“I’m all good if you’ve got stuff to do.” She says with a shrug

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck

(benji grumbles as well, stirring to a wake, surprised to see her.) ʼʼoh. hi.ʼʼ

l

“Hi..” she mumbles, sounding sleepy, “Beaver’s... somewhere.” She mumbles

ʼʼmmm... ʼppears jules is too.ʼʼ (xe sound amuse, a sleepy grin on his face.)

“Mmmhm.” She nods a little, fingers playing idly with his shirt

ʼʼmmm... want breakfast?ʼʼ

“Mmm prolly should.” She mumbles, fingers smoothing over some wrinkles

(benji grumbles, stretching xyr arms above his head, shirt rolling up to show xyr tummy a bit before he pulls it down & stands, hand offering to help her.)

She huffs and take his hand to stand

ʼʼwhyʼre you huffiiing.ʼʼ (he whines, pouting at her as xe pull her down the hall to the kitchen.)

“Cuz I was comfyyyyyy.” She grumbles, stumbling as she follows xem.

ʼʼah, but consider: food. & maybe boys.ʼʼ

“‘Ve got a boy already.” She mumbles, laying her head against his arm as she sticks with him

ʼʼi meant the babies & beaver but sure.ʼʼ

“Mm.” She hums, clearly still sleepy

(beaver & juliette aren't in the living room or the kitchen when benji & jess arrive, & neither show up when benji finishes cooking up cong zhua bing, a special breakfast that reminds him of xyr siblings.)

Jess has perched herself on the counter, idly kicking her legs

ʼʼhere you go.ʼʼ (he hums, handing her a plate.) ʼʼcong zhua bing.ʼʼ

“Thanks,” she smiles, taking a bit, “This is really good.”

ʼʼshould be, ʼsmy nanaʼs recipe; i need to visit her soon actually that's a good idea...ʼʼ (he trails off, biting into his food, humming.)

Jess nods a little, going quiet as she eats

(benji finishes first, cleaning up xyr plate & putting it away. some habits forced by his parents were useful & beneficial.)

Jess slips off the counter as she finishes to clean her own dishes, “Should prolly pick up the twins.”

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck

(benji grumbles as well, stirring to a wake, surprised to see her.) ʼʼoh. hi.ʼʼ

l

“Hi..” she mumbles, sounding sleepy, “Beaver’s... somewhere.” She mumbles

ʼʼmmm... ʼppears jules is too.ʼʼ (xe sound amuse, a sleepy grin on his face.)

“Mmmhm.” She nods a little, fingers playing idly with his shirt

ʼʼmmm... want breakfast?ʼʼ

“Mmm prolly should.” She mumbles, fingers smoothing over some wrinkles

(benji grumbles, stretching xyr arms above his head, shirt rolling up to show xyr tummy a bit before he pulls it down & stands, hand offering to help her.)

She huffs and take his hand to stand

ʼʼwhyʼre you huffiiing.ʼʼ (he whines, pouting at her as xe pull her down the hall to the kitchen.)

“Cuz I was comfyyyyyy.” She grumbles, stumbling as she follows xem.

ʼʼah, but consider: food. & maybe boys.ʼʼ

“‘Ve got a boy already.” She mumbles, laying her head against his arm as she sticks with him

ʼʼi meant the babies & beaver but sure.ʼʼ

“Mm.” She hums, clearly still sleepy

(beaver & juliette aren't in the living room or the kitchen when benji & jess arrive, & neither show up when benji finishes cooking up cong zhua bing, a special breakfast that reminds him of xyr siblings.)

Jess has perched herself on the counter, idly kicking her legs

ʼʼhere you go.ʼʼ (he hums, handing her a plate.) ʼʼcong zhua bing.ʼʼ

“Thanks,” she smiles, taking a bit, “This is really good.”

ʼʼshould be, ʼsmy nanaʼs recipe; i need to visit her soon actually that's a good idea...ʼʼ (he trails off, biting into his food, humming.)

Jess nods a little, going quiet as she eats

Jess wakes up slowly, quite comfortable where she is. But when she does come to a little more she realizes she’s cuddled with Benji and only Benji. Which isn’t bad just... usually Beaver is present when the two hang out; so she’s a little thrown off. She honestly can’t remember much of what happened the night before...

(benji is asleep still, snoring quietly, relaxed & peaceful.)

Jess grumbles a little, nuzzling her face into his neck