Jessica, Taylor and Tree were all having dinner together – it was their fortnightly dinner.
Taylor's phone rang, she glanced at the screen – seeing her Mum's contact flashing up. It was unusual for Andrea to ring out of the blue, she usually messaged first to check if Taylor was free to chat, she had woken her up while the baby was napping a few times so now didn't like to intrude without checking.
Taylor swiped to answer "Hey Mum!"
Andrea's voice was slightly tense "Hey Tay..."
The younger blonde frowned "what's wrong?"
Andrea sighed "don't panic – it's not bad but I've had an accident...."
Taylor's voice rose up in pitch "what do you mean you've had an accident?"
Tree and Jessica's heads shot up, concern over their faces.
On the other end of the line Andrea sighed again "Kitty knocked me over, she was under my feet and I tripped over – I landed on my arm. I came to the hospital, and I've broken it in two places. They're going to do surgery tomorrow to pin it."
Taylor groaned "I told you that dog was too big mum!"
Andrea began to protest but Taylor interrupted her "surgery? Mum I am going to come to the hospital...let me figure it out!"
Once they had hung up the phone, Taylor began to pace as she recounted the story to Tree and Jessica. The blonde tugged at her hair "I need to be there for her – but the girls. Maybe the nanny could come?"
Tree shook her head "the hospital is no place for a baby – or a teenager. I can have them though"
Taylor shook her head – ready to tell her it was too much, too hard but Tree held up her hand "seriously Tay – besides you two I probably know Emmeline's routine best. I am equipped to help with Jessica's eating. You have expressed milk. They can either come to my house or I will stay here. Whatever works for you"
Taylor looked at her, tears welling in her eyes "you would do that for me?"
Tree nodded, smiling kindly.
Jessica looked between them "I want to come!"
Taylor shook her head "baby, Tree is right the hospital really isn't suitable for you to be hanging around and I'll be there for hours – you need routine and rest"
As Jessica tried to protest again, Tree laid her hand gently on the teen's arm "Jessica – Taylor needs to go and be with her Mum. She needs to look after her for a few days. That means she cannot be worrying about you – the safest place for you to be is here, with me"
Jessica's anxiety built immediately – Taylor could see the change in her body language so the blonde turned to the teen – trying to pacify her "Tree will need help with the baby – she settles so well with you. It'll be for 2 nights – I'll be home in 3 days. You will be fine. I promise"
Jessica looked down at her fingers "you'll call me?"
Taylor nodded, kissing her head gently "every night baby"
The following morning, Jessica sat over breakfast with Taylor before she left. She quizzed the blonde for the 100th time "and I will just have to have exactly the same as if you were here?"
Taylor had to hold back her giggle, knowing the teen was anxious "Yes and I have told her to be kind, OK?"
Jessica nodded, breathing a sigh of relief.
Taylor narrowed her eyes at her "but she will know the rules. No cheating"
Jessica nodded, sighing slightly.
Tree arrived and took over from Taylor who left to get her flight. The redhead turned towards the teen, seeing she was close to tears "shall we go for a quick walk – see if we can get Emmeline to nap?"
Jessica nodded quickly, desperate to move her body to try and calm herself down. Tree quickly got the baby strapped in and they headed out for a half an hour stroll.
The day passed quickly and although Jessica was grateful it had been calm so far, she could feel her anxiety building around dinner time. As Tree got up to prep dinner, the teen stood up quickly "I'll help you – I can prep with you"
Tree sighed, looking at the girl sympathetically "honey – you're not allowed to be involved in making the meals still, you know that. You eat what is put in front of you. I'm sorry but it's a no – you can play with Emmeline though, keep her happy for me? That would be a real help"
Jessica sighed, nodding silently as she focused on her little sister – making her grin widely.
She could hear Tree chopping and banging in the kitchen and her worry intensified. Although Taylor had said Tree knew how much food she needed, she also knew that the redhead was much more strict around food and she was anxious that this would equal more food.
Although she tried to squash this down – telling herself she would receive exactly what her body needed – the panic was beginning to rise more and more as she waited. She had grown accustomed to Taylor's cooking and she was becoming irrationally worried about this next few days.
Soon after, just as her anxiety was reaching a new height – Tree called her in. Jessica busied herself with Emmeline for a few seconds before Tree came in, sweeping the baby up into her arms and guiding the teen towards the table.
There were two equal sized plates on the table but Jessica couldn't help herself comparing them – trying to figure out which one would give her the least calories. Just as she was beginning to spiral, Tree pushed her down into the chair gently "come on – time to sit"
Tree had only taken a few bites before Emmeline began fussing – wanting her own dinner. The redhead stood up and grabbed her milk – still keeping her eagle eye on Jessica making sure she didn't try to hide food.
As Tree began to feed the baby, she looked at Jessica's plate then back at the teen "eat"
Jessica nodded, continuing to push the food around gently. This time Tree's tone was more firm "eat. Now Jessica"
The teen looked up, biting her lip "I am worried about Andrea – she should be out of theatre by now"
Tree nodded "I know – but you still have to eat..."
Jessica looked back down at the food, trying to delay it for as long as possible "can we text Tay?"
Tree nodded not missing a beat "as soon as you've finished dinner – yes. But not until that point so eat up"
Reluctantly the teen began to force the food down, not thinking about all the calories she was ingesting.
As soon as she was done, Tree let her message Taylor but there was no response – indicating the blonde was really busy.
Once she had waited the requested 45 minutes, she turned to Tree "Can I go and shower now? I will be all ready for bed then"
The redhead nodded "that's fine. I am going to give Emmeline a bath – do you want me to wait for you or shall I do that while you're in the shower?" She wanted to help the teen to feel involved – not wanting to shut her out of their normal routine.
The teen shrugged "Tay normally does that while I shower or something then I like to read a book to her..."
Tree nodded "OK great – I'll get her sorted, you go and shower and we will meet back down here. Deal?"
Jessica nodded, rushing upstairs. The hot water rushing over her felt like medicine and she felt her stress evaporating again. She changed into clean PJs, dried her hair and headed downstairs – seeing the baby finishing over her nighttime bottle.
She followed Tree upstairs to the nursery and as Tree placed her into the cot, she grabbed a book – sitting on the floor and reading gently. Emmeline was much more vocal now – cooing and gurgling throughout. Once Jessica had finished her story, she stood up – kissing the baby gently.
Tree smiled "I'll just settle her then I'll come down – are you OK?"
Jessica nodded "of course!"
The teen headed downstairs – making Tree a cup of tea to come down to, a few minutes later – the redhead came downstairs "that was surprisingly easy – ooh is that tea for me?"
Jessica nodded "yeah – thought you might need it after today. I am going to go up to bed and read – is that ok?"
Tree nodded, checking her phone "lights out at 10.30, ok?"
The teen nodded, internally groaning at how strict she was with routine.
Surprisingly, Jessica fell asleep way before 10.30. When Tree went to check on her – she was conked out and the redhead smiled thinking to herself 'day 1 was a success'
The following morning, Jessica woke up – trudging down the stairs sleepily. When she saw Tree was already awake with a cup of coffee the teen froze slightly, before the redhead could even mentioned food the teen stiffened "I'm allowed to choose my own breakfast now!"
Tree giggled slightly "Yes I know – what are you having?"
Jessica shrugged "just cereal today..." the teen began to busy herself with getting it ready. As she poured it into the bowl, she decided to chance trying to fool the redhead by adding about ¾ of her normal portion. She showed Tree quickly, hoping she wouldn't notice but the older woman put her hand on her arm gently "I don't think that is quite enough – add a bit more please"
Jessica frowned, back stiffening "It's what I always have..."
Tree rose her eyebrows "well I am not happy with that and I am in charge of your food. Now we can facetime Taylor for her opinion or we can add some more..."
Knowing the blonde would just make her add more food, she reluctantly shook some more in the bowl – topping it up to the correct amount.
Tree smiled gently "that's much better – thank you"
The teen smiled guiltily "sorry..."
Tree shrugged "It's ok – you're trying. That's all that matters"
As she pushed the cereal round her bowl, Jessica looked up at the older woman "Tree – please can you just not take me to the centre today. I won't be able to stop worrying about Andrea and I can't concentrate so it's just a waste of time..."
Tree sighed, sipping on her coffee slowly "that's all the more reason to go – you can discuss it in therapy, think about some healthy coping mechanisms to distract you when your brain is anxious"
Jessica slumped down "ergh"
Tree laughed lightly "I'm sorry honey – it is important you go everyday though. Just because I am here not Taylor, doesn't mean you get to skip it..."
Jessica nodded, biting back tears "Yeah I know..."
The teen got ready slowly – trying to delay the inevitable but eventually when she was ready, Tree forced her into the car and they arrived just in time.
The teen went through the motions, having therapy and lunch at the centre – feeling slightly better for doing it.
As she got back in the car afterwards, she turned to the redhead – smiling gently "that's for pushing me to go – I actually really needed it today. You were right, we discussed some coping mechanisms for when we are distracted and anxious about things other than food and it was really helpful"
Tree smiled "I'm really glad honey. Let's get you home"
Emmeline was grumpy all afternoon, she was fussy and irritable. Tree and Jessica both tried taking it in turns to comfort her but she was very restless. Tree smiled gently "she's just missing Tay, she is realising it's been a while. Totally normal"
Jessica nodded, feeling overstimulated from the constant crying and fussing "I am just going to go upstairs – get away from it for a bit"
Tree nodded, distracted with the upset infant.
As Jessica went upstairs, she felt her anxiety pick up again. She could still hear Emmeline's piercing screams and it seemed to trigger something inside of her – like the reality of Taylor being away hit home for the teen too. She began to pace her room, trying to work off some of her nervous energy but it seemed to work her up more. Her agitation rose until she decided that there was no way she was going to calm down herself. She took a deep breath, climbing down the stairs slowly. Seeing the baby was now asleep she approached Tree gently, not wanting to wake the baby "Tree?"
The tone of Jessica's voice sent fear through the redhead "what's wrong"
The teen shrugged "I don't know. I feel so anxious – I feel like I need to hurt myself or something. I don't know why though. It all just feels overwhelming."
Tree nodded "OK – come and sit next to me"
When the teen did as instructed, Tree squeezed her hands gently – guiding her through breathing exercising until the teen could feel herself calming down. Tree smiled gently at her "do you want to do something to distract you? Some colouring? Keep your mind and hands busy?"
Jessica nodded, grabbing her supplies before sitting down next to Tree on the floor again.
The redhead stroked her head gently "You are doing so well you know? You never would have reached out before – you are being so strong.."
Jessica bit her lip, shrugging slightly "still had the thoughts though – that's not really strength is it?"
Tree began to protest but Jessica looked up again – a thought flashing through her mind "don't tell Tay! She will just worry about me!"
Tree sighed "honey – I am not going to lie to her"
Jessica dropped her pen, frustration in her voice "But I didn't do it! I didn't actually hurt myself. You can tell her I got the urge when she is home, but not while she is away – I want her to focus on Andrea and she won't if she thinks I've been struggling. Please Tree?"
The redhead nodded, knowing she was right "OK deal"
An hour or so later, Taylor facetime'd to speak to them all – the first time she had actually managed to do so since leaving. It had been all text messages before this. When she saw Emmeline grinning at her through the screen, her eyes welled up "I was worried she would have forgotten me!"
Tree assured her that she was definitely missing her, but she was eating and sleeping well. Taylor asked about Jessica and was also reassured to hear the teen had eaten everything, had gone to the centre today without fuss and had been on hand to help with Emmeline. She looked at them both "I am back home tomorrow – Mum is home from the hospital and coping pretty well actually. Her sister is coming to stay for a couple of weeks. I can't wait to see you both!"
Jessica grinned "We can't wait to see you either Tay!"
As predicted, the bedtime routine was harder the second night – Emmeline was still unsettled and ratty. When nothing worked, Jessica laid down with her on the sofa, cuddling her in gently. Both the girls fell asleep soon after and Tree snapped a quick picture – sending it to tay "Your two girls"
THE END