"Em, go to school," Jay said standing in the living room with her. She had tried everything to stay home with him today. After yesterday it was hard to want to leave his side. The teachers at school knew what was happening, and wouldn't question her absence.
She shook her head dropping her things, "No Jay. I want to stay here with you, please."
He looked at her face carefully. She looked at him with big puppy dog eyes, and her bottom lip pouted. She wouldn't avert her eyes from his, just begging for him to let her stay. They both knew very well that if he really wanted her in school she would go.
He threw his head back, and sat down on the couch with her, "Okay fine. Only because you're so cute."
She smirked, and cuddled into his side, "And because you love me."
He shook his head. Ever since they had both admit it yesterday it was all she said. "Yes Em, because I love you."
She giggled, and squirmed a little in excitement, "Say it again. That will never get old."
He looked down at her with a grin, "I love you Em. I love you, I love you, I love you."
She giggled even more this time, and squirmed as well. Her elbow went into his side, and he cursed in pain. She stopped immediately, and looked as if she was going to cry, "Oh my gosh Jay, I am so sorry. I can't believe I just did that. I feel awful, I am so sorry."
He bit down on his knuckle, and shook his head at her. He took a deep breath, "It's fine Em. I'll be okay."
She jumped up from the couch, and grabbed some frozen peas. She came back into the room, "Lay down please. Let me help you."
He obliged moving slowly. She watched with a grimace on her face. Once he was situated, she lifted his shirt slowly revealing his bad bruise on his ribs. She took the peas carefully, and pressed them lightly against his skin. He hissed in pain, and she glanced at his face.
Keeping the peas where they were she moved towards his face, and brushed a piece of his hazelnut hair from his face. He looked at her appreciatively, and she kissed him lightly. She smiled, "For the record, I love you too."
He smirked, "I know, just try to avoid the sore sport next time."
She giggled with a nod. She ran her fingers softly through his hair, while sitting on the floor holding the peas to his ribs. Finally she removed the peas, and he didn't seem in so much pain anymore. She kissed his side lightly a few times, before pushing his shirt back down.
She came back into the living room to find him asleep on the couch, and simply smiled. He looked so happy, and peaceful when he slept. There were often nights within the last week were she would wake up, and watch him sleep. It was hard to see Jay in so much pain. He was always so strong.
She picked up her book off the coffee table, and slipped under his feet. She sat reading while listening to him sleep so softly in the background. He stirred a while later, and she looked at him with a loving smile.
He sat up, and moved the hair from his face, "I'm sorry Babe, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."
She shrugged, "No big deal. As long as you're right here, then I am okay."
He swung himself sideways, and pulled her closer to him. She sighed, and leaned on the shoulder that wasn't hurt. He ran her hand up, and down her arm without any words. She really had to pee, but there was something preventing her from moving.
Jay kissed her head softly, "I have to find my own place before you get annoyed with my eating all of your food."
Emma shrugged, "There's no rush. You just got out of the hospital, and my parents understand that."
"I'm not saying that I don't love staying here, but I do need something permanent," He said with a sigh.
She nodded, "I get it, but just know that we're not rushing you out the door. Take all the time that you need."
xxx
"Hey Em," Spike said setting down her stuff in the entry way that evening. Emma smiled in her direction, and then continued making supper.
Jay was sitting on the couch trying to stay caught up in school. Emma smiled when Jack came bounding in the house, "Hi Emmy!"
She picked him up with a grin, "Hi Jack, guess what we're having for supper? Emmy's mac n' cheese supreme."
Snake grinned entering the house behind his family, "Thanks for starting supper Em. It's really helpful. How were things here?"
Emma glanced a Jay with a wink, "Things were fine. Jay's recovering quickly."
Jay smiled at Simpson, "Yeah, thank you guys again for letting me stay. I'm going to start looking into my own place soon."
Spike smiled, "Anything you need Jay. We're just glad you're okay."
Jay smiled at Emma's parents in appreciation. They were always so kind to him, despite everything that had gone on in the past. Emma put supper out on the table, and Spike set the table for 5. Jay got up off the couch, and joined everyone at the table next to Emma.
"So Em, I heard you weren't at school today. Why not?" Snake said in a harsher tone than expected.
Jay spoke up before Emma had the chance, "Sorry, I just really felt awful this morning. I felt like I was going to pass out, so Emma thought it would be best to stay home. It's my fault really."
Snake nodded slowly, "Well I don't want you missing anymore school Em."
Emma nodded quickly, and tried to change the subject, "So how was your conference?"
Snake shrugged, and had nothing else to say. Clearly he didn't want to talk anymore. Emma groaned, and rolled her eyes internally. She looked at Jay apologetically, and he winked at her. She smiled a little, that having improved her mood.
Emma picked up the empty dishes, and set them in the sink. She took Jay's hand, and led him downstairs slowly. She sighed when they were finally alone, "I'm sorry about Snake. He's being really weird lately."
Jay shrugged, "It's okay. He just doesn't like me very much. It's not unexpected, and I don't blame him for all he knows about me."
Emma wrapped arms around his neck carefully, "That doesn't mean you don't deserve a second chance. I gave you one after all, and look where we are now."
Jay smiled, and pressed his lips to Emma's softly. She sighed, and leaned into his kiss a little more. He walked them carefully to the bed, and she laid down next to him still kissing.
Emma finally broke away in need of some air, "You really are being so great to me through everything."
Jay smirked, and brushed a piece of hair from her face, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that in this situation?"
She pressed her finger to his lips, "It's okay, because I love you."
He kissed her lips softly, "I love you too Em just don't kill me this time when I say it."
She giggled and rolled her eyes, "How many times did I say I was sorry?"
He chuckled, "I know, I know. I'm only kidding, we both know it was an accident."
Emma ran her hand through his hair, and didn't break from his gaze. There was something so comforting about laying in a bed, and just looking at Jay. Somehow she knew that'd they'd both be okay every time she looked at him. She pressed her lips to his once more before turning off her lamp.
The crawled under the blankets, and she snuggled into his side begging for him to never let go. He watched her sleep, and was still simply amazed how he managed to be here with her. It wasn't long before his thoughts about Emma turned to dreams about Emma that were only interrupted by her alarm clock.
She jumped out of bed, and turned it off quickly kissing Jay to go back to sleep. Emma got ready quickly, and kissed Jay once more before driving herself to school. She made it just in time for homeroom.
She gave a small smile to Ms Kawn, and took her seat. Sean approached her, and sat in Jay's seat. Emma smiled at Sean. Sure they had their history, but that was all behind them now. "Hey Sean," she said with a smile.
He nodded, "Hey Emma, I was just wondering if you wanted to have lunch, and catch up."
Emma thought about it for a minute, she thought it might be good to catch up with Sean. She was sure that Jay would be okay alone one day for lunch it was no big deal. She nodded, "Sure Sean. I'll meet you at my locker for lunch."
Sean nodded with a small smile, and walked back to his seat. Emma tried not be too excited, but the only person her age she had really interacted with in the last week was Jay. It would be nice to have some friends time. Jay would understand.
Emma pulled out her phone, Hey Babe, not coming home for lunch today! Sorry! See you after school! xoxo
She slid her phone back into her pocket, and let her morning classes commence. It all sped by so fast, and she met Sean at her locker for lunch. She waved from down the hall, "Hey Sean, did you want to go outside and eat?"
Sean shrugged, and Emma grabbed her lunch. He followed her outside, and they had a seat at a picnic table, "So Sean, where are you living?"
Sean sighed, "In that old apartment that Tracker, and I used to share. It just happened to be vacant at the time so I took it."
Emma nodded, "That's good. Something familiar always helps. Do you like being back in Toronto?"
Sean sighed with a chuckle, "I love Toronto, but Degrassi has so many memories for me you know?"
Emma nodded, "Completely, that's why I am so glad it's senior year, and we are getting the hell out of this place. I need a fresh start."
Sean nodded, "What's been going on with you since I left?"
Emma sighed, "So much stuff. They filmed a movie in the school, and there was plenty of drama in general. Nothing much changed, it's still dramatic Degrassi."
Sean chuckled, "I guess that will never change. How are Snake & Spike?"
Emma shrugged, "Pretty good. Jack's growing really fast I guess. You should come over for dinner some night. I'm sure they'd love to see you again, it's been a while."
Sean sighed, "Are you sure? I mean with you and Jay, I don't want to cause anymore problems."
Emma nodded, "It's fine. Until Jay gets better he's staying with me anyways, so he'll probably feel better that you come for dinner when he's there. You know how Jay can be."
Sean nodded, "I sure do. We'll figure out something soon. I'd love to see your family again Em."
Emma nodded with a smile, and returned to her lunch. She paused a moment to check her phone, and saw a message from Jay.
Hey Babe, I'll be fine. Have a good day. I'll see you later. Luv u xx