Sorry for the delay guys, like I've always said I don't like to rush updates just to get them out there, I'd rather feel like they're ready to be set free! :P If you forgive me then please leave me some love! :)

As usual, I only own my plot. Oh and Ava. SM's not having her! :P

Alice

Jasper fell asleep again as soon as he'd given Ava her medicine. He seemed suddenly shy around me. I wasn't sure why, but I guessed he didn't really like people intruding in on him and his daughter when they were sick. I understood, but they were both just so miserable that I didn't have the heart to leave them.

I was curled up on the couch to carry on with some work when I heard a sniffle from the stairs. Ava stood, still half asleep in her Barbie pyjamas, rubbing at her ear.
"Hey princess…" I put my work to the side and opened my arms for her as she shuffled towards me.
"Isn't your medicine working?" I asked, placing my hand to her cheeks and forehead. She didn't feel as warm now, fortunately.
"A little, I guess. My ear still hurts." She huffed, pulling herself into my lap and snuggling in.
"I'm sorry, bug. The medicine will make it go away soon, I promise."

She nodded, her sleepy eyes gazing up at me. She smiled softly.
"What is it, little one?"
"Are you going to be my new mommy?"

Her question caught me so completely off-guard that I almost dropped her.
"You – your new mommy?"

"Yea. You're not family like Gram or Auntie Rosie, but you're here. My old mommy is never here. Are you going to be my new one?"

The poor, sweet angel. I didn't even know where to begin with answering that.
"Your old mommy?"
"She doesn't want me or Daddy. I don't know why she doesn't, but I think that's why Daddy doesn't like people sometimes. He's scared that if he does then one day they won't want us either."

She was incredibly observant for a four year old.
"You know I think you're right. People get scared to let other people in because if they leave it's sad. I'm not going to leave, Ava; I promise that any time you need me, I will be here, ok?"

Her little face brightened as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.
"Ok."

Jasper

It was a little after 6am when I woke up. I was somewhat surprised not to find Ava curled next to me. I groaned softly as I stood. Every inch of my body ached. Stupid flu. My head was pounding as I padded down the hall to Ava's room. She was there, fast asleep, and seemingly peaceful.

A noise from downstairs startled me until I remembered what happened last night. Alice. Staying to take care of us. That nurse's outfit. I rubbed tiredly at my eyes. That part had been dreamed up by my fever-addled brain.

She flitted around the kitchen, pouring two cups of coffee and spreading a thin layer of butter onto some toast as she hummed quietly to herself. I couldn't help but smile. She really was stunning.

She gasped as she noticed my presence, her hand clutching at her chest.
"Gosh, you scared me. I didn't think you'd be awake. I was just coming to check on you. How're you feeling?"

I was going to offer a noncommittal response when my nose betrayed me. I sneezed harshly, annoying my throat enough that I then started to cough. Alice winced, passing me a steaming mug.
"That good, huh? Bless you."

"Thanks. Did Ava wake up during the night? She wasn't in my bed when I woke up."

A strange look passed over Alice's features just briefly before she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, she woke up around 10, her ear was still hurting a little so she just snuggled with me on the couch. I took her back upstairs once she was out and put her in her own bed so you could sleep."
"She didn't cry? Ask for me?"
"No, she didn't. We just talked."
"About…?" I asked, taking a sip of coffee as we moved into the living room.
"She was talking to me about her Mom…" Alice began hesitantly.

"Oh God…" I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.
"I didn't mean to pry, she just wanted to talk." Alice explained, looking nervous.
"No I'm not mad…was she upset?"

"She didn't seem to be, she seemed to accept that her mother wasn't a part of her life anymore. She knows she's got people to turn to."

I nodded. I'd have to talk things out with Ava, make sure she really was ok.

"I told her I'd be here."

Alice spoke so quietly that for a moment I wasn't sure that she actually had.
"I'm glad, she'll be happy you're still here when she wakes up." I smiled, taking another sip from my mug.

Alice chewed softly on her lip.
"No…I mean…after. Whenever. You've got an incredibly sweet little girl up there, Jasper, and I'll be there for her whenever she needs someone. If she wants me, that is. I know she's got Rose and your Mom. I just wanted you to know."

A soft blush coloured her cheeks. She was so endearing it made me smile.
"What?"

"Nothing, you're just really beautiful when you're happy, that's all." Shit, that had been forward of me. I was about to back-peddle when the grin on her face grew.
"Thanks. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like."

"Yeah I know the feeling…when I left Maria I just…it's not that I still loved her, it was just that I didn't think things were ever going to get better. Now they finally are."

"I'm glad, Jasper. You deserve to be happy. You both do."

"So do you, Alice."

Her eyes met mine as she lifted her mug into her hands.

Maybe there was hope for us yet.