The next day wasn't that peaceful, to say the least, Jason hasn't woken up yet and it's half-past two, Penelope has gone through about like 20 diapers. Her stomach seems to be upset, I called her moms and I was told not to panic just keep her dry but I am defiantly panicking. At least her fever has gone down, I fed her a bottle of just plain water, I want to make sure she is hydrated. At this rate I'm going to run out of diapers, "Jason! Come down here!" I heard nothing, I huffed "Jason for the sake of god get your ass down here now!" That's when I heard movement and his heavy footsteps down the stairs 'what?' I sighed "I am going to the store to get more diapers; I'll be gone for a while" I looked him up and down. His jeans were very worn out and so was his green button-up, that's all he has to wear, I gotta change that. "Actually, in fact, you are coming with me" I put her in her car seat, grabbed my essentials and put it in her baby bag, handing the car seat to Jason "let's go." I grab him by the sleeve and drag him to the car, he seemed too stunned to respond. I attached the car seat and placed him beside her in the backseat, "oh and give me this" I slipped his mask off.

He tried to reach for it but I put it in the glove department, "no Jason, you would stick out like a sore thumb" he whined "trust me, I've dealt with people's stares for 14 years, I look worse than you. Plus you are massive no one would want to mess with you. Like my mom always said 'never listen to people that don't matter' and that is very true. Do the people you might see once in your life at the store matter?" I see him shake his head in the rear-view mirror "exactly."

I started the car and we were off, it took a good 15 minutes. Well almost 15, I had to stop by the side of the road to change Penny again. When we arrived I grabbed a shopping cart and put the baby cover over it and placed Penny inside, I looked over to Jason "c'mon, we have to go" he shook his head. "Penelope will miss you if you don't come and remember what I said? They don't matter" he huffed and got out of the car. I grabbed his hands and placed them on the cart's handle "you get to push, just follow me." I walked to the entrance, a Walmart greeter greeted us. I stopped and asked, "hey where's the baby section here?" She pointed us to the section and we practically ran there.

I picked up a pack that was in her size "Jesus these are expensive, Penny you better stop shitting yourself every five seconds cuz you're gonna shit me out of house and home" this erupted a chuckle out of Jason. I started giggling as well, I lead him to the men's section "grab anything you like and we will see if it fits" I motioned to the racks of clothing. I played on my phone while watching Penny as I wait, I decided to text my mom. 'Mamá, dile a Abel que dije hola' (mom, tell Abel I said hi), my phone pinged 'Mi hija el tiene tu número' (my baby, [lit trans:my daughter] he has your number). I softly growled at the phone '¡Entonces, dile el que mande el hermana un mensaje!' (Then tell him to send his sister a message!) She responded with laughing emojis and said ok. I felt a presence behind me and looked over my shoulder to see Jason's face filled with wonder. "Invasive much?" I giggled as his cheeks went red "I was texting my mom, you remember how I showed you to use this before you left?" He nodded. "I was telling her to tell my brother to text me, I know he's a junior in high school but still I miss him" 'wait you have a brother?' I silenced a giggle "yeah, I guess I never told you. Well I was eight when he was born. We would joke around a lot, he'd call me 'pasa uva' or raisin grape because of my deformity. But I made fun of him for drinking out of baby bottles until he was ten" we shared a laugh.

When we stopped laughing we heard new ones, it was from around the corner. Teenagers, I pinched the bridge of my nose as I saw one peak there head around the corner and took a picture. Then an idea popped up "hey, follow me, don't pop around the corner till I say 'rude people' got it?" I whispered in his ear, he nodded. I walked around the corner to see four teenagers giggling to themselves I smiled. "You know you four, you look good for dinner" "what the he-" "keep following us and taking pictures and we might have to eat you. We have a big appetite for rude people" Jason came around grinning and they froze when they saw his height. I screamed causing them to scream and runoff, I burst out laughing "good one!" I held up my hand "high five!" He slapped my hand and chuckled. "Found stuff you liked?" He nodded, "alright follow me to the fitting room." I showed him how to use one and waited for him outside. He stepped out in the black washed jeans and a red plaid shirt, it made him look like a lumberjack man, I gestured him to turn around and I got a nice view. It complimented his curves nicely, well the only curve he had. I walked up and tugged on the clothing "does it feel tight, itchy, uncomfortable?" He shook his head, "alright try the other outfits on then" he walked back in. The next outfit made my heart skip, it was a camo t-shirt with chocolate cargo shorts. The reason for my flustered reaction was that it showed off his muscular arms and legs, showing his scarred limbs sprinkled with freckles. I walk up again doing the same checks and question and then the next few outfits came and we were finished. I grabbed some socks, underwear, a few tank tops in his size and some basketball shorts that were his size "you'll need these trust me."

I went to the personal care section to get some more toothpaste and shampoo. I looked in the hair care aisle for my African hair and all the bottom shelves were empty, I looked up to see the top shelf having some shampoo bottles. "Of course" I growled and stepped onto a shelf and reached up, my fingers only pushed it back further "goddammit" I huffed and got back down. I felt Jay press his abdomen against my back and reach for it with ease, handing it down to me "don't insult me you giant" he chuckled. I honestly loved his laugh, it was very deep and gruff like his voice hasn't been used in years, well it actually wasn't but that's beside the point, it made my face feel so warm and my chest hurt from my heart trying to pound out of it. I looked up at him, our bodies pressed against one another I dropped the bottle into the cart and reached up cupping his face. I guided him down and softly pressed my lips against his, I was so in the motions I didn't realize what I was doing and I suddenly pulled away. I bump into the cart and fidget towards the handle "I-I'm sorry we should get going" he nodded and I hid my face in embarrassment.

Penny was chewing on her teething ring like nothing was wrong, then a question popped up into my head as I watch her drool on the thing. But I'll have to ask later, I can't let anyone hear it and out him like that. We headed to self-checkout and ran for the hills after paying.

After we finally settled down I put Penny down for her nap, let Precious outside, and I sat on the couch. "Jason, we need to talk" I saw him stiffen up, he hesitated and sat on the couch "take off the mask. I need to see your face." He was hesitant but let it slide off his face and fall onto his lap, "answer me this question without just giving me a shrug. Why did you let me and my friends live when everyone else dies? I get they are being invasive in your property and you feel like that's an appropriate punishment to kill them but why me? Why are I and my friends the soul survivors?" The grip on his pants tightened until his knuckles turned white and he looked around the room for an answer, "Jason look at me" he turned his eyes towards me "why me?" 'Mother didn't tell me to hurt you and other things' "what other things Jay?" He fidgets more 'your face, it was so pretty when I saw you, your skin was a color I never saw before, and your body to me it was weird how one can be so short and curvy. I froze and couldn't do anything' I felt myself heat up. 'I wanted to get close but thought you'd be scared' I grabbed his hands "shh shh, I can tell you're nervous. Is that why you touched and seem to lose control?" He nodded, "what made you stop and control yourself" I let go of his hands 'mother, scolding me' "why would she? You are a grown man" 'wait for true love' I gulp. "That explains it, the reason why I wanted to talk was that I've been thinking for a while about...us. And it sounds silly because we are adults, not children in middle school but I do believe I have feelings for you. I've managed to look past you murdering innocent people and grew to love how gentle you are with me, Precious, and now Penelope. I just wanted to know if you felt the same or were just filling your 'man' needs of sex or needing to be touched." His head tilted as he tries to absorb what I said, my words ran silently into the air as he thought.

I grew nervous as the silence became deafening, ringing filled in the gaps causing discomfort. He then sighed and reached for me pulling me to his chest and holding me close he growled, "I..roove eou" his voice was gruff and deep. It rumbled me to my core "I-I love you too" I smiled and hugged him tightly, he purrs and I pressed my ear more into the rumble of his chest. I heard the baby monitor go off and whining was heard "awake already, I'll go get her, she's probably hungry" I kissed Jason's cheek and walked up the stairs. I grabbed the whining baby who was chewing on her foot "hungry I see" I smiled and put her in the high chair. I chopped up some carrots and peaches putting it in the processor, "wonder I'd she'll like mashed peas next for food" I pondered to myself.

My thoughts were interrupted by Penelope crying in pain, she whimpered and chewed on her fist. I pet her face "I'm sorry baby I wish I could take the teething pain away" I rocked her in my arms a big and when the crying died down it only started up again. "Maybe food will make you feel better" I filled up a jar and got a tiny spoon. I turn around to see Jay pick her up people put her on his shoulder and she instantly calms down "how do you do that? Show me your baby magic!" He shrugs. I made him feed her as I went to work, today was surprisingly not that busy.

The rest of the week passed quickly, quicker than I expected. I didn't even realize we had Penelope for a week until her mom called telling us that they were about to get on a plane here. I rushed to pack all her belongings, Jason grabbed my shoulders 'what are you doing?' "Well in about two hours Penny's moms are going to be here and want to pick up their baby. We have to make this place presentable because they'll be staying a night. Can you clean the kitchen and the guest room while I organize everything?" He nods "thanks babe you're a lifesaver" I gave his lumpy cheek a kiss and ran upstairs to neatly pack the baby's clothes and items. I leaned over the bed to check her in the bassinet, she slept peacefully without a care in the world "good" I whispered to myself.

"Jason you can stay in my room while I bring you food when they arrive, that'll be in like 30 minutes" he shook his head. "What why? You want to meet them?" He nodded, "well ok get ready, but no mask! I'm serious" he nods again and headed upstairs. I went outside and walked to the gate ready to unlock it, the taxi pulled up and I paid again, I didn't mind it was their honeymoon. Neveah seemed so ecstatic to see her baby again after I let them settle into the guest room I went to go grab Penny. I walk into the room and looked over at Jason who was wondering what to wear "red plaid looks good on you hun." I kissed his forehead, Penny had sat up in her bassinet and started to babble "guess who's here baby girl?" I picked her up and tickled her making her laugh. I walked to the kitchen and I saw the most beautiful thing, the moment Penny's eyes locked with Neveah she gave the most excited scream and desperately tried to get out of my arms. I smiled and handed her to Neveah and she held her close as Penelope screamed with joy. She even pulled her nursing tank top down and latched on, her wife and I shared a giggle at Neveah's red face. Anneli led her to the dinner table and helped her sit down I went to the kitchen and came back with dinner. It was veggie-chicken alfredo pasta, roasted vegetables, some bread rolls, and fruit salad.

Neveah took a big whiff and smiled 'smells amazing' "thank you" I then brought out something that was specifically for Jason, smoked salmon topped off with seasoning that'll make his knees go weak with hunger. I placed it at his seat, Anneli gave me a strange look "is that for someone specific?" "Oh yes, my partner. He's helped me take good care of Penelope, she loves him, like whenever she's crying all he does is pick her up and she instantly stops. It's adorable. Also, he is disfigured and nonverbal, so please don't make a huge deal about his face. He's still very self-conscious of it, don't be scared of his size he wouldn't hurt a fly I promise" she softly smiled. "Oh, I wish we knew about him so we'd bring him a gift too" "oh you are too kind, having Penelope for a week was enough of a gift. She was just the best angel" I pet her hair and she cooed. I went to the stairs "Jason dinner's ready! And can you let Precious back in her food's ready too" I heard a grunt as a response and I went to the table serving myself dinner. I put Precious's food bowl in the chestnut floor of the den. "Use the den's door," I put a baby gate up so she wouldn't come into the dining room. I heard his heavy footsteps walk around the house then he appeared into the room, both of their heads craned up as I felt his large hands on my shoulders. "Hi honeybunch, come sit, I made you some fish." He grunted again and sat down in the empty seat. The chair squeaked in protest, Neveah stared then softly smiled signing a simple hello with her free arm.

He smiled showing his few front teeth and signed a hello back, Neveah suddenly hissed in pain looking down at the baby latched to her chest. She signed and pet her hair, I giggled as Jason gave me a confused look, "she's teething remember? Probably bit her by accident." Anneli chimed in "I thought I prepared her for that over the honeymoon" I cracked out in laughter and so did she, "big guy is too innocent to understand. But anyway, what did you guys do while at the resort?" Anneli's face grew a bright red, shadowing her near-white skin, "oh we had our fun, in the hot tub, the lake, the pool, at the beach" "at the beach?" "It was at night." She defended, Neveah kept her eyes on our lips turning red herself. "Also on the bed, the counter, wall, behind the door as the cleaning lady barged in, basically everywhere." "Jesus, are you two trying to make Penelope a big sister already?" I giggled, "oh hardy har har, I'm still on my medication the whole time." What do meds have to do with it? Not gonna question it. We went silent a while to eat when I looked up, I noticed Jason and Neveah having a full conversation. Her knee was upholding Penny as she signed and giggled, I then realized which story she was telling. "No no no! Don't tell him about the sticky note!" Jason started chuckling when Neveah finished and gave breathy laughs of her own, oh I'll never hear the end of this now.

The sticky note

It was freshman year, one of the kids on low spectrum found the very colorful sticky notes and he decided to peal several off and throw them on the floor. Now since there were sticky roads from the snow I ended up late, I ran into my special needs class and I stepped onto one. Well, it stuck to my foot and decided to slide causing my jeans to rip completely down the center. My mom wouldn't be back to the school for another 40 minutes, so I used the sticky notes to cover my undies. The kids didn't laugh other than Neveah, she was choking on her wheezy laughs.

When dinner was over, Jason helped me wash the dishes, I washed them as he gently took them from my hands and dried them. "They are leaving first thing in the morning, better say goodbye to Penelope." He stiffened and shook his head, I placed a hand on his shoulder "hey, it's ok, we will see her again, but she needs to be with her family Jason. Do you understand?" He signed and nodded, "just knock and have a good goodbye. Alright? I'll come with you" I saw a smile crawl onto his face as I lead him to the guest bedroom. I softly knocked before hearing permission to walk in, I stepped inside seeing Penny get changed into a onesie. Anneli was laying down on the bed reading a book, she tapped her wife with her foot and motioned her head towards us. Neveah smiled 'hello, need anything?' "He wants to say one last goodbye to her" 'oh of course' she slowly picked up a sleepy Penny and handed her off to him. Jay held her flush to his chest, he seemed to enjoy her presence softly rubbing circles into her back. He walked around the bed and laid her down in the bassinet completely knocked out, 'how?' Neveah was astonished "the man works wonders" he knelt down and stroked the baby's red hair.

Anneli ran her hand through her matching red hair, her icy grey eyes took a glance at me "need anything from me?" I shook my head "just observing the similarities you have with Penny," she nodded and put down her book "she has her mother's eyes and smile always that left dimple." I nodded and sat on the bed, "I'm surprised she didn't get Neveah's warn leather brown hair," "yeah apparently red hair is stronger, but the doctor said it might darken like her eyes did from grey to green." I softly smiled "so it was your brother, right? Who was the sperm donor?" She put the book down "no? We did it naturally" I tilted my head "um how?" "I'll give you a hint, me and my brother are twins" "that's not really a hint" I retorted. "You didn't let me finish, we are identical twins" wait, identical meaning they were exactly the-oh! "Oh? Oh…wait-what? I would have never guessed; you look like you were born female!" She softly smiled "yes, thank you. I did my best."

I looked over at Jason who was staring at us confused, "goodnight, I'll have to explain to him what a transgender is." She nodded and we said our goodnights before going to bed.