J A C K S O N

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...Juliette up above
~ ~ ~

I gently rubbed up and down Nerida's back as she sat comfortably on my lap. Yes, we were still out shopping and Nerida was clearly starting to feel the negative effects of being on her feet all day.

"I think somebody is going to have to start coming to the gym with me," I whispered to the tired girl.

We were currently sat in a private viewing room inside of this expensive ass dress store. Juliette's winter formal was coming up and she wanted to buy her dress here.

I'd taken a seat on the purple, semicircular lounge chair when Nerida just plopped herself down on my lap. She placed her head on my chest like a little puppy and whined at the pain in her legs.

I should've figured that she would be in pain. She's never walked this much in her entire life and it was irresponsible on my part to allow her to walk so much today.

"Do you think I'm fat?" She gasped and looked at me as though I'd just slapped her across the face.

"What? No, of course not baby. Fitness is not about being fat or skinny but it's about having good cardiovascular health," I explained.

"What does that mean?"

"Well, the heart is a muscle and when you exercise it by engaging in vigorous activity, you build it's endurance. Do you follow?"

She nodded quickly, completely engaged in the words that were coming out of my mouth. It felt incredibly satisfying to share my knowledge with her, no matter how minuscule. She appreciated every bit of it and that alone made me happy,

"So when you continuously exercise, your heart gets stronger and you're able to do more activities. This also applies to the different muscles in your body."

She stayed quiet for a moment, spending some time absorbing and processing this new information.

"So if I start going to the gym and exercising with you, we can come on more outings like these?"

I nodded, delighted by how she took the knowledge and applied it to something in her life.

"Then I can't wait to go to the gym. You're so smart Jackie, I wish I could be smart like you." She frowned and I held her closer, wanting nothing more than to grant all her wishes.

"I've always wanted to go to school. I always wanted to decorate my own locker and try out for the cheerleading team, just like the kids my age do in the movies," she admitted sadly. "Every time I asked my dad he'd always say that he missed the admission date and he'd try again next year. Guess it's too late now."

Admission date?

I knew he had to lie to her in order to keep her from getting suspicious but damn... he really did deny her of an education. It's so mind-boggling to me and I had so many questions that I would never know the answers to.

Why keep her away from school if you were never going to be home anyway? What was George thinking about all the time, knowing he had a little girl back home with no guidance. Was he worried?

The only person that could answer my questions was George and that wasn't possible. It was incredibly unsettling not getting the full spectrum.

"Alright guys, I think this is the one." Juliette walked out of the dressing room and took my focus away from my thoughts and on the skin tight, low cut, black dress she had on.

I felt my eye twitch again.

"Juliette, are you-"

"Juliette it's beautiful," Nerida praised, hopped off my lap and went up on the podium to inspect the dress further.

On any other day, I would never allow Juliette to even try on such a dress, let alone buy it. But, I did upset her greatly today and I owed her. So I bit my tongue and gave her my card, not wanting to have to physically pay for it.

Now we were even.

We walked out of the store, Nerida's hand in mine, her shopping bags in the other. We'd already gone to a bunch of clothing stores and to those shiny stores where you buy hair and skin products.

I did some research on what type of hair products she should use since she obviously had a different hair type to Jules and me. I went a little overboard on my spending in that area.

I'd like to say it's because I wanted her to try everything but I knew I'd just birthed an obsession with natural hair products and wanted Nerida to be my guinea pig.

After that, I got them some perfumes and creams and body washes and bath oils and something called a bath bomb? I felt like an imbecile half the time because I had no idea what Jules was talking about. This then brought us to the dress store and now, well I wasn't sure where we were going now.

"Oh, I just remembered! We have to go get underwear," Juliette exclaimed, in the middle of the courtyard.

Nerida, who didn't understand the concept of shame either, agreed loudly and I felt bashful for a whole other reason than talking about underwear in public.

I was not going underwear shopping with my baby sister and foster child.

It's not happening.

That would be the most uncomfortable combination of cringe and sexual desire and I wanted no part of it.

I had to think of something, and fast.

"Alright, here's what'll happen. You guys can take my card and go to that store. You have one hour and then you both meet me here. No more than an hour, do you understand me?"

Juliette looked way too excited and I realized that her plan may not have been to embarrass me after all. She's up to something.

Nerida gave me a tight hug and tiptoed to tell me something in my ear.

"I promise I'll be good okay."

I had to shut my eyes and clench my fist to stop myself from doing something that would not only get me arrested but would also get me banned from the mall.

"I know you will baby," I kissed her on her forehead and then turned to my ass of a sibling, who still wore that smug look on her face.

I took out my card from my wallet and held it out for Juliette, but before she could grab it, I pulled her closer to me and out of Nerida's hearing range.

"If anything happens to Nerida, I will hold you down and shave your head," I threatened, no trace of humour in my tone.

"Don't worry jackass, I'll keep your girlfriend safe." Her arrogant face irritated me to no end and I let her go with a final warning look.

"Don't do anything stupid," I yelled as they walked away. Juliette flipped me off behind her back and I felt the urge to throw my shoe at her fat head.

I stood there for a second, unsure of what to do with myself and trying to quell the worry I felt for Nerida. Sure I was worried about Juliette too, but she can handle her own. Nerida on the other hand, was quite literally a baby who was now learning to take her first steps.

I racked my brain for something to do to occupy myself for the next hour and then, a light bulb went off.

I had birthday gifts to buy and I knew just the jewelry store that would give me some.

~ ~ ~

We got home from the mall a few hours ago and the girls have been cooped up in Nerida's room ever since.

I wasn't quite sure what they were doing but ever so often I'd hear a loud cackle (Juliette) or a series of soft giggles (Nerida).

At a point in time, I popped in to ask them what they wanted for dinner and Jules requested a pizza. Nerida was excited to try a pizza for the first time, something she has always wanted to do.

Apparently, she had baked a pizza for herself already but never had the opportunity to order and eat a pizza.

So I let her do it and had the pleasure of photographing the overzealous look on her face. I bet the employee on the other line had never gotten such an enthusiastic call.

When the pizza got here, I was excited to see her finally try a bite. After her third slice, I realized that Id caused yet another addiction.

I've gotta start making that kid like goat food.

They've been locked away in her bedroom ever since.

I'd showered and changed into some sweats and a t-shirt, biding my time by sorting out all the photos I took today. Today turned out to be way better than I thought it would be. I had to say it was one of the best days of my life and I hoped it was the same for Neri. It made me see how boring the last ten years of my life have been.

When I'd finished sorting out all the photos and uploaded them for printing, I lounged on the couch and mindlessly watched the television.

My mind was too busy reviewing today, but more specifically, reviewing my mindset when I went to the jewelry store.

What was I thinking when I bought that?

I didn't realize I'd dozed off until I felt a tiny pair of hands on my arms. I looked up and Nerida was already climbing over my body. She then proceeded to squeeze herself between my body and the couch. So now we laid in reverse big spoon/little spoon.

"Hey babygirl, you good back there?" I questioned teasingly.

She hummed a positive reply and I deduced that she was in one of her clingy/silent moods. There were times when Nerida would grow really quiet and act incredibly needy. I loved that shit. It was one of my favorite versions of her.

"Where's Julie?" I questioned in hush tones.

"She fell asleep on my bed," she murmured as she ran her fingers up and down my back.

I sighed in content and Nerida reached around to interlock my hand with hers. I took our enclosed hands and placed it on my chest, allowing her to feel how my heart rate had increased.

Letting her feel the reaction she caused. Showing her where she belonged.

~ ~ ~

The next morning was pretty hectic. We had to wake up a lot earlier because Juliette had me schedule a spa appointment for Nerida and her. On top of that Juliette was leaving in the afternoon to go back to Los Angeles for school tomorrow. 

One thing I learnt that day was that Nerida was not a morning person, not even a little bit.

She was incredibly cranky and whilst Juliette ran around the house trying to figure out how to pack all the things she bought, I was busy trying to calm my baby down.

"What if I made you waffles, and I put any topping you like? You can have strawberries, chocolate, whipped cream, Lucky Charms... anything you want babygirl."

I'd sat her down on the countertop and I stood between her open legs, my arms lazily looped behind her back.

I'd gotten an idea of what Juliette was up to when I saw the short, satin nightdress Nerida had on. I have a feeling she bought a lot of these for Nerida.

"Okay, but I want ice cream later. And can we order pizza too? Can we Jackie?" She begged, rubbing her eyes tiredly,

"Anything for you honey."

I lifted her from the counter and she instinctively wrapped her legs around my torso and arms around my neck. Nerida absolutely refused to be let down so I set about making breakfast with her clinging to me like a koala. And yes, I loved it.

Nerida had fallen asleep on my chest again and I had to pause for a second just to appreciate her face as she slept.

I knew how particular Juliette was with her food so I set out everything on the counter for her and went to the living room so I could feed my big baby breakfast.

To try and cheer her up, I arranged her toppings in the form of a smiley face and I was mighty pleased with the giggles I got. And of course the quick peck on my cheek.

Today was the first time Nerida was going to a spa and I wanted her to enjoy it, not be cranky because she had to wake up at six in the morning.

When I finally convinced her to go down on the floor, I sent her to get ready. Whilst that was happening Julie had finished and came out for her breakfast. I got ready as well and sat in my bedroom waiting for Nerida to finish. It had been over thirty minutes and I grew worried so I went across the hall to check on her.

"Neri, baby, are you okay?"

All was quiet but then her soft footsteps sounded and she opened the door just a sliver.

"Jackie, something's wrong but you have to promise not to be mad at me." Her voice was panicky, as if she was certain whatever it is would make me hate her or something.

"Nerida, I could never be mad at you. Tell me what's wrong baby."

She faltered still, unsure whether or not she should tell me. But then her resolved broke.

"Yesterday Juliette picked out some bras for me and I was so happy but I put them on Jackie and they're really uncomfortable."

Oh fuck.

I assumed she took my lack of reply as a sign that I was mad at her because she went off on an apologetic rant.

"I'm so, so sorry I wasted your money Jackie. We could see if we could return and get your money back. I understand if you don't want me to be here anymore."

"Nerida," I started, effectively cutting her off from saying anymore crap. "Money doesn't matter to me, you do. If it's uncomfortable then don't wear it. I just want you to be happy, okay?"

It took her a few seconds to reply but when she did, it warmed my heart.

"Okay Jackie, thank you. You're the best."

~ ~ ~

i am a strong supporter of #freethenipple and all its variants

bras are dumb

juliette is a mood

jackson is sending himself crazy

nerida is living her best life

✨d o r i s✨