Marching On ( Rosie & Jasper ft. Flynn & Belle )

Jasper road on his light brown horse, that he named Brownie after his Father found the abandoned horse as a Pony, trying to catch up to his Sister. He looked back as they passed the gates of Nirethia, heading past the borders of the Kingdom an into a smaller neighboring Kingdom. When they were both offered to do a job nearly close to home, Rosie already jumped on her horse and took off without Jasper, eager as ever. Jasper, on the other hand, found it horribly convenient that the man knew both of their parents, knew who they were, and had a surprise job that he needed done sooner then later. This made him overly worried. He looked back at his sister and hurriedly raced over to her.
"Promise me that you won't just jump in and start stabbing anyone that you see as a threat?" Jasper looks at a Rosie, his brows knit together in worry.

Rose brushed her hair back behind her ear as she rode atop of her white horse, Snow -- the offspring of Eric and Kida's horses. She was more than eager to accept a job. Belle had taught her everything she knew, but she'd never really been able to show off her skills. They'd only ever been hired for small jobs, mostly in the spying field. There were rarely any fights. But, this time, she had that feeling -- the one that told her to keep her dagger handy.

As Jasper caught up to her and went on to plead her about her quick reflexes, she scrunched up her nose. "Oh, come on! I'm a good judge of who's dangerous and who's not. You don't give them the time to trick you," She pointed out, then smirked. "Don't worry. I can protect you," she smiled brightly.

Jasper frowns when Rosie said she would protect him. He also knew that Rosie also love to jump to an adventure, Good Judge of Character or Not. He didn't make any other effort to change Rosie's mind, knowing that she was set on this job.

As they passed the outskirts of the Kingdom, the place that the man mentioned wasn't too far away, making it seemingly easy to find. Too easy, if you asked Jasper. Lucky for them, it was mid-afternoon. Dark enough for both of them to remain stealthy, but light enough for them to see any movement within the enemies' area. Jasper led them to an empty dirt patch not too far away from the road but into the forest enough to mask both Rosie and himself. Jasper hopped off of Brownie, tying her to a tree to make sure she didn't run. He walks over to the edge of the dirt patch, looking over the huge sized building that was hidden enough in the forest.

Guards swarmed around the two story building, each equipped with a rather large sword and some with bows. Jasper looked towards his twin, "We should scout out for any openings inside or any easy ways out. Just scouting, no attacking." He narrowed his eyes at Rosie, knowing she'd try just that before heading down into the bushes.

Rose's eyes lit up as she spotted the building surrounded by guards. The adrenaline was pulsing in her veins already, like her mother always said it would. She shot Jasper a sweet smile as he told her what to do, then of course mocked him silently when he turned his back. She knew he was only trying to protect them both, but she personally found his way of doing things far too boring.

"There," she whispered, pointing towards a cellar door that wasn't being guarded. "That's a storm shelter, right? It goes under the house -- the cellar, basement, whatever," she mumbled. "We can go through there, then make it up to our target," She smiled, her hand twitching slightly over the dagger on her side.

Jasper examined the cellar door. "Wow, Rose-Anne Rider taking the sane, non-aggressive way in. I'm shocked." He comments, grinning at her before quickly heading towards the door before Rosie managed to punch him. He opens the Cellar door quietly and ushers Rosie in first, making sure she was safe before getting in himself. He closes the door and looks out into the Cellar. The Cellar seemed long and only lead one way. The pregnant smell of old rust assaulted their noses while the darkness nearly blind them both. Jasper reached out and grabbed his sister's hand, like both of his parents told them whenever they were alone. Always stick together.

Rose smirked at her brothers remark, but followed quickly. In the cellar, she bit her lip. She didn't like the dark. It made her feel alone. She hated that feeling, just as much as her mother did. Feeling Jasper's hand in hers, she took in a steady breath and gave his hand a small squeeze. "C'mon," she mumbled. She walked towards the only exit she could see in site, making sure to keep close to Jasper's side.

Jasper looked around, even though everything around them looked blanked of Darkness. Even the air felt blank, clear, uneasy. It felt too quiet. The only thing you heard was both of their careful breathing and footsteps, none from above nor any muffled chattering either. Jasper hoped that merely his anxiety and over-thinking started to get the best of him. However, once they ascended the steps to the lit opening, the opening's light dimmed as large bodies started to cover it. As they looked up, several of the same looking men as outside crowded, looking down at both him and Rosie with knowing smirks. One blonde boy, a little older than their age, stood out as his arms were folding and a wide, cruel grin spread his lips.

"My, my boys. Look what the Cat dragged in." He said, with a slow and even tone. By the look of their eyes, they were expecting both of them to come. Confirming Jasper's suspicion that the man led them into a trap. Jasper tugged at Rosie's hand, telling her that they need to go back the other way. As soon as he turned around however, the exit was also covered, meaning that they were followed in from the beginning. Jasper gripped his sister's hand as he turned towards the exit, unsheathing his sword and pointing it at the men.

"Get them. Alive of course. I want our Honorary Guests to feel welcomed." The boy smirked before disappearing within the huge men as they started their ways towards Rosie and Jasper.

Rose's eyes went wide with fear, though she was quick to conceal it. She knew how to handle this. Her mother taught her well. But, even so... Rose was tiny. These were full grown men. Sure, she was faster than them, but there were so many... She looked to Jasper as she heard his sword come from it's sheathe and bit her lip, nodding slightly.

Rose was fast. She had her dagger from her side and the dagger from her boot lodged in the closest man's throat. Pulling it free, she was quick to have both blades in another man's chest. Slicing another's throat, and then digging one blade harshly into one man's eye, she found herself hopeful of actually getting out of this.

Jasper slammed the butt of his sword into a man's face and slices a man's neck. He quickly ducks, avoiding a sword from nearly taking his ear off. He grabbed the man's wrist, twisting it painfully and using his own sword to stab one of the other men before yanking it out. He used both swords as swift as he could, but still found himself inexperience with duel-wielding. One of the men managed to slam Jasper into the wall, soon receiving one of the swords lodge in his chest. As Jasper fought the men, they soon started to overpower him. Another slammed his foot against Jasper, making him cough violently, letting himself open as one of the men slammed the butt of his sword against Jasper's head. Jasper slumped against the wall, his sword dropping to the ground.

Rose gasped, seeing Jasper getting overpowered. "Jasper!" She called out, adrenaline shooting through her again. She finished off a few more of the men, enough to clear a path to her brother. But, as she turned her back for just a moment to the others, she felt a harsh stab in the back of her shoulder. She cried out in pain, feeling how the man twisted the blade. She then received a blow to the back of the head by the butt of a sword, causing her to collapse atop her brother. She fought to stay conscious.

Jasper could hear muffled voices exchanged from the men as he attempted to protect Rosie from them as much as he could. Rosie was quickly yanked away from him and Jasper hoisted up also. Before he could try and fight them, something was pulled over his head, covering his view from anything. He felt himself being dragged up the stairs before he lost his own consciousness.

---

"Wakey, Wakey." A hushed voiced cooed unpleasantly in Jasper's ear. Jasper blinked a few times, feeling groggy and a dull thud against his chest and head. He moaned lightly as he woke out of unconsciousness, his eyes still seeing black. The voice seemed to waiver away, giving Jasper time to process where he was at. From quick analysis, he was in a chair, his ankles bound to the legs and his hands secured onto the back. By the harshness of the material, it was rope that bounded both. Something was shoved into his mouth, causing him to not speak.

Before he could really process anything else, whatever was blinding him was yanked off, assaulting his eyes with light. He blinked a few times before seeing a figure across him him in the same position. He tried to jump from the chair, noticing it was Rosie. He called her name but it was muffled.

Rose groggily felt herself coming from her unconscious state. Her head hurt. Her shoulder hurt. Badly. Jasper? She whimpered softly, feeling there was something in her mouth to muffle her. She was bound up. As her sight was given back to her, she noted Jasper. Her eyes were wide with fear and pain. She squirmed, trying to get loose, but finding the rope only scraped her wrists and ankles.

"I'm glad that you two are awake." The Boy smiled, looking at them both. He walks over to Rosie and raised her chin before caressing her cheek with his finger. "She looks exactly how my Father described her Mother. Beautiful and with Golden eyes." Jasper nearly moved the chair as he wanted the boy to take his hands off his sister. The boy turned his gaze towards Jasper, letting go of Rosie and walking over to him. "And you look like the man I saw so many years back outsmart my Father." The boy placed his hand under his chin, looking as if he was contemplating something before throwing a fist into Jasper's cheek, pent-up anger fused with it.

He walks away from Jasper, "I'm sorry for not introducing myself. My name is.... Well, there is not point to remember my name since you two will meet your demises soon. However, you do need to know why you are here with us today. Your Parents killed my Father awhile back. Actually to be crystal clear, 16 years back. Now, as the son of my Father, it is my duty to avenge him. How do sense I do that? Well.." The boy turns back around to look at both and walks to Rosie, placing his lips against her ear and whispering into it, "By taking, fucking, and watching as their own children suffer an agonizing death and making them wish that they were dead. How does that sound, Rosie?" He growls into her ear before licking her cheek for a sickening amount of time.

Rose listened silently, her heart beating in her ears as he went on to explain himself. She cried out as he hit Jasper, her cry muffled. When the boy came back over to her, she remained silent, trying to stay strong. However, as he went on to tell her what he was planning on doing, she felt her eyes sting with hot tears. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly as he licked her cheek, cold chills running up her spine in disgust. She did the only thing she could -- hit her head against his in that way her mother taught her; the one that would do the least damage to herself.

The boy yelped out as Rosie hit him. "Fiesty aren't we?" He said, recovering from the blow before slapping Rosie across the face, hard. He quickly grips her chin harshly, forcing her to look at him. Jasper squirms in his chair, trying desperately to get out of the binds. "Do you want to here a little story? Now wait, even better. Act out the story? It makes it, much more enjoyable." He lets go of her chin, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Once upon a dear ol' time, there lived a man. A Hit-man who had a wondrous son. This man was the greatest hit-man that ever lived. Everyone would hire him far and near, killing anyone who they weren't too fond of. His reputation notorious, never ever missing one hit or letting them escape. Until one dreadful day where he runs into a Spy. A Spy named Flynn Rider." The boy looks at Jasper, starting to circle around him. "This Spy was told to stay at his post, until the Hit-man was done with his client. However, this disobedient Spy followed the man in and not only sabotage his plans but also, he helped the target escaped. In the process, he injured the Hit-man. Not only causing him to to perform jobs anymore but made him look weak. When the Hit-man got home, he received 27 lashes to his back and his front. It was originally 25 lashes, but the man who hired him put in two lashes for good measure. Would you mind to perform this for me? I'm quite fragile, so I can't withstand such pain." The boy asked Jasper, looking at him with innocent eyes. Before Jasper could do anything to respond, he felt a searing, harsh pain against his back. His cry was muffled and nearly silent until he felt another one across his chest. He screamed into the cloth, his head rolling down as he saw a torn slash across his shirt, now trickling with blood.

"Now, after he received such painful slashes and healed from them, he sore that he'd take vengeance against the Spy. Well, with the Hit-man's luck, he observed that the Spy had fallen in love with a Woman. An Assassin to be specific." The boy looked back at Rosie, his now filled with lust and cruelty. He pulled out Rosie's dagger from his side and stalked over to her, kneeling down at her legs. He traced the knife against her calves, to her knee and then to her inner thigh. "This Woman was gorgeous. Soft brown locks that framed her beautiful face. Her skin, soft like an Angel's skin. Her eyes, a bright golden color, pulling any man into her grasp. Her name meaning Beauty. Belle Rolfe. And do you want to know what he did to this beautiful Woman?" He nicked the tip of the tip into the fabric of her pants and sliced it down, shedding any coverage that she had but not scraping her skin. He did this with both sides of her pants before proceeding to her torso. He shed her top off, revealing her bindings. He went behind her chair, just so Jasper could see, and placed her dagger under her throat, pressing it against her skin. His lips were against her ear again as he whispered to her, "He took her down and took very great care of her." As he whispered, his hand traveled down her cheek, her neck, and then to her bindings. He then, harshly gripped one of her breast, not caring if it hurt or not. The instant that the boy did this, Jasper made a harsh noise him, trying to snap the rope that bound him off. It only cut at his wrist, causing scapes, rope burn, bruising, and even a bit of bleeding. The boy smirked at Jasper's reaction before continuing with her other breast. "He took her, against her cries, her pleas, and fight, and violated her every being." He whispers, his hand now inside of her bindings and painfully grasping her breast. He pulled his hand out after taking care of both of the breast and it continued to travel down her stomach and in-between her legs. He ripped on other part of her pants the covered her core and he placed his hands on her sacred area, rubbing it harshly against her cries. His lips traveled to her neck as he bit down on the skin hard.

Rose glared at the boy, her eyes burning with tears and with hatred for him. However, as he went to Jasper, she cared more for him than she did for herself. She cried out in protest to Jasper being slashed by the whip. The pain on his face was too much. She couldn't watch it.

She closed her eyes tightly, but then felt him back on her. She knew what was coming. She just had to be strong. If she didn't show any reaction to him, he wouldn't get what he wanted. She remained still as he cut her pants and shirt. She even managed to stay still through his assault to her breasts. She didn't want this. But, she wasn't giving him the satisfaction of getting to her.

She felt her stomach in her throat when he tore the fabric, exposing her. She closed her legs as tightly as she could, but kept quiet, keeping her eyes shut tightly. She yelped, feeling him bite her. She just had to make it through this. She could do it. She was strong -- something her mother had taught her. She opened her eyes to look at Jasper, her gaze telling him she was okay, that she could handle this.

Jasper looked into his Sister eyes, nodding to assureness and telling her to keep looking into his eyes. "Oh, but I forgot one important thing after he violated her." The boy said, taking his hands away from her legs. He placed the knife against her arm and dug into the fabric and to her skin, just enough to attract blood. He dragged the knife all the way down her arm in a slow, painful fashion. "He took her beautiful skin and scared it, so that she'll never forget what he did to her." He whispered into her ear as he did the same thing to her other arm. He placed the knife against her chest and dragged it down, cutting the bindings and making a slice down her stomach. He carved into her skin in a organized fashion, making sure she remembered the pain.

Rose kept her eyes on Jasper, even as the boy started to cut her. It hurt -- really hurt, and her eyes showed a brief flash of that pain. But, her mother had taught her how to act in this situation -- though she'd trained her so much to make sure she never got caught. Biting her mute and clenching her fists, she focused only on Jasper, refusing to give into this boys sick game. She managed to get the mute from her mouth. Drawing in a shaky breath, she turned her gaze onto the boy and spit straight into his face. "Fuck you," She sneered at him, her expression like stone -- calm and unphased.

"Is that so?" The boy asked before shrugging and driving the knife into her stomach. "ROSIE!" Jasper yells, the cloth from his mouth falling out. He struggles heavily, hot tears pricking the corners of his eyes. The boy smirks as he watches Jasper. "To continue the story, he let her live, mistakenly, for the Spy to find her and be completely broken. He left Nirethia for a bit before he had to come back for another job. Hearing that the Assassin lived, well, the Hit-man needed to finish the job of his revenge. So he led both of them to an Abandon alley. Injuring the Assassin once more and well, taking care of the Spy like so." The boy now towered over Jasper. Jasper grit his teeth, "I hope you die in a painful and agonizing death! You'll regret the day you meet me!"

"I'll bet." The boy said before kicking Jasper in the stomach, making the chair break as Jasper fell backwards from the assault. He let out a groan quickly holding his stomach before he was hoisted up by two men. The boy made Jasper's body into a punching bag as he continuously laid punches one by one. After he seemed done, he pulled Jasper's hair, making Jasper look at him. "And just as soon as he was going to kill the Spy, the whore assassin killed him, driving a knife into his eye." The boy spats, his eyes filled with hate and anger. Jasper made a choked laugh, mocking the angered boy. "I bet you that... My mother enjoyed killing your Father. Hearing the blood curdling scream and watching him die the most painful death ever. I would enjoy every second of it. Both you and your father are cowardly bitches that were and will be defeated by Riders." Jasper grins before spitting in the boy's face just like his sister. The boy growled before kicking Jasper hard enough that he end up break out of the guards hands and into the wall. He recovered the best that he could as he dodge the other boy's punch, using defense as his only way to survive. But, his actions slowed as his wounds started to get worse. The boy managed to punch Jasper in the stomach and grabbed his head, bashing it into the wall. Before Jasper could tumble down, the boy placed his forearm against his throat, grabbing the sword one of the men handed towards him. "After I'm done with you, Imma take your sister and fuck her until she cries out your name, begging why you didn't save her. Why you were so weak." The boy whisper before letting Jasper go and goes to drive the sword into his head.

The pain that shot through Rose's frame as the knife was stabbed into her stomach was enough to choke off the scream that wanted so badly to spill from her lips. She couldn't breathe. She coughed harshly, spitting out the blood that filled her mouth. "J-Jasper... N-No!" She cried weakly, seeing how the boy had put his attention back onto her brother. She fought against the restraints as best she could, but moving an inch sent horrible pains through her every vein and muscle. "Jasper...!" She whimpered, watching helplessly as her brother was assaulted.

Her heart was beating faster than anyone's ever should -- enough so that her head pounded along with the beat. She was useless -- utterly useless. She couldn't save him. As the boy's sword rose above Jasper's head, Rose cried miserably, begging him to stop. Begging for him to trade Jasper for herself; to just leave him alone. But, when the sword began to lower, she closed her eyes tightly and choked on a sob.

When she opened her eyes again after hearing a small shuffle and the sound of a sword clanking on the ground. She took in the female figure through her blurred, teary vision. "M-Mom...?" she whispered. "M-Mommy!" Rose choked out, a mixture of relief and still evident fear coating her tone.

Belle ignored Rose, her attention fully on the blonde boy she had pinned against the wall. "You like playing games, huh?" Belle whispered, her dagger digging into the side of the boys throat. "Then let's play a game. Let's see how many hits it takes against this brick wall to crack your skull open," She growled. She took one hand and grabbed the side of his head forcefully by his hair, then slammed his head roughly against the wall. "One," she counted, her tone calm. She did it again, harder. "Two," she mumbled. When she slammed his head the third time, and he still managed to stay alive, she sneered. Holding him by his hair at the top of his head, she jammed her dagger straight through the center of his throat so that it hit the wall behind him, turned the blade sideways, and pulled it forcefully, severing the skin and muscle until the blade was free, and his head was half severed. She let him fall to the ground and closed her eyes, taking in a shaky breath. "Oops. I cheated," She whispered down to the body.

She put her dagger away, then turned to Rose. "Mommy...!" Rose whimpered, her eyes damp with new tears from that fact that she knew she was safe now. Belle hurried over to her and kissed her forehead before making quick work of the rope securing Rose down. "Flynn-- Jasper," Belle mumbled, trying to keep herself composed. She slid her shirt off, having a tank top underneath it, and pulled it onto Rose as gently as she could. It would help stop the bleeding until she got to a place where she could heal her daughter. She pulled her into her arms and held her close.

Outside, Phillip neighed in worry, especially as he saw Rose. Belle hoisted Rose atop the horse's back and wrapped a blanket around her as she climbed up, too. She gave Flynn a look, her own pain for her children obvious in her golden hues. "Home," she whispered and pet Phillip on the mane. He neighed and took off, trying to be steady, but quick, too.

Once home, Belle took Rose to her bedroom and laid her onto the bed. She helped her from the shirt and got a wet, warm cloth. She wiped the blood from her skin and then turned her gaze to meet Rose's. "Mom... I'm okay," Rose tried to assure her, though her voice was hoarse. Belle shook her head and quickly started to heal what she could. Of course, she couldn't heal the stab to the middle -- it was deep, and her magic only healed minor wounds. She could stop the bleeding, though, and heal these cuts. "I'm so sorry, Rosie... I should have trained you more before we let you do something like this," Belle whispered, tears prickling her eyes. "You trained me perfect, mommy... It was a trap, and we were outnumbered by... a lot," Rose tried to assure her mother. Belle nodded, finishing wrapping up the wound on the girls stomach, and then turned her gaze from the wounds back to her daughter's replica gaze of her own. "I love you, Rose... Please, get some rest. I need to go see about Jasper," She whispered, kissing Rose's forehead. Rose nodded and returned the 'I love you, too' before easily drifting into sleep, her straining from earlier having drained her energy.

Belle made her way to Jasper's room and was quick to her son's bedside. "Jazzy... I'm so sorry... I can tell how hard you fought... I'm so glad we got there in time," she whispered, stroking his cheek as gently as she could. "Flynn... Where's the morphine? I can't heal him right now," She mumbled, turning her blatantly tired eyes to Flynn. She'd never been able to handle magic for too long.


(there. xD)

(( Mama Bear attacked O_O ))

Flynn Slammed each of the men that followed Belle into the wall and colliding each with their own sword, not killing any of them. As Belle took care of the boy, he effortlessly took care of the guards, one by one as they fell. As he was done, he looked back towards Belle and nodded slowly. He quickly makes his way over to Jasper, kneeling down to his Son and inspecting his wounds. Jasper blinked slowly, the shadow of his Father covering his view. His head seared in pain and he fought to stay above consciousness.

"Fa-fa..." Jasper try to say before Flynn shook his head lightly. "Don't talk, stay awake and with me, alright?" He looked down at the boy sternly as Jasper nods lightly. Flynn quickly took out gauze from his satchel, just enough to cover Jasper's head from the bleeding. Flynn gather his son in his arms and quickly followed Belle out to where they left Phillip and Max. Flynn placed Jasper on Max, quickly hoisting himself up and placing his Son's head on his shoulder. Maximus instantly took off back to the house, the situation all too familiar to him. Luckily that the Cabin wasn't too far away from the place so they managed to get there in moments time. Once Flynn hopped off, helping Jasper down also, he commanded Max to find Snow and Brownie. The white stead took off, almost knowing where they were.

Flynn took Jasper to his room with care, setting him down gently on his bed. The boy said nothing as his Father went to the First Aid box he kept in every room due to his paranoia if anything happened. Flynn prepared his signature healing bandage that he used on Belle all those years ago. He looked back at Belle as she walked in and nodded, looking back to the box for the Morphine.

Jasper opened his eyes, hearing his Mother's voice. He shook his head slowly, "I... wasn't... strong enough... to keep him away from... Rosie..." The tears pricked the corner of his eyes again. He closes his eyes tightly before looking away from Belle.

"Shh... You're not at fault here, Jasper..." Belle assured him quietly, leaning over and kissing his forehead. "Rose is strong... Stronger than I was, for sure..." Belle pursed her lips and closed her eyes for a moment, the memory one she had almost managed to forget. Now it was all too real, again. "That boy was sick... To think that he was the son of..." Her hands trembled slightly, but she fought to stay strong. "Jasper... You were brave. Very brave," she whispered, taking her mind off of her own attack. "You stayed alive. That's what's important. That's where you were strong," she murmured, stroking his cheek affectionately.

"I'm just... so sorry that you two were dragged into something I thought was long gone," she sighed, shaking her head. "I'm just glad you're both safe," She nodded. She got the morphine from Flynn and easily set up a drip for him. "You might have a concussion... I need you to stay awake, no matter how tired you are, alright? I'll see if I can get John's Doctor to come here," she said quietly before shifting her gaze to Flynn. "A word?" she requested, standing up and moving from the room to the hallway.

In the hallway, she crossed her arms and looked towards the floor for a long moment. Then, she closed the space between them and leaned her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes. "Flynn... They're broken," She whispered, a small whimper to her tone. "He stabbed Rose in the stomach... Just like his father did to me. I couldn't get pregnant after that, Flynn... I-I don't want that for Rose," She shook her head, moving to hide her face in the crook of his neck, taking in a shaky breath. His scent always had helped to soothe her, at least a little.

Jasper listened to his mother's words, his blue eyes big. He nods slowly, leaning into his mother's touch as Flynn tended to his wounds lightly. Flynn looked up at Belle, just as he was finished, and nodded slowly. He looks back at jasper and places a gentle hand on his neck lightly, "Remember what I told you." Jasper nods, concentrating his mind somewhere else to keep himself aware and awake.

Flynn watches Belle with steady eyes as they head out to the hallway. Once she stepped the close the space, his arms was already around her. He rubbed her back lightly as she spoke, seemingly calm. Flynn shook his head , pulling Belle just enough to look up at him. "Hey. It's not going to be the same as last time, my darling. Why? Because, they have us. They have you to help them walk through it. To get past it like we never could. And about Rose, you have to be optimistic that she's going to be alright. Just like I was for you..." Flynn kisses her forehead gently. "Promise me that you won't worry over it too much?"

Belle sighed, her golden iris' searching his. "You know I can't make a promise like that," she mumbled childishly, poking out her bottom lip. She knew she wouldn't stop worrying about it. She'd tire herself out trying to heal Rose. She slid her arms around his neck and nestled her head into the crook of his neck. "I love you," she sighed, brushing one hand gently through his hair as she stood there with him.

"And I love you." He whispers, placing his chin on top of her head, rubbing her back lightly. "You should get some rest, my darling... You're tired from the stress of today, I'll handle Jasper and Rosie until John's doctor gets here..."