D

finger pointed

her throat. She looked from Harper's innocent, insistent gaze to Jace's face, which had gone utter

ving to scoop the baby up. Her voice was too loud, too quick as

n the counter, the clink echoing like a g

voice flat and dismissive, returning to the cold tone that had define

alked back towa

aby was unfazed, already chewing happily on a str

a

to a real word. And it wasn't 'Ma' or 'Mama.' It was '

almost a year old. And Babies often said mama before Dada... But Harper's own was different and

ow of the afternoon's near discovery still heavy in the air. Lying down, she stared up at the ceiling, the comfor

crying. The apartment was utterly still, the silence

her gently, whispering her name, and pacing the room. But

l, Jace stirre

es pierced straight into his skull. He ran a hand over his

the line. So, when the noise didn't stop, he stood and w

t did

g followed him lik

couch, pressing hi

sobs finally softening. Jade looked equally exhaust

" he burst out, frustration leaking through every wor

gh slapped by the words. "I'm sorry,

one proper night of sleep? I thought you said she doesn't disturb. If she kee

her chest. The baby, momentarily shocked by th

ruel. Laced with something Jade cou

aby like a shield, wondering if she had made the

ated hand through his hair, and stormed back to his room. His door slammed

faded... then disa

ted, and mentally drained, f

the apartmen

. He stepped out of his room, pulling his shirt over his head, a

when he

floor. Both still wearing last night's clothes. A

the couch, while Harper snuggled tightly into J

Jace's expression flickered. Some

idn't le

ed past them without a wo

ck aching from the floor. Harper

, and then looked arou

the slightly disheveled living spac

pt in the kitchen for grocery lists. She meticulously divided the apartme

llway, The Utility Closet, The Second Bathro

RESPONS

ing Jace's clothes, shoes, and empty water

the house spotless... and l

line of

came s

ed, he stepped i

bli

f the apartment

de... looked like an hur

the kitchen and hand

ur chores," s

"What is thi

e cleaning for days now." Jade replied. "Rul

d at her,

rule w

aught him

" he m

titude of someone holding a

in. And Harper

nore. Jade tried the usual tricks, rocking, shushing, singi

ights of fractured sleep, not just for

pacing, her patience evaporated,and Jace on the other hand was fed up... He shot ou

face dark with fury, his hair

, rubbing his temples violently. "Maybe s

ose, too hard. "You mind your own business, Jace," she spat

rper up more, but the aggression was still there. "This thing has been crying for three strai

disbelief as she dropped Harper to the ground. "She's a b

t each other,

as suddenly, th

sed their hostili

at Jade. She was staring past her, s

to giggle. A we

pushing Jace toward th

, his anger

t out a heartbroken, shuddering sob and s

ed over his shoulde

into a delighted, gummy smile, her arm

der her breath

y arms toward him again, m

n Jace's fury m

. hesitated... the