Neil looked over at his phone when it rang. Lauran, his sister, was calling on face time. He looked back at the two who were sleeping beside him before getting up and reaching for the phone.

"Hey," he answered.

"Hey. I saw your snap, what happened?" On the screen he could see her stuff a spoon full of food in her mouth.

"Nothing... Why would something be wrong?" he asked, forgetting what he had uploaded.

"Because you said you were looking after two sick people. What's wrong with Lara?"

"She says she's got a headache. I think it's the whole not wearing glasses thing."

"And your girlfriend?" Neil lay back down on the bed, dropping his free hand onto JJ's waist.

"Ear infection." Lauran winced. "I know. She was crying before and I felt so bad because I couldn't do anything." She shrugged her shoulders.

"It is what it is, Neil. There's only so much you can do. I remember when I had it last year. Absolutely killed me. I had it in both and I just remember not finding a comfortable position and I kept Kevin in bed all weekend while I cried and he just held me because he couldn't do anything. It's not much but having someone there to hold makes things better." Neil sighed. "Which brings me to my next point. Why are you not holding your daughter?"

"Beats me. They have this weird bond. And plus Lara wanted to cuddle with JJ because apparently she's more comfortable. I say its the boobs." Lauran laughed as she looked at her brothers confused face.

"She's really pretty though."

"What?"

"Your girlfriend. She's really pretty. Like really pretty. How the hell did you manage to get her? Obviously not from your looks you fat shit."

"Hey I had abs before," he mumbled. JJ groaned beside him. He looked down at her and watched as she raised a hand to her ear. "Jay..."

"Hmm?" She groaned again and slowly turned around, tears in her eyes.

"It's okay, honey, I got you." He gently pulled her to his chest and she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head. "I got you," he whispered. He looked back at the phone screen. "Is it okay if I call you back later. I'll just-"

"It's okay, Neil. You talk," JJ whispered. "Is it almost eight yet? Need to call the gp."

"Quarter to. Almost." He looked down at her again. Her eyes were open and she had one hand on his chest, feeling it rise every time he breathed in. "Shall I make you some tea? Breakfast?" She shook her head. Lauran sat at her table and sighed. "You gotta eat something, cara."

"I've been having your soup since I left. Finished the whole bowl." He quickly glanced over at Lara who was still asleep.

"You were saying, Le?"

"Nothing. Just wondered how an ugly shit like you managed to get a beauty."

Neil glared at his sister through the phone. "I have you know that she likes my face. She called me handsome." His sister scoffed.

"Don't push it," JJ mumbled, "I said lovely not handsome. Two different things."

"You're meant to be on my side here, Jay." She mumbled something that he didn't understand.

"Ma wants everyone to go to her house on Sunday after church. And she's using me to persuade you into bringing your girlfriend."

"I'm not sure about that Le... I'll ask her about it and see. And I know Ma and Stephanie are just going to try and pry and find out everything."

"That's Ma for you. Do you not remember the problem I had when I brought Kevin home? I'm surprised he even called me back the next day forget marrying me."

"It's because I love you my sweet pea!" Kevin said off camera. A few seconds later he appeared on the screen. "Hey Neil, what's up?" Before he could answer, he saw Lauran smack her husband. "Well what if I want to talk to him? No fuck off, woman, you can't even reach the phone. Not giving it. Shame." Neil sighed as they both argued over the phone. He looked back down at JJ who was smiling at him.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hi," she whispered back.

"Do you mind if I kiss you? Or is morning breath gonna send you running?"

"It's a risk I'm willing to take." She softly placed a hand on his cheek as she leaned closer. "Just no tongue," she warned. Neil responded with a smile. His lips brushed against hers before he closed his eyes.

When JJ pulled back, she slowly rolled on top of him, resting her head on his chest. Neil picked up the phone again to see Kevin pulling his sister in a headlock.

"I worry about the both of you sometimes."

Kevin let her go. "Nothing to worry about apart from another kid. We've been a bit busy recently in the-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence. I do not need to know about your sex life."

"Nothing wrong with it. I'm pretty sure you being with a fine young lady you would be having sex at whatever chance you got."

"Ew, I don't want to hear about my baby brothers sex life. Get a life, Kevin and go give the kids breakfast." She took the phone off him with a groan. "I married a fucking idiot. Vaffanculo!"

"Woah. That's a bit strong don't you think?"

"What does it mean?" JJ asked softly.

"Basically a crude way of saying fuck off. Wanna call your GP now?"

She sighed. "No. I don't want to get up. I'm comfortable."

"I know." Neil looked back at the phone. "Listen Le, I'll call you later. Let me make these two some food and I'll call you when you're done with work."

After saying goodbye to his sister, Neil carefully sat up, bringing JJ with him. He softly pecked her lips before staring down at her pale face.

"Go freshen up and call your doctor. I'll make you some coffee to wake you up."

* * *

"Hey sweety," Neil greeted as Lara stepped into the kitchen. "How's your head?"

"Still sore." She looked around the kitchen as she pushed her hair away. "Daddy, where's JJ?"

"She's gone to the doctors sweety. Come here baby, let's get you something to eat and I'll give you some medicine. Sound good?"

With heavy steps, she walked into her fathers arms. He kissed her cheek with a smile before pulling away. "I'm sorry daddy," she mumbled. Neil frowned.

"What for?"

"For coming next to you. I know I'm a big girl now and I"

"Tesero! Sweety you don't need to apologise for that at all. You're not feeling well so you don't have to say sorry. I love you, you know that?"

She nodded her head. "I love you too."

"Shall we get you something to eat now yeah? How does some French toast seem?"

"Can we have it with fruit? And syrup?" Neil stood up to look in the fridge. He then turned around, scratching the back of his head.

"Well how about for now I give you some cereal. We can go and get some stuff and pick up Jay on the way."

"Can I help again like last time?" Neil kissed the top of her head with a laugh. "Can I get cookie cutters too? So I can have bear?"

"Well daddy isn't going to promise a bear but I'm pretty sure we can get a star."

"Daddy, doesn't JJ have a car? Why do you have to pick her up?"

"Because she's not well and she couldn't drive. Enough questions, young lady. Right so what cereal do you want this morning?"

After giving her breakfast, Neil walked onto the room whilst pressing the phone to his ear. He lifted his shoulder up, securing the device as he did the bed.

"Hey honey," he said softly when JJ answered.

"Hey. I was actually just going to call you. Finished with my appointment like 10 mins ago and went to the pharmacy. Can you believe they had limited amoxicillin and I'm gonna have to buy it again in like 4 days?"

Neil frowned. "Back up a bit. They had limited stock?"

"Yeah. Apparently someone broke into their store like two weeks ago and they're still getting back on their stock and they can't give me everything that I need because then they'll be running really low. I just can't be bothered, Neil. Good thing is that it's only in my left ear and I think I've gotten used to the pain."

"So fucking weird. And that is good news. Let's just hope that the medication works quick. And Lara has woken up, eaten breakfast so you just stay where you are and I'll come and get you, yeah? No need to take a cab again."

"You don't need to drag her out, Neil."

"As much as we adore you and want you here, you just happen to be on our way. So you just happen to be there."

JJ crossed the road quickly, careful not to trip over the kerb. "I'm gonna smack you round the back of the head when I see you, you know that?"

"I know you can't get enough of my body. Actually," he said as he straightened up. "It's a very good thing I changed the sheets last night. Would have been really awkward if Lara came into bed with...all that mess."

JJ groaned. "Baby don't make me think about last night. Every time I think about it, which I have done a lot today, it just gets me going. But then I'm actually quite sore."

Neil winced and then frowned. "I'm so sorry honey."

"No trust me. It's good sore. But god Neil, you really gave it to me." Neil chuckled as he left the room. He heard Lara at the front.

"I have more where that came from. But maybe if you're still flustered I can soothe things down."

"And how are you gonna do that?"

"You know exactly how, cara."

He heard her laugh through the phone and smiled. "Do you think it's weird what happened last night? Not the sex. The fact that I had a shower at yours even though I live 20 seconds away? Actually that reminds me, I left my underwear at your house. It's in the laundry basket."

"A little present for me, I see. Lara are you ready?"

"Yes. I'm waiting for you."

Neil slipped on his trainers before taking a hold of his daughters hand. "Grab the keys for me sweety. Good girl." After locking the door, he put the phone beside his ear again. "Cara, it's a little cold right now so just go into one of the stores. Grab a coffee or something and I'll be there in ten, yeah?"

"I'm just walking to Costa now. Shall I get you two anything?"

"That's okay. Listen I'm gonna go into the lift now and like I said I'll be there in ten. I'll call you when I get to the car park opposite okay?"

"Sure. I'll see you both soon."

Neil put the phone in his pocket. Once he stepped out, he put his hoodie on. Lara looked up at him and copied.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah, sweety?"

"Do you think JJ will teach me how to make banana bread?" Neil opened the car door. Lara got in and put her seat belt on before he closed the door.

"I'm pretty sure she will."

"Okay," she mumbled. She looked out the window watching as the cars drove by. "Daddy?"

"Yeah, sweety?" Neil said as he looked in the mirror to glance at her. She was still staring out the window.

"Do you think JJ likes me?"

"Sweety," Neil said with a frown. "Why would you ask that?"

"I dunno," she mumbled. "I just want her to like me as much as she likes you."

Neil let out a soft sigh. He stopped at the traffic light before turning back to face her. "Tesero, you listen to me okay? I assure you JJ loves you. And didn't she tell you yesterday she likes you more than me?"

"Yeah," she responded with a smile. "Light is going green." He quickly threw her a smile before turning his attention back to the road. "But daddy?" He hummed. "Can I have a chocolate cake today?"

"If I look in the mirror are you going to be doing your puppy dog eyes?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well I wanna keep the sugar intake to the minimum today. Get some good old fruit and veg into you and a lot of water."

"But not even one hot chocolate? I'm not well." Neil looked up in the mirror to see her pouting. "Pretty please, just one hot chocolate."

"Maybe before you go to bed."

Neil quietly pulled up into the car park. He reached to the side of his door to get his phone.

"Hey, I'm at the car park. Parked at the front so you should see me straightaway."

"Okay, just give me two minutes. You sure you don't want anything?"

"Hot chocolate!" Lara shouted.

"No, don't listen to her," Neil said with a laugh. He ran his hand over the steering wheel. "How you feeling, cara?"

"Better than this morning for sure. Thank you for today though, I really mean it."

"Of course. What are boyfriends for?"

"To steal clothes from. Which reminds me, I will wash your clothes before giving them back to you."

Before Neil could say anything, JJ hung up the call. With a frown he looked down at his phone. When he was about to call back, he saw JJ in front of the car. She came to his window, a smile on her face.

"You do realise you're going to get in the car right?" he said as he rolled down the window.

"Yeah. But here you go. And here's some sugar." Her hand reached into her hoodie pocket and dropped packets of sugar into his palm. With a smile she leaned down for a kiss.

JJ then walked to Lara's side, giving her a bag. "Hold that for me monkey." Neil moved the water bottle off the passenger seat but turned around to see JJ open the door and sit next to Lara at the back. "Hey Neil, can she have some chocolate cake?"

"Yes!" Lara cheered.

"Alright do me a favour, monkey. Move to the window seat and then put the middle thing down so I can put our hot chocolate down."

Neil chuckled as he watched both of them smile when they opened the cake box. He took out his phone and opened up Snapchat. "Right so I'm sitting here, just picked up my girlfriend from the doctors and she comes bearing gifts from Costa. I get a simple black coffee, not complaining, and these two here," he said zooming into them, "are sipping on their hot chocolates and sharing some cake. And is that why you're not sitting at the front, cara?"

"Of course. Damn Neil, stop zooming into my face I look like a mess"

"I think you look beautiful, JJ," Lara said softly.

"Aww monkey, you're beautiful too." JJ leaned over and kissed her cheek. "And that's why you're my best friend."

"Lara are you really stealing my girlfriend from me already?"

"No comment."

JJ laughed as she looked at the camera to see Neil's face. He stopped recording and looked back at them. "Do I really get nothing?"

"I gave you a kiss." He frowned." I'm kidding, I got you carrot cake. Do you want to eat it now?"

"If you don't mind." He took the cake off her with a smile. "Did you get all this after I called you? You were literally a minute."

"I got these about five minutes before you called. Figured I could think you with something. I wasn't sure if Lara was gonna like the hazelnut hot chocolate so I just got the normal one." JJ then looked at Lara. "Do you wanna try some?"

"Is it nice?"

"I like it. Try it and if you like it you can have it. But you'll have to give me yours though. Deal?"

"Deal." Lara raised her pinky finger and JJ blinked at it before lifting hers too. JJ carefully handed it to her and focused back on Neil. She leaned forward, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"What was that for?" he mumbled as he tilt his head to the side. He smiled before resting a hand on the back of her head, pulling her in for a kiss.

"Do I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?"

"I'm all yours, cara." He kissed her again. "Do you want me to drop you off home? We're gonna go shopping if you're up for it."

"JJ please come with us. I wanna show you my favourite books in the shop."

"Well..." she said looking back at Lara who was pouting. "If you're gonna be there then I don't see why not. Maybe we can leave your dad in the car and go off and have more chocolate cake."

"Funny, Jay. You're absolutely hilarious. And no more sweets for the both of you, I mean it."

"Your dad is boring."

"Tell me about it. I've been stuck with him for seven years," Lara said whilst rolling her eyes.

"Oh you two are so funny. Let's see who tries to sleep next to me tonight."