As the distance between the two minimized, Alfred's arm began spreading out from the side. He looked like a distressed father who was watching his kids learn how to walk for the first time. His brows crinkled as he studied her clueless expression.
"Even if you want to roll down like a glutinous rice ball, you won't taste the sweetness without me around to catch you. Do you understand where you did wrong?" Alfred questioned as he paused a step below where Jessica stood.
In response to his intensive, yet gentle stare, Jessica bobbed her head in a continuous movement. Meeting her half-dazed expression, he couldn't help but ask a follow-up inquiry. "Do you really understand? Then, what did my words mean?"
She blinked slowly, examining the man in front of her. Though she had more than enough questions running through her mind right now, she decided to answer him. "For not inviting you to our tickle fight." She replied.
Alfred believed his point was clear enough for her to understand the dangers in running around after having cramps. However, the expected response he had in mind never arrived. Instead, he was left in a half nodding and half confused state.
He rubbed the center of his brows, relieving the crease on his forehead. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the squad peeking from the living room couch. Sighing softly, he decided to let her off easy this time.
"Just remember to not run around carelessly like that in the future. It's dangerous. I'm not mad about not getting invited to your tickle fight. In fact, I can even tell you Selina's weak spots. But you shouldn't overwork your legs. Does it hurt anywhere?" His hands reached down to her kneecaps as he pressed on specific pressure points where her old injury used to be.
Although she kept responding with head shaking gestures, Alfred still carried her down the rest of the way to the living room. Since the girls were already downstairs, there was no point in having them move back to their room. "You should sleep here for the night. Let me know if you need anything and I'll get it for you. It's not good for you to keep bending your legs right after you experienced cramps. You'll strain your muscles."
Not knowing how she should react to his caring suggestions; Jessica could only continue nodding. When she looked around the room, she caught the smiles on the Selina and Celinda's faces. Both girls were leaning comfortably against their partner's chest while observing her and Alfred.
Suddenly, Jessica realized there were only three beds. "Where will you sleep if I take your spot?" From the amount of space these couch beds took up, he barely has room to sleep on the carpet. Besides, how could she let him sleep on the floor when she took his bed?
He looked around the living room and pointed at the empty space on the carpet. "I can sleep over there."
"Don't you have work later? How could you sleep on the carpet? Even though there's a carpet between the floor and your back, it's still bad for you. How about this? There is more than enough room on this bed. You can sleep with me." She patted the empty side of the bed without thinking much about her idea.
"Are you sure you're okay with sharing a bed with me?" He wanted to confirm her thoughts twice before walking over to her.
Without any signs of hesitation, she flipped the blanket open and fixed the cushion on his side. Patting in the same motion as before, she smiled. "Come. I can't have you sleep on the floor after you offered me to sleep here out of convenience."
Although Jessica could've asked Selina to sleep with her while Alfred slept with Jason, she didn't have the heart to separate the newlyweds. Also, if she needed anything, it would be a hassle for Alfred to get off the bed. Though she most likely wouldn't need any help from him, she didn't want to see him sleeping uncomfortably either. Hence, she came up with the idea of them sharing a bed.
After both of them settled in bed, the other two couples also covered themselves with the blanket. Selina rotated her body to face her girlfriends' direction. 'These girls definitely need a push. These two blockhead brothers also need a nice shove to move forward too. Hehe...'
Turning back around to face Jason, Selina rubbed her cheek against her husband's chest. She whispered at a voice that everyone in the living room could hear. "Hubby, remember when dad and mom visited and they came up with the room arrangements?"
"Mm." Jason looked down at his petite wife while combing strands of her hair.
Resting her chin on his chest, she stretched her arm around his waist. "Hehe. Remember the first night we slept in your room? We shared a bed together."
Hearing a meaningful hint from Selina's words, the two couples nearby wiggled their ears to listen to what she wanted to say to them. As the conversation continued, Selina became bolder with her words.
"Then, hubby~ Remember to take responsibility for sleeping with me." She giggled.
"We're already married." Jason replied as he planted a kiss on her forehead.
Her long eyelashes blinked adorably as their eyes met. She smiled, "And? We slept together in the same bed even before marriage. You married me for a reason."
He chuckled, "I married you because I love you."
"Nuh uh! Other than this reason, it is because you needed to take responsibility!" She purposely repeated the same word multiple times. No matter how much of a blockhead her brothers were, they should understand her thoughts by now.
Playing along with his wife's monologue, Jason pulled her closer into his embrace. "Of course. If I don't act fast, someone might take you away."
"Hehe. Other than you, I know my brothers are real men. They won't let a girl be taken advantaged. Am I right?" Her question trapped the guys to one corner.
"Mhmm." Bryan and Alfred swallowed when they heard the warning tone from Selina's voice. This was her message to have them work harder to get the girls they like - especially after tonight.
Satisfied by their response, Selina closed her eyes to rest. Slowly, everyone drifted into deep slumber.