As the hour approached to head to Zach's for the evening, Jo heavily contemplated ignoring their plans altogether. Her heart felt ripped open and wounded after their brief argument, and she felt too volatile to manage the frustrating small talk. There was also the added stress of having gotten only a few short hours of sleep, for Ilona hadn't slept well either. The distruption of their routine had led to the infant screaming for countless hours throughout the night, leaving Jo's nerves further frayed.

Were it not for her fear of Zach catching her unguarded in a misguided attempt to check on them, Jo would have certainly canceled the evening. However, she didn't dare risk him happening upon her whilst her emotions were bare and bubbling on the surface. Not after last night and how close they drew to destroying the fragile peace they'd carefully constructed these last few months.

Which meant come supper time Jo had readied them both and prepared herself for another tense, difficult evening. She then stepped through the floo and was (surprisingly) not greeted by Zach in the arm chair. He was, instead, in the kitchen preparing their meal. "It's okay," Jo returned before handing the baby over to properly say hello. Immediately, the cranky infant settled in her father's arms, almost as though it was him she had wanted all day.

"Pleasant enough. And yours?"

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