Four Beating Hearts

14 - nightmares

Penelope POV

I was back in that house, specifically that crib. I had learned to no longer cry from their actions as it just makes them more aggressive. I sat completely still in the corner of the crib until Karen walked into the room.

"Look, the little bitch is awake." Karen spat at me as she undid the bolt on the crib. She roughly grabbed me out of the crib before throwing me to the floor. I cried out in pain when I threw my hand out to block my fall.

I felt a fist connect with my face when the voice laced with venom spoke again, "You deserve it. Now let's go. Michael is waiting." Karen started kicking me to get me out of the room. I knew what waited for me when I made it to Michael.

I shot straight up in bed with a loud screech as tears flew out of my eyes. I just tried to calm my breathing and tell myself I was safe but it wasn't working. The tears shook through my entire body.

I jumped when my door flew open, but relaxed seeing Beth run into my room with the other two quickly behind her.

Beth saw my distraught face and didn't hesitate to get into bed with me and lift me into her lap. I clung onto the neckline of her shirt as I continued to sob. "Bethy!" I cried into her neck.

She held me tighter and rocked me back and forth while pressing soft kisses to my hairline. "Shh sweet girl. You are okay. You are safe, and you have all of us with you. No one can hurt you anymore. I promise you sweet girl, you will never be hurt again." Beth told me trying to calm me down.

I kept my face pushed into the crook of Beth's neck, I needed to be as physically close as possible to her right now. I heard either Bella or Mari leave the room and they came back just as fast.

Beth tried to pull my head from her neck but I whined loudly not wanting to be separated from her. "Please baby, I just want to give you your paci, I think it'll help you." I nodded before slowly pulling my head from her.

Her and Mari gave me sad looks as Beth popped the paci in, I couldn't see Bella's expression since she was behind me. I hid my face in her neck again as I suckled on my pacifier. My sobs slowed and I was left with the occasional sniffle.

I don't know how much time went by, but eventually Beth managed to get me to look at the other women. "Sweetheart, can you tell us what happened? What your nightmare was about?" Beth asked sweetly and I shrunk back at the thought.

"Bethy I too s'ared." I whined out to her around the paci. I was still feeling little surprisingly and I didn't want to think about it any longer.

Beth let out a quiet sigh and kissed my forehead once more. "Okay baby, maybe in the morning if you're feeling a little bigger we can talk about this. For now we should all go back to bed and try to get some more rest, okay baby?" She asked and I gave her a gentle nod.

Mari and Bella both got up from the bed. Bella came around the bed and kissed the top of my head. "I love you Penny. Sleep tight for me baby?" I nodded at her words of endearment as Mari leaned back over the bed to also kiss the top of my head.

"I love you so much Pen, please try to get some more sleep for me baby." Mari told me and I gave her a small nod.

I then looked to Beth worriedly that she was going to leave too since the other two were going back to their bed. "Bethy stay?" I asked around my pacifier quietly and Beth looked at me with a genuine smile.

"I didn't plan on going anywhere baby cakes. Let's get more comfortable though," she told me as she moved me out of her lap so she could lay down. I couldn't help the small whine that escaped as I lost contact with her, but she just raised an amused brow.

Beth was laying down and she pulled me down next to her. I immediately snuggled into her, the thoughts of the nightmare slowly creeping their way back in. I tried to snuggle farther and farther, but let out a small cry as I wasn't getting the comfort I needed.

Beth tried to calm me down, but not understanding why I couldn't get what I needed was frustrating me more. Beth gently pulled away from me which let out a series of whimpers too. She tried to rub my cheek before stripping her shirt leaving her only in a sports bra.

She laid back down and I cuddled back into her body. I felt comfort from being able to feel her skin, but only on the parts of me that were exposed. I whined again, but this time I was pulling at my onesie.

Beth stopped my hands, "Shh baby. It's okay, let mo-... let Bethy get your onesie off." I stopped moving my hands and let Beth do the work.

Quickly she unsnapped my onesie before pulling it up over my arms. She laid back down and I was immediately attached to her front. With my pacifier still in my mouth, I slowed my rhythm as I breathed in Beth's scent.

Beth ran her fingers through my hair and down my back as she cradled me against her body. I finally was able to take a deep breath and feel myself completely relax in her hold.

Closing my eyes, I let sleep take over me, but not before I heard Beth whisper out. "I love you so much little one. I wish I could take all the pain away from you. I will always protect you." I felt her kiss my forehead again, but I couldn't respond because once she was finished, I was asleep.