{Banana Smoothie} ✔️

Chapter 131

January 14th

Atlas's POV

I kissed Seren's head before leading my two sisters to the door. "Make sure you check on Em every hour!" She whispers pulling me into a hug. Lyra joins with teary eyes.

"I will, let's try to keep all of this on the down-low" I whisper wiping Lyras's tears. "I don't want to leave her, I don't want to go back to school" Lyra cries hugging onto me tightly.

Papa was sleeping, and Dad after patching Em up went to work which he was incredibly behind on. I lift Lyra and she giggles haven't being held like this in a while. The other girls looked to me hesitantly as if they didn't know what to do.

Iris and Ivy seemed just as devastated. "Seren can you bring Lyra's work for today," I ask and she gives me a thankful nod. With that, I told the girls goodbye and they trudged out the door. "I'm sorry Atlas" she whispers laying her head on my shoulder.

"It's not you're fault... I'm sure your friends miss you though" I huff leading us down the hall. "I'll go to school, but I want to see Em first" she sniffles.

I opened the door to Emerald's room. "We can try again tomorrow" I smile and she slides out of my grip. Lyra was an emotional girl. She wouldn't be any good at school anyways in this state.

Em was groggy from her pain meds and she blinks rapidly before sitting up with a groan. "Are you okay Emmy?" Lyra asked hurrying over to her.

She nods her face twisting into one of pain. There was no smile. Nothing. I looked away not being able to bear looking at her like this. "Tired... I haven't been able to sleep since dad came in" she admits.

"Why aren't you at school Lyra" her voice was low and had no emotion in it. "I wanted to see you" she whispers looking to the ground. "I didn't mean to upset you" she continues and Em looks over to me first before Lyra.

I don't think she knew how to respond. "It's still early- why don't you come sleep with me" she speaks swallowing her cry.

Lyra nods and crawls over to Emerald's, who lays back down and turns to her side protecting her ribs. Lyra yawns and looks at Em. "Come here goofball" our sister attempts to smile while saying it, but fails miserably putting an arm over the youngest girl.

I kiss Emerald on the head and pause. "I'm so proud of you" she seems to freeze for a moment before looking back at me with teary eyes. Lyra was cuddling close to her, eyes closed already. Her bottom lip puffed out and she bit it trying to stop her from crying.

"I love you Em, I always will. You're my baby sister I'm going to protect you no matter what" I remind her and she turns away not able to hide the tears anymore.

I leave not wanting to ruin her mood anymore. "Goodnight" the last thing I said before closing the door.  I hurried to my parents' room and silently opened the door. Papa was fast asleep holding on tightly to the stuffed bear my younger siblings got him for his birthday.

I tiptoed over before slightly shaking his shoulders. "Hmm? What? Merlin! I have to get them ready for school!" He shouts jolting up. "Papa they left already" I reassure him and his face drops. "I slept in again- Atlas I'm so sorry" he groans, rubbing his eyes.

"I need to go check on Em, I wasn't up for her- when he cleaned- wounds!" he was mad at himself and stood to go check on her. "She's asleep with Lyra... yes I let her stay home- emotionally she wasn't ready" I explain hoping I wasn't going to get yelled at.

He opens his mouth before closing it again. "I- okay thank you... I'll talk with Lyra I didn't know it was still scaring her" he mumbles going straight for the door. "Papa" I grumble and he turns to look at me. "Go back to bed your exhausted" I look him up and down.

It was like his pregnancies all over again. The eye bags, hadn't changed in a week. He slumps his shoulders not even bothering to argue. "Emerson is still fast asleep and I pushed the wall of Grayson's crib down so he could crawl out when he woke up" I reassure him, leading my papa to bed.

"Thank you baby" he thanks me again before kissing my cheek. I smile watching him get into bed. "Night papa" I give him a small wave leaving his door open enough for Grayson or EJ to push it open.

As if on cue a groggy boy walks over to me hugging my leg. "I thought you were having a sleepover with the twins" I chuckle squatting down to look at him. He looks to the door and shakes his head.

"We did- but the blanket fortress fell and- I didn't want to cuddle with them anymore" he pouts hugging my leg. "Oh?" I smile standing. "Were they cuddling with you?" I smirk and he nods. "I didn't want more cuddles- I was getting really hot" he admits yawning.

It was still early and if I didn't get this child to sleep soon he was going to have a cranky day.  "Well they might be upset if you're gone" I attempt to persuade him but he shakes his head. "I don't wanna it's too hot for cuddles but-" he cuts himself off.

"But what?" I chuckle lifting him. He looks me dead in the eyes with a cheesy smile. "Cuddles from boifend would be nice" he giggles and I groan starting to walk him back to the girls' room.

"No! Atlas stop! I not see him in forever!" He cries and I sigh. "We can check. If he's in his room possibly, if he's in his parents' room then you're going back that's final" I glare but he doesn't care and hugs me all of the sudden hyper.

I took the kid up the stairs as he sang to himself looking around excited. I walked by my uncles' room and opens Asher's, cringing when I saw him on his bed.

"You see him, yes?" I let the boy turn in my arms to look. He makes grabby hands nodding. "Boifend" he giggles and I shush him. "Okay now go back to your friends" I whisper turning on my heel.

"No! Stop! Atlas! You said I could sleep with him" he cries and I set the child down giving him a stern look. "Shhh" I lecture but it was too late. My boyfriend was breathing heavily as his terrified face softened.

It was only the fourth day he had slept alone. "Ash I'm sorry, I didn't think he would be so loud" I apologize but he shakes his head crawling to the end of the bed. "EJ come here" he coos and Emerson sticks his tongue out at me before running over.

I stare in absolute shock at the child as Ash pulls him onto the bed. Closing the door, I follow. Asher curled up under the blanket and Emerson hugged his stomach. I shimmied underneath the blanket as well and hugged Asher from behind.

"You better not replace me for him" I pout and he turn slightly to face me. "Hmmm, love of my life or cute child" he whispers looking up to think about it.

"I think I'll stick with love of my life" he giggles looking straight into my eyes. I chuckle putting my hands over him and hugging EJ as well.  "Atlas stop touching me!" Emerson pouts. I roll my eyes at his dramatic self. Lyra and Grayson definitely are my favorites, EJ I'm sorry you got knocked down. Actually just Gray, Lyra brushes my hair too much.

"Emerson go to bed" I grumble and he giggles but replies with a cheery "night night" Ash stared at me the whole time with a tired smile. I moved in closer getting a soft peck. "Back to what we were talking about" I joke making him giggle.

"I love you Asher" I remind him and he reaches a hand back to touch my cheek. "I love you too" he smiles giving me another kiss. "Get some sleep" I mumble and he turns back around hugging my annoying brother to his chest.

I hugged them both anyways and listened to them sleep. I thought since Asher was back and my sister was still alive, I'd be able to sleep. Kiara is alive and well. Things are becoming better again, they are going to be normal soon.

I still can't sleep. It's as if my body won't let me. I need to protect this family. It's my fault. He went to my room and I wasn't there. Was his anxiety getting to him? If I would have been there I would have stopped him. Kissing my sleeping boyfriend's head I sigh.

"I'm going to keep my promise this time"