"I wish Ariana can stay with us forever Daddy." Bria sighed as she sat between Ariana and I.
"Uh, babygirl I'm sorry but Ariana can't do that."
We were now watching a movie, thanks to Bria and Noah. After the cookies, they were bouncing all over the place. Running around the house, and pulling Ariana along with them. It's no surprise that Bria didn't leave her side once.
"B-but why not, Ari. Do you wanna stay with us? You can sleep with daddy!"
I nearly choked on my own tongue hearing her say that. Ariana looked over at me with a worried look.
"Bria, that can't happen sweetheart. But Ariana is here now. It's that just as good?" I coughed running my hand through my hair.
She pouted and looked down at her hands and nodded.
"I am sleepy now daddy." She mumbled rubbing her sad eyes.
I sighed deeply, not knowing what else to say to her. I know she's upset now, but I just want her to know the truth and not lie to her. The last thing I want to do is get her hopes up.
"Hey Y/N. Do you mind if I take little Bria here up to bed?" Ariana asked and I sighed but nodded.
"Ok, sure why not."
She stood up from the couch and Bria walked hand in hand with her up the stairs.
"You ready for bed little man?"
Noah nodded slowly and I stood up taking him up to his room. "Alright bubba, here we are."
I put him under his Spider-Man covers and tucked him in.
"Dwaddy?"
"Yes son?"
He looked up at me and pulled my beard. "Is mean lwady away?"
I took a deep breath and nodded. "Umm yes baby. The mean lady is gone, and she won't be back I promise you."
He nodded. "K."
I wanted to asked him once again what happened with Courtney and why he's so upset and afraid of her. But I didn't want to make him upset.
I ran my hand through his hair and over his forehead.
"Dwaddy?" He asked again, but this time his eyes were half open as he was fighting his sleep.
"Yes baby?"
"Where is my mwommy at?" He asked while looking up at my with wondering eyes.
My heart dropped to my feet.
That's a question I wasn't expecting so soon. Let me tel you, it broke my heart into pieces to see the look on his face.
_
After putting Noah to sleep, I made my way down the hall to check on Bria. I peeped in to see her sound asleep with the doll her and Ariana made.
I smiled to myself and slowly walked back down the stairs to see Ariana sitting on the couch looking at her phone.
"I see you got Bria to sleep."
She nodded putting her phone away. "Yes, we had a nice little talk. I just want to make sure that she understands no matter what happened between us, that I'll still be here for her."
