The Billionaire's Five

Chapter 16

"Somehow, you seemed like the candle that lit up a dark room, like the small bud of blooming flower in a dead field. You seem like hope."

"From this day on, now and forever more..." Maureen sang slowly and quietly as she swayed side to side, holding Nikki in her arms as she put him to sleep. 

It was that song from Tarzan, which they watched the other day. The kids loved the movie so much, and even played around the living room acting like Tarzan and Jane. They loved the song, too.

It was almost ten in the evening, and she was grateful that the medicine Nik took was taking effect and was reducing his temperature.

Looking over at Natalie who was peacefully sleeping, Maui smiled. The twins were having a normal night, just like any other. She couldn't say the same for the other three.

Charee, who was now sleeping in her bumper bed, had a hard time falling asleep. She fell asleep after drinking her milk, wanting to be held by her father until she fell asleep.

Tobias kept her in his arms as she kept a tight hold on him, keeping her face buried in his neck until she fell into dreamland. It took him a few minutes before he could fully set her down on her bed.

The older twins remained quiet.

The usual noisy chatter on the dining table was missing, along with the laughter and clattering of dishes. The only noises were from Natalie and Nikki who were mumbling under their breath as Maureen fed them.

Small smiles were exchanged between all of them, but none uttered much words. The event of the afternoon was still sinking in, still being processed.

None of them had the energy.

After dinner, things went fast and in a blur. Maureen didn't notice how much time passed by. Her worry was overseeing anything else.

Making sure that Nikki was deep asleep, she set him down on his crib, patting his bum when he fussed as he felt cold without her touch. She continued to hum the song, waiting until he stopped moving before removing her hand.

With a sigh, she walked over to where Natalie was, making sure she was okay and then to Charee. Maureen fixed her blanket, as well as the stuff toy she had in her arms.

Walking out of the room, Maureen planned on getting a glass of water before going back. She'd stay at their room for the night. She couldn't leave them.

Not until everything was okay.

Before proceeding to the stairs, she first made her way to the twins' room. Quietly opening their door, Maureen took a peek inside.

Harper's bed was empty,which made her brows furrow. Not until she saw the two sleeping bodies on Hayes' bed.

The twins were cuddled together, Hayes' blanket coming up to their neck as their heads touched, two toys in between them as they slept.

With a smile, Maureen took a step back and closed the door, not wanting to wake them up accidentally by making a noise.

She was glad that throughout everything, they made sure to make the other feel that they were together. That one of them can always lean on the other. Always.

Before stepping down the stairs, Maureen took a glance on Tobias' door. She wondered if he was doing okay.

She didn't want to pry too much on their family affair, but seeing them this way made her heart ache. No family should ever go through something like this. Something so sad and tragic.