Downhill From Here (#1)

28. Snowed In

Bowie's POV

I sat on the carpeted floor, looking up at the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling of Lilo's bedroom.

Her little whimpers were muffled by Nathan's chest and I lowered my head, looking at the two of them on her bed.

He held her in his arms, soothing her, trying to get her to calm down. She was in her little purple footie pajamas with a small pink bonnet on her head.

"I-I thought you weft Daddy," She cried into his chest.

"It was just a bad dream ipo," He reassured her in a soft tone, a crease in between his brows. "I'm right here."

"Don't leave me pwease," She hiccuped softly.

I stood slowly, taking a seat beside him.

"He's not going anywhere," I whispered. "We're both right here."

"Pwomise?"

Her little voice was like a squeeze to the chest, pleading and scared.

"Always," he whispered back.

The drags of air she pulled in and out of her mouth grew softer as Nathan rocked her back and forth.

I hummed Dream A Little Dream as the minutes passed and we sat in the dark room. The wind grew louder outside, the sounds of the storm continuing.

Lilo's breathing became softer and her eyes closed.

Nathan slowly got up and turned around, lifting the edge of the blanket. I helped him place her underneath the sheets.

I wiped the remaining tears underneath her eyes and kissed her cheek before taking a step back. Nathan gave her a kiss and lifted the blanket up to her chin.

Moving around the few stuffed animals on the carpet, we made our way to the door. The light from the hallway poured in as we stepped out.

Nathan's expression was clear now that I could fully see him. He looked worn out and stressed.

"She usually has nightmares at least once a week," He said gruffly, looking at nothing in particular.

"It's normal. Night terrors in kids usually happen at her age more frequently," I reassured. "It's called parasomnias. It usually goes away on its own."

He slowly nodded his head in understanding and sniffed, a forlorn look on his face.

I felt helpless, not sure of what to say exactly. In fact, it was probably late and I'd talked my mouth off tonight, bringing up things he didn't want to remember.

He looked like he was about to break down when we were talking about Lealani before. All because I was nosey and couldn't drop it. It was probably best that I'd let him sleep.

"Well," I clamped my hands together behind my back and took a step back. "Since you came home earlier than expected, I just realized I'm not needed anymore. I'll get my bag and get going--"

"You're not leaving," He answered, looking directly down at me. His brown eyes were meaningful and unwavering. Under his gaze, I felt nervous, crossing my sock-covered feet over each other. "It's coming down hard out there. And regardless if I came back early I thought..." He eyes roamed my face, a thoughtfulness about his stare. "...I thought that you'd be staying anyway."

He did?

A weird feeling flickered in my chest at his words and I untied my hands, trying to relax.

I looked down and watched as he reached for me. My breath stalled as I watched him take hold of my forearm, his touch gentle and electrifying at the same time.