Peacekeepers

Chapter 30: Joy and Sorrow

(As we get to the next few days I just want you all to know that until July 5th my parents will be in town so I won't be able to update much at all. I promise I'm not abandoning anything, just spending time with family while they're here lol if I get any chapters out they'll likely be sparse)

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Poppy set David in his bed and chuckled as he clung to her, gently unwrapping his arms from her neck before settling him down and covering him with the blankets. She looked over to Peter nearby, smiling softly as the dark haired toddler cuddled with his teddy bear as he slept.

"Pop?" A voice whispered across the room, and she looked over to see Michael watching her from his bed, his hazel eyes filled with uneasiness.

She tucked Peter in and walked over, kneeling next to his bed. "What is it?" She whispered.

"Will Danny be okay?" Michael whispered anxiously.

Poppy smiled weakly, setting her hand in the bed near him. "Do you want the truth, or do you want to feel better?" She asked gently.

Michael thought for a moment, looking up at the ceiling before letting out a soft sigh. "The truth."

"I think so, but I'm not entirely sure. They're going to try something tomorrow that will hopefully make him better, and if he is, I'll let you all know." She said quietly.

"And if he's not?" Michael whispered.

"Then I'll still let you all know, and I'll spend the night again." She said quietly, not really wanting to think about that scenario.

Michael nodded and let out another soft sigh. "Thanks for coming to spend time with us." He said, looking over to her.

"Of course." She smiled softly. "I want to look out for you guys, too. Though I'm not quite used to it yet." She chuckled.

Michael smiled a bit, laughing quietly as well. "You'll get used to it."

Poppy chuckled and smiled warmly. "You're a good kid, Michael. Get some sleep, we'll see how tomorrow goes. Let's hope Danny can come home soon."

Michael sighed and hugged his blankets to himself with a soft nod. "It'll be okay."

Poppy smiled, hoping he was right, patting his arm reassuringly before standing up to leave the room.

"Good night, Poppy." He said softly.

Poppy looked back to him and smiled. "Good night, Michael." She said quietly before leaving the room and gently closing the door.

She walked down the hall to find Emma leaning against the wall outside of their room, waiting for her. She looked up to her anxiously, her eyes searching her as if for a sign of something. "Annie and I wanted to talk."

Poppy ran her hand along her arm anxiously, having a feeling what this was about. "Alright." She said softly, and Emma led her into their shared room.

Annie was waiting inside, looking up when Poppy walked in but otherwise staying silent.

Poppy sat on one bed while both of the girls sat on the other, looking at her anxiously.

"Is this about the letter?" Poppy asked nervously.

"Yes." Annie said, glancing toward Emma.

"What happened? What was it?" Emma asked urgently.

Poppy sighed, wishing this hadn't happened so soon. "Who saw it?"

"Just us." Annie answered.

"Well at least there's that." Poppy sighed. "The letter was... a messenger spell. Think of it like an emergency signal."