Empty Spaces

Bedtime accidents

She could hear it, although her head was underneath the blanket, and her heart filled her ears, she could hear the sound that she could only predict as fingernails scraping across the glass outside the windows. She could hear the howling, to loud and scary for her little ears to realise it's the wind, to close for her to realise it couldn't hurt her. It was the bang of thunder that caused her feet to hit the floorboards, the flashes of lightning that illuminated the dark, cold room that brought her pace to a run as she dashed for the bedroom. It was the bang of the tree against the glass that caused a short scream then sob to escape her throat as she turned the door handle of room and ran inside for safety, to fast for her little legs to comprehend and she ended up falling onto the group with a loud thud. Here, she laid, hugging herself tightly as she squeezed her eyes shut. Sobbing for her mommy and daddy.

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For once in Sylvie's life it wasn't the thunder that woke her from her sleep. Although the first thing she noticed when she woke up was the strong warm forearm wrapped around her waist protectively, keeping her warm against the pouring rain that sounded outside. The first thing she heard was the silent sobbing, the whispering of mommy... daddy... that clicked her back into reality and forced her to jump out of bed, switching her lamp on quickly.

There on the floor laid the tiny 6-year-old, shivering and shaking with fear. Sylvie kneeled onto the floor slowly, trying to speak as softly as she could as to not frighten the girl more. "Bella? Bella, I'm here sweet girl, I'm right here." Sylvie whispered, bringing her hand up to rest on the girls upper arm. She looked the girl up and down, noting the wet pjs. It was obvious she had wet herself in her scared state.

Bella rolled over the second she heard Sylvie's voice, her arms wrapping around her waist and her face burying into her stomach. "Mommy!" She cried out; the fear evident in the way her body shook against Sylvie's.

Sylvie ran her fingers over the young girls hair, trying to sooth her as quickly as possible. It was then she heard movement behind her, she looked over to see a confused Matt getting out of bed. "It's Sylvie baby, Matt's still here too."

"They're here Sylvie! I heard them, they're gonna get me." Bella mumbled against her, snot and tears staining the front of Sylvie's pyjama top.

It was then a knock sounded at the bedroom door, Sylvie looked up to see Kelly and Stella standing there, concern written all over their faces. "Hey, everything okay?" Stella spoke first, kneeling down slowly on the floor.

"I think the storm scared her; she's convinced there's someone out there." Sylvie said softly as Bella slowly climbed up her body and hugged her tightly.

"There is! I heard them, they scratched'ed the window!" Bella mumbled sternly, annoyed the adults didn't believe her. She looked up at the figure behind them, realising it was Matt. "Will ya go check Matt? Please Matt?"

Matt smiled softly and nodded, he leaned down to kiss her head before making his way past the three on the floor and over to Kelly. Matt and Sylvie made eye contact when he looked back, stopping when he saw her open her mouth to speak. "It seems Bella may have had an accident too, could you possibly clean it up while I clean her?" she asked gently, giving him an apologetic smile. She didn't want Bella to feel ashamed for what had happened, and she also knew how well Matt was with kids.

"Of course, you clean her up. Don't worry about out here, we've got it." Matt said with a reassuring look and with that they were off, Matt and Kelly checking each window individually and making sure the door was locked.

Stella stayed behind to help Sylvie with Bella. It was as if they were a multi couple family and if the situation wasn't so serious right now Sylvie might have almost laughed. As she stood Bella to help her undress out of the wet clothes, Stella headed off to get the shower ready for them. It was then that Sylvie noticed the sad and guilty expression on Bella's face and the last thing she wanted was for her to feel upset for asking for help.