Somniphobia

Chapter 10. Moody

Aria POV
I was playing in my playroom with all the toys he bought me just for this room, so I wouldn't be bored while he worked. I was having so much fun in here, but I was getting really hungry.

I got up from the floor, putting my dolls back in the small basket so they wouldn't get damaged while I went downstairs. I walked out of the room, making my way to the kitchen.

I walked into the kitchen craving some cereal. I noticed the cereal on top of the fridge. I stood on my tiptoes and reached as high as I could to grab the box, but I couldn't reach it.

I walked over to the counter, climbing up on it so I could reach the cereal. I carefully stood up on the counter, panicking silently when I realized how high up I was.

"Aria!"
I flinched at the loudness of his voice. Tears welled up instantly from how scary he sounded.
"What are you doing up there?" he asked as he picked me up by my waist and set me back down on my feet.

"I w-was t-trying t-to g-get t-the c-cereal, d-daddy," I explained, pointing up at it as small tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Princess, don't cry. I didn't mean to raise my voice—I just got scared," he comforted gently.
"You can't be climbing up on counters like that. You could fall and bust your head open. Just call me next time you need something."

"O-okay." I cried, hugging him tightly as he kissed my head.

"C-can I h-have s-some c-cereal p-please?" I asked as my stomach growled.

"Of course, princess. You don't have to ask. You can have whatever you want, I just want you to be careful, okay?" he reassured.

"O-okay, d-daddy," I replied softly.

He picked me up and sat me in one of the chairs at the island. He grabbed a bowl and the milk to make me cereal. I watched patiently until he placed the bowl in front of me.

I clapped excitedly and grabbed the spoon.
"Th-th-thank y-yo-you, d-daddy."

"You're welcome, princess," he said, kissing my cheek as I chewed slowly so I wouldn't choke.

"D-daddy."
"Hmm?"
"A-are y-you s-still w-working?"

"No, but I need to go to Aaron's house and pick up some papers. Would you like to come with me?"

I nodded excitedly. "Y-yes p-please."

"Okay, finish eating and then put your shoes on so we can leave."

"O-okay... d-don't l-leave m-me, d-daddy, p-please." I sped up nervously.

"Slow down, princess. I'm not leaving you. Don't rush yourself," he soothed.
"Take your time."

I slowed down again, cheeks heating in embarrassment.

Once I finished, I put my bowl in the sink.
"You ready, princess?"
"Y-yeah."

He smiled softly and held my hand as we headed to the door.

⸻

At Aaron's house...

He parked in the driveway but left the car on.
"Stay here. I'll be quick."

I nodded as he got out. I watched him walk up the steps, knock, and talk briefly with Aaron, who handed him a yellow envelope. After a minute, Caleb came back and got in, placing the envelope on the dashboard as he drove away.

"D-daddy, w-what's t-that?" I asked, reaching for the envelope.

"Don't touch that, princess," he said, taking it from me.

"B-but w-what's I-it a-about?"

"Nothing."

"It c-can't b-be n-nothing... y-you n-needed I-it."

"It's none of your concern. Just leave it alone, okay?" he snapped.

I flinched hard. Tears filled my eyes at the sudden change in his voice. I turned to the window, crying silently. I didn't expect him to get so mad. I just wanted to know.

All day he had been yelling... maybe I was annoying him too much.

When he parked in the driveway, I rushed out of the car and ran inside. I bolted upstairs, not wanting him to see me cry. Instead of our room, I went straight to my playroom so I wouldn't bother him anymore.

I shut the door and curled up on the floor, crying uncontrollably. I didn't want to be near him. I didn't want him to kick me out. I had nowhere to go without him.

⸻

Caleb POV
When we got home she ran upstairs without a word. I stayed in the kitchen for a moment, guilt eating me alive. She was only asking a question—I didn't mean to yell. I just didn't want to talk about the papers. They were about my mother, and that was something I didn't want her to know.

I eventually went upstairs to check on her. The bed was empty. I checked the bathroom—nothing.

"Aria!"
No answer.

I rushed to her playroom.
"Aria!"
I opened the door and found her asleep on the floor.

I walked over quietly and picked her up. She clung to me even in her sleep.

"D-daddy," she whined.

"Shh, daddy's here," I whispered.

She muttered something I couldn't make out. I carried her back to our room, but when I tried to lay her down, she tightened her legs around me, crying softly. I laid down with her so she wouldn't panic.

She eventually slid off me and curled up beside me. I covered her with the blanket and kissed her forehead. Her red nose and puffy eyes stabbed me with guilt. I shouldn't have yelled. My temper always got the best of me.

Suddenly she sat up and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door.

"Aria!" I rushed after her. I knocked. "Princess, answer me. Open the door."
Nothing.

I heard the toilet flush before the door finally cracked open. She was sobbing.

"What's wrong, princess?"

"M-my s-stomach h-hurts, d-daddy," she cried.

I hugged her.
"Are you hungry?"

"N-no... I g-got m-my—"

"What is it, princess?" I urged gently.

She hesitated, embarrassed.
"I h-have c-cramps, d-daddy."

"You got your period?"
She nodded and reached for me. I picked her up and carried her to the bed.

"Do you want medicine or food?"

"N-no... I j-just w-want y-you," she cried.

"Okay, relax. Daddy's right here."

She lay next to me, slowly calming down as I wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. I slipped my hand under her shirt and rubbed her stomach gently in slow circles.

She watched me nervously at first.

"Relax, princess. Everything will be okay."

I kept rubbing, soothing her until she grew drowsy.

"Feel better?" I asked.

"Mhmm... d-don't s-stop, d-daddy."

"I won't, beautiful."

She snuggled closer and eventually began to snore softly. I pulled her into my arms, fixed the blanket over her, and kept rubbing her belly as she slept peacefully against my chest.