Taylor headed outside to Harper and sat down behind her. She put one leg at either side of Harler and pulled her closer before swaying side to side, keeping her arms securely around Harper's whole body. "You can tell mommy what's going on. I think you need to, honey. Your emotions are building up right now and that's not good. Tell mommy." Taylor whispered.
Harper didn't turn to look at Taylor but she let her head fall back against Taylor's chest. She just stared off into the distance of the garden and took a deep breath. She hates sharing how she feels with Taylor but a few comforting kisses and cuddles helped her find some confidence.
"Just don't like sharing you with Evie and Mal. You gave Mal my Snuggie milk. And I had none." Harper mumbled the last bit, looking down with tears in her eyes. Taylor gently rubbed Harper's arms and turned her around to face her. She sat Harper down in her lap and moved over to a swing seat.
"You can have some, baby. It's yours." She whispered, signaling for Harper to help herself. Harper seemed hesitant but leaned closer and took her milk, clinging to Taylor's shirt as if she'd just walk away at any given moment. She started to close her eyes and loosely held onto a strand of Taylor's hair.
Taylor didn't move, the chair swung back and forth minimally, causing a relaxing rocking sensation for Harper. She noticed Harper's eyes close but knew to not move away until she got into a deep sleep. Harper was substituting her pacifier so she didn't want to cause a meltdown.
Once Harper was completely out, Taylor put her down to sleep in her and Travis' room and left her to sleep in her little crib before heading downstairs to find Mal and Evie.
Mal looked up when she heard the sounds of someone coming hoping to see Evie. Taylor gave her a little smile before settling down on the couch next to Travis and cuddling up to him.
Mal watched them not knowing what to do in this situation. Taylor glanced up at the tv to see Tangled was playing and chuckled a little. That was Harper's favorite film so she practically knew the entire script. She started singing along then turned to Mal. "Are you not tired?" She asked.
Mal looked over slowly, shaking her little head and continuing to watch the movie. She was tired but didn't want to admit it. "You look sleepy. Why don't we get you tucked up in bed?" Taylor told her quietly.
Mal slowly nodded rubbing her eyes, not being able to fight it anymore, before reaching up with her small arms. "Uppies," Mal whispered. Taylor got up and gently picked her up, heading upstairs and getting her into some pajamas before putting her down in Harper's room which they were now sharing now that Evie had started school. On the way out she made sure to turn off the lights and everything but left the door open and the hallway light on.
Taylor then went to Evie's room. "It's a school night so I think maybe you should pause the homework and get a shower and in bed." Taylor told her. She didn't want to be too strict on her but She wanted her to get a good amount of sleep.
"Okay let me just finish these last few problems and then I'll get ready for bed," Evie replied, trying her best to stall on bedtime. Taylor narrowed her eyes a little but slowly nodded before leaving the room and going back to cuddling with Travis.
Once Taylor left Evie continued to work on her homework trying her best to stall even longer. She really didn't want to have to face her nightmares again. It would be even harder now with their new joined decision to move Mal in with Harper's room.
Evie continued to work until she couldn't anymore knowing it was getting late. She just put her homework back into her backpack and then went to shower and get ready for bed.
Evie made her way to her bed and got in. She closed her eyes trying to bring herself to sleep but every time she closed her eyes she felt like she was back there again with her mother screaming and begging for it all to stop but it never would.
