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Breaking but not broken.

Isys POV

I woke up in Alexia's childhood room a couple of hours later to Eli quietly knocking at the door. I opened my eyes and realised that it was now dark outside and the noise the was previously echoing up the stairs had almost stopped.

Ale didn't so much as stir next to me. Her eyes closed and her breathing slow and consistent as she slept with her head on my shoulder.

"Hey" Eli whispered as she stood in the dark doorway.

"I'm so sorry Eli. Ale was-"

"Shh it's ok" she reassured me.

"I didn't want to wake you, but the boys have had dinner, I just wanted to know if you want me to put them to bed here? You are all welcome to stay"

"That would be great" I nodded.
"I'll get up and come downstairs" I smiled and Eli soon disappeared from the doorway, carefully and quietly closing the door behind her.

I looked down at my wife for a few moments, she was so deeply asleep that mine and Eli's conversation hadn't even disturbed her in the slightest. She was lying on her side with her head on my shoulder and her arm draped across my body, so moving without waking her was going to be difficult but I tried.

I thought that I had been successful, but as I stood from the bed and made my way slowly towards the door my wife's sleepy voice echoed across the room.

"Isy... where are you going?" she mumbled, her head not lifting from the pillow as she pulled the blanket up to her neck.

"I'm just going to check on the boys, I'll be right back. Go back to sleep cariño. I won't be long"

"Promise?" She asked vulnerably.

"I promise"

When I reached the bottom of the stairs I was met by the sight of Jordi and Enzo sat on Eli's sofa, hair wet from having a bath and already dressed into their pyjamas.

Jordi noticed me first, his head turning at the sound of the creaky stairs.

"Mama, Abu said that we are having a sleepover!" He said excitedly.

"Is that ok with you two" I asked, kneeling down in front of our sons.

They both nodded excitedly before turning their attention back to the cartoon that was playing on the tv.

Eli was stood in the doorway, a worried look on her face as she halfheartedly smiled at the three of us. She was worried about her daughter and she had every right to be... I was too.

"Is she ok?" She asked immediately as I lectured the boys and followed her into the hall.

"No. I don't think she is" I started.
"I knew she was exhausted and in pain, but she completely broke down up there Eli. I haven't seen her like that since she tore her ACL. Honestly, I think tonight was worse"

"What can I do? I can have the boys more... I can come over and help with the harder stuff, I can-"

"I don't know Eli- I don't know what she needs..."

Eli immediately wrapped her arms around my shoulders and pulled me close. Holding me as a silently sobbed with worry.

"I'll put the boys to bed tonight and I'll get up with them in the morning, you need to be with Ale. She needs you... you're all she needs right now. We can figure the rest out later"

"Ok" I nodded, pulling away from my mother-in-law and wiping the tears from my cheeks.

I said goodnight to the boys and kissed them good night before heading back up the stairs to return to Ale.