Somniphobia

Chapter 96. Rules to protect

Aria POV
I woke up before him. That never happened. I didn't move at first, didn't even breathe, I just... listened. Everything was quiet, too quiet.

My eyes slowly shifted toward the crib, my heart already starting to race. Ace was still there, sleeping peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling like nothing in the world could ever touch him. A shaky breath slipped out of me.

O-okay... h-he's h-here... h-he's o-okay... I pulled the blanket tighter around myself, gripping it in my hands like if I let go something bad would happen. The dream didn't fade like normal ones do.

It stayed.

"You can't keep him."

My throat tightened instantly as I shook my head quickly. "N-no..." I whispered to myself, my voice barely there. "I-it w-wasn't r-real..."

"Princess."

I flinched at his voice as Caleb's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back into his chest. "Why're you awake?" he murmured against my hair, his voice still thick with sleep. "I—I j-just w-wanted t-to m-make s-sure..." I whispered, my eyes flicking back to Ace.

His arm tightened slightly around me. "I told you he's safe," Caleb said, his tone a little firmer. "I k-know..." I said quickly, gripping his arm. "I j-ju—"

"You don't trust me?"

My stomach dropped instantly. "N-no! I d-do—" I rushed out, turning toward him. "I p-promise I d-do, d-daddy—"

His hand came up, cupping my jaw and making me look at him. "Then listen when I tell you something," he said softly, but there was weight in his tone. "You're not going to keep doing this to yourself."

"I-I'm n-not—" I tried, but he cut me off gently. "You are." I went quiet as his thumb brushed under my eye, wiping away a tear I didn't even realize fell.

"There's my sensitive girl..." he murmured, pulling me closer. "You're scaring yourself for no reason." I nodded against him, even though it didn't fully feel true.

"...So we're fixing it." He said suggestively but certain to fix my problem.

My brows furrowed slightly. "F-fixing...?" I whispered, looking up at him. Something in my chest tightened again.

He sat up slightly, pulling me with him so I was half in his lap. "Yes," he said simply. "Because I'm not going to sit here and watch you hurt yourself over nightmares."

"I-I'm n-not—" I started, but he didn't let me finish. "You were pinching yourself last night," he reminded me calmly. I froze immediately.

His fingers slid down my arm, brushing over the bruises I left behind. "I p-promised..." I whispered, my voice shaking. I couldn't even look at him.

"And you're going to keep that promise," he said. "Which means we do things my way for a while." Something in my chest fluttered nervously.

"O-okay..."

His lips curved slightly. "Good girl." Warmth spread through my chest at his praise, easing some of the tightness.

Then his expression shifted.

"Rule one."

My breath caught slightly. "You don't fight your sleep anymore," he said sternly. I shook my head quickly.

"I—I c-can't—" I whispered. "You can," he said calmly. "Because I'll be right there."

"I'm s-scared..." I admitted quietly. His hand slid into my hair, gently scratching my scalp. My eyes slowly closed at the feeling.