One year later

Chapter Seven

The next day I'm woken up at three in the morning by AJ's screams. I stumble over to the crib, my eyes blurry. "What is it, little guy?" I sigh, scooping him up. "I'm hungry!" He wails.

"But it's three in the morning. Listen, how about you go back to sleep and then-"

"I'm hungry! I'm hungry! I'm hungry!" He shrieks.

"No, AJ. No." I say.

He then let's out a loud scream.

"Fine! You win! I'm going downstairs!" I growl, putting AJ in his crib and leaving the room.

I head downstairs, feeling more than a little frustrated. Heading through to the kitchen, I see Daniel standing by the counter, drinking a glass of water. "Rough night?" He asks, grinning at me. I sigh heavily.

"Do not even ask."

He rolls his eyes, "Funnily enough I'm not deaf, Clementine."

"Well, why didn't you help me?"

He looks at me, amusement flickering in his eyes. "It sounded like you were handling it."

Asshole.

I open the cupboard door, taking out a can of baby food. "Why are you up at three in the morning?" I ask him, thinking it a little strange.

His light brown hair is sticking up, like he's been running his hands through it, and his skin is chalk white. "Huh? Oh, no reason. I just couldn't sleep," he says, avoiding eye contact.

There's no sounds from upstairs- presumably AJ's exhausted himself- so I walk over to the counter.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Last time I checked I wasn't in a counselling session."

"Look, we can talk about it if you want."

He pauses for a minute, and I see something in his eyes.

Fear.

"Clementine," he starts, "I know you love me and all, but I'm fine. Now can you please stop worrying about me?"

I roll my eyes and Daniel grins.

"You have really pretty eyes." Then he frowns. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Dude . . . Get some sleep. You're exhausted." I say wearily, leaving the kitchen.

The next morning Daniel looks a little more awake. He's annoying Lilly when I go downstairs.

"I told you, kid, we haven't got any cereal," Lilly growls.

"And I told you I saw some in the cupboard."

"Well, there is none."

"There really is."

"You calling me a liar?"

"Good morning," I say brightly, heading through to the kitchen. "And how are we all today?"

Lilly glares at me. "This . . . this idiot is trying to waste my time by saying there's cereal in the cupboard."

"Have you checked?" I ask.

"Well, no, but-"

I walk over to the cupboard and open it. Unsurprisingly, there is no cereal.

"See? I told you!" Lilly snaps.

"Oh I knew that. I was just trying to see if you'd get angry. Congratulations, you did."

Before Lilly can rip Daniel's head off his shoulders, I walk over to him.

"You really shouldn't annoy her like that," I warn him.
                                                                 
"Fine but you have to admit, she looks pretty hilarious right now."