Louis POV
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"Louis." A whisper.
"Louis." Another whisper. This one accompanied by a light shake on the shoulder.
"Louis." A poke on the forehead, as if I was dead.
"What, baby?" I grunted, forcing my eyes open.
She grabbed my face and planted her forehead close to mine on the pillow before saying in a very serious tone, "Sammy and I are craving iHOP."
I closed my eyes and shook my head just as one of our kids burst into the room. Both of us jumped and I belatedly pulled the blanket over Josie. "Brianna, knock!"
Josie reached to slap my arm. "I thought you locked the door!"
"I thought I did!"
She'd gotten an eye-full of pregnant ass but that seemed to be the least of her concern as she stormed into the room. It was only when she got to my side of the bed did I see her trembling figure and red eyes as she looked me in the face. I was up and out of the bed, in nothing but my boxers, before the words 'daddy, I need a hug' could completely even leave her lips.
"What happened, Bri?"
She buried her face into my chest and cried in response. I held her like my life depended on it until I finally managed to make out something she was attempting to say. By this point, Josie had gotten dressed and was rubbing small circles on her back.
I tried my best to keep the excitement out of my voice. "He broke up with you?" I asked.
I was a horrible father. My prayers had been answered.
"No!"
I frowned at her abrupt change in mood. "That's what it sounded—"
"I didn't say that."
I looked to Josie.
"She didn't say that," she agreed quietly, still rubbing circles. "She said she broke up with him."
My face must've shown my confusion and impatience. "I said that."
"I broke up with him," Brianna repeated. "There's a difference."
I looked to Josie.
She took over holding Brianna and kissed the top of her head, "There's a difference, honey."
I ran a hand through my hair, choosing my words carefully, "Okay.." I started cautiously, trying to keep my voice level. She seemed to have stopped crying so I treaded lightly. "Why? What happened?"
That must've been the wrong approach too because both my wife and daughter simultaneously shot me a glare.
"What?" I asked defensively.
"Could you be any less sensitive, dad?" Brianna snapped. "Can you try to act like you're upset right now?"
Josie sighed, shooing me from the room. "You're useless. Just go. I got it."
