Darkness Inside

Chapter Nine

One year later

Lincoln releases a loud cry from his crib, waking Clarke who began to also cry.

Lucy came into the room. "Lincoln. You're okay buddy." She said softly, lifting the little boy up.

The one year old immediately curls into her and continues to softly cry while Clarke cries laying in her crib.

Lucy moved over to Clarke's crib. She reached into the little girl and gently rubbed the tiny girl's stomach.

Slowly the baby girl relaxes and starts to fall asleep.

Lucy smiled softly.

Lincoln was still softly crying into her shoulder.

Lucy rocked the little boy until he calmed down.

Tired brown eyes look up at her as the little boy tiredly reaches up to rub at his eyes.

"Come on baby boy, sleepy time." Lucy said softly.

Whining softly, the little boy shakes his head.

"Yes." Lucy said, she rocked him until his eyes became droopy and he could no longer fight sleep.

Gripping onto her shirt, Lincoln slowly falls asleep.

Lucy gently unwrapped Lincoln's hands from her shirt once she was sure he was asleep and laid him back in his crib.

"Hey, I'm taking Lauren to the store, do you need anything?" Camila asks softly from the doorway.

"Diapers." Lucy said, she turned to look at Camila. "And formula."

Nodding her head, Camila steps forward and runs Lucy's stomach. "How's our little man doing?"

"Kicky." Lucy shrugged. "But what's new?"

Laughing softly, Camila kisses her shoulder. "I'll be back, text me if you come up with anything else we need."

Lucy nodded. "I will."

Smiling, Camila pulls away and goes to find Lauren.

Lauren was sitting in the living room with Taylor on her lap, reading a story. Taylor was a very intelligent young girl and could read really well. Carson sat beside them on the couch looking at the pictures on the pages of the book.

"Hey Laur, ready to go?"  Camila asks softly.

"Hmm?" Lauren looked up. "One minute. We are almost finished." She looked back down at the book. "Keep going." She kissed Taylor's head.

Smiling softly, Camila sits down and watches their daughter read.

"And... they ran... home." Taylor said. "The end." She looked up at Lauren and smiled. "I did it." She squealed happily.

"You did, I'm so proud of you." Lauren responds, kissing Taylor's forehead.

Taylor smiled and turned to look at Camila. "I did it."

Smiling softly, Camila holds her arms out for Taylor. "You did baby girl.

"Carson? You try." Taylor held the book out to her brother but he just shook his head.

Standing up, Camila looks at Lauren. "We need to go."

Lauren nodded. She lifted Taylor off her lap. "Why don't you keep reading and Carson can try when he's ready." She kissed Taylor and Carson on the foreheads.

Nodding her head, Taylor opens the book again.

Camila holds her hand out for Lauren.

Lauren took Camila's hand and followed her.