All The Hurt Would Go Away

And it's harder when you're older...

So, I was currently sitting up in my bed holding a sniffling Ariella at 3am. Yes I was tired, yes I wanted to sleep, yes I was currently planning whether I should say I'm ill today so I can catch up on the sleep I am losing at this current moment. She was tightly hugging me as I pondered on how she must breathe with her body so small, no wonder they go to bed early it takes them twice as much effort to inhale with those tiny lungs. I bet my hand is bigger than both her lungs for god's sake. I waved away that thought trail as I began to think why I was comparing my hand to a 3 year old's lungs, kinda sounded a bit creepy. In need of a distraction I gently squeezed Ariella in a cuddle
"What was the nightmare about?"
She looked up at me rubbing her cute little eyes
"If you want to tell me of course."
I murmured, what is it kids dream about these days? Their phone dying? Losing their charger?
"A-A monster took daddy away."
She whimpered hugging me tighter. Ah, well, at least it's not losing a phone charger. I looked down at her and sympathetically commented
"Oh that sounds terrible, I promise you your daddy is still here and is absolutely fine, okay? Do you want to see him to make sure?"
She nodded as I lifted her up and raised a finger to my lips so she'd be quiet. I opened Lin's bedroom door sure enough to see him sleeping soundly in bed. Damn was I jealous.
"See, absolutely fine."
I whispered and she nodded her head, I walked back to my bedroom and sat her down beside me on my bed.
"Are you able to go back to sleep in your own bed?"
Wishful thinking. That's all my question was.
"M-Monster."
"Uh right, umm do you want to stay here?"
She nodded cuddling me tighter, I sighed knowing this stopped me from the glorious sleep in I wanted and turning my bedside light off I fell asleep.
"Shhhhhhh..."
Hushed giggles sounded from the doorway as I peeped open an eye to see Lin and Isaac watching me and Ariella. Lin was giggling carrying his son, I remembered what happened and gently shook Ariella awake.
"Morning."
She emitted an adorable yawn.
"No more monsters?"
She shook her head smiling and got up to cuddle Lin.
"She had a nightmare last night so I helped out."
"Thanks."
I chose not to tell Lin what the nightmare was unless he asked, knowing him he'll just get worried he's not being a good parent and have a breakdown. There have been a few too many breakdowns in our social circle.
"Breakfast!"
I walked downstairs after freshening up and sat down to feed Ariella her toast.
"So, I believe we made a truce last night to cooperate now yeah?"
She nodded although I was fully aware she probably didn't know what a truce was. Ah well. Nevertheless she didn't cause a scene and ate her food happily, meaning I could eat mine sooner while the kids were playing.
"You and Ariella have quite the bond there."
"Her doing, she just walked into my room at 3am, she probably thought it was your room knowing our dispute yesterday."
He grinned
"I did think you two would click, I just saw a lot of you in her personality."
"Even though we're not related?"
"Yup. But I'm gonna pretend you're their uncle just to make it easier."
"R-Really?"
"Well, they haven't got an uncle by bloodline only an in-law so it makes sense since we are so close."
I nodded lost for words
"Looks like Ariella needs a playmate."
I looked beside me to see the little mischief tugging on my sleeve holding a doll in her hand. I looked at Lin pleading for help.
"Hey, you might find a Ken in there, that ain't so bad."
He chuckled to himself as the toddler attempted to tug me along to the play area, I followed unwilling to deal with a crying screaming child.
"Who's this?"
I picked up a doll with flowing brown hair and blue eyes.
"Stacy!"
My breath caught in my throat as I looked at Lin who was looking at Ariella in surprise. The doll did share the same facial features as Stacy did, although Ariella never saw her mother. She must've imagined her mom to look like her and, indeed, she was right.
"Th-That's a nice name! What about this one?"
I anxiously changed the subject as she recited all of the dolls names to me, I was hardly listened, occasionally murmuring approval of Ariella's plans of what the dolls were going to do that day.
"Jon!"
"Jon!"
"Hmm?"
I looked at the dolls and she seemed to be recreating her family, Stacy, her, Isaac, a doll vaguely looking like Lin and another with brown hair which I assumed to be me.
"Shopping!"
"Oh! Right."
I constructed a shop out of the various buildings Lin had supplied to Ariella's delight.
"Is it okay if daddy talks with Jon for a bit?"
Ariella nodded her head as Lin ushered me out of the room.
"Do they know about Stacy?"
"No, I've told them euphemisms like 'she's in the sky' and all but they've never seen photos. Ariella has never played families with her dolls before today I don't know what to do."
"Uh, distract them, take them out on a walk or something to bond with them. You know, father to kids type thing."
"What and you'll stay at home?"
"Or, you know -"
"- see Andrew? Aww go on then, call me if anything happens and umm, be back for lunch."
"Gotcha."
Lin walked out dressing the kids up in coats and scarves as I texted Andrew that I'd be coming over. As I left the kitchen I helped Lin by tying Ariella's laces and waving them off.