To Trust a Giant

Chapter 26

It was a quiet, cool night before Thanksgiving. Glenda and Richard had just gone to bed, leaving Jason, Clair, Stella, and the boys alone together to watch movies late at night.

“Jason, hurry the movie’s about to come back.” James called out.

“I'm coming, I'm coming.” Jason said, bringing out a bowl of popcorn. All the lights were shut off for maximum cinema effect, but he could still make out all the figures that sat on the blue couch. The twins practically bounced with excitement since they were allowed to stay up later than normal. Clair was curled up in a blanket, taking a sip of her tea. And then there was Stella, who sat on the armrest, her legs dangled over the edge. Jason took his place in the seat between
Clair and Stella, and placed the popcorn on the coffee table so everyone can dig in.

“So what's this movie about?” Stella asked.

“It's about these six kingdoms that are at war with each other and a group of kids are trying to stop it using their magic powers!” Charlie exclaimed.

“It's from a book series they read.” Clair stated.

“You should read it sometime.” said James.

“Got a book my size I could borrow?”
Everyone chuckled before turning their attention back to the movie.

Jason wrapped his arm around Clair and she happily rested her head on his chest. Now this was the life Jason wanted, jokes, movie nights, and cuddling. Moments like these almost feel like he's apart of a family.

This could be permanent if you just move in with Clair.

Jason shook his head. As much as he wanted to be around Clair more, he couldn't do that in his current financial state. He couldn't mooch off of his girlfriend or her family.

~~~~~

“Okay boys, time for bed.” Clair stated as the movie credits rolled up the screen.

“But mom.” Charlie whined.

“No buts!” She ordered. “We had a deal, remember? We let you two stay up late to watch the movie. Then it was off to bed.”

“It's not that late.” James said.

“It's almost midnight.”

“Can’t we stay up a little longer?”

“Yeah, how about five more minutes.”

“Come on guys, don't argue with your mother.” Jason stepped in.

“Can we at least stay up later tomorrow?” James suggested. “We all gotta go to bed.”

Jason looked back at Clair who gave him an unsure look. “We'll talk about it tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“Now please get to bed.”

The boys nodded and raced off in their bedroom.

“Thank you.” Clair said letting out a sigh of relief. “I think I'm gonna head to bed too, you coming?”

Jason nodded. “Let me just shut down everything.”

Clair smiled and kissed Jason before she left the living.

Jason stretched his arm to grab the remote and switched from the movie setting to  the TV settings. “Alright kiddo, it's time for bed.”

“Wait!” Stella exclaimed.  “What's this show?”

Jason glanced over to the TV. “It's just Impractical Jokers, they show reruns all the time.”

“Can… we watch it for a bit?”

He shrugged. “Sure, one episode can't hurt.”

~~~~~~

Jason's eyes grew heavy. It was so late, he could barely stay conscious. He looked over at Stella who rested her head on her knees. She yawned quietly.

“Alright, it's time to go to bed.”
She snapped her head towards him and looked at him with wide eyes.

“I'm not-”

“Look, I'm happy to spend anytime with you, but I'm tired. We gotta go to bed.”

Stella parted her lips as if she was about to protest but just sighed and nodded.

“Is something wrong?”

“I just…. Don't think I can sleep well tonight.”

“How come?”

Stella hugged herself tighter. “I'm scared of having another night terror.”

“Hey it's okay.” Jason reassured. “You'll be safe here.”

“would anyone be able to hear me if i started to scream out here?”

Jason was silent for a moment, not sure what to tell her. If no one heard her in the night, she would have to suffer alone until morning. He couldn't let that happen, he needed to be there if Stella had another night terror.

“How would you feel about sleeping with me and Clair tonight?”

“Wou...would you mind?”

Jason gave her a warm smile. “It wouldn't be any trouble.” He reached out and scooped Stella up in his hand, and turned off everything.

He navigated his way to Clair's room and quietly opened the door. He could make out Clair's figure wrapped up in the sheets. Her light snores told them she was in a deep sleep.

“Do you mind sleeping on my chest again?” He whispered.

“No, but would Clair mind if I'm sleeping with you guys?”

“She'll understand.” Jason said, crawling into the bed and letting the human curl up on his chest.

The two laid together in silence, just listening to each other breathe. Eventually, Jason heard Stella’s breathing change into a slow, deep pace, and he knew, she was going to have a peaceful sleep