Coffin of Hope

Chapter Twenty Six

Marcy pulled Mally's pajama pants up then readjusted his matching shirt. Then she helped him into his socks. "Go find Daddy."

The twins just stared at her.

"Go on. I'll be in there as soon as I finish cleaning the tub."

They left sadly.

She stared after them as they left the bathroom then went about washing the bathtub out. She set their washing towels on the drying bar then mopped up the wet spots on the floor with their drying towels.

She stood up and carried the towels and their clothes to Mal's bedroom and dumped them in the hamper then went to find her family.

Mal was on the couch, drinking an amber liquid (scotch) from a short tumbler, the twins on either side of him, cuddled up to him.

All three looked at her without moving their heads. She went to Mally and held her hands out. He immediately reached up for her. She picked him up and rubbed his back. "It's bedtime."

Mickey didn't move.

Mal set his glass aside and stood up.

Mickey began to cry.

Mal reached for her and she leapt at him. "It's okay, Princess. I've got you."

She wrapped her limbs around him and laid her head on his shoulder, sobbing softly.

Marcy led the way to the twins' room but when she would have opened the door, Mickey began screaming and kicking.

"Mick? What's wrong?" Mal was beyond puzzled at her reaction.

"No!" She wailed.

"No what?" He was lost.

She cried on his shoulder before lifting her head. She sniffled hard. "I. wanna. sleep. with. you."

"Me too." Mally had his face in Marcy's neck.

Marcy left that door alone and traveled down to the master. She opened the door and went to the bed.

Mal tried to set Mickey down on it but she started screaming again.

"Mick!" Mal didn't understand. "You wanted to be in here."

She clung to him tightly.

Marcy recognized that terror. She suspected she knew the root of her daughter's so she did what her father had done for her. "We'll lie down with you."

Mickey sniffled and nodded.

Mal didn't get it but he'd do it. Hearing his daughter scream and cry tore at his heart. He sat down on the bed and pushed the covers back.

Marcy pushed them back on her side then sat down.

The twins didn't want to let go.

Marcy scooted down until she was lying on her back then rolled over so Mally was on the bed. She pulled the covers around them.

Mal took her approach and inched down until he was nearly flat then rolled so he'd be on his side. He pulled the covers over him and Mickey.

It was quiet for a while but both twins were wide awake and both parents knew it.

Marcy began singing My All by ‪Mariah Carey‬. It was one of the few she really liked by the blonde bombshell and she knew all the words.

She ran her thumb over Mally's face as he blinked heavily. Pretty soon his eyes were closed more often than they were open. Then he and his sister began snoring.