I packed up a few bags for Baby and I. We were going out on my yacht for a few days. Just to get away from all the snapping cameras and newspaper reporters trying to make Baby answer silly questions.
I helped her on to the boat and put the yacht in automatic mode.
That night, when I was asleep, I noticed the bed wasn't as warm as it should've been. Baby wasn't there anymore. I got up to check the bathroom.
No sign of Baby anywhere.
I heard her angelic voice laugh and giggle.
It was pouring rain, thundering, plus massive bolts of lightning filled the sky.
I ran out of my room, slipping on the water that had gotten in.
" Baby! Daddy's coming. Hang on sweetie. " I called.
Maybe she was sleepwalking?
My eyes widened when I saw her. She was hanging over the edge of the boat, only hanging on by the tips of her toes and fingers.
" ANDREA! " I shouted over the howling wind and pouring rain.
I saw her only holding on to a rope connected to the mast and standing on the handrail.
" Andrea, no! " I shouted, running towards her and trying to get her down from the dangerous ledge.
" Andrea, wake up! Wake up, wake up! " I called, shaking her shoulders.
We were both soaked to the skin.
Her eyes snapped open and looked at me with a glint of fear in them.
" Daddy! Daddy, I was so scared. I keep seeing faces. So many faces! " she cried and cried into my chest.
" It's okay. You're safe now. It's alright. Daddy's got you, precious. I'll never let go, Baby I swear. " I whispered, rubbing her back and rocking her from side to side.
I picked her up and cradled her against my chest, protecting her from the harsh winds and even harsher rain.
After we'd dried off, I sat Baby down on my knee and held her close.
" What happened to you, Baby? " I asked, stroking her damp hair.
" I had a really bad dream... " she whispered, coming closer.
" What were you doing in the dream, sweetheart? " I asked, putting my arms around her and holding her tightly.
" It started with me, running around and chasing some butterflies, then the butterflies flew off a big cliff and the only way to get them was to jump. I looked down to the water beneath me and saw sharks. But it was too late. As I was falling, I heard the sharks talking to me and saying mean things about me, Daddy. Really bad things. One of the younger children I was with kept telling me to wake up. Wake up. Wake up, Andrea, wake up. He kept saying that and then I did wake up. And you were there and you saved me. " she said, she was nearly in tears when she told me about her nightmare.
" Oh my God! Baby, that's awful. Come here sweetheart. I'll protect you. I'm here. " I cooed, rocking her back and forth on my lap.
" You come and tell me straight away if you have one of these dreams again. " I said, looking at her sternly.
" Yes, Daddy. " she said, leaning against my chest as I layed us both down to sleep again.
I was woken sometime later by a small hand shaking my shoulder.
" Mmf? Baby? What is it, pet? " I mumbled, rolling over to face her.
" I'm scared. " she whispered.
