Raising Quinn

Chapter 3. Sleepless in Shadyside

Bex leaned down and planted a whisper-soft kiss on Quinn's cheek, so as not to wake her. Then, she quietly left the room, leaving her daughter's door open a crack.

She climbed into bed beside Bowie. "You actually got her to sleep?" he whispered.

She nodded. "It was actually easy. A little too easy." She looked down at the empty space between them, wistfully. "It was still hard though." She couldn't stand to see Quinn cry. It broke her heart.

Bowie reached out to stroke her hair. "Hey, we're doing the right thing, honey. It will be better for her in the long-run."

"I know," she agreed, giving him a small smile. "You're right."

Bowie leaned in to kiss her, drawing her close to him. "You're a good mommy," he told her, rubbing her arm. "And I love you so much."

"I love you too," she said, returning his kiss. Their lips met again. Bex leaned into him, deepening the kiss, making it last as long as she could. Bowie slipped his fingers under the collar of her pajama top and stroked her shoulder.

"Do you want to?" he whispered.

She nodded. Bowie climbed on top of her and kissed her passionately.

"Mama!"

They broke apart. "Right on cue," Bowie chuckled.

"Mama!" Quinn's loud sobs cut through the silence.

"I hear you, baby!" Bex called out to their daughter. "Mama's coming."

"Can't we just let her-"

"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "I better get her."

She got up and went to Quinn's bedroom, turning on the light. "What's the matter, baby?" she asked. "Why are you crying?"

"I want my mommy," Quinn hiccuped, rubbing her eyes.

"I'm right here," Bex said softly. "Mommy's here." She sat down on the bed and Quinn crawled into her lap. Her little face was red and tear-stained.

Bex kissed her cheek. "No more tears," she soothed, cradling her little girl in her arms. "It's okay now. I've got you."

Quinn clung to her, sniffling. Her thumb found her mouth.

"Do you want mama to rock you until you get sleepy again?" Bex asked.

Her daughter pulled her wet thumb out of her mouth with a soft pop. "I wanna go to the big bed."

She sighed softly, trying to stay strong. "I know, baby. But you know you're supposed to sleep in your big girl bed now. Remember how we talked about that?"

Quinn's eyes welled with fresh tears. "It's scary in here."

"Why is it scary?" she asked. The room was painted bubblegum pink. A nightlight glowed in the corner. It was a sweet, peaceful, perfectly normal little girl's bedroom.

"Cause it's dark," Quinn told her. "Witches hide in the dark and take kids and eat them up. Then they never see their mommies and daddies again." A tear rolled down her cheek. Her little lower lip stuck out.

"Quinnie, witches aren't real," Bex promised. "There's nothing to be scared of. You're safe. Mommy and Daddy are right in the next room, and we would never let anything hurt you." She kissed her daughter's forehead. "How about I sit with you until you fall back asleep?"

Quinn began to cry harder, working herself into a panic. "I wanna sleep with you!"

Bex's heart ached. "Don't cry, honey." She hugged Quinn close, pressing her head to her chest. She felt as if she were on the verge of tears herself. Her mother was wrong. Even Bowie was wrong. This was her little baby, whom she'd promised to love and care for forever. And she needed her. Without giving it a second thought, she stood up, and carried Quinn back to the bedroom.