Three Hearts Left Intact

Chapter 99: Blame

After an eventful dinner, everyone headed back to their separate rooms. Nina went on her own, Alex and Zander went to theirs, and the newly reunited family could be found happily laying in bed together.

With Kaila sandwiched between Lain and Mallix, they sat for over an hour as they put Aladdin on per Kaila's request. And Mallix was enjoying every second of it. Having seen the movie over a hundred times his attention was spent looking over at his girls. But as the credits started to run the little girl between them was too hyper to be ready for bed.

"Kaila settle down. It's very late." Lain pulled the small girl close to her side.

"But I'm not tired! Can we watch another movie?!" She excitedly bounced in bed.

"How about we watch another movie tomorrow? Mommy's right you know, it's late for little girls to be up still. Why don't we just go to sleep?"

"No..." Kaila whined lightly hitting the bed with her fists.

Both Lain and Mallix sat up from their comfortable position to address the issue before they spent their first night all back together with a tantrum.

Pulling the girl into his lap, Mallix held Kaila close as he rocked them. Lain couldn't help but chuckle at the small pout Kaila was clearly forcing out. "Why don't you want to go to bed, hm?" She asked gently grabbing Kaila's chin.

"B-because...I'm not tired!" She said with a little shake to her voice.

"Precious you know it isn't nice to lie. You know that we know you better than that. What's bothering you honey?" Mallix softly warned noticing her squirming around in his lap.

With her eyes looking down, Lain felt liquid beginning to tap her palm still on Kaila's chin. Her sniffles breaking both of their hearts, this wasn't how they expected their night to go. Scooting in closer, Lain grabbed Kaila from Mallix and laid her entire body over her own. The small girl quickly gripping the hem of the woman's shirt as she softly cried into her chest.

Mallix just rubbed her back letting her have her moment. As soon as her sniffles stopped and her head peaked back out, Lain placed a kiss on top of her head wrapping her arms securely around the girls body. "You want to tell us what's wrong now?" She carefully said.

Kaila was nervous. Her body was still trembling and her hand never left Lain's shirt. But being able to smell her natural lavender scent brought her some comfort. Nodding slowly Lain and Mallix were both waiting for the news.

"S-scared to sleep." Kaila whispered just loud enough for them to catch.

For a moment the couple locked eyes on one another concerned about her small statement. Holding her free hand firmly Mallix ran his thumb along her palm. "Why would you be scared to sleep precious? You went down for your nap today perfectly fine."

"Dark" she muttered quickly looking towards their open window letting the nighttime sky creep in.

"Why don't I go and turn on the bathroom light then?" Mallix suggested but was surprised to see  her shaking her head. "Why not?"

"Cause...cause that's not the only reason." She admitted repositioning herself off of Lain's chest and sat crisscrossed across from them. With the change of mood the couples growing concern had gotten worst.

"Baby what's wrong?" Lain asked needing to know what was stuck on her little girls mind.

As Kaila went to speak the only sound coming out was a light hiccup from her cries that were starting up. She shrunk in her spot as the couple surrounded her into a loving hug.

"L-L-Lauren..." she eventually managed to get out in between hiccups. "I...I keep seeing her in my dreams...a-and they aren't good." Seeing the worry on his wife's face, Mallix brought the girls face to meet his. Her rosy cheeks and tear filled eyes made him want to wrap her in a tight blanket and take away all those scary memories.