I donât know how long I was asleep before my nightmare started, I was in total darkness againâfootsteps getting closer. I would try run. And just when I thought I would get away. The chain around my ankle would tighten. And I would fall to the ground. I cried out for someone to me. But no one ever cameâonly the footsteps the darkness. When something touched My arm, I screamed, flailing my arms. Trying to fight off whatever was coming for me. Voices that I recognized began to penetrate my nightmare. The twins sounded like they were by, but it was too dark. To see anything. Other voices joined theirs.
I the other were looking for me, too. I came awake with startled cry. I blinked tears from my eyes, with light streaming through the partially closed bathroom door. I could see. Jake was in front of his hand clutching my shoulder, and worry was etched deep in his features. When I glanced up. I saw the rest of the guys clustered around my bed, Josh still me cuddled against his chest.
he was maaring into my that I was everything okay.
Patrick, Drew, and Mike were all sitting at the foot of my bed. Their hands reached out, resting on my legs. They each, in turn, repeated what waS telling me, reassuring me I was safe. It had just been nightmare, and they would not let anything hurt me. I gave them each a watery smile before attempting to Speak âIâm sorry I woke everyone.â I croaked and then stopped âThereâs nothing to be sorry for, love. Weâre all here for you.â The rest of the guys were quick. To reassure me. Drew stood disappeared out my bedroom door. I was returning with a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator. I sat up, resting against the headboard. And took the offered bottle after several sips. I handed the bottle back to Drew and thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
âWhat time is it?â
asked curiously, noting that the room had just barely started to lighten.
âItâs almost 6 a.m.,â Mike told me, running his fingers through his hair. âDo you think you can go back to sleep? Or are you ready to start the day?â he asked, squeezing my leg.
âI donât think Iâm going to able to fall back asleep, but Iâm not ready to get up yet, either. I you all to go back to bed, though. Itâs too early in the morning to be up.â They all started argue, but I held my hand up, and they all quieted immediately. I told them I didnât want all of us to feel like zombies today, I promise I will try to go back to sleep. But if I canât, I will at least lay here and rest.
promised that if I need anything, I will let you know.
The guys nodded in agreement. Patrick, Drew, Mike each took turns me kiss before heading back to their bedrooms.
snuggled back down into bed, and the twins wrapped themselves around me. After several minutes of lying quietly, I knew I wasnât going to be to fall asleep, and I moved my head to see Jake still awake and watching me. When I made eye contact with him, he whispered quietly.
âWould you like me to find something light on TV so that at least if you canât sleep, you can lay here and rest?â he asked me.
âThat actually sounds like a really good idea.â Thank you, Jake, I told him, propping myself up a little so I could kiss him. He gently returned my kiss, smiling against my lips.
âI love you, sweetheart,â he whispered quietly.
âI love you too,â I said, reaching my hand out and gently placing it against his cheek. Jakeâs smile widened, he kissed my palm before rolling to look for the remote After few minutes of searching, he found rerun of a show I enjoyed.
âAre you happy with this, sweetheart? He asked.
âYep. âI whispered. This is one of the shows I can watch repeatedly and never get bored. Leaving the remote where could easily reach it if I changed my mind. He pulled me close to him so I could lay my head on his chest. Josh had already fallen asleep but was pressed against me tightly it was like he had glued himself to my back as I lay between the twins.A sense of peace and safety washed cover me, and I could finally relax. The soothing sound of Jakeâs slow and steady heartbeat helped relax, and within minutes, I had drifted off to sleep again.
The smell of coffee and bacon pulled me out of sleep later in the morning. My stomach let out an embarrassingly loud rumble, and , still wrapped around my back, chuckled.
but I wanted to stay in here with âYou hungry, baby girl?â he asked before leaning over me and kissing my cheek. âThe have been up for a while, but I w you in case you needed anything,â he told me. I nudged him back a little I could roll over and face him.
you, Josh, thatâs sweet,â I told him.
assured me,â Anything for you, baby girl.â Smiling up at him, I pulled him down for a kiss, but we got lost in each other when he deepened the kiss. A knock on the bedroom door finally pulled us apart âYeah,â Joke grumbled kwargs, Mike called through the dose. Ahe stomach let out another loud, rumbling protest, and Josh chuckled.
âThese by out on a mile,â he told his busthet betone thing the overs back and standing. He held his hand out to me. He helped me of ging me one last boss, he bike on Bags together. He let me out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, where the guys had pagkat salgs vast, and, of course, colice.