Chapter 6
Screaming filled the air again. Apparently it was going to be the night for it. Ward watched as Skye headed upstairs to find out what the problem was. They had agreed to take it in turns whenever one of the children needed them and as he had got up last time it was her turn. Both of them had been up and down tonight as all of the kids had found it difficult to settle. This time it sounded like Phil as the crying had echoed down the stairs and from the baby monitor.
They had been trying to watch TV just to relax and have some child-free time. It hadn’t really happened and he had no idea what was actually happening in what ever they were watching. He thought it might be Hawaii 5-0 but wasn’t sure as Skye picked it. If he had seen more he probably would have liked it. But he had seen more of the adverts than he had of the programme. It seemed like every time the programme had restarted one of the children would start crying. By the time he had got them settled again and got back downstairs the adverts would be one. Then the cycle would begin again.
He wasn’t that bothered about watching the programme; it would have been nice to understand what was going on. He just liked spending time with Skye. Even in this crazy situation she remained bubbly and could make him laugh. He had always enjoyed spending time with her, on the bus he could frequently be persuaded by her to play games such as battleship. With everything going on it was nice to have some normalcy, unfortunately it kept being shattered by the children. He couldn’t really complain but he missed the peace and quite.
It was terrifying having to look after the children. He was constantly scared of doing something wrong or letting them hurt themselves. On a mission he knew what he needed to do, and what dangers to look out for to keep the team safe. But with them as children he was totally out of his depth. Skye said he was doing well but he didn’t want to let the team down. Eventually they would be turned back to adults and he didn’t want them to have complaints about how they were treated if they remembered this time. He had never planned to be a father; his line of work didn’t really lend itself to relationships. Constantly being on the move and having to lie about your work didn’t lead to trusting relationships. After his childhood he had considered never having children but he was surprised by how he had felt after Phil had called him Daddy. After the initial shock had gone he realised he liked it. He never thought of having children before, it was something he was adamant he wasn’t doing. But now looking after the team he could understand why people did it. Yes it was hard but he now understood why it might be worth it. Maybe if he had the opportunity in the future he would choose to have children in the future instead of a total refusal.
Though looking after the team maybe enough for him. Skye came downstairs carrying a screaming Phil. She looked absolutely shattered. Rocking Phil gently trying to calm him she spoke,
“I can’t get him to settle. I brought him down here so he didn’t wake the others.”
“Do you want me to take him for a bit?”
“Sure. I’m going to warm some milk. It might help him calm down.”
Ward took the crying little boy in his arms and watched as Skye headed into the kitchen. He started to rock the little boy in his arms. His crying slowed slightly but something was clearly upsetting him.
“Hush. It’s ok, Phil. I’m here. Shush. It’s alright.”
Shifting Phil in his arms so he was supported in just one arm, Ward took the beaker of warm milk from Skye and began feeding it to Phil. He drank some of it before continuing to cry again. Looking at Skye helplessly he had another idea. Moving to the table he grabbed his car keys. Looking at him in confusion Skye asked,
“What are you doing?”
“Taking him out for a drive. It might settle him down.”
“Good idea.”
“You go on up to bed. One of us might as well get some sleep.”
“Ok. Thank you, Grant. If he is still upset when we get back wake me up.”
“Sleep well.”
He watched as Skye made her way upstairs before grabbing his house keys and heading out to the car. Maybe the motion of the car would send Phil to sleep.
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Skye woke again when Ward came back in and she could hear that Phil was still crying. It was quieter than before. She was expecting him to come upstairs but he never did. One moment she was thinking about going down to help him then the next thing she knew she was waking up again. It was clearly the middle of the night as everything was pitch black. Breathing beside her ear told her that Ward was now in bed.
Glancing at the crib she found it was empty. ‘Where was Phil?’ She wondered. Sitting up she looked at Ward. He wouldn’t have come to bed without putting Phil down to sleep. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight in front of her as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Lying beside her was Ward, fast asleep. He was in the jogging bottoms he had been wearing to bed but without the usual top he wore with them. He was bare chested, lying flat on his back with Phil lying on his chest. It was the cutest thing she had ever seen. She guessed that Phil had been sick on Ward due to the removal of his shirt and the changing of Phil’s clothes. She knew Ward always wore jogging bottoms and top to bed to make her feel more comfortable.
Now she knew that they were both safe and happily sleeping, she turned back over and snuggled down to go back to sleep.
She wasn’t sure how much later it was when she was woken by a pair of eyes staring at her. Blinking awake she looked at the young girl stood at the side of the bed.
“Mel. You scared me. What’s wrong?” Skye kept her voice down to avoid waking the sleeping boys beside her.
“I had a nightmare.”
“Oh Sweetie, come here.” Skye gathered the shaking girl in her arms and lifted her into the bed beside her. Mel cuddled into her arms and settled against her. Skye was just getting ready to go back to sleep once she had felt Mel’s breathing become more regular when the bedroom door opened. Two people wandered into the bedroom and moved to the side of the bed.
“Mummy, we can’t sleep,” muttered Leo, rubbing his eyes.
‘Oh well,’ thought Skye. ‘We might as well have everyone in the bed.’
Picking up Mel, she moved closer to Ward before lifting the bedclothes so the other two could get in.
“Come on, get in.”
She felt the bed dip as they both climbed in, cuddling up to Mel. Skye reached over so she could put an arm around them all. She jumped slightly when she heard a voice whisper in her ear,
“Then there were six in the bed.”
“If you add then the little one said roll over I will smack you,” she replied, grinning.
Jemma clearly overhead Ward’s whisper as she spoke up.
“Daddy cuddle too?”
The only way he could do that was to move closer to Skye and move Phil. She was startled to feel him move beside her. He lifted Phil and placed him beside Mel. Moving closer to Skye he lay beside her before reaching his arm across them to cuddle the kids.
“Just don’t squish your brother.” He warned.
There wasn’t much room in the bed with all of them. Skye was feeling squashed, she couldn’t move forward anywhere and she didn’t want to move closer to Ward in case she made him feel uncomfortable. As if he sensed her thoughts he moved and gently pulled her back so she was resting against him. She was actually cuddling with Ward! He was actually a good cuddler. She relaxed against him as the children slept beside her.
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