#ironically spiders

“DADDY!”

A small sob echoed as Cullen crossed the threshold to the bedroom parallel to his own, Nerine offered before he left to take care of it, but he declined the offer and was now crossed the bedroom towards the bed with the sobbing figure with golden curls, knees pulled to the little one’s chest.

“Bad dream?” Cullen asked, the frizzy mass of golden curls shook as he sat at the foot of the bed, outstretching his arms toward his daughter. As fast as Cullen had crossed from his room to his child’s was the small bundle in his arms, holding on for dear life, he pulled her close feeling the wet on the freckled cheeks as he held close her to him, the little chin quivering against his collarbone. “That bad?”

“They were under my bed this time.” Cried the small voice, clutching at Cullen even tighter. “They were reaching up to get me.”

“The spiders again, Gwendolyn?” Cullen asked, although he had a good feeling the answer would be-

“Ye-yes.” The little face of his daughter pulled away to look up at him, her chin still quivering. Mia commented many times how Gwendolyn looked just like Cullen did when he was that age. The golden curls, square jaw, even the nose. The only differences were her eyes (those hazel-grey eyes that belonged to Nerine) and the freckles, the poor girl was just as speckled as her mother. Cullen couldn’t help but feel the sting of parental guilt about Gwendolyn’s nightmares, she had times where it was a nightly occurrence and on the other hand go months without having an issue. It was something he couldn’t keep her from, knowing well what it was like to be a victim of your own mind. He had fleeting thoughts now and again, on sleepless nights when Gwendolyn couldn’t sleep unless she was tucked in his arms, that maybe he had cursed her with nightmares, that somehow that part of him had been passed onto her. They were foolish of course, much like Nerine felt guilt for Gwendolyn’s inherited freckles. “They were under my bed, I don’t want to sleep in here daddy, what if they get me?”

Cullen couldn’t help but laugh at poor Gwendolyn, whose little brow furled in frustration at her laughing father. “Gwendolyn, sweetheart, there is nothing under your bed but the massive amount of books and wooden swords you hide there. Would you feel better if I looked under your bed?” Gwendolyn shook her head, curls shaking about her small shoulders. Cullen sat Gwendolyn back on her bed and crept onto his knees, about the same time Captain came lazily in, crouching low beside Cullen. “Nope, no massive spiders looking to snatch little girls from their beds. Just her books and a wooden sword...wait...what’s this?” A boyish smile was hidden from Gwendolyn’s view as she poked her head over the side, watching her father reach far under her bed, Captain whining slightly.

“Wha-what is it?” Gwendolyn asked, leaning further and closer to Cullen’s head. Sudden Cullen acted like something had grabbed his arm and when he heard Gwendolyn gasp and Captain give a short bark did he drop the game, pulling his arm from underneath her bed, a toy clutched in his grasp.

“Your doll, sweetheart. Like I said, there is nothing under your bed, nothing hiding in your room, and I promise I will never let anything take you away from your mother and I. Nothing. Now why don’t you lie back down and try to get some rest? Captain looks like he needs a bunkmate and you know your mother can’t stand it when the he gets between us.”

“That’s because mommy likes it when you hold her while she’s sleeping.” Gwendolyn pointed out, giggling a little as she laid down in her bed. “Just like I like it when you hold me.”

“Yes, but you’re going to be a big sister very soon and your mother needs her rest.” Cullen didn’t like having to stand firm on these sorts of matters but Nerine was due to have their second child and Gwendolyn was going to have to adjust to not being the only babe in the house at some point.

“Is mommy having a boy or a girl?” Gwendolyn asked as many questions as there were minutes in a day.

“I guess we’ll find out when the baby arrives.” Cullen answered, quirking a smile. “You’re going to be the big sister, so tell me, do you want a little brother or a little sister?” He asked as if Gwendolyn had some sort of authority over the gender of the unborn babe.

“I don’t know...I want a little sister so I can have someone to play dolls with, but I want a little brother too, someone I can play knights with.” Gwendolyn patted the bed beside her, Captain jumping up and taking a spot with his head on her pillow. “Can we have both?”

“You mean twins?” Cullen quickly entertained the thought of twin babes and a four year old but decided it didn’t matter as long as his children were healthy and safe in his and Nerine’s arms. Cullen shrugged at his daughter, shaking his own head of curls. “We’ll just have to be patient and see what’s been growing in mommy’s tummy all this time. Whatever mommy has though, I’m counting on you to be the best big sister there has ever been in the history of big sisters, can you do that for me Gwendolyn?” Cullen leaned over Gwendolyn’s bed as he spoke to tuck her in and give a good scratch between Captain’s shoulders.

Gwendolyn gave her father a big toothy smile. “You can count on me, daddy.”

“That’s my girl.” Cullen leaned further to kiss Gwendolyn’s forehead. “Goodnight Gwendolyn, your mother and I love you very, very much.” Gwendolyn snuggled up close to Captain who didn’t seem to mind the wiggly four year old josseling the bed as she got comfortable.

“I love you too daddy. And mommy, I love mommy too.” Gwendolyn yawned and closed her eyes but Cullen stayed in the doorway till he knew his daughter was fast asleep.

When Cullen slid back into his own bed, Nerine was smiling at him, her eyes ringed with sleep but awake. “No Gwendolyn in your arms this time, I’m surprised.” Nerine rolled onto her back, the pregnant swell of her belly made it no easy task.

“All she needed was a little encouragement, darling. I’m surprised you’re still awake, you look exhausted.” Cullen closed the gap between them, resting his head on her shoulder, her arm bending to run her fingers along his back while he rested a hand on her stomach, feeling for their child. “Quiet tonight.”

“Seems both our children want to give us an easy night.” Nerine laughed and quieted some. “It’s been so long since I’ve held a baby, I’m nervous.” Nerine raised her stumped arm, in five years she had adjusted well to having one hand, she still needed help with things for certain but asking for that help came easier with time as well. Nerine lowered her arm when Cullen kissed her bare shoulder.

“We’re in this together, just like with Gwendolyn, and I’m certain it will all come back to you as soon as they place our child in your arms.” Cullen nuzzled against Nerine, rubbing circles across the width of her swollen belly, a gentle kick was felt, a reminder of the life that they made together. “Now you need to be tucked in young lady and get some rest, you know Gwendolyn will be up with the sun.” Cullen raised the blanket up around Nerine, holding her tight against him afterward.

“Don’t remind me.” Jested Nerine. “I love you.”

“And I love you.” Cullen replied and just as he was getting comfortable, Nerine giggled. “What?”

“Did you check under the bed for spiders?” Nerine asked, feigning fear as Cullen let out an exasperated sigh.

“Goodnight Nerine.”