“No. Your fart smells the worst, Daddy.” She giggled before she opened her arms, and Riley scooped her off the ground.
“Tell me, why are you awake?”
“Did you just wake up, Daddy?” She ignored his question.
Riley nodded as I turned around and grabbed the bedsheet from the bed. I needed to get a new one because I was sure some funky juices were still in the sheets. And my little sweet pea would surely complain once she climbed onto our bed.
“You don’t look like you just woke up. Are you awake the whole night?”
“Hmmm... probably.”
“Do you spend the whole night just looking at Mommy while she sleeps?”
I couldn’t stop the smile from emerging on my face as I threw a glance at them. Between the two of us, Riley had more patience when it came to our pups’ questions. He seemed to have answers for everything, even the most outrageous ones.
“Yes. I need to make sure that Mommy gets her sleep so she has energy when she wakes up to play with you and your siblings.”
“You’re lying, Daddy. You watched her because you’re scared she’s not going to be there when you wake up.”
“Why would you say that?”
Nikka yawned before she snaked her armsaround Riley’s neck and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she spoke. “I heard you one time, Daddy. You told Mommy you don’t want her to leave you, and you will do anything so you won’t lose her. So I know you are watching over her.”
My eyes watered as I looked at Riley. My heart was overflowing with too many emotions.
His gaze found mine, and like always, I could see everything I’ve ever dreamed of in his eyes—the love, the desire, and the need, all for me.
“Daddy...” Nikka’s voice was so soft. She was drifting off to sleep.
“Hmmm...” Riley hummed his response as he brushed our daughter’s hair without taking his eyes off of me.
“Will you watch over me, Ara, and Zach, too?”
“I will. For always, sweet pea. Daddy will always be here for all of you.”
“I love you, Daddy...” I couldn’t stop it anymore as my tears trickled down my face.
“I love you too, sweet pea.” Riley kissed Nikka’s cheek before he moved her to the bed, laying her down on the newly placed sheets before tucking her inside the blanket.
He then sat beside me at the end of the bed as he asked me. “Are you going back to sleep? I don’t think I will.”
But before I could answer, the door to the main bedroom opened, revealing Ara.
“Mommy…” She called for me, but her little feet went directly to her father as Riley scooped her up and placed her on his lap.
“Why are you awake, pumpkin?”
“I’m looking for Nikka. She left me again.” She explained in a soft voice as she rubbed her eyes.
“You can sleep in Mommy and Daddy’s bed if you like,” Riley said lovingly, brushing the hair off her face and tucking it behind her ears.
Ara nodded her head as she yawned, stretching her arms while Riley stood up, taking her with him before laying her gently beside Nikka, tucking her under the same blanket. He then pressed a kiss on her forehead.
“Night, night, Daddy, Mommy. I love you to the moon and back.”
“We love you, too, pumpkin. Sweet dreams.” I murmured to her as I pressed a kiss on her cheek, and left one for Nikka as well.
Riley and I stood at the foot of the bed, watching our little girls as their chests rose and fell as they slept peacefully. He took my hand and clasped it with his before bringing it to his mouth, kissing my knuckles before pulling my body around to face him.
