Chandler lay awake as the rain started. He turned to face a sleeping Monica. She looked so peaceful. He gently cupped a piece of hair out of her eyes as she snored softly. He heard the rain ger heavier. He sat up and smoothed his hair out, stretching a little. He jumped at a sudden boom of thunder. It had always been his weak spot, though he had never shown it in front of Monica, who was never bothered by storms. His two children though, hated lightning as much as him, and they weren't afraid to show it. He looked at the bedroom door.
One...
Two...
Three.
The door slowly opened and two children crept in. Jack and Erica. They looked all guilty, probably because they knew that if they had been asleep in the first place, the lightning would never had woken them up. Chandler patted the bed and Jack made a bee-line for Monica. He climbed in next to her and snuggled close. Erica stood there, still worried. She looked so cute, her fair hair stuck up and she was clutching her teddy, who she had named Teddy since getting him when she was two. Jack had a twin bear, but he broke it, and was never bothered.
Chandler patted the bed again and Erica walked towards him, arms out. He picked the five year old up and hoisted her on the bed, where she snuggled him and fell asleep straight away. Chandler was a different story. He stayed awake and listened to the worst storm he had heard in years.
The next morning the storm was still going and the power was off. Jack and Erica had gotten used to the lightning by now and were having fun seeing life with no electricity. Monica was reading, and Chandler was sitting by the window like he always did when there was a storm. He didn't know why but sitting near the window made him feel safe, as to sitting anywhere else. He was still terrified of the storm but sat there, and no-one bothered him. That was until Monica looked up. She saw him sitting there and put her book down.
"Come sit," She said. Chandler didn't move. She stood up and walked up, putting her chin on his shoulder. She started snuggling up to him and then realised. "You're shaking!" She said. Chandler froze. "It's cold!" He protested. She looked at him. "Chandler, it's like 100 degrees in here!" She said. Chandler looked at her. Suddenly she stopped and smiled. "Oh... I see what's going on." She nodded, smiling. "What? What?" Chandler asked frantically. Monica moved back to the sofa. "You're scared of the thunder storm," She giggled. Chandler shook his head. "No. No I'm not scared of a little storm. It's the kids that are scared." He said. "It's not scary Daddy," Erica said. "It's really cool," Jack told him. He sighed. "If you're not scared come sit next to me." Monica said. "I like it over here." Chandler said firmly. "Kids, Daddy's scared of a little thunder." Monica told the twins and they giggled. "Fine," Chandler said, getting up and moving over to where Monica sat. He slumped next to her and tried to relax. There hadn't been thunder or lightning for about 5 minuets, just rain. This thought relaxed him and he slumped down next to Monica. She kissed his head and he smiled as he had proved himself right, she thought he wasn't scared. Erica and Jack chattered happily. Monica sighed and reached for Chandler's hand. He held her hand and she smiled at him. Suddenly a huge boom was heard and Chandler jumped. "See, you're scared!" Monica said, grinning.
"No, I'm not." Chandler said.
"Chandler, you're almost breaking my hand," She said. He let her hand go and realised just how hard he had held it. She cupped his face.
"It's okay to be scared." She told him.
"I'm NOT." He insisted.
"Whatever." She grinned.
