"Can't sleep?" She heard as she opened her eyes, looking up as he walked into the guest room the small brunette usually slept in when she stayed at the Benoit house. She sat up, rubbing her face as Chris sat down on the edge of the full sized bed.
"I hate nights like this… you two fight too much." The tiny brunette says, Chris knowing what she was talking about… him and Nancy had been fighting to the point where one would stay with Daniel while the other would storm out.
"Daddy?" Both heard as newly turned 7 year old Daniel walked in, climbing up on the bed and wrapping his arms around Chris, who returned the hug before they let go.
"Don't worry, kiddos. Everything will be okay." Chris says, kissing both of the young ones on their foreheads before hugging them...
Amanda opened her eyes as she shook off one of the last good memories she had of herself and the Benoit family. Another night she was having trouble settling into a deep sleep… she couldn't believe it had been 9 years since Chris had done what he did.
Amanda jumped a bit when she felt Sami poke her back. The room they were sharing tonight only had one bed but it was a king sized one and Amanda, as always, hated being alone… because she didn't know whenever she saw one of her friends or family if it would've been the last time she'd see them.
"Can't sleep?" Sami asks as Amanda turns over to face him.
"I hate this day." Amanda says quietly, Sami glancing at his phone and seeing the date on the screen… June 22nd. He knew why she hated it… it was the day that everything fell apart.
Sami reached over and hugged Amanda, trying to keep her calm. He knew she still blamed herself for not seeing any warning signs before the murder suicide that broke her heart.
"Amanda, it's not your fault… you were just a kid, you didn't know what was gonna happen." Sami says softly as tears fell down Amanda's face, her arms wrapped around Sami as he comforted her.
"I… I miss them… so much." Amanda whispers, Sami lightly rubbing his hand up and down her back.
Amanda eventually fell into a welcoming sleep, Sami falling asleep too with a protective arm around Amanda after brushing her tears away.
For now, Amanda could forget the past... but she'd never forget how good it was before that day.