At dawn, Tala was woken up by an odd sound. But because he was so warm and cozy, he ignored it and just tried to fall back asleep. When the noise didn't stop he sat up, rubbing his eyes lazily, and looked around. He discovered that the noise was coming from Kai.
Seeing that his siblings were asleep, he climbed over Alex, getting a groan out of him, and reached for Kai. Tala slowly caressed Kai's cheek with his small hand. –No cry… It okay… No wakey 'Lex 'nd Erika…-Kai slowly stopped his whimpering and Tala smiled at that.
On the previous afternoon, when Kai was taking a nap, Tala had asked his sister for a story before taking a nap of his own. Instead of a story, Erika had told him that now he was Kai's big brother and he had to take care of Kai and protect him just like Alexander and Erika did for him.
Kai had been put to sleep in the playpen set in Tala's room, so when Tala went to sleep the last thing he saw was Kai. He dreamt of what his sister had told him about protecting Kai.
When both of them woke up from their naps, Erika set them in front of the TV watching "The Corpse Bride", Tala's favorite movie. But at some point Kai got scared and started to cry. Erika, who had been watching the film with them, had picked up Kai and rubbed his back comfortingly. Tala then asked why Kai was crying. –He just got a bit scared because of the film, Tal. Don't worry.-Had assured Erika.
Tala had a serious look on his face, altering between staring at Kai and then at the TV. After a few minutes he had looked at Erika. –Turn off. Me don' like it anymore!
Erika had just stared at him completely surprised. –But, Tal, that's your favorite movie!
Tala just had replied that it scared Kai so he didn't like it anymore.
As Erika watched them quietly interacting this morning, it just proved her again that Tala really loved Kai, the way only a child could, and would protect him no matter what. That made her proud, more than anything else.
She was aware that Alex was also awake and watching them. They both knew they had made the right decision. They would protect Kai with all they've got.