After two weeks, and one day spent in the police station, the three of them would finally be back home once more. Currently being chauffeured home by one of the police officers, Sarah glanced over at Leyna and Eli, the site of them warming her to the core. He had both arms protectively around her, and his cheek was pressed to the top of her head as he let his fingers idly run through her hair. Leyna, oblivious to all of this, was fast asleep. "How does it feel to have her back?" Sarah asked quietly, bringing Eli out of his thoughts.

Straightening up, he stopped what he was doing and replied, "I'm just glad this is all over. My sleep schedule has been completely off, and I don't even want to think about the work I will have to make up for my days off." When Sarah remained silent, he looked back over at her, and saw the expression on her face. "What?"

"Is that all you have to say?"

"What would you like for me to say, then, Sarah? Hmm?" he demanded, trying his best to keep quiet and not raise his voice. Leyna had been through enough. The last thing she needed was to hear them two arguing.

"It would be nice to hear you say you are grateful to have your daughter back, alive and overall well. This could have ended much worse, yet you seem to not care."

"Well of course I'm glad to have her back."

"Are you sure she knows that?"

Eli felt as though he had been slapped in the face when she said this. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Not once have I heard you in any form say to her that you missed her."

"Have I not been by her side the entire time? Does that not mean anything?"

"It's not just about your actions, Eli. She needs to hear these things." In a gentler voice, Sarah continued, "I know you're glad to have her back, but if you don't voice these feelings, I don't know if she will know it. Leyna is sensitive, and doesn't read your actions the way I do. Look at her, Eli. Look at your daughter. She isn't going to be here forever, and neither are you. You need to utilize the time you have with her wisely." He looked down at Leyna, giving a small smile at the way her angelic face was upturned toward him, and traced a finger along her cheek. Despite the lack of affection he may have shown her in the past, in reality he loved her more than anything else in this world, and the mere sight of her made his heart swell with pride and joy.

"I know it's something I need to work on," he murmured, still looking at Leyna. "I've never been comfortable in revealing my feelings, though. You know that, dear."

"I know, honey," Sarah said softly. "And I know it won't be easy, but I think you at least trying to change isn't asking too much. If nothing else, do it for Leyna. She alone should be worth it."

Eli nodded. "You both are, love. I promise, from now on I am going to try and make changes."

"That is all I ask," Sarah replied with a smile. He smiled back, and leaned over to kiss her lovingly.

"Alright, we're back at your house," the police officer who had been driving the car announced.

"Leyna, darling, wake up," Eli said in a soft tone as he gently shook his daughter.

Her good eye fluttered open, and she blinked a couple of times before sitting up. "Are we home?" he mumbled, wiping the sleep from her eye.

"Yes we are. Now come on, you need to get some rest as the doctor instructed you," Eli replied as he got out of the car, and helped her scoot over to the open door.

"Here, let me get the wheelchair-" Sarah started to say, when Eli suddenly lifted her out of the car.

"I can bring her in. She's going straight to bed, so getting it out now would be pointless," Eli commented as he kicked the door shut, and proceeded to carry Leyna inside. Still tired, Leyna closed her eye as she rested her head on his shoulder, and let out and quiet yawn.

"Where would you like for me to stay?" the police officer asked once they were all inside.

"What do you mean?" Eli asked, turning around to look at him.

"I was told I was supposed to stay here overnight and keep watch over the house as a safety precaution."

"I don't recall agreeing to this," Eli commented.

"I asked them to send someone," Sarah quietly explained. "Just for tonight, anyway."

"Fine, he can stay out in his car."

"With how cold it is outside? Don't be ridiculous, Eli," Sarah protested as she turned on a living room lamp. "You can stay in here," she added, aiming this at the police officer.

"Well thank you ma'am," he said with a nod. Sarah simply smiled.

Seeing he had no say in this matter, Eli remained silent as he carried Leyna up to her room. "Is there anything you need? Or anything I can help you with?" he asked once he sat her down on her bed.

She shook her head. "I think I can handle it from here. I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to just go to bed. Thank you, though."

"You're welcome, darling," he replied, and hesitated before pulling her into his arms for a hug. She immediately wrapped her own arms around him, her cheek pressed tightly to his chest, and he closed his eyes as he breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. "I missed you so much, sweetheart, and I am so glad to have you back home," he whispered.

"I missed you too, dad," she whispered back, and gave him a squeeze before pulling away.

He once more hesitated, before adding, "You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah, I always figured way deep down, you secretly loved me just a little bit," she said teasingly, and he could not help but to laugh. "Why do you ask?" she inquired.

"I just feel like I never said it enough in the last, that's all. After going through this whole ordeal, I think there are some changes I need to make."

Leyna smiled at him. "Well for future reference – I love you no matter what," she stated, and he could not help but to smile at this. "Night dad," she added, and leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

"Goodnight, love," he replied, and kissed her forehead before exiting her room to head to his own bedroom. It had been a long day, and at that moment all he wanted was some deep, undisturbed sleep.

It was around three that morning when a piercing scream awoke both Eli and Sarah from their sleep. "What's going on?" Sarah asked.

"I don't know," Eli mumbled, still half asleep. When he heard another scream, though, he quickly woke up, and cried out, "Oh god, its Leyna!" The two of them shot out of bed, and ran to her bedroom door just as the police officer dashed up the steps. Luckily, her door was unlocked, and they all rushed into the room. Despite no trace of anyone else being in the room, she proceeded to scream bloody murder. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Eli pulled her up to a sitting position, and could see she was still asleep. "Leyna? Leyna, wake up," he said as he gently shook her.

"Sweetie, please wake up," Sarah added as she stood next to them, and held her hand.

"Both the bedroom and bathroom are clear. No signs of any form of intrusion," the police officer informed them. "I'm going to head back downstairs," he added, and Sarah gave him a nod before he exited the room.

Eli continued to shake Leyna, trying his best to wake her, but when this was unsuccessful, he resorted to giving her a quick slap across the cheek. Her screaming stopped when her eye immediately flew open, and she looked wildly. "Leyna, calm down. Everything's okay," he softly comforted her, and when she finally realized she was no longer dreaming, she burst into tears and collapsed against Eli. "It was probably just a nightmare," he commented to Sarah as he held Leyna to him. "If you want to go lie back down, love, I'll get her calmed down."

Sarah was brought back by this. He must have been taking what she said earlier to heart, because in the past he would have never offered to do something like that. "Are you sure?"

Eli nodded. "You need sleep worse than I do, anyway. I'll be in there in a few," he replied, and brought his attention back to Leyna one Sarah had left the room. "It's okay, love. Everything is just fine, now, I'm here," he cooed, and softly shushed her as he gently rocked back and forth. It took a while, but he finally managed to calm her down, to where her sobs were nothing more than sniffles.

"I think that has to be one of the most realistic dreams I have ever experienced," she commented when she finally pulled away, and used the collar of her nightshirt to wipe away her tears. "Did I wake mom up, too?" He nodded. "Sorry," she said in an embarrassed tone.

"You don't need to apologize to be, sweetheart. You can't help the dreams you have," he reassured her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you alright now?"

She nodded. "Yes, thank you." He smiled at her, and was about to get up, when she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and said, "No wait!"

He looked back at her, a frown on his face. "What is it?"

Leyna hesitated, before asking, "Would you please stay in here with me, just until I fall asleep? Please?"

His immediate reaction was to say no, but seeing the fear on her face, he just could not do so. "Scoot over," he said, and sat next to her there on the bed. "Just until you fall asleep. Understood?"

She nodded. "Thank you, dad."

"You're welcome. Now go to sleep," he replied, and twirled a strand of her hair around his finger as he watched her slowly drift back to sleep. He looked down at the purple, swollen eye and the bulky cast on her wrist, the site of how weak and beaten she looked making him feel both sadness and anger. It both broke his heart to know she had dealt with that kind of torment, and made him want to inflict physical pain upon whoever even thought of putting their hands on his daughter. As he continued to idly toy with her hair, he did not notice his eyes getting heavier with each passing second, and before he knew it he was sound asleep next to her.

The following morning, when Sarah awoke and found the space next to her empty, she immediately panicked. "Eli?" she called out as she got out of bed, and remembered he had stayed with Leyna after her nightmare the previous night. She walked into her bedroom, and relief filled her when she found him lying next to Leyna, both of them sleeping peacefully. She simply stood there, watching them for a moment and appreciating the tender sweetness which came from the site of them lying there, and finally walked over to the bed, gently shaking Eli in order to wake him.

He awoke with a start, looking around the room in confusion. "Why am I in Leyna's room?" he mumbled with a frown.

"I don't know, why don't you tell me?" Sarah asked in an amused tone.

When it finally dawned on him, he muttered as he sat up, "I must have fallen asleep while waiting for Leyna to fall asleep. Sorry, I hope you weren't worried."

"I was at first, but seeing how adorable you looked just now, I'm willing to let it go," she replied, and playfully ruffled his soft hair.

"That is the last thing I want to hear," he grumbled as he stood up, and arched his back to stretch out the stiffness in his joints.

"What is so wrong with that?"

Eli paused for a moment. "Nothing, really. It's quite understandable, actually. I mean, she did inherit my English charm, after all, so when you combine the two of us, it's bound to happen," he replied cheekily.

"You're a mess," Sarah laughed, and playfully swatted his arm. "I'm going to make breakfast. Care to join me?"

"I would love to," Eli replied with a grin, and took her hand in his as the two of them headed downstairs to start the day.