This is a little short chapter, but I just like where it ended, and couldn't make myself write anymore after it… it would have killed the moment. So enjoy (and don't you love the last line… haha FOL)
Chapter 28 - Not Afraid
She didn't sleep that night; she lay in bed with Reid wide awake. She had dozed off a few times, but the nightmares plagued her dreams. She couldn't close her eyes without seeing Richard suffocating her mother, without David holding her down as she watched her mother die.
She pulled Reid's naked body closer to hers, his body giving her a feeling of security. He would keep her safe, she knew it. All of their friends and families would do everything in their power to see to it that she was no longer harmed by the York's, or anyone else for that matter.
The baby monitor next to the bed began to make noise, a faint sound coming from Declan's nursery. She slowly weaned herself out of Reid's arms and slipped in to the t-shirt that rested at the end of the bed. It grazed her thighs as she tip toed down the hall and to his room.
"There my boy," She whispered poking her head in to the room. "Couldn't sleep either?" She asked.
Declan was standing up in his crib, holding on to the railing and babbling. She smiled and picked him up, she nuzzled her nose against his and a small smile appeared on his face.
"I love you Declan James," She stated proudly.
"Momma…" The boy repeated a few times, pulling on the loose hair that fell from her ponytail.
"That's right, momma loves you…" She hoisted him up a bit further on to her hip.
She walked downstairs and in to the kitchen, she found a bottle and filled it with some cold milk helping her son handle the bottle which he was gladly sucking down. She let a small giggle escape her lips as the boy let out a loud burp and then resumed drinking his milk.
"Hey," His voice was soothing, but still scared the crap out of her.
She turned around and her free hand rested over her chest, "You scared me," She stated.
The blonde grinned slightly approaching her slowly, those long lean legs taking even strides towards her, "I'm sorry," He apologized brushing his hand through her hair. "What are you doing up?" He asked.
"I haven't been able to sleep," She whispered softly. "Every time I close my eyes it's all I can see…" She felt that familiar sting in her nose, but she fought back the urge to cry. She wasn't going to be weak anymore, especially not in front of her son. "I'm sorry if I woke you up," She stated cradling the growing baby in her arms.
"I heard you talking to Dec over the monitor, I didn't want to go back to sleep without you…" He placed a kiss on her forehead.
"You're too sweet," She let out a low laugh as Declan cooed gently between them.
"How's my big man?" Reid questioned hoisting the boy out of her arms. "Was he cranky?"
Ever shook her head, "No, he wasn't... I suppose he just couldn't sleep like his momma…"
"We're all bundles of nerves…" Reid sat down on the stool at the island.
"I have to agree," She nodded leaning against the counter top, glancing at the digital clock on the stove she sighed. "It's only three," She whispered. "I'm not even tired…"
"Me either really," He shrugged his shoulders. "I think we need to have some family time, let's go back to the room and we'll watch some movies or something…" He suggested.
"Ok," She nodded hoping this would get her mind off of the trial that would be happening that day.
Ever forced her eyes open, the sun beating in on her face was making it a difficult task. She looked around the room and found Reid standing in the corner, Declan on his hip as he pointed outside at some thing.
She sat up and the blonde turned around at the sound of the sheets ruffling. He smiled at her and sat down on the bed, he placed Declan between them and the boy got on his hands and knees and crawled in to Ever's lap.
"When did I fall asleep?" She asked quietly.
"Probably about twenty minutes in to the movie…" Reid smiled at her.
"Wow," She laughed at herself. "I wasn't even really tired…"
"You were exhausted," He corrected, "Your anxiety made you think otherwise…"
"You're probably right" She nodded her head. "So when did you two wake up?" She asked pinching Declan's cheeks.
"Probably about an hour ago, I fed him and changed him… and we were looking at the birds…" He nodded his head towards the window.
"You changed and fed him?" She asked in shock. "I'm impressed…" She smiled at him.
"Hey I'm getting this whole dad thing down…" Reid offered with a lazy shrug of his shoulders.
Ever's heart fluttered at his words, he was offering himself as a father figure to her son. She could feel the flush rising in her cheeks and Reid raised an eyebrow to her.
"What's wrong?" He asked interlacing his fingers with hers.
"N-nothing," She shook her head and smiled.
"It has to be something,"
"Just what you said…" Her voice was wistful and Reid smiled.
"He's not mine biologically but, no matter what he's still mine,"
Ever felt tears stingy her eyes at the thought, she pulled Declan closer to her body and kissed the top of his head. Those hazel eyes looked up at her as he forced himself to his feet. He reached down and grabbed on to Reid's hand, pulling a finger in to his tiny grasp the boy jumped and wiggled his way between the two older kids.
"Momma," The boy grinned, Ever felt the smile tugging at her lips as she looked at her son.
"Today is going to be a rough day," Reid whispered to her, those blue eyes piercing in to hers.
"I know," She nodded her head. "But we need to get it over with," She said quietly.
"Are you sure you don't want mom to be there?" He questioned.
"I'm sure, I'd rather not have Declan there…" She placed her hand at the small of her son's back to help him balance himself.
Reid nodded his head and put a smile on his face as the small boy nearly catapulted in to his arms. The older boy laughed and tickled the smaller boy who let out a wild round of giggles.
"Are you ready for today?" Reid asked after a few minutes of silence.
Ever turned to look at him, her lips pursed together in thought, "I think so," She nodded her head slowly.
"Are you scared?" He rested Declan against his chest.
Ever reached over and took his hand in hers, resting back in to the pillows, "With you, I'm not afraid of anything anymore…" She smiled.
Please remember to R&R!
