She could hear it, although her head was underneath the blanket, and her heart filled her ears, she could hear the sound that she could only predict as fingernails scraping across the glass outside the windows. She could hear the howling, to loud and scary for her little ears to realise it's the wind, to close for her to realise it couldn't hurt her. It was the bang of thunder that caused her feet to hit the floorboards, the flashes of lightning that illuminated the dark, cold room that brought her pace to a run as she dashed for the bedroom. It was the bang of the tree against the glass that caused a short scream then sob to escape her throat as she turned the door handle of room and ran inside for safety, to fast for her little legs to comprehend and she ended up falling onto the group with a loud thud. Here, she laid, hugging herself tightly as she squeezed her eyes shut. Sobbing for her mommy and daddy.

/

For once in Sylvie's life it wasn't the thunder that woke her from her sleep. Although the first thing she noticed when she woke up was the strong warm forearm wrapped around her waist protectively, keeping her warm against the pouring rain that sounded outside. The first thing she heard was the silent sobbing, the whispering of mommy… daddy… that clicked her back into reality and forced her to jump out of bed, switching her lamp on quickly.

There on the floor laid the tiny 6-year-old, shivering and shaking with fear. Sylvie kneeled onto the floor slowly, trying to speak as softly as she could as to not frighten the girl more. "Bella? Bella, I'm here sweet girl, I'm right here." Sylvie whispered, bringing her hand up to rest on the girls upper arm. She looked the girl up and down, noting the wet pjs. It was obvious she had wet herself in her scared state.

Bella rolled over the second she heard Sylvie's voice, her arms wrapping around her waist and her face burying into her stomach. "Mommy!" She cried out; the fear evident in the way her body shook against Sylvie's.

Sylvie ran her fingers over the young girls hair, trying to sooth her as quickly as possible. It was then she heard movement behind her, she looked over to see a confused Matt getting out of bed. "It's Sylvie baby, Matt's still here too."

"They're here Sylvie! I heard them, they're gonna get me." Bella mumbled against her, snot and tears staining the front of Sylvie's pyjama top.

It was then a knock sounded at the bedroom door, Sylvie looked up to see Kelly and Stella standing there, concern written all over their faces. "Hey, everything okay?" Stella spoke first, kneeling down slowly on the floor.

"I think the storm scared her; she's convinced there's someone out there." Sylvie said softly as Bella slowly climbed up her body and hugged her tightly.

"There is! I heard them, they scratched'ed the window!" Bella mumbled sternly, annoyed the adults didn't believe her. She looked up at the figure behind them, realising it was Matt. "Will ya go check Matt? Please Matt?"

Matt smiled softly and nodded, he leaned down to kiss her head before making his way past the three on the floor and over to Kelly. Matt and Sylvie made eye contact when he looked back, stopping when he saw her open her mouth to speak. "It seems Bella may have had an accident too, could you possibly clean it up while I clean her?" she asked gently, giving him an apologetic smile. She didn't want Bella to feel ashamed for what had happened, and she also knew how well Matt was with kids.

"Of course, you clean her up. Don't worry about out here, we've got it." Matt said with a reassuring look and with that they were off, Matt and Kelly checking each window individually and making sure the door was locked.

Stella stayed behind to help Sylvie with Bella. It was as if they were a multi couple family and if the situation wasn't so serious right now Sylvie might have almost laughed. As she stood Bella to help her undress out of the wet clothes, Stella headed off to get the shower ready for them. It was then that Sylvie noticed the sad and guilty expression on Bella's face and the last thing she wanted was for her to feel upset for asking for help.

"You know Bella you did so good tonight." Sylvie smiled, trying to overdo her expressions enough for Bella to read them clearly.

"Wait, really?" Bella asked surprised, she had never been told she was good when she wet the bed, she was used to a smack and being sent back to sleep in a wet bed.

"Of course! You came in here all by yourself even though you were afraid to find us. That is so brave!" Sylvie exclaimed, unbuttoning and pulling the pyjamas off the young girl. Grateful to see the smile on her face.

"I was scared, but you help me Sylvie, you always help me." Bella said as she traced her fingers over Sylvie's shoulder and cheek, she wasn't even fazed to be standing in front of Sylvie naked because she trusted everyone here. More then she had ever trusted her parents in her whole six years of knowing them.

"I'm so proud of you, Tiny." Sylvie said while standing, reaching her hand out and taking Bella's as she led her to the shower where Stella was waiting with warm running water. They helped her get situated and both turned to leave when Bella spoke up shyly.

"Can Stella stay? I don't want to be alone." Bella asked shyly, now sitting on the floor of the shower with the toys they'd brought earlier that day. She wanted Sylvie to stay too, but she needed to ask Stella a question which she didn't want to ask in front of Sylvie yet.

Stella was shocked by the question and it took her a second to registering what she was saying before she answered. She felt honoured that Bella trusted her so much. "yeah, yes, of course." She answered with a nod and smile.

"Great, well I'll go grab you some fresh clothes while you clean up. Ill be just outside baby." And with that Sylvie exited, getting the memo but also needing to grab some clothes and see how the boys are doing.

Once Sylvie was gone Bella stood slowly, grabbing the frozen shower gel and slowly lathering her body, over the bruises that were slowly healing.

Stella stood there in awe of the little girl, over how strong her was after the ordeal she went through. "Do you need any help Bell?"

Bella shook her head slowly, once she finished, she rinsed her body off. She knew she'd have to ask now, or Sylvie would be back before she could. "Hey Stella?" Bella spoke softly, looking up at her.

Stella looked up curiously at the young girl, giving her full attention to her as she waited for her to speak again.

Bella's voice shook when she spoke, scared for the answer that she'd get but willing to risk it for the answer. "Do you think I'll ever find a mommy like Sylvie?" And although the shower was running over her the tear that slid from her cheek was still visible to Stella, who could only nod her answer as she tried to stop her own from falling.

"Yeah baby, I do." And before Stella could answer more Sylvie walked back in, clothes and towel in hand.

After that the time went quickly, only small talk happens as Sylvie helped Bella get ready for bed. Stella kissed the young girls head before bidding them both goodnight and heading back to bed, Kelly close behind her. Just as Sylvie was tucking Bella into Casey's bed Matt came back in, looking down at the sleeping child.

"I told her she could sleep in here, after the night she's had I didn't want her sleeping alone again. I hope that's okay." Sylvie spoke as she climbed into the middle of the bed, fluffing up her pillow before laying down beneath the black.

"No, I mean yes, that's fine." Matt spoke softly, his fingers running through his hair as he looked at the space he'd be sleeping and how close to Sylvie he would be. He was aware he had cuddled her 'in his sleep' but in his wake, he was chicken.

"So, what's the verdict detective?" Sylvie joked, happy the were finally able to talk freely as everyone had gone back to bed. She watched as he walked over and climbed into bed, her only just realising how close they were too.

"Just some branches from the tree outside, Kelly said he'll trim the branches tomorrow before lunch." He said tiredly, he had inspected the whole house before tidying up the mess on the couch. They were lucky that Bella had only wet a little and it didn't get onto the actual couch and now he was ready to go back to sleep. "Couch is clean and sheets in the wash."

"Thank you for that, I know it's a messy job, but I didn't want to leave her. You're my hero." Sylvie said the last bit slightly sarcastically, she leaned forward and teasingly kissed his cheek before she rolled over, her arm wrapping around Bella instinctively.

Matt's heart started back up and he was glad she had turned away so she couldn't see his blushing cheeks. He figured two could play at that game so when he laid down and got comfortable, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her back into his front as he held her.

He thought it may take him longer then usual to fall asleep but something about this just felt right, and within minutes he was asleep, his girls in his arms.