A crying baby pulled Nick and Adalind from sleep. The two got up and went over to their son's crib.
Only three days of living in the loft and already the felt like this was their routine.
Kelly was being extra fussy that evening. Every time he was laid down in his crib, he would scream out his abjection.
"Here." Nick said. He laid Kelly between himself and Adalind. For a moment, they each simply gazed at the miracle that was their child.
The eyes of the parents met and they came up with an idea without speaking.
"Hush little baby. Don't say a word. Papa's going to buy you a mockingbird." Nick started.
"And if that mockingbird don't sing, mama's going to buy you a diamond ring." Adalind continued.
They each took turns singing a line, until the song was over and their sweet baby boy was asleep.
And if that diamond ring is brass, Papa's going to buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke, Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat don't pull, Papa's going to you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over, Mama's going to buy a dog called Rover.
And if that dog called Rover don't bark, Papa's going to buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart turn round, You'll still be the sweetest little babe in town.
The last line they sang together, smiling at one another and their son.
Not wanting to take a chance, the two mutually agreed to simply allow their son to sleep between them.
That night, they both slept on their sides, facing inward, gazing at their son and the person they had made that child with.
Adalind succumbed to sleep first. Nick stayed awake much longer. Loathe to close his eyes to the most beautiful image he had ever seen.
The first night after dealing with the Zerstorer, Nick wrestled with sleep.
He was afraid to close his eyes for fear that the creature was still alive and everyone he loved was dead, his children controlled by the black skull being.
He kept sitting up, needing to look at Kelly sleepy soundly in his crib, at Adalind sleeping soundly next to him. He wanted to go out to where Diana was sleeping, but was afraid of disturbing the little girl.
However, it seemed the young hexenbiest either sensed Nick's stress or felt some herself, maybe a combination of both. She walked into where the rest of her family was, and, without saying a word, crawled into bed between Nick and her mother.
Her eyes glowed violet and Kelly drifted from his crib to settle between Nick and Diana, without waking up.
Nick smiled warmly at the little girl, who smiled back then closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Nick took a moment to admire his family. All slumbering peacefully and safely in the bed. He made a vow to himself to do everything in his power to never lose them.
He also vowed to get a house and a bigger bed.
A loud crash of thunder nearly shook the house and made Nick and Adalind become fully alert. Sensing what was about to happen, they quickly put on their night clothes and waited.
Sure enough, Kelly and Catherine Marie came running into the room and scurried into the bed. Placing themselves safely between their parents.
"Diana!" Both children called at the same time.
By all appearances, she looked to be twelve years old. She certainly felt she was too old, too big and too powerful to let a thunderstorm frighten her.
But Nick had told her that her mom and siblings loved having her near. Especially when they were scared and that she should just humor them.
So in she walked and got into her parents bed at a slower pace and with a lot more ease than her brother and sister.
Though her independent attitude didn't stop her from placing herself right in the middle. Kelly and Catherine Marie cuddled right up against Diana. Then they each looked back over their shoulders expectantly.
With chuckles, Nick and Adalind put their arms around their children. Their cat Storm and their dog Thorn even joined in on the very large bed.
The bed was certainly big enough for everyone to spread out, but that just wasn't for any of them. They each loved being as close to their family as possible.
It made them all feel safe. It made them all feel loved.
With the whole Burkhardt family together, they drifted off happily to sleep.