Hi guest from 50 First Dates, thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it. It's not the lack of ideas but motivation and time. I don't think I'm depressed per se, but I have been losing interest in many things I use to enjoy doing. Also as I've mentioned my husband broke his arms in May. He's gotten better but I still do many things for him. I want to honor you, the readers, and not produce crap. However, to write decent stories you need time to write and rewrite which is in limited supply. But I have used this idea in a Gen Next story I did on Christmas (chapter 37). I have another story in my head that's similar but not really, so I'm forcing myself to write it now for you. Hopefully, I get back into my groove soon and that you like it.
I do not own.
Six checked in on 7-year-old Kenji. Sprawled on his stomach in his bed, Kenji snored softly with his blanket sliding off onto the floor. Six quietly slipped in to pull the covers back over his son. When Six lifted the blanket, Kenji murmured something inaudible before settling back into a deep sleep. Six waited a second before placing the blanket down. He gently closed the door. Walking a few steps over, he opened the 4-year-old twins' door. Six peered into the room where in the corner a small nightlight emitted a dim but warm glow. Jasmine was curled in a ball under her sheets while Jade was sleeping spread eagle on top of her blankets. The corner of Six's mouth ticked slightly up before straightening again. Even though they were twins, they were so different.
Looking over at the rocking chair, he grabbed the knitted afghan and covered Jade.
"Daddy?" She opened one eye.
"Go back to sleep." He whispered.
" 'Kay." She said sleepily. Her even breathing told him she had fallen back to sleep.
Six stepped outside and closed the door. He walked to the room he shared with his wife.
Stepping inside, he saw his wife on the phone.
"Right now? Uh-huh. Yes, but…" She paused listening to the person on the other side.
"Very well. I'm coming over now." She hung up the phone and tiredly rubbed her eyes.
"Problem?" Six asked.
"Yes, I have to get to the lab. Something happened and they need my expertise." Holiday sighed. "I'll spare you the medical and scientific details. I'll just pop in and leave as soon as I can. Are you going to be okay with the kids?"
"They're all asleep." Six answered.
"And if I'm not home by the time they get up?" She cocked her head to look at him.
"I will deal with it. Do what you have to." He told her plainly.
Holiday nodded. She tiptoed to give him a quick peck on the cheek before walking out. Six walked with her to the front door watching her grab her essentials like keys, phone, wallet. Getting into the car parked in the driveway, she gave her husband a wave before driving off.
Six watched her disappear into the darkness of the night. He would have suggested she take the jump jet, but the noise would probably wake everyone up. He was less concerned about the neighbors than his children. Turning around, he entered the house. After securing the lock, he got some files from the side table, settled in his armchair, and started reading them. He knew sleep would elude him without his wife. He might as well get some work done.
By the time he reached the second file he noticed that it had started to rain. He texted to make sure Rebecca had reached her destination safely. When she confirmed that she was fine, he got up to check on the children.
As he was walking up the stairs, the house lit up from a bolt of lightning. A few seconds later a crash of thunder shook the house. A wail from the twin's room sent him sprinting the remaining distance to their door.
Flinging it open, he saw Jasmine had the covers over her head, and she was crying for Rebecca.
"I'm here." Six said as he placed a hand on the quivering lump. Inwardly he winced, when the figure pulled back from his touch.
"Mommy!" She insisted sobbing.
"Mommy had to go work. Daddy's here." Six said quietly.
"No! Mommy! I want mommy!" Jasmine's muffled wail distressed Six, but he did not show it.
"Daddy?" Jade was up now too. "What's wrong?"
"Go back to sleep. The thunder frightened your sister." He said.
"Jas, it's ok." Jade untangled herself from the afghan. "I'm here." She crawled into bed with her sister. Jasmine was still crying but with less ferocity. Another flash of lightning and crack of thunder made them both shudder. Then the nightlight went out as did the light in the hallway.
"Dad?" Kenji was now standing in the doorway. "All the lights are out."
"Why are you up?" He asked.
"I was in bathroom when all the light just went out." Kenji explained.
"Stay here with your sisters. I'll go check the fuse." Six left his son with the twins. Making his was down the stairs by the light from his phone, he went to the fuse box. After flipping the switches, he realized that the lights were still not coming back on. Peering out the window, he noticed that all the streetlights were out as well.
"Not good." He muttered under his breath. Checking the news with his phone, he saw that all the power in the city was out. He quickly went back upstairs.
"Dad? Where's the lights?" Kenji looked up when he reentered the room.
"Power's out all over the city. We're going to have to wait for them to fix it." He said.
"What does that mean?" Jasmine sniffled. She had calmed down.
"It means you're all going to bed." Six said.
"I can't sleep without Bright-Bright." Jasmine referred to the nightlight. She was starting to get upset again.
"Don't worry." Six reassured her. He went over and picked her up. He ignored that she instinctively pulled away. Taking Jade's hand and then motioning for Kenji to follow them, they walked to his bedroom.
"We're sleeping in here?" Jade asked wide-eyed.
"I get the right side!" Kenji immediately jumped onto the bed.
"I want the right!" Jade let go of Six's hand to get to her brother.
Jasmine who was shivering from either fear or cold said nothing. Six walked over to the bed and pulled Jade to the left side of the bed before placing Jasmine down in the center.
"Where will you sleep daddy?" Jade asked as she settled into her spot.
"I'll be right here." He locked the door to the room before sitting at the foot of the bed facing his children.
"You can't sleep sitting up." Kenji protested.
"Dad, can do anything." Jade said proudly.
"Go to sleep." Six ordered firmly.
"Still too dark." Jasmine squeaked.
Six flipped open his phone and the room lit up.
Satisfied that it wasn't pitch dark, she started drifting to sleep. Jade snuggled next to her and was soon fast asleep. Kenji was already out.
Six watched over them as they slept. He didn't mention to them the implications of not having power in the house, that the security system was off, that anyone could come in to attack them, that he was slightly paranoid that perhaps this power outage was orchestrated by one of his many enemies. So, he gathered his children in one place so he can watch over them. Mentally, he made a note to buy a generator tomorrow so that this would not be a problem in the future.
The night wore on but Six never went to sleep. His phone buzzed in his hand. He had put it on silent as to not wake the children. He glanced down and saw it was Rebecca.
He quickly typed out a message which she responded to. He then went back to waiting. A few hours more and he heard noises outside. Slowly he got off the bed. A single blade slipped from his sleeve. He checked to see if there were any shadows under the door before opening. Listening to see where the noise was coming from, he caught a voice that made him refold his sword.
A minute later Rebecca came up the stairs.
"I bought some of Providence's engineers to install a generator." She explained.
Six placed a finger on his lips and led her into the bedroom.
Rebecca saw the children in their bed. "Have they been here all night?" She asked in hushed tones.
Six nodded.
She shook her head with a smile. "Let me see if they're done and I'll turn the power back on."
Rebecca went back downstairs and Six sat at the edge of the bed. The lights came back on. It was only then that he allowed himself to relax. It was also only then that he realized how tired he was. He laid across the bed.
Rebecca made sure the house was secured. Then she went upstairs to the bedroom. When she got there, she was startled to see Six asleep across the bottom of the bed. Rebecca smiled before laying down next to him. He instinctively wrapped a protective arm around her. She nestled into the crook of his arm and closed her eyes.
Have a good day. Still working on the fairy tale story.