A/N: Just another little addition to this series of 'lockdown' fics. Many thanks to beautywithin16 for the prompt :)
Michael grimaced as the sound of the door closing echoed in the darkened hallway. He paused to listen and breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't disturbed anyone before double checking the lock.
He stifled a yawn behind his hand as he turned off the downstairs light and made his way up the stairs. It had been a long day and he was exhausted, but he still peeped into the children's bedrooms on his way to the master bedroom.
He shook his head at Katrina who was sleeping at the wrong end of her bed, tangled up in her blankets and clutching the leg of her stuffed horse tightly as it hung off the side of the bed. Ebony was almost as bad, sleeping diagonally across her bed with her favourite doll tucked under one arm.
In the next room, Jimmy was sprawled across his bed with one leg hanging off the side, hugging the stuffed monkey that he liked to pretend he didn't need any more. Michael smiled as he gently closed the door and moved on to the final room.
He froze when he found it empty.
Michael took a deep, calming breath as he reminded himself that it was entirely possible that Nerys had joined Jackie. Although, the fact that her bed looked like it hadn't even been slept in was a worrying sign.
Michael reminded himself to remain calm when he found Jackie alone in their bed with Andrew sleeping soundly in his crib nearby. He regarded Jackie for a long moment as he debated whether or not to wake her, he knew that she checked on the children on her way to bed so Nerys couldn't have been missing that long.
He almost slapped his forehead at his own stupidity as he realised that there was one last place that he should look.
As quietly as possible, Michael made his way back downstairs and peeped into the kitchen.
His shoulders slumped in relief as he found Nerys curled up beside Nelson, both of them covered by a blanket and sleeping soundly. The quiet moment was broken by Nelson's snores and Michael chuckled to himself as he crossed the room.
"It's all right," he whispered as Nelson blearily opened an eye, "just taking this one back to bed," he explained in the same hushed tone as he gently picked Nerys (and her teddy bear) up.
Carefully standing up, Michael resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Nelson stretched and followed him out of the room.
"I don't need your assistance with this," he informed him in a low tone as they made their way up the stairs.
Nelson ignored him and padded on ahead.
"I'm not going to ask how you worked that out," Michael muttered as Nelson nosed the closed door open and led the way into Nerys's bedroom.
Michael frowned as he considered how he was going to pull the covers back without disturbing Nerys.
"Don't even think about it," he ordered as Nelson made to take hold of the top corner of the blankets.
Michael raised an eyebrow as Nelson pretended to yawn before innocently sniffing the bed.
"Daddy?"
Michael looked down as Nerys stirred in his arms, "Yes, sweetheart?"
"What are you doing?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Putting you back to bed," Michael explained, shifting his hold on her so that he could pull the blankets back. "Why were you downstairs?" he asked as he gently set her down.
"I didn't want to disturb Mum," she said simply, snuggling under the blankets as Michael tucked her in.
"She wouldn't have minded," Michael told her, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"I know," Nerys conceded, hugging her teddy bear a little tighter, "I guess I didn't want to worry her."
"What's the matter?" Michael asked softly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Nerys sighed, "I'm worried about you."
"Me?" Michael asked in surprise.
Nerys nodded, "I'm worried you might get sick," she confessed.
Michael considered his response as Nelson came to join them, Nerys giggled as Nelson licked her hand.
"I can't promise you that won't happen," Michael said finally, watching as Nerys stroked Nelson's head, "but I promise that I'm being very careful. No one wants to get sick so we're all doing our best to keep each other safe."
Nerys sucked in a breath, "But what if…?"
"I can't give you all the answers," Michael interrupted her in a gentle tone, "I wish I could." He paused, "I won't tell you not to worry, you're too much like me so I know that's impossible," he teased, "but please don't worry on your own. Nelson is a good listener, but your mother and I are always here for you too."
Nerys smiled up at him, "Thank you Daddy."
"Any time, sweetheart," Michael told her, bending to kiss her forehead. "Now, I think it's time for both of us to get some sleep," he added as he got to his feet.
Any response Nerys would have given was cut off as Nelson jumped up into the space Michael vacated.
"Nelson!" Michael admonished him.
"Can he stay, Daddy?" Nerys asked, before he could continue, "Please?" she asked, wrapping an arm around Nelson's neck as he settled beside her.
Michael relented as he took in her wide eyes, "All right," he agreed, "but just for one night."
Nerys grinned up at him as she snuggled closer into Nelson's side, "Thank you. Goodnight, Daddy."
"You're welcome," Michael replied as he bent to kiss her once more, "good night, sweetheart." He regarded Nelson for a moment, "You too, you ratbag," he added, giving the smug looking canine a pat before leaving the room.
In reality, Nelson would never spend the night anywhere else, but Michael didn't mind. Not if it meant Nerys was able to sleep at night.