'Hey, Ben, it's me, Klaus. Just calling to say Riley and I miss you - as you can probably tell by her crying. Well, anyways, I know you're busy with school, so, I won't keep you, but uhh.. I just wanted to say that we are really proud of you, bro. But, I guess I'll just talk to you later. Riley sends her love.'
'Hey, it's just me again. Sorry I keep pestering you, but hey, it wouldn't be me if I didn't, right? I learned today that Riley is not a fan of bath time. I thought her head was going to explode when I laid her in the cute little elephant tub you bought her; I wish you could have seen her face. Sorry she doesn't like it - it's not the tubs fault, it's probably just me. I'll have to look up tips on how to bathe her properly. Well, anyways, speaking of dirty babies, she needs to be changed - pee-ew! She misses you...we miss you. Bye, Ben.'
'Me again, wow, school must be really sucking you dry! Damn man, that sucks. We understand though. Sorry I keep calling you all the time; and before you say or think it, it's okay that you haven't called back - really, we are fine. I just miss you, and talking to you - even like this - is kinda therapeutic for me. Riley has been having difficulty sleeping the last few days, and well, if she doesn't sleep...I don't sleep...reaching out to even your machine is helping a lot. Really, I mean it. Thanks, man. I hope you're doing well, Riley misses her favorite uncle. Oh! She uhh.. she wanted me to tell you she's kept her promise, and she can't wait till she can hold you again. Well, I should go, I gotta try to get this little pipsqueak to sleep. Talk to you soon, we love you, bro.'
'Hey, man, it's me again, sorry I missed your call! I guess this is what phone tag is, huh? Seriously though, don't feel bad about not calling sooner, you're busy. Besides, you called now, didn't you? That's all that matters. So stop apologizing! I gotta say, it was really nice to hear your voice. I miss you, Benny...so, uh, wow, I don't know how you ever got this kid to sleep when I was sick, she is impossible! She's lucky she's cute and you can't send a baby back. You know, no receipt, and all that. I swear she hasn't stopped crying for four days. I love her, but sometimes I wish she would just shut up..sorry, I guess I'm just tired. I shouldn't be like that, this isn't her fault... but, anywhooo, uh..you know, I forgot what I was going to say...I guess I'll call you back if I can remember it? Aw shh shh princess, daddy's almost done. Are you hungry, sleepy? I wish you were sleepy...oh, sorry about that, Ben, I, uh...I just got distracted. I'll just talk to you later I guess, but, uh, kick school's ass...we miss you, Benny. Hopefully I catch your call next time, we are bound to get the timing right one of these days...'
'You know, I picked up this phone ready to tell you all about my day, but there's really not much to tell. Riley hasn't slept for five days...neither have I, and I'm...I'm exhausted, honestly. I'm feeling overwhelmed, nothing I do seems to work. Just goes to show I was right about my parenting skills - if I was being graded I'd get an A for effort, but an F for accomplishment, since I can't seem to do anything right. I don't know what to do, Ben. I'm so...so tired, and Riley apparently has an unlimited energy source, and likes to showcase it by screaming bloody murder at all hours of the day. She's only quiet when she eats. I can't set her down or she cries, I just...I'm sorry, I...fuck, how do I delete a message again?'
Klaus hit the pound key; erasing the evidence of his last message. He didn't need to drag Ben into this pit of despair along with him. He replaced the phone back onto it's receiver, ending the call and stepping away, cradling a fussy Riley against his chest. He rubbed at his bloodshot eyes as he cooed to her, trying anything to soothe his cranky daughter to sleep.
Klaus sat on the couch, curling his knees to his chest as he rocked Riley in hopes that she would finally calm down. He pressed his cheek against the crown of her head and just sang to her, talking to her, begging her to please, just go to sleep; they both needed to rest.
It'd been five days since their shopping excursion, and Riley hadn't stopped fussing much since. She would cry, and scream anytime Klaus would try to set her down; which made simple everyday tasks rather difficult. He was happy at least that sometimes during the day Riley would tucker herself out, and finally blissfully fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. He was happy for her, really. The poor princess earned her sleep, but he couldn't help the frustration building within his chest. Whenever he went to set her down; whether it be to rest in her crib, or her Pack 'N Play she would instantly awaken and begin her tyranny all over again. It would be almost comical, if he weren't so damn tired himself. So Klaus would hold her; rock her until she'd fall asleep once again, and just continue to hold her. It was all he could do to keep her calm.
Klaus only wished he could sleep, too...
Klaus was exhausted; completely and utterly drained of any energy. He was running on fumes; five days with no rest, and his entire being could feel the repercussions. Klaus had never been more tired in his entire life; which was really saying something, considering his rather checkered past. This was somehow so much different, though. He never would have thought being a parent would be so hard; but Riley was worth it, he knew she was. Even with all of this he still would never trade any of it for the world, he just loved her so much. Deep down he knew with every challenge would come an even greater reward- but it had to get better than this; it had to.
It didn't help their situation at all that now with his body being clean; free of any tainted substances flooding his veins; the ghosts were much louder as well. Their voices haunting him, looming over him, watching his every move. If there ever was a long enough period where Riley would rest, Klaus would try his best to curl up on the couch with her and close his eyes, if even for just a few moments only for the ghosts to jerk him awake.
He was so tired...
Klaus swore if he didn't get some sleep soon he would have a stroke; which maybe he was being dramatic, but that was truly how he felt. Frankly, if Klaus was being completely honest with himself, he didn't know how much longer he could go on like this; or how much more of this he could take.
Klaus's eyelids felt like they were lead lined; like they were attached to anchors that were trying desperately to pull them down deep into the depths of unconsciousness. It took everything he had to fight that feeling off just to stay afloat. He kept nodding off, his head dipping, or his shoulder sagging against the cushions of the couch just for the shrieking voices of the damned to scream in his face; jolting him back into consciousness. Every time he did so, however, it would also startle his daughter awake, just starting the vicious cycle of them both battling against sleep once more. It was bad enough these ghouls haunted him, but now it was as though they haunted his daughter, as well. He couldn't stand it. He could never find any redemption; if it wasn't the guttural howls of the dead keeping him awake, it was the pitiful wailing of his daughter.
Riley cried vehemently; bellowing, boomingly loud, it was heart wrenching. His head was pounding from the sheer noise of it all. Of course, his depleted vigor certainly wasn't helping much either. With each raspy cry she emitted, Klaus became a millisecond closer to crying right along with her.
After the third time in a twenty minute span of almost dropping his precious baby girl, nearly passing out himself, Klaus knew he couldn't do this any longer. He needed something, or rather, someone to distract him. He just needed someone to talk to, and help keep him awake. If he could just carry a conversation with someone, and have the satisfaction of them actually talking back, he would be okay, he knew he would.
Klaus cradled Riley's tiny whimpering form close to his heart as he slowly eased his fatigued body off of the couch. He stood there; rooted to the spot for a moment, just to collect himself, steady his breathing and focus his weary mind so he could process a clear thought. He was so tired, even this was difficult for him, but he needed to call someone, anyone at all. He needed help; they needed help.
When he felt grounded enough to take a step, he cautiously made his way into the kitchen where his rather minuscule list of contacts hung. Leaning forward to better view the listing of numbers, Klaus pressed his index finger to it as he squinted his eyes to focus on the names.
There were only three listed...
He would call Ben, but upon glancing at the clock and realizing it was well after midnight and knowing he surely had class in the morning, he couldn't bring himself to disturb him. Which only left him two other options.
Diego or Dave...
Diego was his brother, and while he wanted nothing more than to pick up that phone and give his brother a call, he feared that would be a terrible mistake. Last he'd seen or spoken to Diego he'd told Klaus he didn't want to be a part of his life anymore. Calling him at this hour would surely only agitate his brother further. Diego was still his family though; and while not by flesh and blood, they'd been extremely close once. He longed for them to be that way again. Perhaps now was not the best time for such sentiments, though.
Dave on the other hand was a complete stranger; a man Klaus met by chance, and yet somehow showed him more compassion in the short span of time they'd been in contact than Klaus had received his entire life by anyone else he'd ever known - apart from Ben. Dave was an anomaly; a kind face, with a caring heart. Someone who without even knowing Klaus, offered him a helping hand and told him should he ever need it again, not to hesitate to call and he would be there. Dave was a wild card; as friendly as he may seem, Klaus didn't know how much of his demeanor was truthful and how much of it was an act. Of course, he hoped his intentions were good; kind, like his eyes.
Klaus held Riley close, gently massaging circles into the delicate skin of her back as he pondered his options. He felt that the decision should be an obvious one; surely his brother, in truth, was the proper answer, but he just feared the unknown of what would transpire once Diego became aware of Riley's existence. Klaus didn't trust that Diego would find him capable of caring for his daughter; and maybe he would be right, but he didn't need his judgmental, unsavory advice. He just needed someone who would flash him a caring smile and at least pretend that this entire situation was okay. Klaus groaned, pinching his eyes shut as he pressed his lips to the top of his precious baby girl's head.
He wished he could ask her for advice, surely she would know the right answer.
"Princess don't be anything like daddy; trusting strangers more than your own family. If you grow up to be nothing like me, you'll be just fine." Klaus took the phone into his shaky hands; dialing Dave's number before pressing it to his ear. He held his breath as it began to ring. The phone rang three times before Dave finally answered; his voice groggy, as he was still mostly asleep.
"Hello?"
"Dave?" Klaus's voice was soft and unsteady, his exhaustion showing through.
"Klaus? Is that you? Are you okay?" Dave's voice suddenly seemed much more alert, evidently picking up on the anguished tone behind Klaus's small voice. Klaus didn't know why, but as soon as he heard Dave speak his emotions overwhelmed him and he all but broke down.
"I-I'm so sorry for calling you so late at night, I'm just at my wits end here," Klaus began, a sob shaking his weary form as he vigorously wiped the tears from his eyes, "I can't get her to settle for more than 20 minutes at a time, she's so fussy..and I...I just need some help, can you come over? I'm so sorry, I know it's a lot to expect from you. I just need you to distract me so I don't fall asleep. That's all I need, please."
Dave could feel Klaus's pain through the phone, he knew how badly he must be suffering to ask for help. In the small period of time he spent with him in the grocery store, Klaus had been very against accepting any form of assistance - now he was damn well begging for it; which just showed how desperately he truly needed it. Dave knew he had to do whatever he could to help him.
"Hey, hey it's okay. Calm down, I'll be right there, okay?"
"Thank you." Klaus inhaled a sharp breath, his lips trembling as more tears slid down his flushed cheeks while he hung up the phone. He couldn't form the proper words to express his gratitude, he only hoped Dave knew just how thankful he truly was.
On weary, unsteady legs he returned to the sofa, propping himself upright in the corner as he tucked Riley comfortably beneath his chin. He rocked her, whispering softly to his precious baby girl while rubbing circles into her back as he peered wide eyed around the room.
He couldn't control the trembling of his body; both from his sheer exhaustion, and from his downright fear. They were surrounded by the souls of the dead; the victims of the horror within Ben. Klaus wondered if his brother knew how many spirits lingered; haunting him, seeking their revenge. He took in a deep breath, wrenching his eyes shut to try to block out their disfigured faces; so many macabre, ghastly features watching him, reaching out to him, trying to harm him.
"They can't touch you, Klaus. They may as well not even be real," He had to remind himself, "They can't touch her, she's safe." He had to say it out loud or he knew he wouldn't believe it. Riley was in his arms, she was safe, he would never allow anything to harm her. They couldn't touch her - they couldn't - he wouldn't let them.
He opened his eyes and they were closer; so close he swore he could almost feel their putrid breath against his sweat laden skin. If Klaus was thankful for anything at all in that moment; he was incredibly grateful that it appeared he hadn't passed this curse onto his daughter; seeing faces unseen. She didn't seem to notice them, and Klaus swore if there was a god, he would thank them for not forcing such an insufferable ability onto his baby girl. That they saved her from such a terrible fate. He would thank them for their mercy.
He closed his eyes trying desperately to ignore the gruesome figures before him, anxiously gnawing his lips until the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. They were calling for him, cursing his name, threatening his beautiful baby girl and he couldn't take it.
He whimpered, burying his forehead against Riley.
"Please..please stop, just go away," He begged, pleading for them to leave them be. "Just go!"
Klaus couldn't hear anything besides the shrieks of the dead, muddled with the cries of his daughter, and the horrified echoing of his own heart. He hadn't realized when there was a knock on the front door, nor had he noticed when it opened. His heart nearly tore out of his chest when he felt a hand against his shoulder; panic all but ripped him to shreds at the thought of one of them actually making contact with his skin. His eyes flew open as his body tensed, his arms protectively wrapping around his precious baby girl as he bolted forward only for Dave's strong yet gentle hands to steady him, easing him back against the couch. He was panting now, drenched in sweat from the anxiety within his chest; the horror of the possibility of the dead touching him - the fear of them being able to touch his daughter.
"Holy shit, are you okay?" Dave's eyes were blown wide with worry, panic streaming across his features. Once Klaus realized that it wasn't the hands of the dead gripping him, but Dave's very real, very much alive hands his body physically relaxed, slumping against his grip. They were safe; Riley was safe, they couldn't touch her. Dave steadied him, as he braced his palm against his upper back.
"Klaus, easy, seriously, are you okay?" Klaus blinked his eyes to focus his vision; he shrugged away from Dave's touch straightening his posture on the couch while he clutched Riley's crying frame against his heaving chest.
"I-I'm fine," He shrugged his own well being to the side; Dave wasn't there for him, he was there for his daughter, "it's Riley, she's barely slept for five day's, I don't know what to do." Dave's eyebrows furrowed as he took in Klaus's ragged appearance.
"Klaus, you look awful, when was the last time you slept?" Klaus laughed humorlessly, flinching when a specter flashed before his face; watching him with their gruesome eyeless sockets within their pulverized skull.
"Care to take a wild guess?"
Dave's face fell.
"Klaus, you haven't slept in five days?" Klaus wrenched his eyes shut, his lips tugging into a sorrowful frown.
"No, not really. Unless you count the three times I nodded off while holding her," His lips trembled as he tugged his fingers of his free hand through his greasy hair, "I'm a fucking terrible father, I can't even get her to sleep."
"Klaus, no," Dave placed his hands over Klaus's shuddering shoulders, earning him to flinch against his touch. "You're just exhausted. Here," Dave gestured for Klaus to hand him Riley. At first he hesitated, unsure if it would be safe, but at this moment, anything was safer than being in Klaus's arms. He was just so damn tired. So he obliged; handing his wailing baby girl to Dave.
Dave swaddled Riley tightly within her blanket, cooing to her as he rocked her to try to coax her to sleep. Klaus would be damned, but she started to calm. Dave was able to accomplish within mere minutes what he'd failed to do for five days. He watched them with mixed emotions. He felt joy; so incredibly happy that his sweet little princess was finally able to relax and calm, quickly working her way towards sleep; but he also felt jealous, knowing it was Dave who was able to get her to do-so while he couldn't. He wanted to be angry - not at Dave - but at himself for failing his beautiful little girl once again, but he was just so tired, he didn't have the energy to be. Dave saw the exhaustion on Klaus's face.
"Klaus, you should really go to bed. You need to rest, you look like you're about to topple over."
Klaus squeezed his eyes shut, his weary frame toggling dizzily where he sat against the couch.
"I feel like it, too."
"Here," Dave frowned, laying a steadying hand beneath his elbow, "let's get you to bed. Riley and I will be fine out here, I've got her for a while. You need to take care of yourself to take care of your daughter, Klaus." Klaus opened his eyes into slits eyeing Dave tiredly.
He wanted to protest, wanted to say no, say that he was fine, he could stay up. He really wanted to tell Dave the truth; that he may not be able to sleep anyways because there were just so many terrifying apparitions everywhere he turned; too many. He found that he couldn't, though. He was just too tired to fight it anymore. Dave was right; he needed to try to rest. He needed to sleep, he needed to.
Klaus finally nodded his head accepting Dave's help; so Dave smiled and helped Klaus to his feet. He couldn't believe how worn down he was. Klaus's body was trembling, his breathing ragged and his steps unsteady. Five days with no rest; he wondered why he hadn't just asked him for help sooner? He couldn't focus on that though. Right now all that mattered was ensuring he rested and that Riley was cared for and could rest, too. He needed to take care of both of them. Dave kept a supportive hand on Klaus the entire trek to his bedroom, honestly afraid that should he let go Klaus would collapse from sheer exhaustion. He helped ease his weary frame down onto his bed and even tucked him in. When he left the room, Klaus asked him to leave the light on. Dave didn't question it, only obliged before telling him goodnight and closing the door.
Dave went back out into the living room and propped himself against the cushions of the couch while he cradled Riley's tiny body in his arms. He smiled at her, her cherubic cheeks tinged pink from all of her crying. She was still whimpering just a tiny bit but seemed to finally be relaxing. He was happy she seemed to finally have settled down, but he was sad she couldn't have done this for her father.
"You gotta calm down, sweetie. You're stressing your poor daddy out. Listen," He began, gently wiping her tears away from her perfect blue eyes, "I know all of this is strange and new to you, but it is for your daddy, too. Cut him some slack, yeah?"
Riley kicked her feet while she made a loud babbling sound earning a soft giggle from Dave. He took her tiny little hand within his own, running his finger delicately over her satiny soft skin.
"Aw, come on. He's trying his best. You know, princess; you're small now, but one day when you're older you'll see how hard your daddy has worked for you. He's trying so hard and he loves you so much. Just, try to go easy on him, okay?" Riley clutched onto Dave's finger, vigorously shaking her arm up and down. He laughed accepting her 'handshake'. "Perfect, thanks sweetie. I know he will appreciate it. Now, let's get you to sleep."
Funnily enough it didn't take Dave too long to get Riley to sleep. She must have been exhausted, too. He settled her inside of her Pack 'N Play cautiously; hopeful she wouldn't stir. He shot up a silent prayer when she didn't. With everyone inside the house unconscious but himself, Dave decided to make himself useful and help Klaus with other tasks around the house. He figured he may as well, he didn't have anything else to do and he was fully awake now. So he went into the kitchen and started filling up the sink with hot water so he could clean the dishes. He frowned, noting that the only dishes to be cleaned seemed to all be Riley's. Dave worried if Klaus had been eating at all. He made a mental note to rectify that before adding soap into the water and getting to work. He busied himself with meticulously cleaning every bottle and pacifier before he wiped down the counters.
While he dried his hands on the hand towel he noticed the unassembled stroller in the corner of the dining room. He recognized it as the same one his sister had, as he had been the one to put it together for her. He went to it, quietly dragging it out into the living room and started to assemble it. Dave sat on the floor, while he laid out all of the pieces and started to attach the axels to the stroller.
"What are you doing?" Came Klaus's soft voice, he was standing in the hallway leaning heavily against the door frame still looking just as tired as ever. Dave startled, but quickly composed himself.
"Me? Klaus, why are you up? You should be in bed." Klaus traipsed lazily over to Dave before tiredly plopping himself on the floor across from him.
"I can't sleep," He started, rubbing at his hooded eyes to emphasize, "you didn't answer my question. Are you...are you building my stroller for me?" He leaned forward to examine Dave's handy work.
"I am, but Klaus, you really need to go to bed. I mean this with utmost respect; you look like shit." Klaus laughed breathily as he dragged his fingers through his hair, tugging gently.
"Yeah, well, I feel like it too. Easier said than done though, I'm afraid." He hunched forward resting his elbows in his lap and resting his chin in his hands. "Go on, continue. Don't let me stop you. Thank you, though. Really, you didn't have to do this." Dave shot him a smile as he snapped the front wheels into place.
"It's no problem at all, I—" He paused noticing when Klaus's body went rigid as though he had seen something that frightened him. Dave's lips tugged into a frown; worried that Klaus had worked himself so thin he was hallucinating.
"Klaus, you should really go back to bed. You're exhausted."
"I'm fine, Dave—"
"No, you aren't," Dave extended his arm to Klaus, laying his hand over his trembling knee earning the tired man to look at him. "Klaus, you're going to make yourself sick if you don't rest. I promise everything is fine out here, please go to bed. If not for you, do it for her." He gestured over to Riley's slumbering form, "She needs her daddy to be in fully functioning condition. You can't do that if you exhaust yourself. Now, go on. Go to bed."
Klaus seemed to take his words to heart. Dave knew it may have been a low blow to drag Riley's name into this, but Klaus desperately needed to get some sleep. Klaus finally nodded before slowly rising to his feet and starting back towards his bedroom. He turned the corner before swiveling to face Dave once more.
"But, what if—"
"Klaus, go," Dave laughed, shooting the man a smile. "We will still be here when you wake up in the morning. Now, go to sleep." Klaus nodded wandering back down the hall. Dave returned his attention to the stroller, fixing the rear wheels into place.
"You know," Klaus was back again, "if you need to sleep, I could—"
"Go to bed, Klaus." Dave stated firmly. Klaus opened his mouth to retort but Dave pointed towards his bedroom, signaling to leave.
"But—"
"Bed."
Klaus left and Dave watched the hall until he heard his bedroom door close. He waited a minute to make sure Klaus wouldn't decide to come back out again. Once he heard the shifting sound of his body sprawling on the mattress he deemed it safe to continue working on the stroller.
It didn't take long to finish assembling it, just popping the final wheel on and screwing a few washers into place and it was ready to roll. Just in time, really, as Riley started to sputter in her sleep. Dave had enough experience with his nieces and nephews to recognize her hiccuping cry to be an 'I need to be changed' cry. He wheeled the now fully assembled stroller back to its previous resting place in the dining room before returning to change Riley.
"Alright little lady, someone needs a new diapey." He scooped Riley into his arms and gently settled her onto the couch, removing her onesie and her soiled diaper. He cleaned her up, fastening a new diaper onto her tiny little frame before going to replace her onesie.
"Aw, this one's damp sweet pea. Where does daddy keep your clothes?" Dave gathered Riley into his arms, standing up in search for a new article of clothing. He found a laundry basket filled with onesies and plucked an adorable little violet number out of the pile before he returned to the couch and dressed Riley's wriggling form.
"You're a wiggle worm!" Dave laughed. He scooped her back into his arms and held her, cooing to her while he rubbed her back. She nuzzled close against his touch, her forehead pressing just below his chin. He smiled as he rocked her. "There you go, sweetie. Night night." He whispered as she fell asleep. He just held her for a few minutes to ensure she was sleeping before finally going to set her down for the night in her Pack 'N Play. As soon as he turned to leave, however, she instantly sprang awake; tiny cries wracking her form.
"Hey, shh shh princess, I'm still here, I didn't go anywhere," He picked her back up and she instantly settled, her eyes lulling closed. He laughed, "oh, you just wanna be held, is that it? Well, I'm not one to deny such a pretty lady what she wants. Okay, if you insist." He cradled her close, her tiny hands curled around the fabric of his shirt as she drifted back to sleep. He smiled as he sat on the first section of the couch, crossing his legs over the ottoman to make himself comfortable; he had a feeling he would be holding her a while. Dave gently rubbed her back, his own eyes growing heavy until the familiar sound of feet softly paddling against tile caught his attention.
"Klaus, go to—" Klaus entered the living room wrapped up tightly in his blanket.
"I heard her crying."
"She's okay, just wanted to be held. She's asleep - like you should be." Klaus nodded, settling himself upon the couch. He laid himself down, propping his head against one of the many throw pillows that littered the oversized sectional.
"Still can't sleep?" Dave asked, eyebrows furrowing at Klaus's worn expression. Klaus shook his head.
"Nope. I'm just going to lay out here. If that's okay?"
"Of course. But, promise me you'll try to sleep. At least close your eyes." Klaus could only nod as he did as he was told.
Dave rocked Riley, but his eyes were on Klaus watching as he flinched and emitted the occasional groan. Dave frowned before Riley started to stir. Both Dave and Klaus's eyes opened at the sound of her sudden whimpers.
"Aww shh shh sweetie, you're okay." Dave hugged her close to his heart as he started to sing.
"Goodnight my angel time to close your eyes, and save these questions for another day," Dave softly sang to Riley while he rocked her, his fingers gently trailing soothing circles against her tiny back. Klaus lifted his weary head and peered at Dave, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"That's..that's the same lullaby I always sing to her." Dave paused, his blue eyes meeting Klaus's vibrant green ones.
"I sing this to my nieces and nephews all the time. I love this song."
"Me too."
Both men exchanged a smile before Klaus settled his tired body back down against the couch while Dave continued to sing.
Klaus smiled as he listened. He closed his eyes, absorbing the soft sweet tone of Dave's tender voice. At that moment he was able to forget about the ghosts; he was able to forget about all of his anxiety and finally allow his tense muscles to relax while visions of his daughter's precious, perfect little face danced within his memories.
He was finally able to sleep.
—
Authors Note- Thank you all sooooo much for your lovely comments last chapter! I seriously loved reading each one, you guys are amazing! I appreciate you! I hope you'll all continue to read and enjoy this story! If you do, please keep letting me know in the comments! It encourages me to update this for you all! And just makes me so incredibly happy! Thank you all again! Also, be sure to check out my other stories if you enjoy my writing! I am participating in the "Bad Things Happen Bingo" prompt list from tumblr, so be sure to check my stories if any of that tickles your fancy! :P
Thank you all again! :)