whimper
They wake to a whimper, a storm at their window, a crying girl at the end of their bed.
Mummy whispers Daddy's name, opening her eyes ever so reluctantly. Pulling herself into an upright position, she opens out her arms for their daughter to fall into. Thunder claps outside. She holds onto her mother tighter, mumbling nonsensical words, her tears soaking her pyjama top in small patches at the shoulder.
"It's alright. You're alright." Mummy strokes her hair.
Naturally inpatient, Mummy kicks Daddy beneath the duvet and he makes a loud groaning noise as he slowly comes to. The room is still bathed in darkness and the clock indicating the hour he catches sight of only makes him groan louder. Some time passes before he properly awakens. He manages to shuffle himself closer to the two of them, his head between each of the bed's pillows, a hand on his daughter's. He gives it a tight squeeze.
"What's wrong, eh?" he whispers.
She just shakes her head. The whole of her body is shaking with how noticeably scared she is.
"It's alright," Mummy repeats. Her fingers in her hair are making her heartbeat slow down just enough for her to be able to breathe.
She attempts to form a sentence and finds that she cannot.
She tries again.
"Storm," she says. "It's so loud."
Her tears have subsided considerably, but she is still nuzzled against Mummy's chest, jumping every time lightning strikes and fills the room momentarily with a flash of light.
They are quiet for a time before Mummy says in a soft, comforting voice, "Well, if it's the loudness that's bothering you, you're best not sleeping in here with us. No cuddles for you."
Mummy playfully hits the tip of nose with one of her fingers to which she frowns, for she is warm and safe in Mummy and Daddy's room. She is calm. Confused, she looks to Daddy for help, but he just smiles at her and gives her hand a tight squeeze. He has a feeling he knows what is coming and he is ready to hear the sound of her laughter.
"Daddy's snores are louder than any storm ever could be."