A/N: If you or anyone you know is experiencing a crisis of any kind, contact your local or national crisis support/suicide prevention centre or hotline. Depression is a serious illness and should be treated as such. It is not a figment of one's imagination.
It had been a long shift at Seattle Hospital. Ready to collapse, I gathered my things from my locker and headed for my car.
"Hey Eddie! You done for the night?"
I rolled my eyes. It was my brother Emmett.
"Yeah I'm just heading out now." I replied.
"Dad just wanted me to give you a lift home. Doesn't want you having an accident."
I nodded, grateful for the offer.
We climbed into Em's car and he fired up the radio. Loud death metal boomed from the speakers. Emmett bobbed his head to the beat and strummed his fingers on the steering wheel. I rolled my eyes once again, but didn't bother begging him to turn it off. Radio at 3am in Seattle was limited to death metal or chart toppers from the 90s.
We pulled up at my house and I clambered out, murmuring my thanks for the lift.
As I was walking out the driveway Emmett leaned out the window and shouted,
"Don't forget dinner at the 'rents on tomorrow night! Ali's bringing the new boyfriend. And bring my little Maisie, it's been too long!"
"Right. We'll be there. See you, Em." I nodded in farewell and waved him off before walking the rest of the way to the heavy antique door of my home and letting myself in.
"DADDY!", cried an excited voice.
I heard the frantic footsteps of my little girl running down the hallway, and before I could crouch down to catch her, she ran straight into my legs, nearly knocking me over in my zombie-like state.
"Maisie, sweetie, I've missed you so much.", I said as I bent down to pick her up and envelop her in my arms, nuzzling my nose in her hair. She was warm and I inhaled her clean, baby scent. I sighed.
"I missed you too, Daddy. Did you make lots o' people better tonight?", she asked, her big blue eyes boring into mine.
"Mmhmm. But it's time for you to be in bed, Little One.", I frowned. Why was she up at this hour anyway?
"Where's Jessica, Maisie?"
I looked down to see her asleep in my arms, her head resting on my chest.
I smiled softly and kissed her head.
I'd worry about my daughter's unreliable nanny tomorrow. I carefully carried her up the stairs and into her room, laying her down gently. But apparently not gently enough.
Just as I was tiptoeing out I heard her call softly,
"Daddy? Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"
Damn it. I froze. I thought I'd gotten away with it. I'd been having this problem with Maisie for two years now. Do I pretend I didn't hear and pray that she just falls back asleep?
"Daddy? Pleaseeeeeeeeee? Pretty please with a cherry on top?"
Her begging was pulling at my heartstrings and I gave in.
Turning around, I whispered, "Yes, munchkin, but only for tonight. Do you promise to sleep in your bed tomorrow night?"
She nodded fervently and I held out my hand for her.
Once she was settled in bed, she asked me, "Daddy can you sing me my lullaby?"
Nodding, I quietly hummed her special tune.
Once her breathing became steady, I kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear,
"Love you, Maise. Sweet dreams, Little One."
And with that, I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.