Author's Note: I just got my first review after finishing this chapter. I got to say I'm really pleased that people are enjoying this. I'm planning on doing at least 10 chapters for now. Depending on the response I get I might do more. I have a lot of ideas in my head about stuff like this.

Thunder & Lightning

It was a particular rainy day in Bruhl. However, the clouds were quite a darkish grey than it was usually during rainy days. According to the weather report broadcast via radio, there was a possibility of there being a thunderstorm in the evening.

"All citizens within the aforementioned areas are recommend to stay indoors for safety purposes during the storm until all is said and done. Additionally the following areas of Gallia are on flood watch until further notice…"

The radio in the Gunther household was currently on, reporting on the weather. Alicia had closed the bakery shop she owned earlier in the day due to the rainstorm much to her disappointment. But she became less concerned about that when she noticed something worrisome in her home.

Isara was sitting on the floor listening to the radio while Welkin was in a chair nearby reading a book on nature. It seemed normal at first glance but Isara's body language made her seem to appear very anxious and fearful. Slightly worried about her daughter, Alicia decided to ask her something.

"Is everything okay, dear?" Alicia asked with a little concern in her voice.

"Ummm….Yes, everything's a-okay Mama." Isara said hesitantly. She seemed to be putting on a face to try and hide something.

Alicia felt like something was wrong, like something was bothering her daughter that made her seem anxious.

"Isara, are you worried about the thunderstorm?" Alicia asked her daughter.

Isara stood there for a few seconds. She knew deep down she was scared. But for some reason she had a hard time expressing this to her mother.

"A-a little bit…" Isara replied.

At this point Welkin looked up from reading. He himself was starting to worry about his little girl. But he felt it might be alright. He had been through previous thunderstorms in Bruhl when he was a child and they were nothing bad per say. It was just hard to sleep during those nights.

Isara soon became a little more anxious and decided to go to her bedroom.

"I-Isara?" Alicia said. She was starting to get concerned for her.

Welkin just sat up from his chair and approached Alicia.

"Is everything alright?" asked Welkin.

"Yeah, It's just I've never seen Isara like this before." Alicia replied.

"I'm sure she's alright but I'll be sure to talk to her just to make sure she's okay." Welkin said trying to comfort his wife.

"I hope so." Alicia said still concerned about Isara.

Welkin then turned off the radio and went into Isara's room.

"Hey, is everything alright? You're making Mom a little worried about you." Welkin asked Isara who was now laying in her bed. Welkin noticed her looking out the window. It was clear to him that the storm seemed to be on her mind.

"Yeah, I'm alright." Isara said trying her best not to looked scared.

"Well…if you need anything at all tonight, don't be afraid to come into our room. Make sure to brush your teeth before you go to sleep alright?" Welkin said very gently.

"Okay Papa" Isara replied she seemed to seem slightly better but still quite anxious.

—

Later that night the storm outside was starting to begin. The rain began to pour at a very fast rate, it was windy to the point of being audible. It was harrowing sounding too.

Isara was in her bed, but she felt very scared. The wind was so loud she couldn't drift off to sleep peacefully like she usually would.

Eventually she saw flickering white flashes outside her window. Isara became alert of her surroundings, being alone in her dark bedroom made her feel on edge.

BOOM!

The thunder boomed loudly and lasted about 3 seconds. Enough to startle the living daylights out of poor Isara. At this point Isara was almost in tears. She felt increasingly scared and her little heart started to beat faster.

BOOOOM!

This time the thunder was even louder. Isara got under her blanket and started to shake a little. She was clearly frightened of the storm. At that point Isara remembered something that Welkin had said to her earlier.

"If you need anything at all tonight, don't be afraid to come into our room."

Isara took a deep breath, grabbed her small teddy bear that stood on her bedside and made her way out of her bedroom.

The hallway looked darker than usual as Isara walked gently and carefully to the door of her parents room.

BOOOOOOOOM!

It was so loud this time that Isara started to cry and ran quickly as she could to the door clutching her teddy bear.

—

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Alicia heard doorknocks. She was having a hard time sleeping because of the storm in addition to thinking about Isara. Welkin was beside her trying to fall asleep to no avail at all.

"Welkin, I think someones at the door." Alicia said.

Welkin started to yawn a bit. It looked like he was finally about to doze off.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Alicia sighed and got up from her bed and opened the door.

In front of her stood Isara, clutching her teddy bear with tears rolling down her eyes.

Alicia absolutely concerned at this point kneeled down on her knees and began to comfort her daughter.

"What's wrong Isara? You're starting to scare me. " Alicia said this time with worry in her voice.

"Mama…I'm really scared…This storm is scary…I don't want our home to catch on fire." Isara weeped clutching her teddy bear even more.

Suddenly it all made sense for Alicia. Earlier in the day the radio news had said to stay indoors during lighting but there was a small chance that lighting could strike a home and it could cause a fire. Isara must've heard this and got worried.

Alicia hugged her daughter tightly. She had been concerned over nothing serious. "It's all alright Isara, lighting doesn't strike near towns or homes. It strikes in plain fields where there's no one around. You're going to be safe. The storm will be over by morning." Alicia said comforting her daughter with reassurance of her safety.

Isara was starting to feel a little bit better. "O-okay Mama" Isara replied but she was still a little anxious.

Welkin had been listening the whole time. He became wide awake the minute he saw Isara frightened and scared in front of her mother. He got out of bed and comforted Isara as well.

"If you're still worried, you can sleep with us tonight." Welkin said to Isara gently and calm.

At that point Isara began to lighten up.

"Really? I can Papa!?" Isara said almost squealing.

"Of course. We'll protect you as a family. Right Alicia?" Welkin said with gentleness and confidence in his voice.

"Yes, of course we will." Alicia said gently nodding her head in agreement.

Isara quickly got into her parents bed. It was so big due to it being made for two people.

Isara wouldn't let go of her mother initially as she was still quite shaken from the thunder. But soon began to calm down and eventually drifted to sleep.

Alicia laid to the left side of the bed while Welkin laid on the right. Isara now holding her teddy bear in one arm laid in the center of the bed huddling close to her parents. Isara seemed so calm and peaceful. Welkin and Alicia couldn't help but notice how adorable their daughter was when sleeping.

Alicia gently caressed her daughter's hair, a lush light brown just like hers.

"She's so adorable isn't she?" Alicia said.

"Yeah, she has her mother's eyes and hair." Welkin said calmly.

"And her father's gentle kind-hearted personality." Alicia continued.

The two of them soon began to fall asleep as well despite the loud weather outside.

—

The next morning was quite a site to behold outside. It was bright and sunny. There wasn't even a cloud to be seen in the blueish sky that presided over the town of Bruhl. You've never would've guessed there was even a storm at all last night.

Isara was still asleep in her parents bed, softly breathing in and out as she slept.

Alicia couldn't help but notice how calm and peaceful her daughter seemed. She wanted to let this continue until she woke up on her own. But it was almost time for breakfast.

"Isara, it's time to wake up." Alicia gently said rocking her daughters body just the slightest bit.

*Yawwnnn*

Isara woke up rubbing both her eyes and stretching.

"Good morning Mama." Isara said half-awake.

"Are you hungry? It's almost time for breakfast." Alicia asked her daughter.

"Yes Mama, I am." Isara replied now slightly energetic.

Alicia quickly picked up her daughter and soon got her seated at the kitchen table.

"Everything all alright Isara? Did you sleep well?" Welkin asked his daughter sitting next to him.

"Yep. I feel really happy today!" Isara responded cheerfully.

"That's great to hear." Welkin replied gently rubbing the top of Isara's head.

It had been a rough previous night but Alicia looked at her daughter with relief. She appeared safe and happy without a worry in the world as young children should be. Continuing to enjoy life to the fullest.