Jack was sat downstairs drawing when he heard quiet cries coming from upstairs. He knew Rose was still in the bath and didn't want the girls to disturb her so he went up.
He got to the top of the stairs and realised the cries were Sophia's. He went in to Rose's room and lifted her out of her crib, holding her close and rocking her gently. She didn't settle so Jack was going to take her downstairs to avoid her waking Tilly or disturbing Rose.
"Mummy?" Tilly called out quietly, hearing footsteps outside her room. Jack opened the door "Mummy is in the bath sweetheart, are you OK?" He said, still rocking Sophia, whose cries were now quiet whimpers. "I can't sleep" she said, rubbing her eyes "want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" he offered and got a nod in response "come on, move over" he said to Tilly as he climbed on top of the blanket beside her. "Is Sophia OK?" Tilly asked, noticing her sisters cries "I think she's a bit hungry" he said quietly as Tilly reached over and held Sophia's hand, who stopped crying "hey, she just wanted her big sister" he smiled to her "come on, lay down" Tilly nodded and curled in to Jack's side as he kept his arm around her, trying to reassure her.
"Jack?" Tilly asked "yes?" He replied "are me, mummy and Sophia going to live here forever now?" "For as long as you all like" he smiled down at her gently. "I like living here" "good" he said as he stroked her hair, hoping it would help her fall asleep. As Tilly spoke, Sophia fell asleep. "Mummy is happy here" Tilly said looking up at him "what do you mean?" He frowned at her "she didn't smile at Father's house… only at me, and we didn't talk when we ate dinner" she shook her head "but here we're allowed to… she likes it here" Jack just forced a smile to her, his heart aching that Rose had been through all of that alone. His thoughts were interrupted as Tilly rubbed her eyes "come on, try and get some sleep" he smiled gently "OK… night night Jack… night night Sophia" she said as she closed her eyes. Jack intended to stay with her until he was sure she was asleep, but instead fell asleep himself- his arm around Tilly and holding Sophia.
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Rose got out of the bath around half an hour later, she put on her pyjamas before going in to her bedroom to get her new dressing gown. She frowned, confused that Sophia wasn't in her crib, but didn't panic this time, assuming Jack would have her. She put on her dressing gown and went to go downstairs. She saw the crack of Tilly's bedroom door open and went to check she was OK, convinced that she had shut the door when she had put Tilly to bed.
Her heart melted as she looked at the sight in front of her; Jack, Sophia and Tilly curled up asleep together.
She walked over to him and shook him gently "Jack…" he scrunched his eyes up before opening them to see Rose "did I fall asleep?!" He said surprised, getting a nod from Rose in return "sorry…" he said awkwardly. He passed Sophia to Rose so he could get off the bed without waking Tilly and followed her out of the bedroom. "I'll just go put Sophia in her crib then I'll be down" she said quietly. Jack nodded and headed downstairs, waiting in the living room for Rose.