Request: the Ford family during a thunderstorm.
You always see the lightning before you hear the thunder. Carrie stirred against Harrison’s chest as the room lit up for a moment, then shook with the force of the thunder clap. Almost instantly, they heard the piercing cries of their older daughter, Emma.
“It woke her up,” Harrison said without opening his eyes. “Shit.”
As soon as he said that, a higher pitched, louder wail split through the air. “We’ve got a sympathy crier,” Carrie muttered as she sat up. “I’ll get Billie, you get Emma?”
He nodded sleepily and kissed her forehead. “Deal.” Harrison stood up and moved swiftly to his daughter’s room. Even though he knew there was no danger, hearing her cry tore at his heart. “Hey Miss Emma,” he cooed as he opened her door slowly.
“Daddy!” She practically flew to him and wrapped her tiny arms around his chest.
“You ok, Peanut?” He scooped her up and held her close as another roll of thunder crashed outside.
“It’s so loud,” she sobbed, looking up at him with eyes that looked just like her mother’s.
“It’s ok, you’re ok… I got you,” he whispered.
“Daddy…” Her voice cracked again and her breath hitched in her throat.
“Hey, it’s ok.” He pulled back to look at his little girl; in the dim light of her room, with her white nightgown, she looked like a tiny angel. “You wanna come sleep with Mommy and me?” She nodded vigorously as he took her hand and led her down the hallway.
As they walked toward the bathroom, Harrison heard his wife’s voice sail down the hallway, mixed with the baby’s cries. “Hey Daddy, hi Emma!” Carrie said brightly as she continued to rock the screaming Billie.
“Awwww, little one, did the thunder scare you?” Harrison reached for the baby and took her gently from Carrie. As soon as she was in Harrison’s arms, Billie stopped crying. She curled her tiny hand around his thumb, melting his heart.
“Ugh, traitor,” Carrie joked, reaching to pick up Emma as another bolt of lightening flashed through the sky. “Let’s go back to bed.”
Harrison smiled as the family loaded into their bed. Baby Billie was sleeping on his chest, Emma snuggled on his left, and their mother - his wife - on his right. He kissed each of them in turn and watched his older daughter’s eyelids grow heavy and close over those eyes that looked just like his wife’s. Emma curled up closer as she feel asleep. The baby sneezed and closed her eyes, safe and warm on her Daddy’s chest. “Look at them,” Carrie sighed.
Harrison flashed her his lopsided grin. “How you doing, beautiful,“ he whispered to her.
"I’m good,” she muttered. “They’re both asleep… the barbarians have been pacified.”
Harrison chuckled. “For now,” he whispered as he pressed another kiss to her forehead. She shifted to her side and placed her hand on baby Billie, who wiggled between her parents.
A brilliant flash cut across the sky, lighting up the family. It was followed by a clap of thunder. He heard Carrie whimper and snuggle a little closer into his side. “You ok?”
She nodded against him. “It’s loud…”
“I know it is, sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead and smiled. “You scared of the thunder, Fisher.”
Carrie shook her head vigorously. “No… it’s just loud and the girls… and everything shakes…”
“Don’t worry,” he murmured, pulling her closer. “I’m right here. Close those big beautiful eyes.”
She nodded. “The girls are happy. Your girls love you.”
“I’ve got all my girls,” he muttered as her breathing steadied and she drifted off. He stayed awake for a few more moments, making sure Carrie really was asleep. “Sleep tight, sweetheart,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’ve got you.”
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