The Hardest Part Is Letting Go Of Your Dreams

Every night for the next week Ruby has nightmares, waking up screaming and crying in the middle of the night, a few nights she even wets the bed. Ruby is currently screaming and crying into my neck as I hold her close, gently rocking her side to side and trying to calm her down. Frank comes stumbling in, rubbing his eyes, his hair messed up. "Again" he groans out and I shoot him a filthy look, the two of us have been arguing all week. Frank yawns before shooting me an apologetic look and comes over, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to my cheek. Ruby's cries eventually die down and she hiccups, rubbing her face against my neck and yawning loudly. I lean in and kiss the top of her head. "It's ok baby" I whisper in her ear and she whimpers and fists her hands tighter in my shirt. I go to lay her back in bed and she says "No daddy" so I stand back up and secure her on my hip, reaching out and taking Franks hand, leading him back to the bedroom. I climb into bed and Ruby settles into my chest, still clinging to my shirt and Frank climbs in on my other side, wrapping his arms around me and pressing against my back. Ruby quickly falls asleep again and Frank starts gently pressing kisses to the back of my neck. "I love you baby, so fucking much. I don't wanna fight anymore." "I don't wanna fight either" I whisper out, gently easing Ruby's hands out of my shirt and rolling over, pressing my lips to his. Frank kisses back and I gently slide my tongue into his mouth, my hands tangling in his hair as his hands slide around my waist, sliding under my shirt and gently stroking my skin. "God I love you so much baby" I whisper out when we part for air and Frank pulls me closer against him and kisses me again. "I can't imagine my life without you. You're so incredible baby, my heart beats just for you" he whispers back before grabbing my hand and guiding it over his chest, his heart pounding beneath my palm. I smile at him in the dark and he smiles back, kissing me again and resting his hand over mine and I fall asleep, feeling his heart beat just for me.

The next morning Frank tells me he thinks Ruby should go to play group again. We argue for a while before I give in and agree, getting her ready and leaving the apartment. She is fine until we stop outside the building and she starts dragging her feet and saying "Don't want to daddy." "It's ok baby daddy will be there the whole time I promise." She nods and takes my hand, walking inside with us and for the first half hour she plays with her little friend and everything is fine. Fifteen minutes before we are going to leave the woman from the last few times comes into the room with another younger looking woman, both of them scanning the room before spotting Ruby and walking towards her. I grab Franks hand and point it out and we watch them, waiting to see what they are going to do. They are almost to Ruby when she spots them and lets out a blood curdling scream, worse than I've ever heard her make before and Frank snaps a quick picture of the two women on his cell before Ruby takes off across the room, running towards us, tears streaming down her cheeks and they turn in our direction, watching her. I make eye contact with the younger woman as I bend down and scoop Ruby into my arms and she appears to be smirking. "Shh baby girl it's ok." "No" Ruby screams out before saying "Go daddy." "Ok baby, it's alright" I tell her as we leave the building, Frank following behind. After we get home I take Ruby in to have a bath and Frank calls the adoption agency, setting up a meeting with the social worker for the next day. "You ok baby girl?" I ask and Ruby sniffles before saying "Bad ladies daddy." "You know daddy won't let them hurt you right? Daddy will keep you safe." Ruby nods and keeps playing with her rubber duck. "Is that what your bad dreams are about baby girl? Those ladies?" Ruby shrugs her shoulders before saying "And monsters." I nod before saying "Well daddy won't let the monsters hurt you either" leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

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