You're Beautiful To Me

After spending some time with Mikey Miles is curled up against my chest sleeping peacefully and my own eyes are growing heavy, closing for longer and longer each time I blink. Frank stands from his seat on the couch opposite me and Mikey and announces that he should get me home so I can rest. Mikey agrees and while Frank takes Anna out to the car Mikey pulls me into his side and says "Frank told me what happened, if you wanna stay here for a while that's ok." "Wherever I go the kids are going and I want them to be happy and comfortable so if anyone is going anywhere it's Frank." "Ok then" Mikey says softly as he squeezes me gently before letting me go, standing up to help me off the couch, Miles still cuddled to my chest and as we make it out to the front door Frank is just coming back in, a small smile on his face as he says "Come on, let's get you home and into bed," his hands reaching out for me but I step out of his reach and say "I have legs, I can walk just fine on my own." Frank lowers his arms, looking upset so I turn and say goodbye to Mikey before making my way out to the car, Frank following a few steps behind me. After I strap Miles into his seat I walk around to get in the passenger seat, putting my belt on before slumping down and making myself comfortable as Frank gets in and starts the car, starting the short drive home. A few minutes into the ride I let my eyes slip closed and I drift off to the sound of Anna talking to Frank, telling him she's hungry and he assures her we'll be home real soon and then she can have a snack and by the time we get home I am asleep.

I wake up late that night to soft crying coming through the monitor on the bedside table and I rub at my eyes as I slowly sit up, glancing at the clock which reads 1.40am. I climb out of bed and cross the room, going down the hall to the kids room where I see Frank is already there, Miles curled up against his chest letting out soft whines and whimpers as Frank softly rocks him side to side and sings to him but Miles' eyes are wide open and looking around the dimly lit room, locking onto me standing in the doorway and he lets out a whiny "Da" as he holds his hands out to me over Franks shoulder and Frank turns to face me, surprise written all over his face as he says "Sorry, I was trying to let you sleep." "It's ok" I say softly as I cross the room and take Miles into my arms, his face nuzzling into my neck as his hands clench in the front of my shirt and I gently rock him side to side as I press a soft kiss to the top of his head. "You want some milk baby boy?" I whisper in his ear as I turn and leave the room, Frank tucking Anna back in from where she's kicked her blankets off before he follows us and as I put the milk in the microwave he comes in and sits at the kitchen table. "You don't need to stay with us" I tell him and he frowns and says "I'm not making you stay up while I sleep." I nod, figuring he won't leave no matter what I say before I sit opposite him at the table with the milk, checking the temperature quickly before offering it to Miles, his mouth open and ready and I chuckle softly as he starts sucking, his hands holding the bottle but I keep one hand on the end of it as I lay him back against my shoulder and he looks around wide eyed as he eats before focusing on my face and I poke my tongue out at him which makes him pull the bottle from his mouth as he lets out a little giggle, attempting to imitate me and Frank laughs at both of us as I gently guide the bottle back to Miles' mouth, his eyes slowly slipping closed and before he even finishes all the milk he's fast asleep, snoring softly and I shake my head fondly at him as I gently ease the bottle out of his mouth, sitting it back on the table before standing and carrying him back to bed, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead before tucking him in. When I turn to leave the room again Frank is standing in the doorway and as I try to walk past him he tries to wrap his arm around my waist but I squirm out of his touch as I say "Don't." Franks face drops and he glances at the floor as he says "Nothing happened." "How do I know that?" I snap before turning and walking back into the bedroom, leaving Frank in the hallway looking like he's about to cry as I climb back into bed, curling up around my pillow as I let my own tears fall.

Notes