It was the first time Bella and Jr had ever slept in the same bed. Since the day Jr had brought Bella and the girls into his home, a quiet bond had been forming between him and Bella—one built on trust, safety, and the shared weight of painful pasts. But that night had been different. That night, something shifted.
The room was dark and still, the soft glow of the moon slipping through the curtains. Bella lay curled on Jr's chest, her breathing steady, her presence warm. Jr lay awake for hours, not because he couldn't sleep, but because he didn't want to. For the first time in years, his heart felt full—safe, even. He traced gentle circles on her back, memorizing the weight of her resting on him. She was here. She had chosen to trust him. That meant everything.
He studied her face in the dim light. The worry lines she often carried had faded in sleep, replaced by something softer. Peaceful. Beautiful. In that moment, Jr didn't care how long it took—he would give everything to protect this peace for her, for the girls, for the family they were quietly becoming.
As the first hints of dawn crept into the sky, Jr slowly slipped out from under Bella's sleeping form. Careful not to wake her, he tucked the blanket up to her shoulders and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. He watched her for a moment longer, then changed into his joggers and headed out for his morning run.
The air outside was cool and refreshing. The rhythmic thump of his shoes on the pavement matched the steady beat of his thoughts. He jogged past quiet houses, his mind drifting back to the journey that had brought them here—Bella's strength, the girls' resilience, the darkness they had overcome. And now, there was light again. There was laughter in the halls. There was hope.
When he returned home, the sun was rising gently above the rooftops. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of the water heater. Jr wiped the sweat from his forehead, kicked off his shoes at the door, and padded softly upstairs. He peeked into his room—Bella was still there, fast asleep, her face turned toward the window. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"She needs the rest," he thought. "Let her sleep. She's carried enough."
He headed toward the girls' rooms, where he heard movement and the soft buzz of early morning chatter. As he pushed open Bonita's door, he was greeted with a cheerful voice.
"Good morning, handsome Dad!"
Jr laughed, his heart warmed. "Good morning, my little princess."
Bonita was toweling off her curls, already halfway dressed for the day. She grinned up at him, eyes shining. Together, they made their way to Lisa and Bianca's room, where the other two girls were finishing getting ready. As soon as they saw Jr, they squealed and ran to him for a group hug.
Jr laughed and hugged them tightly. These moments—these simple, chaotic, joyful moments—were what made everything worth it. The laughter, the healing, the sense of belonging.
In the back of his mind, though, he couldn't help but think about how far they still had to go.
Very soon, he thought, you'll all be free. Free to go to school. To play outside like other kids. To live without fear. The people who hurt you are behind bars now. You're safe. You just need to hold on a little longer.
His thoughts were interrupted by Bonita, who tugged on his sleeve and said with her signature charm, "Handsome Dad, I want ice cream."
Jr raised an eyebrow, amused. "Ice cream? In the morning?"
Bonita nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"
Lisa chimed in, "I want chocolate!"
Bianca added quickly, "Me too!"
Jr chuckled and shook his head. "Alright, alright. I'll send someone to bring it. But only after breakfast, deal?"
The girls cheered and raced ahead toward the dining room. Jr followed, smiling at their energy. Just before they sat down to eat, Lisa turned around.
"I'll go get Bella for breakfast," she said innocently, and skipped toward Bella's room.
Jr froze slightly, knowing what was coming.
A few seconds passed before Lisa returned, frowning. "She's not in her room," she said. "The bed is made, and she's gone."
Bonita looked up. "Did she leave early?"
"Maybe she went for jogging," Bianca offered.
Jr cleared his throat and gave a careful smile. "She might have stepped out for a bit. She's probably just running an errand or needed some fresh air."
Lisa narrowed her eyes. "She usually says goodbye before leaving."
Bonita tilted her head curiously. "Did she sleep somewhere else?"
Jr hesitated. The girls didn't know Bella had stayed in his room the night before. They weren't ready for that yet—and maybe he and Bella weren't ready to explain it either.
"She might've just had trouble sleeping and wanted to clear her head early," Jr said gently. "Don't worry. She's okay."
The girls exchanged glances but didn't press further. Jr tried to shift the mood. "Come on, let's eat before your breakfast gets cold."
They sat down at the table, and the girls started picking at their food, still distracted by Bella's absence. Jr's phone buzzed quietly on the counter. He picked it up quickly.
A message from Bella:
"I needed some space this morning. Just went for a walk to clear my mind. Don't worry—I'm safe. I'll be back soon."
He let out a small breath of relief. She was okay.
"She's safe," he told the girls. "She'll be back soon."
Bonita leaned her chin on her hand. "Do you think she's sad?"
Jr paused, considering how to answer.
"I think sometimes grown-ups just need quiet moments to themselves," he said gently. "It doesn't mean they're sad. It just means they're thinking. And that's okay."
The girls seemed satisfied with that, and conversation slowly returned to cartoons and plans for the day. Jr watched them, their innocent chatter a comforting background to his thoughts. Bella's absence felt heavier than he expected. He missed her already.
As the house filled with the sounds of forks clinking and laughter returning, Jr stepped away to the window. The street was bathed in golden morning light, the trees rustling softly. Somewhere out there, Bella was walking, thinking, breathing.