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The nightmare had startled her awake, clinging to her like a cold sweat. The images already fading but the fear lingering sent her into a distressed state. Her small usually bright and lively bedroom in the Monaco apartment felt dark and eerie, the only light a soft glow from the hallway nightlight. Her heart was a frantic drum against her small ribs as she felt tears start to roll down her face. She carefully slid off of her bed and, while crying, began to cross the hallway towards her parents bedroom.
The sound of her tiny, light feet against the hardwood floor felt twice as loud in the night time silence as she scurried across the hallway and slowly approach the master bedroom, the door creaking open and small hiccups uncontrollably left her lips as the 4 year old made her way to Lando’s side of the bed. Her voice soft and shaky as she whispered
“Daddy…”
Lando shifted slightly but remained asleep, his breathing deep and even. Oscar shifted too, his arm tightened instinctively around Lando as he blinked his eyes open.
“Emilia?” His voice thick with sleep “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
Oscar carefully untangled himself from Lando, trying not to wake him. He sat up, the sheets rustling softly in the quiet room. He gestured for Emilia to walk round to his side of the bed, his face etched with worry and slight panic at seeing his daughter crying. Hiccuping, she stood at his side and he reached out to gently wipe a tear from her cheek with his thumb.
“Did you have a bad dream?” His voice soft and familiar, providing Emilia comfort. She nodded, lip trembling as tears continued to fall.
“It was really scary Papa…”
He easily scooped her into his arms, holding her close and letting her relax into him as he let out a few calming shushes whilst stroking her hair. He stayed like that for a moment before replying.
“Oh, darling. It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
Beside them, Lando stirred and murmured in his sleep, rolling over.
“Five more minutes, Osc…”
Oscar let out a soft, fond chuckle at Lando’s sleepy muttering, rocking her gently while whispering.
“It was just a dream. It can’t hurt you. Do you want to tell me about it?”
Emilia just shook her head, burying her face into his shoulder, sniffling. The Australian just nodded once in acknowledgment, rubbing her back soothingly to further help her calm down.
“That’s alright. You don’t have to.”
Oscar shifted on the bed slightly to find a more comfortable sitting position with his daughter now in his arms. Feeling the movement, Lando slowly blinked awake, rubbing his face before propping himself up on his an elbow.
“Wha’s goin’ on?” His voice deep and still laced with sleep. He squinted, his eyes adjusting to the light and seeing Emilia in Oscars arms. “Em? You okay?”
Oscar turned to look at his sleepy husband, continuing to trace circles on the 4 year olds back whilst quietly whispering.
“Bad dream.”
The older man immediately became more alert, sitting up and scooting closer to the pair. “Oh, baby. Come here.”
Oscar shifted so the girl was nestled between both of her dads, a safe little island in the big bed. Her head rested against Lando’s chest as he pulled the duvet up over her shoulders. She clung to his chest, her breath picking up again as she talked.
“Daddy…” she hiccuped. Her fragile voice the only sound filling the bedroom. “It had a monster… and- and-“ she started to tear up again and a moment later, her frightened cries suddenly echoed around the room. The Brit immediately pulled her into a comforting embrace, wrapping his arm around her.
“Shhh, it’s alright. I’m here. No monsters allowed.”
The younger male joined the embrace, lightly stroking her hair. “We won’t let anything hurt you, Emilia.” Lando nodded, kissing the top of her head.
“We’ve got you. You’re safe with us.”
The room is warm and quiet, the only sounds Emilia’s cries and the gentle reassurances of her fathers. Lando holds her tighter, and Oscar hums a low, calming tune. The actions sending relaxing messages to her brain as she sniffles and begins to settle, cuddling closer into her dads’ chest. Lando’s voice a soft rumble.
“There’s no monster big enough to get past me and your papa, angel.”
The Australian continuing his hum softly then whispering. “That’s right. We’re your knights in shining armour.”
The duvet is a comforting, heavy weight and the scent of sleep and safety fills the air. Lando’s steady heartbeat thumps against his daughter’s ear. Lando’s gentle voice speaking again.
“Do you want to sleep here with us tonight?”
Emilia could only nod slowly and snuggle closer, her eyes already closing as exhaustion started to take over her body and her breathing started to even out. The Brit adjusted the duvet around her as he led down, placing her on top of his chest, allowing her to still hear his heartbeat.
“That’s my girl.”
Oscar settled back against the pillows, keeping a protective hand on her back. “We’re right here.”
The final ounce of tension leaving her small body as she drifted off to sleep. Lando shifts her onto her side so she rests in between him and Oscar, placing his cheek against her hair and Oscar’s touch shifted to her small waist. They both breathed out a sigh of relief as the room settled back into a comfortable silence.
“She’s already out.” Lando whispered contently to his husband, meeting his eyes above Emilia’s head. Oscar let out another sigh, whispering back as his shoulders dropped. Relaxation finally settling back into his body.
“Poor thing. Must have been a really bad one.”
The moonlight filtered through the blinds, casting soft stripes across the bed. The apartment was perfectly still and the nightmare now just a distant echo. Emilia shifted in her sleep and both men were immediately whispering comforting words, soothing her back into a deep sleep. They exchanged a soft, knowing look over her head, a silent conversation full of love and concern. After a moment, Lando’s breathing evens out again and Oscar closes his eyes, his hand remained a steady, warm presence against the little girl’s side. Before sleep took over again, the Brit murmured.
“Love you, Em.”
The quiet of the night settles back over the room, a deep, protective calm. Oscar’s hand gently tracing circles on Emilia’s hip as he finally muttered.
“We’ve got you.”
The night stretches on, peaceful and still. Held securely between her fathers, the remnants of the nightmare dissolve into the safety of their embrace. Lando’s breathing deepens into the rhythm of sleep, and Oscar eventually lets his own eyes close, letting out a final sigh of content through his nose before allowing sleep to pull him under.