Four Beating Hearts

8 - clingy

A/N: Merry Christmas Eve! (If you celebrate! and happy whatever other holidays that you may celebrate lol)

Bethany POV

Mariana and I had made our way into the kitchen after Bella told me that she would put Penny to sleep. I was kind of moping when I sat down to eat my food causing Mari to throw a fry at me.

I glared at her, "What was that for?" I asked slightly irritated.

Mariana raised a brow at me, "Are you seriously moping because Bella put Penny to bed and not you?"

I sulked a little in my seat, "I'm not moping." I told her and she laughed in my face.

"Yeah, okay. I get your attached to Penny, but she needs to bond with all of us Beth. You aren't going to be here 24/7." Mariana explained to me.

I nodded in defeat, "I know. She's just so small and innocent, I can't help but want to protect her." I told her and she laughed at me as Bella walked into the room.

"What are we laughing about?" Bella asked as she sat down next to me. I pulled her chair closer to me before pulling her back towards me. She laid the back of her head against my chest as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.

"Hi beautiful," I told Bella quietly not missing the smile that appeared on her lips.

"Eh eh, no!" Mariana scolded me. "Do not try to get Bella thrown off topic with your seduction." Mariana continued to yell at me.

Mariana then looked back to Bella, "I was laughing at our wife here being clingy to Penny," she ratted me out and I shot her a frown.

Bella craned her neck to look at me, "Is that so?" I pecked her lips to hush her.

"Stop. I can't help it." I tried to defend myself and luckily Bella smiled at me.

"I know babe. Honestly it doesn't bug me if Penny is clingy to you, especially right now. If you are who she finds the most comfort with then so be it. I know she'll bond with all of us eventually." Bella told me with a shrug and I kissed her forehead.

I then shined a triumphant smile to Mariana, "See, Bella gets it."

Mari rolled her eyes at the both of us before speaking up again. "So what are we going to do about Penny?" She asked us and I sighed.

I could tell Bella didn't know either so I took this as my moment to talk. "We are going to love her and take care of her. We are going to reassure her and make sure she is safe. Maybe one day she'll tell us what happened and fully delve into the trauma she experienced, but until then, we take it one day at a time." I reassured my wives.

They all nodded before Bella sat up and looked at the both of us, "I think we should head to bed now," she told us and we all agreed and started making our way up the stairs.

I hesitated as they passed Penny's room. "I uh think I'm just going to check on Penny." Luckily both of the women smiled and playfully rolled their eyes as I crept into Penny's room.

I walked quietly over to her bed before crouching next to her. I brushed some of her hair out of her face. "Sweet sweet Penny. You have us all wrapped around your finger already. Mari and Bella laugh at me for being so attached to you already, but I can't help it. You're so little and I want to protect you with everything I am." I told her as she slept.

I had my arm rested across her body and I kissed her forehead before getting ready to leave. As I stood up though, Penny instinctively held onto my arm. I tried to pull back slightly but she held on tighter.

I was at a standstill here. I didn't want to wake her to get my arm back, but if I stayed and slept in here with her, I would never hear the end of it from my wives. Also, what if Penny wakes up and freaks out about this.

I took the chance and slowly got into bed with Penny. I stayed above the covers and just grabbed the extra blanket at the end of the bed to cover myself with. As soon as I was situated Penny immediately snuggled into my chest.

I let out a deep breath as I held her in my arms. Penny has napped with and on me before so this shouldn't be any different is what I tried telling myself.

I stayed awake a little while longer to ensure that she was okay. I couldn't help but smile each time I looked down and saw her snuggling comfortably on my chest.

Deciding it would be okay for me to fall asleep, I pulled the little one closer and kissed the top of her head before closing my eyes.

Mariana POV

I woke up a few hours later and noticed that Beth wasn't in bed with us and it looked like she hadn't been in bed with us at all tonight.

I got up to use the restroom because that's why I had woken up in the first place. Once I was done in there, I made my way to Penny's room.

Peaking into her room I see a large shape in bed with her. I know it's Beth, but I still double checked and sure enough she was in bed with Penny.

I couldn't help but smile at them. Penny was quite literally shoving her entire body into Beth's body. Beth had her arms protectively wrapped around Penny while Penny's head was tucked underneath Beth's head.

I know I have been giving Beth crap about her being clingy to Penny and Penny being clingy right back, but I'm glad Penny has someone she trusts so much.

I expected it to be me since she had known me and grew up around me, but I'm happy she's bonded with Beth. Beth is quite literally the mom of our group so it's fitting.