Colby's POV
My heart broke for Julia. The idea that she thought this was all her fault made everything so much worse.
I tried to keep us all calm while we stayed in the hotel but it was hard considering how scared the kids got by the break-in.
I didn't know what happened in the room, but I knew that Julia killed two grown men. That would be enough to traumatize anyone of any age, let alone children.
Sleeping was nearly impossible since I was so worried about Maisie and Julia.
Jules still had to wake up every two hours to feed Maisie and every time she would wake up she would yell at me to go to sleep.
"Colby, seriously." Julia hummed as she fed Maisie, rocking her gently. "It's fine, Jules. You feed her and go back to sleep, I'll burp her and get her back to bed." I said and gently rubbed Julia's shoulder, massaging them.
"You have to drive..." She said as I breathed a laugh. "I'll be fine, sweetheart." I said as Maisie finished up.
"Come here." I said to Maisie as I took her from Julia.
"Get some sleep, Jules." I said and stood up with Maisie, patting her back as I rocked side to side.
"Are you sure?" Julia asked as I nodded. "Of course. Get some sleep." I said and watched as she nodded and got back in bed.
I rocked Maisie as I burped her then held her against my chest until she fell asleep.
I couldn't get over how in love with her I was and how happy I was that she was here. I was apprehensive at first about bringing a child into this terrifying world.
The second I saw her though I knew it was the right decision. Having a child with Julia was the best thing to ever happen to me.
I loved Maisie more than anything in the world.
Once Maisie was asleep I laid her in her crib and turned to get in bed with Julia only to see Juniper standing in the doorway with tears in her eyes.
"Hey, kid. You okay?" I whispered and crouched down to be level with her. "I had a nightmare." She mumbled. "Well that's no good." I said and brushed the tears from her cheeks.
"Can I sleep with you and sissy?" She asked as I nodded. "Of course. Come on." I said then scooped her up and carried her to the bed.
I laid Juniper next to Julia then laid beside her. "Hmm?" Julia mumbled quietly as Juniper cuddled up to her.
"You okay, bug?" She asked and wrapped her arms around her little sister. "I had a nightmare." She said as I wrapped my arms around both of them.
"We'll keep you safe, love." Julia said and glanced up at me. "Always." I said as Juniper nodded and closed her eyes, snuggling into Julia.
Juniper slept with us all night, which was surprising considering we were up and with Maisie multiple times.
Once the sun was up though, we started the get everyone situated to his the road again.
I held Maisie and rocked her as Julia helped Juniper get ready.
It broke my heart how afraid Juniper was about all of this but I couldn't stress enough how much we would protect her.
I knew it was scary but Julia and I would do anything to keep all of the girls safe.
"Sissy, can we get apple slices?" Juniper asked as Julia gently brushed through her hair. "I don't see why not." Julia said and looked up at me.
