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“Yes there are,” she whispered back, lifting her head to look at him. “I saw it.”

His voice was treading along the fine line of patience. “You didn’t see anything.”

“You can’t tell me what I saw.” She shot back and he pinned her with a look.

“Do you want to go back upstairs?”

“No, no, I’m sorry.” She apologized, laying her head back down on his shoulder and I watched him slightly adjust the blanket around her shoulders. “Wait.” She lifted her head again. “What if you slept in the room too? The monsters would be scared of you.”

He seemed pained. “No.”

“Why not?” She threw her head back.

“Because I’m not your father, kid. And monsters aren’t real either.” He walked her over to the kitchen island and with a lot of tugging, he finally got her off of him.

He fixed the blanket around her shoulders as she sat on the kitchen island, hugging herself. She stared up at him with wide, shimmering eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Don’t give me that look.” He shook his head and her lips turned downward into the most adorable pout. If I were in his position, I would have given her what she wanted instantly.

I watched his chest rise and fall with a heavy sigh.

“Please, Antonio.” She insisted.

“What if I give you some warm milk? Would that make you sleep?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

She simply shrugged with a devious grin. “I guess…”

He extended his hand toward her. “I give you warm milk and you go back to sleep. No arguments.”

She glanced down at his hand, then leaned in with narrowed eyes. “Add a chocolate chip cookie and we have a deal,” she whispered.

He gave her a single nod and she smiled with excitement, shaking his hand.

He made his way to the fridge and she turned to look at him. “So, if you and Nirah are married, how come you were sleeping alone?” she asked as he poured her a glass of milk. “My mom and dad are married and they sleep in the same bed.”

“Why are you roaming around my house in the middle of the night?” he asked and she shrugged.

“I told you. I saw something. And when I ran out of my room, I opened the first door I saw. And you were sleeping.”

“And it had to be my door? You couldn’t interrupt Nirah’s sleep?” he mused and she chuckled.

“So… why don’t you sleep next to her?”

“That’s none of your business,” he murmured, lifting the milk into the microwave.

“Is it because you snore really loudly?” She giggled and he turned, arms folded across his chest.

“Yes.” He nodded and she broke out into an even louder laugh. He crossed the island and grabbed one of my cookies and handed her one.

“Well, when I have a husband, and he snores, I’ll tell him to sleep outside,” she proudly said, and that gained her a timid smile from him.

“Yeah? And what if he doesn’t listen?” he asked and the microwave beeped. I watched him grab the warm milk and head back to her. He handed her the mug and she thanked him, taking it with both hands.

“Then I’ll tell him I have a really scary friend who’ll fight him.” She lowered the mug onto the counter and confidently planted her hands on her hips. I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh.

Antonio chuckled, taking me aback and I watched him lift his hand. She high-fived him, and he leaned in. “I’ll teach you to fight so good you won’t even need me.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up and he nodded.