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Amy tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It was an impossible task, and she hated the feel of the blanket over her body. It was almost as though she were suffocating, and she kicked out from under the covers, not caring if she disturbed Adam. Besides, she knew he was just as awake as she was.
"Ames... Come on, we need some rest."
"Well, that's easier said than done!" she snapped, glaring at her husband in the dark. "I guess it's no problem for you, but I'm a mother. You don't get it!"
The blond man sat up and turned on the lamp by the bedside. He squinted at her in the brightness, trying to hold onto his temper.
"Don't throw that at me... I'm his father. And yes, I am worried about my son. I just think we should at least try to get some sleep so we'll be ready for tomorrow - in case the police find Tommy."
The redhead blearily eyed him until her face completely fell. She burst into tears and buried her face in her hands as she sobbed.
"I'm sorry, Adam... God, I'm being such a bitch!"
The Canadian wrapped an arm around his wife, drawing her against him. He patted her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"You're not, baby... you're just upset. Shh... It's okay."
She sniffled and wiped at her tears with one hand.
"I am, but that's still no excuse. I love you, Adam," she murmured.
"I love you, too," he said, kissing her on the temple. "And don't worry... We'll get our boy back soon."
I hope so, she thought, but she didn't verbalize it. She was so terrified of what could be happening to the baby at that moment. What if Adam was wrong about thinking Matt took him and it was really a pedophile who had? She squeezed her eyes shut, as though that would stop the horrid thoughts from permeating her mind.
The couple simply laid there in silence for a few minutes. Amy could hear Adam's heartbeat, and she decided to concentrate on that, lest she go mad with worry for her baby. The sound was even beginning to lull her into feeling sleepy.
There was a sudden knock at the door, and then it opened. Mandy bounded inside and rubbed at her eyes as she made a beeline for her parents' bed.
"Mommy... Daddy... I had a bad dream!" she whined.
"Aww, Blondie, come on over here," the Canadian called, reaching a hand out to the little girl. She was more than grateful to comply as she climbed up and onto their bed.
Amy was slightly more awake again as she gathered her daughter into her embrace. She stroked the child's fine blonde hair and kissed her.
"Aww, sweetie, you want to talk about it?"
Mandy didn't answer, instead opting to look into her mother's eyes. There was a fearful expression on her face.
"It's okay if you tell us, kiddo," Adam told her reassuringly. He reached for her small hand and held it.
Amanda hung her head for a moment, seemingly thinking it over - or perhaps trying to get a grip over her fear. Then, looking up searchingly into her father's and mother's faces alternately, the girl explained.
"I dreamed about Tommy being gone," she said, her eyes widening. "And then I was taken away too! It was so scary!"
Adam noticed the way the little girl had tightened her hold on his hand. She was practically shaking. Poor little thing... He gave her hand a gentle rub with the pad of his thumb.
"That won't happen, Blondie. I promise you, you're safe with your Mommy and me."
Mandy shifted her hazel glance from her father to her mother. The redhead nodded, though she felt a chill inside at the girl's dream. After all, it hadn't been that long ago that Mandy had been missing. She nodded and held the child more closely to her.
"Daddy's right, Mandy. Nothing like that will ever happen to you again."
"And anytime you have a bad dream or something bothering you," the blond man said, "come to us and tell us. Okay?"
Amanda nodded and held onto her mother. Then, in a very small and tentative voice, she asked a simple question.
"Can I sleep with you the rest of the night?"
"Of course you can, sweetie," Amy answered. She gave the girl another kiss on the head. After that, Mandy scrambled out of her arms to stretch out between her and Adam.
The blond man couldn't help but smile at his daughter for her benefit. He too gave her a kiss before reaching
over to turn the lamp off.