Mike's pov

Shane and I continue to discuss the best way to proceed with his guardianship training. We decide a short trip might be a good way for the girls and Shane to bond. Shane's ready to put his observations to the test. I rent us a cabin at one of the national parks downstate. We'll drive down Thursday night and return sometime on Saturday. Fresh air, hiking trails, cooking by campfire, and four seven-year-old girls. What could go wrong?

We arrive at the national park around 8pm Thursday. The drive down took just under three hours. The girls watched a movie while Shane and I shot the breeze and listened to music. I was feeling optimistic about this trip since the girls were remarkably well behaved during the drive down and at the restaurant when we stopped for dinner.

Shane and I decide to go over the rules with the girls and then we'll call it a night so everyone is well rested for a long day of hiking tomorrow.

"Take a seat, girls. Shane and I are going to explain the rules for this weekend."

"Rule #1, Shane and I are in charge so you will listen and do as we say without argument." I pause to ensure they're listening. "Rule #2, see rule #1. Any questions ladies?"

Lisa asks, "So is there one rule or two rules?"

"Yes, exactly," I say.

Shane's pov

Mike and I get the kids to bed and finish hauling in the food and bags from the car. By the time we're done, we're both exhausted. Magellan packed lighter when he sailed around the world. We decide to call it an early night and head to bed at 10pm.

Long about 1am, I find myself wide awake and decide to get up and do some reading until I'm tired enough to fall back asleep. I get a fire started in the fireplace and settle in on the couch with the latest Stuart Woods novel. Around chapter four, I hear tiny footsteps coming my way.

"Lisa, what are you doing up?" I whisper, so as not to wake the others.

"I heard a noise and got scared and couldn't go back to sleep," Lisa says, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"The noise you heard was probably just the wind. There's nothing to be scared of here. Okay?"

"Where's Mike? He helps me when I can't sleep."

"He's asleep, Lisa. We don't want to wake him."

"Can I just sit with you for a little bit, Shane?" she asks, curling up next to me on the couch.

She lays her head on my thigh as she nestles into my side. How can I say no?

I wrap my arm around her as she snuggles in deeper.

"Sure baby, you may sit with me for a while." Her eyelids are already getting heavy. I gently rub her back and read softly to her as she drifts off to sleep. Soon her breathing becomes slow and even, signaling she's sound asleep. I kiss the top of her head and hold her close. I've never felt so at peace.