The smell of food wafted in the cold night air, dinner had been set accompanied by silence. The family occupied the table in a triangular formation, making Ed the head, Lorraine beside him, and Lia who sat across from her mother. Georgianna had been home earlier than expected as she managed business even her daughter doesn't know of, but the grandmother promised to be back by morning to tend to the Warren's only child.

Lorraine, who kept her mouth shut about what happened earlier, had been eyeing her daughter momentarily. The child was quiet even after what had happened was over, but her eyes held everything on what was wrong.

She kept her gaze on an empty chair farthest from all of them, and she only left her eyes when she felt her mother nudge her gently on the side. Even after hours of nap she took, in her parents' bedroom of course, refusing to sleep in her own after the incident, Lia looked pale still. Despite her red rimmed eyes from crying, her appearance seem to lack that of blood.

"Is there something wrong?" Asked Lorraine, firmly holding her fork and knife in both hands while speculating her child. Lia seem to take a moment before fully adjusting her attention to her mother, she took a bite out of her dinner, while Lorraine only raised a brow and waited for her reply.

"...nothing," She mumbled, now looking down on her plate and continued eating. Lorraine wanted to push the topic more but decided it would be better not to force it, all while Ed could only give his wife a solemn smile.

...

Hearing voices while contentedly eating dinner wasn't Lia's go to evening, seeing something wasn't either but look what that led. By the time they've finished their lovely meal, both adults cleaned and got ready for bed.

"Lia," Lorraine called, wiping the remnants of water from her hands while mooning over Lia who perked her head up hearing her name, "Why don't you go upstairs and take a bath?"

She could see her daughter hesitate, before slowly nodding her head and went upstairs. Lorraine frowned, but kept quiet and finished the last remaining chore with her husband. The clairvoyant restrained herself from thinking about the event that took place when they weren't here, she restraint herself from picturing the immense fear her child felt, and as much as she tried, it wouldn't seem to go away.

By the time they were done, they head straight to their bedroom, thinking their child would be there. To their surprise, she wasn't. Refraining from panicking, Lorraine thought about visiting Lia's bedroom, and with that intuition she grew to thank it.

Lia was sat at the edge of her bed, a very thoughtful look on her face was displayed. She had her pajamas on, and it looked like she just got out of the bath. Knocking softly on her door, Lorraine opened it slightly and took a peek, seeing as her daughter was truly there, she didn't waste time and entered completely.

"Ed, she's here."

"Right. I'll be right there---" And true to his words, Ed emerged right behind Lorraine. He had his hands on his pocket, while he put on a smile for his daughter.

"I wanna sleep here," Said Lia, turning to face both her parents. Both adults exchanged looks before Lorraine cleared her throat and replied, "Are you sure sweetie?"

Lia nodded to which Lorraine could only sigh, "Very well," She motioned for the girl to position herself in bed, an intention of tucking her in. Lia wasted no second of her time, she laid on her back then pulled the covers up to her chin. Lorraine's palm smoothening the surface of Lia's duvet before placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

"Goodnight my little gaurdian angel," Her voice low but tender, quiet as she whispered. She could feel Ed's hand on her waist as he leant down and kissed their daughter's forehead as well. "We love you." Lorraine said one last time before hesitantly turning off the lights, not forgetting to turn on Lia's dimly lit night light. With that, Lia's eyes fluttered close, her breathing evened, and slowly drifted off to somewhere Lorraine wished won't be nightmares.

...

Ed got in their bathroom just as Lorraine had finished, his wife had her hair down and pajamas on. She had been feeling quite down lately and Ed did not surely miss it, her fingers fiddled with their sheets trying to distract herself from her very own thoughts, and she moved on to fluffing their pillows before finally settling in them.

She had her back against the stiff headboard, zoning in and out while nipping the nail on her thumb, and seemingly unaware of her husband who had been standing in his paired pajamas examining the state of her.

"Something bugging you hon?" Ed asked, finally gaining the attention of his wife. She shook her head and motioned for him to come to bed, still not making direct eye contact. "I'm just..." Lorraine sighed, looking far into the distance. "---I'm worried about our daughter."

"She's not telling me something Ed, back at the dining table, she was constantly looking at the empty chair across us, that until I asked her what's wrong," She frowned still not directly looking at her husband.

"Give her some time," He stopped, taking her small hands into his to which it fitted perfectly, that seemed to wipe the small frown on Lorraine's face, "She can handle her own, she's strong. Reminds me of someone,"

He smiled, his gaze held nothing but pure love that never left hers and that made Lorraine playfully roll her eyes at him but appreciated his flirt.

"You are such a suck up, you know that right?" A smirk was evident on Ed's lips, he leaned and press a soft kiss on the back of Lorraine's hand and with a jokingly tone, "Yeah, but I'm your suck up." He replied.

The couple finally settled in peacefully, after a long hectic day it wasn't hard for both to fall in deep slumber. Ed had his hand wrapped around his wife's waist, burying deep in the crook of Lorraine's neck, his wife had her back turned against him, not minding his heavy arm on her hip.

...

It had exactly strike midnight, the atmosphere was quiet and everything seemed to move around in silence.

Waking up in cold beads of sweat, shallow breaths, and heavy gasps of air, Lia sprung to sat up. The lowly dimmed light illuminated her face with a faint glow, also allowing her to view her surroundings in a certain radius.

She pushed herself at the very edge of her bed, feeling the cold ground with her feet, while still meticulously eyeing her surroundings in caution. Swallowing the fictitious lump on her throat, she stood and hobbled over to her door at a rather nifty pace.

With a turn of the knob, she was out. Staring at nothing but unending darkness, the only light she could see were the two faint lamp lights downstairs, other than those were consumed by shadows. She blinked scarcely trying to adjust at the sudden change of lighting, letting her pupils dilate like that of a cat.

She trudged along the dark hallway leading up to her parents' bedroom, the floorboards creaking beneath her while she walked. Despite her trembling fingers, Lia didn't let her legs wobble in fear, she kept her posture straight and did not dare looking back.

Soon enough, she found herself staring at the towering oak wood door, its brass knob taunting for her to open. She could hear the light snores coming from the other side and hesitantly placed her fingers on the handle, guilt consuming her mind. She looked over her shoulder, almost as if deciding to go back. But one look at the dark seemingly damp hallway made her turn down the decision.

Pushing past the door, her hand made note to subconsciously shut it behind, her movements were like that of mice, quiet and reserved.

She could see them peacefully having their slumber, eyes closed away from the terror of the night. Her guilt had been pulling her to look away and turn back, but her mind knew better than to listen.

Her feet dragged her to the edge of their bed, inching closer until she finally was able to reach her mother. Reaching over, her palm made contact with Lorraine's left arm, the warm contact making her feel slightly safe.

"Mama," She shook her gently, "Mama..." Her voice barely a whisper, but to no surprise the mother heard it and stir awake. Lia watched as her mother quietly groan and squint before fully waking up, now aware that she was there.

"Sweetheart...?" A frown evident on her lips, Lorraine sat up straight and took her daughter in her arms. By the cold sweat that trickled down her forehead, and the wide eyes that seem to clench the mother's heart, Lorraine could tell she had a nightmare.

Lorraine kissed the crown of her head and laid her down right in the center. The sudden shift in bed made Ed stir and flutter his eyes open, blinking a couple of times before understanding the situation. He sat up and softly ruffle his daughter's hair, before turning his gaze on Lorraine.

"Had another nightmare?" Ed mouthed to which his wife nodded, they watched as Lia rubbed her tired eyes and softly yawn, struggling to keep her eyes open.

Lorraine had her fingers on Lia's hair, gently brushing strands of hair and tucking stray hairs away from her face. She pecked her cheek, seeing as she finally gave in to slumber. Ed and Lorraine waited for a bit trying to confirm if she was indeed out like a light, and thinking that she was, they finally slip in under the covers and closed their eyes.

"Mommy..." A whisper, so quiet Lorraine almost missed it. "Yes, darling?" Lorraine asked, her attention now on her daughter who seemingly haven't fallen asleep yet.

"Can I get a pet?" Lia opened her eyes, looking hopeful at Lorraine to which the mother could only smile, "A pet?"

"Mhm mhm," She mumbled a yes, waiting for her mother's reply. Lorraine can't help but question where did this suddenly come from, but nonetheless didn't bother to ask.

"Hmm, I don't know we'll see tomorrow," Lorraine could see the slight frown on her daughter's lips, and so she reassured, "Maybe...darling, maybe."

That was a decent enough reply from her mother and so Lia left it there, she smiled up at Lorraine, eyes drooping until fluttering close.

Kissing her forehead one last time, Lorraine gently pulled the covers on all of them, before huddling in close. Even in slumber, Ed had the instinct of protecting them with his arms wrapped on both his daughter and wife. The family of three laid soundly asleep, calm from witnessing any horrifying sights, and safely tucked in each other's arms.