But then came the first real scare—a sudden figure lunging across the screen with a scream so loud it echoed through the living room.
"Aaaaah!" Rachel shrieked, flinging her arms up as a handful of popcorn shot into the air.
Bella jolted too, instinctively wrapping her arms around Rachel just as Lucas leaned forward, snatching the bowl midair before it flipped completely. Still, kernels rained down on them like soft, buttery confetti.
Lucas chuckled as he brushed popcorn off his shirt. "Well, I guess that's our snacks."
Rachel groaned, burying her face in Bella's side. "That was so scary! Can we watch cartoons now?"
Bella smoothed her daughter's hair, trying not to laugh. "You asked for a scary movie, munchkin. This is what happens."
Lucas smirked. "No backing out after five minutes. We've got popcorn casualties—this is serious business now."
Rachel puffed her cheeks in mock defiance and pointed at him. "Okay, but if I get nightmares, I'm sleeping in your bed."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Ours?"
Rachel nodded solemnly. "Both of yours."
Bella, mid-sip of juice, nearly choked. "What?"
Lucas leaned back, grinning. "Deal. But you're gonna have to deal with Bella snoring."
"Hey!" Bella nudged him with her elbow, mock-offended. "I do not snore."
Rachel turned toward her, eyes wide and whispering dramatically, "You kind of do."
Lucas gave her a triumphant nod. "Told you."
"I don't!" Bella tickled Rachel's side, and the girl shrieked with laughter, trying to wriggle free beneath the blanket.
Their laughter filled the room, scattering the tension the horror movie had stirred. As the movie played on, it faded more into the background while soft chatter and giggles filled the space. Eventually, Rachel's energy ran out—school, popcorn, and excitement catching up to her—and she curled against Bella, fast asleep.
Lucas glanced over, voice softer now. "She's out."
Bella looked down at her daughter's sleeping face, her fingers brushing gently across her temple. "She always tries to act braver than she is."
Lucas's eyes lingered on them both. "She is brave. Like you."
Bella blinked, caught off guard by the tenderness in his tone. When she turned to look at him, there was no teasing smile—just quiet warmth, and something deeper in his gaze.
"Thank you," she murmured.
For a while, they sat in silence. The movie ended with a dramatic twist neither of them paid attention to. Bella leaned gently into Lucas's shoulder, her eyes fluttering closed, a small smile tracing her lips.
Lucas reached for the remote, clicked the TV off, and let the quiet settle around them.
Eventually, they all settled into the bed. At Bella's urging, Lucas carried Rachel to their room. The lights dimmed as the night deepened.
Bella sighed, her breath escaping louder than intended as she stared at the ceiling. Rachel's tiny arm was draped over her belly, her daughter's soft breathing rising and falling in sync with hers.
Curled into her side, Rachel looked utterly at peace—blissfully unaware of the lingering tension her movie choice had left behind. Bella had tried to drift off too, but each time her eyes fluttered shut, flashes of that horror film crept back into her mind—twisted faces, chilling silence, and sudden screams.
A gentle shift in the mattress broke the silence.
"You're still awake," Lucas's voice came, low and steady—his tone like a hand reaching through the dark to anchor her.
Bella turned her face slightly toward him, her gaze catching his in the dim moonlight spilling through the curtains. His eyes were open, quietly watching her.
"I didn't mean to wake you," she whispered.
"You didn't," he murmured. "I was just... waiting for you to fall asleep first."
She offered a faint smile. "That's not happening anytime soon."
He shifted slightly closer, careful not to disturb Rachel between them. The warmth of his presence grew, and the air seemed to settle.
"Still thinking about the movie?" he asked.
Bella gave a small, sheepish nod. "It's silly, I know. But every time I close my eyes, it's like that creepy face is right in front of me again. My brain just won't shut off."
Lucas's mouth curved into a lopsided smile. "You know… you didn't even want to watch it."
She groaned softly. "Remind me to never listen to your movie suggestions again."
"Hey," he whispered with a quiet chuckle, "that was Rachel's suggestion. I'm completely innocent."
They both looked down at the little girl between them—her cheek smushed against Bella's side, her fingers curled around a fold of the blanket. Oblivious. Peaceful. A small, gentle knot of love sleeping soundly between them.
After a moment, Bella added, "I just… didn't want her to sleep alone. She got scared too, even if she didn't want to admit it."
"I know," Lucas said quietly. "But... you didn't want to sleep alone either, did you?"
Her gaze darted to his. It was quiet for a moment. No lies formed on her lips. Maybe she had needed someone tonight—for reasons deeper than a horror movie.
He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, his fingers grazing her skin in a way that made her breath still. "Do you want me to help?" he asked, voice soft, almost hesitant.
Bella glanced at Rachel, then back to Lucas. "She's asleep. Just… don't leave. Stay here."
"I wasn't planning to."
A moment later, she felt the mattress shift again—this time more deliberately. Lucas moved closer, sliding in behind her. One arm wrapped slowly around her waist, tugging her gently until her back met his chest. His chin nestled against her shoulder, and his breath warmed the curve of her neck.
She didn't move. Couldn't. That familiar warmth wrapped around her like a second blanket. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed this—being held. Being the one someone stayed up for.