A five-year-old Hayes tiptoed into the room late at night, clutching her favorite stuffed llama under one arm. The faint glow of her nightlight left a soft halo behind her, illuminating her small figure as she climbed onto her parents' bed.

"Daddy?" she whispered, her little hands reaching out to shake Cedric awake.

Cedric groaned, blinking groggily as his eyes adjusted to the darkness as he checked the time on his apple watch. "Darling, it's two a.m.," he murmured, his deep voice raspy from sleep.

"I don't know what that means," Hayes replied matter-of-factly, her voice just as serious as her wide green eyes, "but I'm hungry."

Cedric let out a small laugh, running a hand over his face to fully wake himself up. Before he could respond, the baby monitor crackled to life with the unmistakable sound of Killian crying, followed by faint "mamama" babbles. The noise stirred Billie, who groaned softly from her spot beside him.

"I'll get him," Billie said, her voice heavy with exhaustion as she pulled herself out of bed.

Cedric leaned back against the headboard, pulling Hayes into his lap as she clutched her stuffed shark tightly. "Kee is so cute," Hayes said brightly, her tiredness forgotten as she spoke about her little brother.

"He is," Cedric agreed with a small smile. "Even if he wakes us up every other hour."

The baby monitor continued to broadcast Killian's little cries as Billie entered the nursery, flipping on the dim light by his crib. Her heart softened instantly at the sight of him, his chubby hands reaching up for her as his face scrunched up in distress. "Hey, my little baby," she cooed, lifting him into her arms.

Killian's cries quickly shifted to excited babbling. "Mamamama," he chirped, his small fingers gripping the collar of her shirt as he buried his face in her neck.

"Why you crying Kee?" Billie murmured, swaying gently as she kissed the top of his head. Killian's dirty blonde curls were still soft like baby fluff, and his big blue eyes blinked up at her, wide and curious. He was fifteen months old and already had the entire family wrapped around his tiny fingers-especially his big sister.

Back in the bedroom, Hayes had made herself comfortable on Cedric's chest, her small frame curled up against him as he rubbed her back. "What are you hungry for, my love?" he asked, his voice still laced with sleep but warm and patient.

"Waffles," Hayes replied without hesitation.

Cedric chuckled softly. "Waffles? At two in the morning?"

"Why not?" Hayes said with a cheeky grin, clearly aware that she was testing her limits.

Before Cedric could respond, Billie reentered the room, carrying a much calmer Killian. "Waffles?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the conversation she'd overheard.

"She's determined," Cedric replied with a shrug, though his green eyes sparkled with amusement.

Billie sighed, shaking her head as she handed Killian over to Cedric, who immediately started bouncing him gently. "You know you're spoiling her, right?" she teased, sitting back down on the bed.

"And you're not?" Cedric shot back with a smirk. "I seem to remember someone letting her eat ice cream for breakfast last week."

Billie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide her smile. "That was one time."

"Sure, love," Cedric said, his tone playful as he kissed the top of Killian's head.

Half an hour later, the whole family was in the kitchen. Hayes was perched on a stool at the counter, swinging her legs happily as Cedric made waffles in the waffle maker. Billie sat nearby, cradling Killian, who was now wide awake and babbling endlessly.

"Hi, hi, hi," Killian chirped, his favorite word bouncing off the kitchen walls as he waved at everyone in sight.

"Hi, Kee," Hayes replied, giggling as she waved back at him. "You're so silly."

Cedric glanced over his shoulder, his heart swelling at the sight of his little family. These were the moments he lived for-the simple, chaotic, love-filled moments that made every sleepless night worth it.

"Alright, princess," Cedric said, placing a plate of golden waffles in front of Hayes. "One order of two a.m. waffles, just for you."

Hayes gasped dramatically, her green eyes lighting up. "Thanks, Daddy!" she exclaimed, immediately digging in.

Billie laughed, leaning back in her chair as she watched the scene unfold. Cedric caught her eye, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down. They didn't need to say anything-the look they shared was enough. It was a look that said, We're doing okay. We've got this.

After finishing her waffles and being coaxed back to bed, Hayes yawned as Cedric tucked her in. "Daddy?" she said softly, her voice sleepy.

"Yes, darling?" Cedric replied, smoothing her curls away from her face.

"I love you," Hayes murmured, her eyes fluttering closed.

Cedric's chest tightened, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I love you too, my little princess."

He stayed by her side until her breathing evened out, then quietly returned to the master bedroom, where Billie was already lying down with Killian asleep in the bassinet beside her.

"Waffles at two a.m.," Billie said with a smile as Cedric climbed into bed. "You're going to regret that when she expects it every time."

Cedric chuckled, pulling her into his arms. "Let her. I don't mind."

Billie snuggled into his chest, her hand resting over his heart. "You're such a good dad, you know that?"

"You're a good mom," Cedric countered, his voice soft.

They lay there in comfortable silence, the faint sound of Killian's breathing filling the room. Cedric kissed Billie's forehead, whispering, "I wouldn't trade this for anything."

Neither would she.