Kirstie waves bye to her friends as she unlocks the door of the beach house. The lights were on but the house was completely silent.

Maybe they had left the lights on for her so it wouldn't be so creepy coming into a dark house. But it was very unusual for Tim and Chance to go to bed so early. It couldn't be no later than ten o'clock. They cut their night out short considering the others had to work tomorrow. Maybe they were just worn out by babysitting three wild kids.

She locked the door behind her and quietly lays down her purse and keys. Bad scary thoughts begin to enter her head. What if someone broke in and killed them all. Or kidnapped them. What if an intruder was in the house.

She holds her breath as she tiptoes toward the living room. Cautiously peeking around the corner, she breathes a sigh of relief.

Sitting on the couch with his head laid back, sound asleep, was Tim still wearing his glasses. Emily was sitting in his lap with her head laid against his chest, also asleep. Patches was curled up to Tim's side sleeping with his head on Tim's shoulder. The bedtime storybook that Tim had been reading them had fallen out of his hands to the floor.

Adam was laying on the floor on his side in front of the tv. His head was resting on his arm. Lying next to him was Chance. He was lying on his stomach with his arms folded under his head. Both were sleeping. The game they had been playing had been paused.

She smiles as she takes in the scene before her. This was her family. She loved each of them so much. Even Chance, the newcomer.

"Tim?" Kirstie whispers as she pats him on the leg.

The brunette jumps and quickly raises his head, giving her a startled look.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She whispers with a smile.

"What... What time is it?" Tim asks in a raspy voice as he takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.

"It's about ten thirty." She says softly as she gently brushes back Patches's long curls. "Were they any trouble?"

"Naw, none whatsoever." Tim answers in a low voice. "I figured you'd be out later than this."

"Well, the others have to work in the morning" She whispers as she carefully picks Emily up from his lap. The little girl wiggles but finds comfort as she lays her head on her mommy's shoulder. "But we had a good time."

"That's good." Tim nods as he starts trying to get Patches awake enough to get him to the bedroom.

"Mmm pay bee." Patches mumbles in his sleepy state. "Ti."

"Maybe tomorrow, Kiddo." Tim smiles as he tries to get the man-child to stand on his own. 

Seeing that he wasn't making much headway with getting Patches awake enough to walk on his own, Tim figured Chance would be better for the job.

"Hey, Bama?" Tim whispers softly as he reaches down and rubs the sleeping man on the back.

"Huh? What?" Chance mumbles as he raises up and rubs his face.

"Can you help me get Patches to bed?" Tim asks.

"Oh, okay. I'll get him. He might make you lose your balance." Chance says as he stretches and yawns.

"Alright. I'll wake Adam." Tim nods.

"Chance, you can put Patches in my room. He'll wake up as Patch." Kirstie says before heading upstairs to put her daughter to bed.

Chance helps Patches up to bed as Tim wakes up the sleeping blonde.

"Hey, Pumpkin, wake up. It's time to go to bed." Tim says.

"Otay." Adam nods as he gets to his feet. "I tiwed." (tired)

"I know, Sweetie." Tim says as he leads Adam to the elevator.

"Tim?" Adam yawns as Tim tucks him into bed. "Hath Chance moobed into you bedwoom yet?"

"Uh... not quite." Tim says as he reaches for the blonde's blankie.

"Well, den, since Kebin hath moobed out can I hab his bedwoom?" Adam asks. "Patches tays in Ms. Kit woom all da time. And Kebin's woom hath a betta view ob de ocean."

"You know, that's not a bad idea. Plus Emily is about to outgrow her small room. So we need to think about moving her room in here or Chance's room. That is if things continue to progress between us." Tim says as he brushes back the blonde's hair. "I'll talk to Kirstie tomorrow about the change, okay?"

"Otay." Adam smiles as he hugs his blankie. "Good night."

"Good night, Angel." Tim says as he kisses the man-child on the cheek.

As Tim walks out into the hallway, he meets Kirstie coming out of Emily's room.

"Did you get Blondie tucked in?" She asks with a tired smile.

"Yeah, he was pretty exhausted. He came up with a pretty good idea that I'll talk to you about in the morning. I'm too tired for conversation right now." Tim chuckles.

As they near Kirstie/Patch's bedroom, Chance stomps out and tosses Kirstie some pajamas.

"Here. He's all yours." A frustrated Chance says before stomping off to his bedroom.

"Patches can be a little brat when he wants to be. Especially at bedtime." Kirstie giggles as they watch Chance's door slam shut.

"Naw, not Patches." Tim laughs. "He doesn't know the meaning of brat."

"Whatever." Kirstie rolls her eyes before going into her bedroom to face the wildman.

Tim walks down the hall to his lonely bedroom. Stopping at the door, he looks back at Chance's room. He turns and makes his way to the closed door and gently taps.

"Just a second." Chance calls from inside the room.

The door opens and Chance is standing there wearing a pair of jogging pants and a tee shirt.

"Hi." Tim says quietly looking down at his feet. "I...uh..I was wondering if you'd like to sleep in my room tonight. I could really use someone to snuggle with."

"I'd love to." Chance smiles and takes Tim by the hand.

They walk back down the hall to Tim's room closing the door behind them.

"PATCHES KAPLAN!! I'M GIVING YOU TILL THE COUNT OF THREE TO GET YOUR BUTT INTO BED!!" Kirstie shouts at the hyper man-child. "ONE!!"

"TO! TEE!" Patches shouts as he jumps into bed. He giggles as he grabs Dag and rolls over, pretending to be asleep. (two, three)

She stares down at the man pretending to be snoring with a confused look on her face. He counted!!

*********

Sorry if this is a bit short. Had to rush to get an update in today. And, Yes, it's a bit calm BUT you know what that usually means, right??? 

I will try for an update on Monday but more than likely it will probably be Tuesday.

Please don't forget to smash the VOTE button and leave a COMMENT.