real life.

IT WAS WELL past midnight now and Chris hadn't gone to bed hours ago like normal, instead he sat by himself in the living room. Carmen was already asleep, and while he wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed with her, the argument they had hours before still went through his mind. Chris regretted making a big deal of the situation, but his anxiety made it worse than what it truly was.

Chris sighed, leaning against the couch and closed his eyes, yet he knew that sleep was impossible. His anxiety was worse than before. He wanted Carmen by his side, holding him while she whispered sweet things to help calm him.

"Chris, why are you still up?"

He slowly opened his eyes, raising his eyebrows at Bridget. "Hm?" He hummed softly.

"You know it's two in the morning, right?" She asked and he shook his head. Bridget sighed, "Why are you still up, dad?"

Chris shrugged, "Can't sleep. I'll be okay."

Bridget frowned and it made his heart break. "Was it because of the argument? I heard it."

"Sweetheart," Chris whispered, "I'll be okay. Don't worry be about me."

"Hold on." She muttered.

Chris sighed, closing his eyes again after she ran off. It was minute later when he opened his eyes again to Bridget settling on the couch. She threw her comforter over their bodies and nestled into his side. He smiled softly at her, wrapping his arm around her body to keep her close to him. Chris placed a soft kiss to her forehead as she yawned.

"We'll be okay, Bee." He assured her, "I still love her."

She looked up at him. "I know you do. She knows that as well. Sometimes it just happens."

"Yeah," he agreed.

• • • •

Chris didn't sleep at all that night, instead Bridget sat with him and slept on the couch. Though his anxiety was still eating away at him, it eased his mind to know that at least one of his favorite girls weren't mad at him.

It had just past six when Carmen woke, saddened that Chris wasn't by her side. She got up and headed towards the kitchen, but stopped in the walkway of the living room. She smiled softly at the sight in front of her.

Chris looked up, smiling uneasily as he made eye contact.

"You know, I'm still upset." Carmen commented, "But I love you. This won't change us."

"I know, princess." Chris nodded, "I love you too. I need you to come here though. You can be mad at me while cuddling."

Carmen giggled, rolling her eyes as she padded towards the couch. She lifted the blanket, sitting down and placing it back over her body. She snuggled into his body as he accepted it, wrapping his arm tightly around her and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.

"I missed you in bed last night. I think the little bean did too because I felt sick all night."

He grinned, looking down to her stomach. His hand reached around her just enough to where his fingertips fluttered over the area where his baby was resting.

"Hey, little one, let your mommy have some peace." He whispered, "She needs her sleep, and just because mommy and daddy got in a fight and you missed me doesn't mean take it out on mama, alright?"

"This is all still surreal, ya know?" Carmen sighed, laying her head against his shoulder. "I never thought I'd ever get married, or have another baby, yet here I am. Engaged to the love of my life and having another baby that I cannot wait to meet."

"Here we are."