“Trust your instincts,” Asher said. “If you want to go, just let me know. We’ll figure it out.”
She shook her head firmly. “No. I’ll stay. I don’t want to leave Aria again, especially so soon after last night.”
Asher didn’t press further, respecting her decision. After putting Aria to bed and ensuring she was sound asleep, the couple finally collapsed into their own bed, exhaustion from parenting and the day's activities pulling them under quickly.
--
The peace of the night was disrupted a few hours later. Asher stirred awake, feeling Bella shift beside him. She was sitting up, her silhouette barely visible in the moonlight streaming through the window.
“Bella?” he mumbled groggily. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” she replied in a soft voice. “I’m just going to check on Aria.”
Asher smil
