Somebody to Love

Tom scrolls through his news app when he's interrupted by a call. "Good morning, darling." he says.

"Hey, honey." Bethany smiles. "How's your morning of relaxation going?"

"The exact opposite."

"Oh?"

"I woke up at 3 and I knew there was no going back to sleep so I got up, cleaned the house, did the laundry, ordered groceries online to be delivered this afternoon, made dinner for tonight, exercerised, took a shower, got ready for the day, and now I'm here just relaxing until one of the girls gets up."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Tom sighs. "Ugh, although remember when I hurt my back the other during the fight scene?" Although he can't see her, Bethany nods. "Well I hurt it again lifting weights."

"Take care of yourself, please. You need to rest."

"I can't rest, Beth, I'm Mum and Dad. Very soon, two little nuggets with arrive from their slumber and come into my room for either food or company."

"Then I'll tell you what, why don't I let you go and let you just close your eyes until they wake up. Maybe you'll get some sleep but even if not, you got to close your eyes and rest your body a little."

"Okay, darling. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Bethany says. "Feel better. I love you."

"Love you too, darling. Goodbye."

Tom hangs up and closes his eyes. He falls asleep about 10 minutes later but then after about three minutes, his door opens. "Good morning, Daddy." Bella smiles. "Why are you dressed already?"

"Oh, I've been awake for a little while. What's going on?"

"I just got up. I checked my games on my iPad and now I'm here. Arielle is still asleep."

"You checked your games, huh?" Tom says.

"Yep." Bella climbs into Tom's bed and stills very maturely. She looks like a grown woman by her posture. "You look tired. You should go to sleep."

"I wish it was that simple."

"I can read to you." she says. "You always read to me and Arielle if we're having sleeping troubles."

"Did you become 30 years old over night?"

"No," Bella shakes her head and jumps off of Tom's bed. She goes to his drawer and grabs a book. "Um, Daddy, I don't know how to pronounce this."

"Try."

"The... Cab-e-net, oh cabinet. The Cabinet of Cour-"

"It's when you're wondering about something."

"Curiosity?"

"Do you have Cabinet of Curiosity?"

"Mhm." Bella nods.

"Well why don't you put that away but very good job on the pronunciation. I know proud of you, dear."

"Thank you."

Tom's phone starts going off. He sighs and answers it, holding a finger up to his daughter to tell her one minute please. "Hello?"

"Tom, hey, good morning. You sound awake." Brian says.

"I am... what's going on?"

"Yeah, um, change of plans."

"What do you mean?"

"I need you for filming today." Brian says.

"You told me that I was off..."

"Yeah, and plans change. I'm very sorry but you need to be here soon."