where i'm safe

don't go

                                      kehlani's pov

the morning came too fast.

it always does when the night felt right.

sunlight shined through the curtains in thin golden lines, warming the room just enough to wake me. aria was still curled against my chest, one arm draped over my waist like she'd claimed me in her sleep.

i didn't move right away.

i just stayed there, breathing her in, listening to the quiet hum of the house. no crying. no footsteps. just peace.

until i heard small feet padded down the hallway.

the door creaked open slowly.

"mommy...?" kai's voice was sleepy and soft, like she wasn't fully awake yet.

aria stirred immediately, lifting her head. "hey, baby."

kai stood in the doorway clutching her blanket, hair wild, eyes still heavy. wyatt peeked out from behind her, rubbing his face with one fist.

they spotted me in the bed and kai's whole face lit up.

"lani!" she whispered excitedly, then scrambled onto the bed like a little cat. wyatt followed, less graceful, climbing over both of us with zero concern.

aria laughed quietly as kai wedged herself between us, curling into aria's side while wyatt plopped right on my stomach.

"morning, monster," i murmured, poking his cheek.

he giggled. "i not monster."

"could've fooled me."

he laughed harder.

for a few minutes, it was perfect. sleepy cuddles. tangled limbs. kai pressing her forehead into aria's neck, wyatt playing with the strings on my hoodie.

after a long hike of us cuddling, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

work. i exhaled slowly and glanced at the time.

aria noticed immediately.

"you okay?" she asked softly.

i nodded, but kai caught the shift before i could hide it. she always does.

"you leavin'?" kai asked quietly, eyes lifting to me.

my chest tightened.

"yeah, sweetheart," i said gently. "i gotta go home and get ready for work."

her face crumpled just a little. not fully crying yet — just that quiet panic that sneaks in before the tears.

"but... but you just got here," she whispered.

i giggle softly. i been here almost all week.

i sit up slowly so i could look at her properly, pulling her gently into my lap. wyatt slid off me and leaned against aria instead, suddenly serious too.

"hey," i said softly, brushing kai's hair back. "i'll be back here with you in no time, okay?"

her bottom lip wobbled.

"i don't want you an' wyatt to go," she said, voice shaky. "i want you guys to stay."

aria reached over, rubbing slow circles on kai's back, but she didn't interrupt. she let me handle it.

i met kai's eyes, steady and calm. "i know. and i wish we could stay too."

that did it.

tears welled up instantly and spilled over.