joey didn’t think he was ever going to have a peaceful and romantic moment in bed with his beautiful girlfriend ever again.

he and aoife had gotten into a good routine with you. aoife cooks dinner, joey helps you eat it. aoife cleans the kitchen and joey baths you. aoife puts you to bed and joey cleans the rest of the house. they’re a strong team, they have a good bedtime routine, and they work well for you — their little girl.

their messy, chaotic, loving, sensitive little girl.

the same little girl who keeps sneaking out of her room to climb into bed with her mam and dad. joey had almost died when you had toddled in last week while he was half naked. you wedge yourself in between them and settle with your bunny under your arm.

aoife argues that you’re only four and still need familial comforts and it’s healthy that you still want to sleep with them.

joey just wants to spoon his girlfriend without his daughter wedging herself in between.

and don’t get him wrong, he loves you. loves everything about you. you’re the spit of him; striking green eyes and blonde hair, a chaotic and loving little girl. you’re smart and athletic, and so kind. edel and john and trish and tony fawn over you, and so does joey.

he would just love his bed back.

it was his idea to put the gate at my bedroom door. the first time you snuck in tonight, joey had taken you back and you hadn’t complained. the second time, aoife had taken you back and you had fussed. on the third time, joey took you back and shut the gate.

there was a period of you calling their names.

and then silence.

and joey was relieved.

only for a moment.

little feet padded across the landing, and joey feel a knee dig into him as you crawled into bed.

aoife and him shared a tired and amused glance over your head.

he just wants his bed and his girlfriend back.