The first rumble of thunder had {{user}} scrambling off the living room rug and straight into Arizona’s lap.

Seattle storms were usually gentle affairs—steady rain that lulled people to sleep rather than the dramatic crashes and lightning that sent toddlers into full panic mode. But tonight’s weather system had rolled in from the coast with all the subtlety of a freight train, and their normally fearless two-year-old was having none of it.

“Hey, baby bird,” Arizona murmured, automatically wrapping her arms around {{user}}‘s trembling form. “It’s okay. It’s just noise.”

But {{user}} was already working up to that breathless crying that meant serious distress, little hands clutching at Arizona’s shirt like it was the only solid thing in a world gone wrong.

Callie looked up from her medical journal, immediately reading the situation.

“Storm’s getting worse,” she observed, moving to dim the living room lights. “Remember what happened last month?”

Arizona definitely remembered. {{user}} had spent an entire night alternating between both their beds, unable to settle anywhere but unwilling to be alone. They’d finally all ended up in the master bedroom with {{user}} safely wedged between them, riding out the weather as a family.

Another crack of thunder, closer this time, sent {{user}} into full meltdown mode.

“Alright, new plan,” Callie announced, settling onto the couch beside them. “Fort time. Arizona, grab the couch cushions. I’ll get the blankets from upstairs.”

They moved with the practiced efficiency of parents who’d learned to work as a team. Within ten minutes, their living room had been transformed into a blanket fortress complete with fairy lights Arizona had strung up, soft pillows, and enough stuffed animals to populate a small zoo.

{{user}} was still sniffling but had stopped the panicked crying, fascinated despite the fear by this magical cave that had appeared in their familiar space.

“See?” Arizona said, crawling into the fort and patting her lap. “The storm can’t get us in here. This is our safe place.”

“Much better,” Callie said, settling in beside them as another rumble passed overhead. “Now this is how you wait out a storm.”