Chapter 111: Seven nights.
It was 10:30 p.m., and Hades Quinn was wondering if it was too late to drive out and bring his wife home. He had read three bedtime stories, put on a full sock puppet show and tried the milk trick.
Castiel, all tousled curls, pouted lips and wild defiance kicked his feet on the bed, denying everyone the chance to close their eyes. The stuffed rabbit Sunshine had given him had lost its tail this very night. Robo-dog had nearly lost an eye.
Two blankets were on the floor; one rejected small sized tub of ice-cream which had been rejected was sitting on the table. Two heavy eyed brothers were lost for words as they watched their youngest brother descend into chaos.
"Cass," Hades pleaded, picking up the blankets and bunny tail for the second time, "You need to go to sleep. It is bedtime."
Castiel narrowed his eyes. "But mommy is not here, and she did not kiss me goodnight."
Hades sighed. They had been over this many times, but his son refused to listen. In such a short time, Sunshine had Castiel wrapped around her fingers. "Buddy, mama’s helping Aunt Nimo look for her brother the same way Echo bat helped Freckle Peggy find her missing sheep in the story. Mama will be back in seven sleeps."
Castiel folded his arms. "I want my mommy now."
Hades wanted her too. He almost said this much to his son. He missed her laughter, her calm voice as she got Castiel to accomplish impossible tasks. Her giggled as she plotted with Earl the different ways to annoy Ariel. He was not happy that he would be going to bed alone and her warmth which was also cold-ish was missing.
Ariel stood up and took the ice cream back to the freezer. Earl turned on a laptop that Sunshine had given him. It had some prerecorded videos of them playing and hers singing to Castiel. Maybe it would help.
Robo-dog growled and dogs on the base barked fiercely. The watcher bird was back outside the wall.