complained, tugging lightly at her lower eyelids as she scrutinized her reflection.

After Molly finished her nightly routine, she perched on the edge of her bed, camera in hand, turning on the light to inspect her face in the screen. "Chad, this is all your fault. I haven't been getting any rest these past few days, and now I've got bags under my eyes." She Chad, who was at the foot of the bed stripping off his shirt, ready to climb into bed himself, replied, "I've been pulling all-nighters without getting any bags. How come you've got them after just two days?"

Molly set her phone aside, casting a glance at Chad, who was now bare-chested. "That's because your skin's too thick for bags to show up," she retorted.

Chad just laughed, proceeding to unbuckle his belt, about to slide off his jeans.

Molly immediately pointed at him, "Don't you dare strip! Sleep with your clothes on."

Chad froze, mistaking Molly's insistence as a bout of shyness at their shared vulnerability.

Jade revealed her reasoning. "In case we've got any centipedes or snakes showing up tonight, you'll be able to run faster if you're wearing pants while holding me."

Chad chuckled, "No running tonight. If they come, I'll catch them for you."

The thought of Chad catching bugs sent shivers down Molly's spine.

Since they didn't have any change of clothes at their old family home, Molly ended up sleeping in her hoodie and jeans, which was far from comfortable. Chad's hand rested on Molly's waist, "It's more comfortable to sleep without clothes."

Molly shook her head, "I need to be ready to run."

Chad reassured her, "What's there to fear when I'm here?"

Eventually, Molly gave in. Sleeping fully clothed was too hot, but the thought of bugs crawling on her if she didn't cover up was even more unsettling.

and get under the covers. The bugs

slipped off her

the moon's soft glow, Chad could see her clearly, his hand

"Keep your

foot of the bed before lying down again. The bed was so small she could feel Chad's warm

"Get closer. Don't leave any gap in between

Molly remained silent.

are active this season, and they're everywhere, especially around old homes. Imagine if one decides to slither

into Chad's arms. "Say one more word, and

found his desires

better keep it together, or I'm heading to sleep with Mom,

"No, Mom, I'm up."

grandma found an old dress for you to

mother's timing, quickly getting out of bed to receive the dress through the slightly ajar door, immediately feeling a sense of security as she slipped into it. Chad knew that was it

both Molly and Chad quickly fell asleep, exhausted from the past few

nine the next morning, cocooned in bed, while neighbors

help but tease, "My daughter's a real sleepyhead, still in bed. And Chad didn't

Molly's pregnancy

eleven, Molly finally awoke, feeling

the Byrne men had ventured into town to investigate the rumor of a factory possibly encroaching on their land. Their efforts proved the rumor baseless, much to their relief. Returning

old dress and sitting in the yard, Molly was slowly eating oatmeal, with Coleen lecturing her about the importance of adjusting her sleep schedule

reassured, "No factory's being

Molly, teased, "Waking up at

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