All Free Novel
96
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of daily life, there I stood in the kitchen, a sense of urgency coursing through me. The distressed cries of Amalia filled the air, a chorus of need that tugged at my heartstrings. “I’m coming, my love!” I called out, my voice carrying a mixture of reassurance and haste.
My hands moved quickly, the familiar routine taking over as I prepared a bottle with practiced efficiency. The sound of Amalia’s cries only intensified my determination to soothe her as swiftly as possible. The minutes felt like an eternity as I measured and mixed, my focus entirely on meeting the needs of the tiny life that depended on me.
Finally, with the bottle ready, I hurriedly made my way upstairs. The cries of the baby were like a beacon guiding my steps, my heart aching with a mix of empathy and a fierce desire to provide comfort.
As I entered the nursery, my heart melted at the sight of Amalia in her crib, her tiny face scrunched up in distress. “Here you go,” I whispered softly as I scooped her up into my arms, my voice a gentle reassurance. As I guided the bottle to her mouth, she latched on eagerly, her cries gradually giving way to the rhythm of sucking.
Her eyes met mine, and a sense of connection settled over us. In that moment, it was just the two of us, a caregiver and a baby finding solace in one another’s presence.
With each tender gaze exchanged between us, I felt a wave of emotions washing over me. As she fed, I found myself recounting funny stories about her mother and me, weaving tales of our misadventures and shared laughter. It was as though by sharing those memories, I could bring a piece of Cher back into the room, a way to ensure that Amalia would know the woman who had brought her into the world.
“Did I ever tell you about the time your mom and I tried to bake a cake?” I began, my voice carrying a hint of laughter. “Let’s just say, the kitchen ended up looking like a flour explosion, and the cake was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t fit for human consumption.”
Amalia’s eyes blinked at me, seemingly captivated by the sound of my voice. As I continued to speak, I noticed the way her expressions shifted, almost as though she was responding to the stories with her own reactions. It was a reminder that even at such a young age, she was already developing her own unique personality.
“Your mom,” I chuckled, “oh, she was quite the drama queen. Once, we went to see a movie, and she cried so much during a particularly emotional scene that she ended up using half a box of tissues. She could have given any Hollywood actress a run for her money with those tears!”
Amalia’s sucking slowed as she listened to my stories, her gaze fixed on my face. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought that she was taking in every word, even if she couldn’t fully understand them yet.
“You know what, my little drama queen?” I cooed, a playful tone entering my voice. “I think you got that dramatic flair from your mom. You’ve got those expressive eyes that tell me you’re going to keep us entertained with your reactions.”
Engrossed in a conversation with Amalia, I hadn’t realized that the nursery door had quietly opened until Ace’s amused expression entered my peripheral vision. “You look tired,” he observed with a lopsided grin. His keen observation hit the mark; I was indeed feeling the effects of disrupted sleep. Amalia’s erratic sleeping schedule had turned the nights into wakeful hours and the mornings into deep slumber.
A tired smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I nodded in acknowledgment. “Yeah, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” I admitted, my voice carrying a hint of weariness.
Ace’s eyes softened with understanding, his gaze fixed on both me and the precious bundle in my arms. “Go take a shower and have some food,” he suggested gently. “I’ll take care of her for a bit.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
I furrowed my eyebrows in surprise, not expecting him to volunteer so readily. “Are you sure?” I asked, a mixture of gratitude and reluctance tugging at my heart.
He nodded, his reassuring smile offering a small dose of comfort. “Absolutely. You need a break.”
Reluctantly handing Amalia over to Ace, I watched as he cradled her in his arms with a sense of natural ease. As I turned to leave the nursery, a mixture of emotions washed over me relief, gratitude, and a touch of guilt.
In my room, the sound of running water was a soothing melody that promised a few moments of respite. The feeling of hot water cascading over my skin was like a balm for my tired body, and I couldn’t help but let out a contented sigh. The simple act of taking a shower felt like a small luxury, a chance to momentarily escape the demands of the day.
Just as I was beginning to relax under the warm stream, a loud exclamation of surprise and disgust echoed through the house. “She peed on my hands! She peed on my hands! Ew!!!” Ace’s voice rang out, punctuated by a mix of frustration and humor.
My heart leaped into my throat as I swiftly wrapped a towel around myself and dashed towards the nursery, my concern growing with every step. Bursting into the room, I found Ace holding Amalia at arm’s length, his expression a mixture of shock and exasperation.
“What happened?!” I exclaimed, my eyes darting between Ace and Amalia.
Ace’s eyes widened as he met my gaze. “She peed,” he said simply, his voice a mixture of disbelief and incredulity.
Suppressing a chuckle, I approached them, my heart lightening at the comical sight before me. Amalia, seemingly unperturbed by the chaos she had caused, gazed up at me with innocent eyes.
“Well, at least she’s hydrated,” I quipped, unable to resist the urge to tease. Ace’s exasperated expression gave way to a reluctant smile, and I couldn’t help but laugh.