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Raine had grown used to the exhaustion that kept their eyes from fully opening. A cool January night was oddly comforting, now standing in their daughter’s bedroom attempting to soothe the infant before her mother awoke from her cries.
They’d tried all they thought possible, humming, playing viola, even just simply sitting there rocking her in their arms.
Nothing seemed to calm her down though. Lydian was stubborn like that, she wanted something specific but they had no idea what.
Raine tried yet again to hum, now sitting down in the rocking chair. All she continued to do though, was wail. Raine, though, was patient. They thought again of what it could be. It hadn’t even been an hour since Eda fed her… she didn’t smell so it wasn’t the other thing.
Raine realized that Lydian’s crying was more discomfort than anything else. They raised an eyebrow and tried to figure out what it was. Were they holding her wrong? Was she not feeling good?! Titan, she’d already gotten sick once, it was unfortunately possible for her that she was again.
Raine thought for a moment before standing up and placing Lydian back in her crib. Maybe that would calm her down? They checked to be sure nothing had gotten in her crib and found nothing.
Unfortunately it had the opposite effect, and Lydian cried even louder.
Why? Why wouldn’t anything work?!
“Is she okay?” Eda was now at the door. Great, the one thing they were trying to avoid failed. They turned around looking at their girlfriend, trying and failing at hiding their quivering lips.
“I don’t know what’s wrong!” They choked out, “I-I’ve tried everything and s-she’s still upset!”
“Woah, Raine,” Eda held her hands up, “Take a deep breath, I’ve got this.” She walked up beside them and lifted Lydian from the crib. Eda hushed her and, in almost an instant, Lydian stopped crying.
“… how come she calmed down so quickly with you?” Raine sniffled.
“I guess Lyd just wanted me,” Eda sighed, “She’s a baby, I don’t think she knows that she’s hurting your feelings.”
“I-I…” Raine turned away, “It doesn’t hurt my feelings…”
“It does, I know it does,” Eda twirled her finger and cast an illusion above Lydian of the starry sky. She stared up in awe at the stars and grabbed up towards them.
“It’s just… I don’t know, lately it feels like she only likes you,” They chuckled sadly, wiping their face, “I feel like… did I do something wrong? Does she even like me?”
“She does like you, she’s just a baby,” Eda handed Lydian back over to Raine and she remained calm now in their arms.
“I guess I sometimes feel as if I’m not doing this whole parent thing right,” They said, “I… I’m scared of doing something wrong.”
“Raine Whispers if you think it’s possible to go about anything without making some mistakes, you’d be sorely mistaken,” Eda said, “I know I’ll make some, and that’s okay. If they happen I learn and move forward.”
“Your words are very wise, Owl Lady,” They chuckled. Eda chuckled with them.
“How kind of you to say, fair bard,” Eda placed her hands on her hips, “I wanted to try something. Not necessarily bard magic but… I don’t know, it might work.”
“There’s no harm in trying,” Raine said. They sat back down on the rocking chair and held Lydian, while Eda let a melody escape her lips. At first a simple hum, but she let words escape.
‘Dream of anything, I’ll make it all come true.
Everything you need is all I have for you.’
Lydian’s eyes blinked, and Raine could tell she was intrigued by Eda’s raspy, yet gentle voice.
‘I’m forever always by your side, whenever you need a friend I’m never far behind.’
‘If the stars all fall, and there’s no more light, and the moon should crumble it’ll be alright.’
Raine gently bounced Lydian, making the girl smile.
‘Don’t you worry about the dark, I will light up the night with the love of my heart. I’ll burn like the sun, keep you safe and warm.’
Eda took a breath between and took Lydian from Raine’s arms and stood beside the crib, staring down as the little girl’s eyes drooped.
‘Like the smell of a rose on a summer’s day, I will be there to take all your fears away.’
‘With a touch of my hand, I’ll turn your life to gold.’
She laid Lydian down, and she was nearly back asleep.
‘With a touch of my hand, I’ll turn your life to gold..’
Raine was honestly growing sleepy as well. Eda didn’t sing often, but when she did it was gorgeous. Every hum that escaped her lips could send Raine into a coma of happiness.
Eda stared down at Lydian for a moment longer, smiling. She then turned to Raine, changing her demeanor to be serious.
“You are a wonderful parent, Raine,” Eda said, pointing at them, “I never want to hear those words out of your mouth again.”
“I… I guess you’re right,” Raine rubbed the back of their neck. Eda helped them stand back up. She kissed their cheek.
“Well then, let’s go sleep for a little while till she decides to wake us up again,” Eda said.
“That sounds amazing,” Raine chuckled. They interlocked hands with Eda’s and the two exited their daughters room.
Raine definitely still was far from sure of what they were doing, but Eda’s words had reassured them.
They were doing their best.