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A piercing yet small cry was coming from the bassinet next to their bed..
Wildberry bolted upright, his heart racing. Carefully, he slid out of bed and padded over to the bassinet. Honeyberry's tiny face was scrunched up in distress, her freckled little cheeks pink, and her eyes squeezed shut.
He picked her up, cradling her against his chest. She was so light, yet so fragile... He couldn't help but smile, his love for her was at the max. "Shhh.. It's going to be alright," he whispered.
Honeyberry's cries grew louder, and Wildberry knew she was hungry. He gently laid her down on the changing table and prepared a bottle with warm milk. The sound of the formula mixing with the water filled the quiet room. The scent of the milk was faint but comforting, a smell that was already becoming familiar to him.
As he warmed the bottle, he glanced over at the clock. It was 3 AM, and he knew that this would be the first of many such nights. But the fatigue didn't bother him; he was eager to take care of his daughter. When the bottle was just the right temperature, he tested it on his wrist before bringing it to her mouth.
Her cries subsided as she latched onto the bottle, her little hands gripping his hand tightly. He watched her eyes flutter open, and she looked up at him with an expression of pure trust. It was a moment that filled his chest with a warmth he had never felt before.
While she fed, he took the opportunity to gaze at her, marveling at every tiny detail. Her eyes, a bright shade of red that matched his. Her hair, a dark blue, with small hints of a greenish white, just like her mother..
Her little eyes were fluttering shut, and her grip on the bottle loosened. He knew it was time to put her back to bed. He took a soft cloth and gently wiped the remaining milk from her lips, then lifted her into his arms once more.
Her breathing grew steady and deep as he held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his. He managed to coax her back to sleep, placing her back into the bassinet.
But as soon as he tried to step away, she let out a fussy whimper. He froze, his heart skipping a beat. Was she still hungry? Did she need something else? He leaned over, stroking her cheek softly.
For a few agonizing seconds, she wriggled, her little face contorting as if searching for the comfort of her mama. Then, she snuffled once, and her eyes closed again. The room fell quiet, except for the faint sound of her breathing.
Finally.. she seemed at ease. He tucked the muslin blanket around her, ensuring she was snug and secure, and then stepped back to admire his sleeping daughter. He took her tiny hand in his larger one and stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. Suddenly, she took his finger in hers.
That’s when he starts to think about something...
How was he ever so lucky to come this far in life? He asked himself, his eyes brimming with tears. Life on the streets had taught him to struggle to acquire everything he possessed, not to trust anyone and to always expect the worst?
And here he was now, with a beautiful partner, a cozy house, and now a daughter. A daughter he never had a chance to hold. He remembered when he was still on the streets, struggling to survive. He'd watch families from a distance, envying the protection and love that they had...
And now he has his own..
They'd meet again when he was hired to be Hollyberry's bodyguard, and it was her passion and determination that had saved him.
Now, looking at his little girl, he knew that she had the same passion, the same potential to light up the world. He felt a fierce protectiveness rise within him, a promise to give her everything he never had.
He wouldn't want his own child to go through the same unfortunate things he had to go through, as he made it a priority to treat her well. He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, whispering, "I'll never let anyone hurt you.. and I mean it."
He slipped back into bed, his body exhausted. He leaned over to kiss Juniper's cheek.
"Thank you for everything," he whispered into her ear, "I love you so, so much." She was recovering, and he promised he’d shower her with love, care, and affection during these few weeks.
Juniper stirred slightly, a small smile playing on her lips as she fluttered her eyes open. "I love you too... " she murmured. Despite the hour, she looked gorgeous, her green eyes reflecting the same love he felt.
Wildberry wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. Her warmth seeped into his dough, and he felt his body begin to relax. He knew that these moments would be cherished.
But for now, the gentle rhythm of Honeyberry's breathing the only sound in the room. He promised himself that he would do everything in his power to protect his family from anything dangerous. They had come so far, and he wasn't about to let anyone or anything tear them apart...
If only she could just stay this little...