Chapter Text
THE QUIET IRISH BREEZE drifted through four-year-old Michael’s window, ruffling the curtains and brushing his small cheeks. Michael tossed and turned, his grip on his stuffed rabbit tightening.
In his mind, Michael was standing alone on a rooftop. It was night, the stars glittering above him. Michael looked over the edge, seeing the ground hundreds of feet below him. Michael’s breathing stopped, and he tried to turn and leave, only to trip and fall down, down, down…
“M-mammy,” Michael whimpered, tears beginning to roll down his face. “Mammy!”
Michael shot awake, immediately beginning to sob and call for his mother. Soon, the sounds of bare feet padding against hardwood floors echoed through the large home, heading for the door of Michael’s room.
“Oh, Michael,” Megan whispered, rushing up to the crying boy. “My dear, what’s happened?”
Michael reached out for his mum, clutching at her nightgown and crying into her chest. “I had a nightmare, mammy, a bad one!”
Megan hushed him softly, running her fingers through her son’s brown locks before kissing his forehead. “You’re safe, child,” she whispered. “You’re safe now.”
Michael shook in his mother’s arms, tearful whimpers falling from his lips. Megan gently rubbed Michael’s back, kissing his forehead again.
“Would you like me to sing to you?” Megan whispered, beginning to gently rock the distressed boy in her arms. “Would you like a song?”
Michael nodded, eyes squeezed tight. Megan began to hum the tune of the lullaby before singing in her soft Irish voice:
“Crochfaidh mé seolta
is rachaidh mé sair,
Óró mo churaichín ó,
Is go hOíche Fhéile
Eoin ní thiocfaidh mé
Aniar,
Óró mo bhádín.”
By the time Megan was finished, Michael was fast asleep, drool trickling from the corner of his mouth. The previously wailing child was now quiet, soothed by the lullaby sung in his native tongue. Megan continued to rock him for a while, humming softly.
“You’re safe now,” Megan whispered. “I’m right here, Michael.”
Megan gently laid Michael down into his bed, tucking him in carefully. She stayed for a moment, resting a gentle hand on Michael’s chest and feeling his calmed down heartbeat.
“Sleep well,” Megan whispered, brushing some hair from Michael’s face. She turned and walked back to her bedroom, taking care to leave Michael’s door open incase of another nightmare.
The wind brushed against Michael’s face once more, the moonlight reflecting off his drying tears. He was calm now, his heart rate normal and breathing level. His mind was free from nightmares, and he was content.