The Sire

Chapter 27

Iris was awakened by the sound of Zane whimpering and calling her. The realization had been so abrupt that it took her a while to understand he was also out of his bed. She could hear his tiny steps on the hallway even if it was all still too fuzzy. She took a few seconds to rub her eyes and make her brain function rapidly. Looking at the door of her bedroom, she could see some day light coming in from the little crack they left opened in case Zane wanted to go inside. Her head was pounding, after all, she had gone to bed really late and she was tired. Stone was fast asleep by her side. Usually, he would also wake up but he had arrived home late and after making love, they stayed talking a while longer and she knew he was tired. Given that, she forced herself quickly out of bed by pulling the sheet away and getting up. As she walked to the door, she glanced quickly at the alarm clock and it read 7.30 am. Iris took a deep breath and opened the door gently and then closed it even gentler not to disturb her husband. She found Zane with his stuffed dinosaur in one hand and the other rubbing one of his eyes, bare foot, hair all spiked up and crying, coming to her.

"Hey, baby." Iris lowered herself and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him to her. She kissed his cheek right after. "It's ok baby boy." She whispered with her lips against his temple and then got up, pulling him to her lap. "Do you have an owie?" She asked to be sure he was not in pain.

"No." Zane told her, resting his head on her shoulder and Iris smiled.

"You want to cuddle with mommy?" Zane nodded at her answer.

She knew then that he wanted to cuddle and maybe go to their bed to sleep with them as it happened so many times. When sick it was an even bigger probability as, the baby he still was, he wanted to cuddle all the time. She took the stuffed animal off his hand and left it on the couch where other toys were already sitting. It was hard to keep the house organized with a toddler around.

"Are you hungry?" Iris asked as she walked away from the living room. Zane pulled way and looked in her eyes, taking his pacifier off her mouth.

"Dada..." He blurted.

"Daddy is sleeping." Iris stuck a finger in his belly, tickling him gently. "He is tired so we are going to behave, ok?" Zane didn't respond but he nodded. "I love you." She kissed his cheek and then went to the kitchen, carrying him in her arms. "Mommy is going to eat. Do you want to eat too?" Iris insisted.

"No." He shook his head.

Iris turned the light on as she got near the door for the day was rainy and rather dark. Outside, she saw some of her neighbors leaving for work, but she still had a few hours since her meeting was not until 11.30 am. On the glass of the window, she could see the cascade of droplets coming down and the rain tapped strongly on it. For a few seconds, she wished she didn't have to go anywhere with that rain, but the meeting was important. Then, she looked back at Zane.

"You have to eat something, baby." She looked in her boy's blue eyes. "Apple purée?" She suggested for it was good for his sick stomach. "It's good." Zane didn't say anything and just stared at her, doubtful. "Mommy is gonna have some too."

"Mama..." He whispered and held tight onto her neck, making her close her eyes and smile, inhaling his scent as she buried her nose in his neck.

"You are the best thing that happened in my life." Iris whispered feeling grateful for her son and for that tender moment. "You scared mommy and daddy so much my boy, but we love you so much..." She kissed him again and ruffled his hair. "Now... apple?" Zane pulled away and looked at her and nodded. "Good."

Iris approached the kitchen's table and bent over his high chair to put him there, but he clutched onto her neck even stronger and started whimpering.