The Devil Walks Among Us; Book l - Completed 4/21/22

Beauty In the Eye of the Beholder

In the afternoon, Mia, Michael, Big John, and Ella were all in his SUV for a trip into the town over from Haddonfield, taking every precaution necessary to avoid any conflict. Luckily, the town over was less than a thirty-minute drive with a large mall and many restaurants. Michael insisted that Mia sit in the front seat of the car as he thought it was more comfortable for her and to relax and stretch out if she needed, remembering her complaints of her upper body constantly feeling sore and strained.

Michael sat next to Ella's car seat, his arm draped lazily over the opening of the seat, grasping it firmly when the SUV hit a bump or a sharp curve, keeping Ella safely still in the space next to him. He kept a sharp eye on her, watching as she slept in the seat, pacifier in her mouth. He was absolutely obsessed with her and the woman that gave him this opportunity.

In a moment, Ella began to become restless, her blue eyes looking up at Michael in curiosity before her eyebrows began to furrow and she opened her mouth, beginning to groan softly after the pacifier dropped onto her chest. "Mia, she doesn't like me." Michael said as Mia turned in her seat to look at him.

She giggled, "She's hungry, Michael. I'm sure she loves you. She has a bottle in my bag at your feet."

After feeding Ella many times during the infant's first few weeks, any person would think Michael would be confident at it by now, including Mia. But she was way wrong. Michael was terrified. He wasn't stressed when Mia would feed her due to her natural abilities, but when it came to bottle feeding, he was terrified of not holding the bottle right and thinking he was going to drown her. Mia sensed his nervousness as he retrieved the bottle from the bag, removing the cap off of the nipple before easily bringing it up to Ella's mouth, smiling as he watched her mouth open willingly. Honey, you look like a baby bird...

Michael held the bottle steadily for her as she fed, her eyelids becoming heavier with each minute. Michael watched her carefully, stressing himself out as he constantly feared feeding her wrong. He was careful as he had remembered Mia saying that it's not recommended to feed a baby in a car, but if it were to happen, to make sure she was in an inclined position. To Michael's relief, she did not take down the whole bottle - a little less than half that seemed to hold her over.

For now.

Arriving at the shopping mall first, Michael was already in knots. He was not a social person, nor did he want to be. But when it came to Mia and her wants, he was willing to put all of his feelings aside, tolerating it because of her. Clutching Ella securely against his chest, he put the small fleece blanket over her head to shield her from the cold wind, ensuring that the blanket covered her entire body, especially her head, hands, and feet. He chuckled softly at Ella's curiosity, feeling her head lean back away from his shoulder as she wanted to look around, leaving a small spot of drool on Michael's shoulder.

"You're so good with her," Mia smiled as Michael, again, beat her to opening the front door of the SUV, opening his free hand to her as it was his familiar gesture. "I can tell she's going to have you wrapped around her finger."

"I think we're a few months past that." He assured her, admiring the smile she flashed at him.

"I think so too."

"Alright," Big John said, coming around the front of the SUV, twirling the keyring on his index finger before stuffing them in his pocket and stopping in his tracks at the brief moment Mia and Michael were sharing. It was quite beautiful, actually. Especially after knowing who Michael is - was - and knowing that he gave it all up in exchange for a normal life. I hope it doesn't come back to bite you... "Did I interrupt something?"

"No," Mia shook her head before looking back at Michael. "Are you ready?"

He huffed, "As ready as you want me to be."