The Day We Met (Alastor x OC)

Chapter 32

Juliette

Charlie stayed with me in the garden and I talked with her, answering her questions to the best of my ability.

It wasn't until I heard Ava start crying that I was drawn away from the conversation. I looked up just in time for her to come rushing up to me, holding her hand out to me as big tears rolled down her cheeks.

It didn't take me long to see what the problem was. On her little finger was a small prick from what I could only assume was a rose thorn.

I tsk'd softly and took her hand up into mine, giving her a gentle smile.

"Now, dear, what did I tell you about the roses? The stems will poke you. It didn't feel very nice, did it?"

She sniffles softly, her crying having calmed down into soft hiccups as she watched me pull out a handkerchief and wipe her finger off. It had barely even bled, and I suspected it had scared her more than it hurt.

"Oh! Here, this should help..."

Charlie spoke up and I looked over right as she conjured up a small bandage. Ava shifted over to Charlie, holding her finger out so Charlie could wrap the rainbow colored bandaid around her finger.

The moment it was wrapped up, Ava smiled and all pain was forgotten.

"Thank you!"

Before she could trot off again, I held onto her hand and stood up with a sigh.

"I suppose we should head inside. It's been a while and it's getting close to this one's bath time."

Ava immediately hissed and tried to get away from me, to which I snatched her up and held her fast.

"Ah ah ah, we go through this every day."

"But mama I don't wannaaaaaa!"

I sighed as she started to whine, giving Charlie an apologetic look, but the princess simply smiled and stood up.

"Here, Ava... look!"

Charlie held out her hands and a little rubber duck appeared in her palms with a squeak.

Ava immediately went quiet and then reached out for the shiny new toy.

"It's a bath buddy! You can play lots of games and make up cool stories so bath time isn't so blah. Doesn't that sound fun?"

I could see the light practically radiating from the princess, and part of me wondered how it was fair that she was a stuck in hell... someone so sweet as her belongs up in heaven.

Ava became excited in practically less than a second, turning to me while clutching her new toy she leaned close to my face.

"Bath mommy! Bath now!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her sudden enthusiasm and mouthed a thank you to Charlie as I started my way back to the hotel.

~*~

Bath time went smoothly for the first time in a very long time, and I silently thanked Charlie for the little duckling toy.

Once she was all clean, I got Ava gussied up in her favorite jammies and tucked her into bed, giving her a kiss on the forehead before petting her hair.

"Mommy will be in bed soon... I love you very much, flower."

"I love you too, mommy."

I smiled and gave her one more kiss before walking to the door, flicking the lights off and heading back down to the lobby.