The Girl from Ipanema | PRN

12. minha querida

The next morning I slept in, only waking up when I heard the soft coos of Jasmine in my ear.

As I stirred awake, I felt a small hand reaching out to touch my cheek. Opening my eyes, I found Jasmine's bright eyes gazing at me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. Her presence filled the room with warmth and joy, and I couldn't help but smile back at her.

"Good morning, my little sunshine," I whispered, my voice filled with tenderness. I scooped her up into my arms, relishing in the gentle weight of her body against mine. Her sweet baby scent enveloped me, reminding me of the preciousness of this moment.

Prince laughed softly, dipping down to kiss my cheek. "She was hungry, so I figured I'd bring her to you."

I chuckled, grateful for Prince's thoughtfulness. "Thank you, love," I replied, pressing a gentle kiss against Jasmine's forehead. "You make a great team."

As we settled into a cozy corner of the room, I began to nurse Jasmine, cradling her close to my chest. The room was bathed in soft morning light, casting a warm glow on our little sanctuary. It was a moment of quiet connection, where time seemed to slow down, allowing us to revel in the intimacy of this mother-daughter bond.

Prince sat beside us, his hand resting on my shoulder, offering support and love. Together, we watched Jasmine as she nursed, her tiny fingers curling around mine. It was a simple act of nourishment, but it held profound meaning—feeding her both physically and emotionally, nourishing her body and soul.

As Jasmine finished her meal, her eyes fluttered closed, her tiny lips forming a peaceful smile. I carefully cradled her against my chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath. Prince leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead, his love evident in every touch.

"She's growing so fast," he murmured, his voice filled with both awe and a hint of wistfulness. "Sometimes I wish I could freeze these moments, hold onto them forever."

I nodded, understanding the bittersweet nature of watching our daughter grow. "I know, but each stage brings new wonders and joys," I reassured him, my voice filled with love. "And we'll cherish every step of the journey."

We spent the rest of the morning in quiet togetherness, savoring the peacefulness that filled our home. Jasmine eventually drifted off to sleep in my arms, her tiny form nestled against my chest, her breath a gentle lullaby.

I yawned, and Prince dutifully took Jasmine from my arms. "I'll let you go back to bed," he murmured against my temple, kissing it before leaving the room.

Grateful for his understanding, I settled back into bed despite the bright rays of the sun filtering through our bedroom, the softness of the sheets inviting me to surrender to sleep once again.

As I closed my eyes, a sense of tranquility washed over me. The sounds of the morning, the gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and the distant chirping of birds became a soothing melody that carried me into a peaceful slumber.

When I awoke again, the sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow throughout the room. I stretched and yawned, feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the day.

As I made my way downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed tea greeted me, and I smiled, grateful for Prince's thoughtfulness. I found him in the kitchen, pouring a steaming cup of tea.

"Good afternoon, love," he said, turning to face me with a bright smile. "I thought you might enjoy a cup of tea.

"Afternoon?" I asked, my brow furrowing as I checked my wrist for my watch, which wasn't there. "It's after noon?"