Little Lux

20

31st October, 2022 - Los Angeles, California

The remaining days of October seemed to pass by in a blur, as if the crisp autumn air had swept away the final remnants of the year's heat and before Lux knew it, it was the evening of the party.

"Why don't you try your binky for a bit, sweetheart?" Sebastian says, gently rocking the small girl on his lap and wiping a few tears from her cheeks.

Lux hesitated, her fingers tightly clutching Sebastian's shirt as she nestled further into Sebastian's chest. She hated feeling this way—so overwhelmed and small. Her heart raced at the thought of the upcoming party, of being surrounded by people she didn't know, dressed in a costume that made her feel so out of place.

"It might help you to calm down a bit, love." He mumbles, his heart breaking at the frantic expression on her face.

They were meant to of left for the party 20 minuets ago but Lux had managed to work herself up into such a state that Sebastian told Vincent to take August now and then he'd come with Lux later, once she's calmed down a bit.

"I-I don't wanna go," she whispered, her voice muffled against him.

Sebastian pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know, baby. But it's just a little gathering, and me and Papa will be with you the whole time. We'll make sure you feel safe."

He reaches over to the coffee table, grabbing the small pink pacifier. "Here we go," he said softly "Your favorite, Luxie. Just give it a try, hmm?"

Lux peeked at the pacifier in Sebastian's hand, her lower lip trembling. She didn't like needing it, but she also knew it sometimes helped her feel calmer. Slowly, she reached for it, her fingers brushing his hand as she took it.

"Good girl," Sebastian praised gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she hesitated before slipping the pacifier into her mouth. The familiar, soothing sensation worked almost immediately, and her small whimpers quieted as she sucked on it.

Sebastian continued to rock Lux gently, his arms wrapped securely around her as he hummed a soft tune. He felt the tension in her small body slowly begin to ease, her breathing becoming steadier as she nestled deeper into his chest.

"That's my girl," he murmured soothingly, running his fingers through her hair. "Nice and calm, just like this."

Lux clung to him, her face pressed against his shoulder as the pacifier worked its quiet magic. The frantic whirl of thoughts in her head started to slow down, replaced by a foggy sense of safety in Sebastian's arms.

Sebastian held her close for a while longer, letting her fully relax before he even thought about bringing up the party again. He glanced at the clock—it was running late, but Lux's comfort was more important than being on time.

"You're doing so well, little one," Sebastian whispered. "No rush, okay? We'll take this one step at a time."

Lux doesn't reply but he can tell she's slowly calming down again.

"Jus' wanna stay with you daddy" She mumbles, her voice muffled due to the pacifier in her mouth.

Sebastian's heart ached a little at her words, but he smiled softly, kissing her temple. "How about this," he offered. "We'll stay just for a little while. If it feels like too much, we can leave anytime you want. No questions asked."

Lux nodded weakly, her small hands still gripping his shirt. She didn't know how Sebastian always seemed to know the right thing to say, but it helped. The looming fear of the Halloween party started to feel a little more distant, less suffocating.