Silent Pain

43

A couple more months swung by, and Claudia was growing more and more; her eyes had finally changed their two different colors—Donna's dark brown color is in her left eye, and Maria's blue color is in her right eye. Donna had cried when she noticed Claudia's hair color was the same as hers, snuggling and kissing her daughter as the seven-month-old giggled and squealed happily. 

Nights moved slowly by for them; however, Claudia wouldn't sleep well until she was in her mom's bed, warm and in between their arms as they read to her while Donna fed her. Miranda had come by for her check-up, causing all three women's hearts to cringe when Claudia would scream and cry while Miranda administered her vaccinations, also checking her teeth. 

"I know, sweetheart, it'll be just a moment." Miranda soothed as Donna held her tightly, Marie stood beside Donna, wiping the woman's tears, and keeping her head in her chest as she also cried for their daughter. With Angie nowhere to be found, the adults assumed she didn't want to hear her cries. 

Once the vaccines were finished and Donna had calmed her down, Miranda focused on her teeth, gently feeling them until Miranda nodded in agreement. "Yep, they'll be growing in soon." She said, Donna swallowed nervously, "She's already starting to try and get to her toys on her own, what are we going to do about her teeth?" Donna looked anxious, Miranda chuckled, and ran her hand over Claudia's hair, feeling its softness. 

"Well, teething toys help when they're kept in the icebox; you can numb the spots with whiskey, which is what I used to do at night with Eva; it also helped her sleep a bit better." Donna looked up, narrowing her eye. "You gave alcohol to your daughter?" Miranda shook her head, "Not even to do any harm, Donna. I used a cuetip, dipped it in a shot glass that barely reached a fourth of the glass, and ran it over her gums."

Donna relaxed but shook her head, "I don't want to do that with Claudia." Miranda nods understandingly, knowing some of her methods are outdated anyway. "That's fine, we can use ice." Marie suggested, It does just fine, or get some teething toys and switch them out." Donna nodded, appreciating that idea better. "Where do we get toys like that?" They both looked at Miranda for guidance. 

"I'm sure the duke should have something or the shop you get formulas from, you may also want to start looking for baby proofings, with some fruits or puree you'd feel comfortable with feeding her." Marie and Donna nod, preparing for the next big step in their lives and Claudia's life. 

"Mother Miranda, could you guide us?" Donna asked while she settled Claudia in her traveling seat, gathering Angie and the baby bag. Marie gathered Donna's veil, some Lei, and wrapped a cloak around her and Donna, making sure the blanket she had wrapped Claudia in wouldn't fall or expose the baby to the colder temperatures. 

"Of course, Donna, I would love to help you." Miranda smiled and took the diaper bag from Donna's shoulder as they traveled out into the world. Marie handed Donna her veil. "Here, love, I know how you can be, maybe we can check on the shop as well?" The Dollmaker nodded and smiled as she kissed under her veil while Marie situated it before ducking out from underneath it. 

"EW, do you have to do that while I'm right here?" Angie sqaubbled with her arms crossed, "Angie, if you don't like it, then turn away." Marie teased before kissing Donna all over, making the woman giggle and the doll make gagging noises. "It's hard to do that while I'm in her arms." She muttered, and then Marie smiled, snatching Angie gently from Donna as they walked. 

Angie and Marie played chase with each other and roughhoused through town, even racing on the rugged bridge. "I swear, Donna, I thought you only had one daughter?" Miranda chuckled as she watched the doll and wolf lord. Donna shook her head and held Claudia close to her body as the winds picked up. Miranda spread her broad wings, wrapping them around the Dollmaker and Claudia to block them a bit more.