The sun rays slowly dispersed across the little room as morning swiftly came at the West Manor. There was then a sudden movement coming from a lithe figure lying in bed hinting that she must have been awakened by the light, but wasn't it considereably too early than her usual waking hours? She also didn't seem to have slept well enough yet but for some odd reason ...
'Argh!'
The woman slightly squinted when she felt the stinging sensation on her right arm.
Somehow, something feels a little heavy being laid upon her numbing her shoulders down to the tip of her fingers.
Laurice couldn't lift her arm freely as if being weighed down by something ... hairy? With eyes still half-closed, she reluctantly shifted her head to the side and was startled at sight.
Laurice: " ... !!! "
Her stupefied expression was divine.
'My dear child!' Laurice gasped inwardly.
'What's this? What's up?'
Well, that completely woke her up.
Laurice was rendered speechless by the appearance of her guest. To say she was awkwardly surprised though was not enough to describe her feelings at the moment. She quickly tussled in bed in shock to check her surroundings but only to realize that she was in fact at the right place, in her own home.
'What time is it?' She searched across her own bedroom for an answer but with her gradual stirring in bed, a certain little person was bound to wake up soon. And true enough, Little Louie was woken up instantaneously and as he sat languidly while rubbing the sleep in his eyes, he muttered, "Mommy, good morning."
He yawned thereafter and then clung to her side. His still drowsy eyes refused to depart from her face.
"Good morning to you, too."
She responded mechanically while in a daze.
Laurice blinked twice, still wondering when did the child arrived without her even noticing. However, she could not sense another person's presence around so it was definitely only the two of them inside the room. 'Where is he?' She pondered.
"Mommy."
Louie's sweet little voice intercepted her thoughts as it keep echoing inside Laurice's head almost as if lulling her back to her slumber. The way he calls her mommy was akin to an endearment that depicts fondness and familiarity. He sounded that sweet and affectionate in her ears.
Laurice never would have imagined that such simple greeting could really be so heart warming. What a great way to start her day, she thought. But she was facing another dilemma.
Laurice was blinded by the immeasurable charm of the little child hugging her waist that she could not help herself but drew his small body towards her to a tight embrace.
!!!
Oh!
She sniffed and got a whiff of the gentle and soothing fragrance emitting from his body which made her naturally pull the child closer to her.
'Aiyo! My poor heart. How can someone so young look this handsome in the morning?' It was incomprehensible.
With such long fluttering eyelashes, clear bright and expressive eyes, and soft but defined features at such a young age, he was indeed already a stunner. The inherited genes are truly remarkable. Laurice grumbled as her heart thumped towards the little young master.
'My baby!'
Rub. Rub. Rub.
Laurice took all her precious time snuggling up together with Little Louie on the cold Sunday morning.
She have then firmly decided that if she is to bear her own baby then he can only be as handsome as her Little Louie.
Such handsomeness can instantly cure a weary heart.
...
"Mommy?" Little Louie purred while being cradled inside Laurice's arms revealing a soft smile on his flushed face. Needless to say, he was extremely delighted by his 'mother's' reception that his heart swelled and overflowed with joy.
Waking from her stupor, Laurice gently released the child as she replied indulgingly, "Yes, sweetie?"
"Did you sleep well?" Little Louie asked softly. His tender gaze fixed upon her immaculate and innocent face. His mother looked so beautiful in the morning. She was shining just like an angel before his eyes.
Oh!
Laurice was momentarily astounded by the child's thoughtfulness. Whoever thought him manners deserves some praise. Little Louie seemed well-behaved and he wasn't acting up on her. How refreshing!
When his question registered in her head, her heart mellowed. Laurice warmly smiled at him and responded, "I slept well my dear. How about you?" Well, honestly, thinking about it now, she still wanted to doze off for a few more hours but there's this prickling feeling that was starting to rise within her that she could not give a name.
Laurice ransacked her brain and mulled over the events from last night that resulted to this surprise visit. She did recalled that her cousin indeed sent her back to her own residence after some mishaps and she dealt with the hired help that Dylan sent to her house and then ...
Her deliberation was intercepted by Little Louie when he spoke.
"I do too, mommy. But i'm still a bit sleepy." Little Louie uttered sheepishly as his eyelids falter helplessly in front of her.
Her heart trembled at the sight of him. Never mind her because she's already an adult, but a child should have a decent and complete rest and sleep to aid their growth and development.
Grumble.
Laurice groaned at the onset of hunger that suddenly strikes her. Her stomach grumbled under the stares of the young one and there she was feeling miserable hoping Little Louie did not hear a thing. Surely, she can't ignore them both. Other things are more important than sleep.
As her final resolve, Laurice then cupped Little Louie's face in her hands and gave him a peck on his cheeks as she whispered out to him, "Let mommy put you to sleep then, alright?"
Yawning, Little Louie nodded off incoherently as his 'mother' speaks. So long as his 'mommy' stay right beside him, he knew he'll be just fine. Feeling the softness of her lips as she kissed him, Little Louie's eyelids finally shut as he instantly fall back to sleep.
...
Laurice, however, struggled a bit as she swoop the sleeping child with both hands and carefully carried him supporting his weight with her arms. His face that was leaning over her shoulders looked rather peaceful as he silently wheezed.
Ah!
Laurice felt the calmness influencing her.
The discomfort dissipates as she continue to stare at the child's face. He was really such a beautiful child.
Laurice heaved a sigh of overwhelming sense of contentment and warmth that envelopes her as she got out of the matress.
Leaving the bed completely undone, she darted out of the bedroom in gentle strides cautiously trying not to disturb Little Louie's slumber.