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"This was a very normal self-protective psychological mechanism. When we suffered significant trauma, if someone provided us with great help, then we would be very grateful to this person and find them reliable. Adults handled this situation simply, but it was different for children. Now, the problem lay in two points. First, Emma was not even two years old, and all her actions were entirely instinctive. Second, the stimulus and trauma she experienced far exceeded the norm. Not everyone witnessed their parent's... death. This led her to develop an irrational dependency on Adrian, subconsciously believing that only by his side was she safe, and any attempt to separate her from him was unacceptable."
"Of course, this dependency was not impossible to treat. If she had remained in that initial state of refusing to talk or make any sound, suppressing everything and just instinctively clinging to those she wanted to hold onto, treatment would be exceedingly difficult. Fortunately, thanks to a series of reasons, Emma burst into tears earlier, and the negative emotions she accumulated during the accident were largely vented. Therefore, as long as we proceed gradually with psychological guidance, she would gradually recover. However, this required Mr. Adrian's assistance. The dependency was too strong to be eliminated in a day or two. If Mr. Adrian was unable to assist, I would have no choice but to use medication on Emma."
Above was the summary from Doctor Sean regarding Emma's abnormal behavior. The little girl clung tightly to Adrian, crying incessantly, and no one could persuade her. She cried like this until she was exhausted, then finally fell asleep on Adrian's shoulder; only then did everyone get the chance to sit down in Doctor Sean's office to discuss Emma's situation.
Of course, Adrian was very dissatisfied with the result. Doctor Sean almost outright said he needed to stay by the little girl's side. How could he have so much time? Not to mention the post-production of The Shawshank Redemption, the upcoming release of Terminator 2, and the soon-to-be-prepared Jurassic Park all needed his attention. If he could take Emma to the United States, he wouldn't mind, but was it possible?
Unfortunately, facing the pleading eyes of the Old Watson couple, Adrian found it difficult to refuse. After all, their son and his wife indeed died because of him, although no one else knew this aside from himself.
Had Adrian not known of their existence, never met or spoken with them, he wouldn't have had any concerns. Just like he could consider the single mother in Edinburgh yet ignore numerous screenwriters in Hollywood, humans were inherently contradictory.
Finally, the private discussion decided that the Old Watson couple would rent another apartment in London and invite Adrian to stay with the little girl for a short time—considering their son and his wife had just left this world, inviting an outsider to live at their home was inappropriate—they would arrange through related institutions someone specifically to take care of Emma.
During this period, all the expenses would not need to be covered by Adrian. The Watson couple had substantial savings, and London Bus Services Limited would also compensate a large sum. The accident had been thoroughly investigated, and the driver had a moderate heart disease, inexplicably triggered that day; fortunately, there were not many passengers on the bus at the time. Despite this, a total of 4 people, including the Old Watson couple, were killed; 7 were seriously injured, and 11 were lightly injured. For the capital of the "Great British Empire," this was already a significant traffic accident. London Bus Services Limited would probably be doomed due to such a major oversight in employee medical examinations.
Moreover, Adrian could leave the United Kingdom anytime he wanted. However, since an apartment needed to be found, and Emma hardly left his side, he had to stay in a hotel with her for the next few days.
This wasn't an easy thing, and in just two days he realized why kids were the toughest to care for.
"Are you done? Can I put on my pants now?" Adrian said sullenly, looking at the little girl in his arms, "Also, if possible, please stop holding onto my clothes all the time. I'm right beside you, not going anywhere."
"Sorry." Emma apologized in a muffled voice, keeping her head down after pulling down her pajamas from the toilet.
Seeing her like this gave Adrian a headache. Compared to the day they returned from the hospital, the little girl had improved greatly, at least willing to speak—though just simple words, and the expression on her face was often one of bewilderment. If she reverted to silence due to something he said, that would cause big trouble.
This worry wasn't unfounded. On the day they returned to the hotel from the hospital, when Adrian refused to let Emma accompany him while he bathed, she curled up sitting on the floor, silently shedding tears. In this case, Adrian could only compromise; even so, Emma still didn't speak for two consecutive days, and she just followed him wherever he went and sat beside him with her head buried in her knees.
"Alright, everything that needs doing is done. Now be good and go to bed. I'll be out soon, and don't sit outside the bathroom door like last time, understand?" Adrian said in a gentle tone.
The little girl obediently nodded, although her expression was still somewhat vacant, there was still a trace of her original cuteness.
Luckily, when he used the restroom or took a shower, she understood to give him space without insisting on being by his side. Watching Emma leave, Adrian sighed inwardly. Then he quickly turned on the showerhead to take a shower, knowing that if he didn't hurry, the little one might knock on the door any moment.
After quickly tidying up, Adrian walked out of the bathroom wearing pajamas. Although Emma obediently went to bed as instructed, she had left the bedroom door wide open, her bright eyes unblinkingly gazing in this direction.
"Alright, little one, time to sleep." Adrian entered the bedroom, picked up the picture book placed on the bedside table, "Tonight, we'll read... Thumbelina... This one isn't suitable, let's go with The Three Little Pigs."
As he spoke, the little girl closed her eyes, curled up, and snuggled into his arms. After adjusting the bedside lamp to a dimmer setting, Adrian began to read softly. Like the past few days, Emma fell asleep after about ten minutes of reading. Adrian breathed a sigh of relief, casually turned off the bedside lamp but didn't fully relax; he knew that if he got out of bed now, she would wake up immediately if he stayed gone for over ten minutes, then toddle around anxiously trying to find him.
How did she even notice? Did her body have some sensor? Adrian lay with one arm under his head, staring at the ceiling in frustration. Why did he agree at that moment of weakness? Shouldn't children's psychological problems be handled by doctors? He had so many other things to do.
Thinking about this, Claude's annoying voice echoed in his ear. Adrian couldn't help but get annoyed. Such a big event happening here required various arrangements and adjustments on the schedule, so, naturally, those in the United States had to be informed. Laverne had no issues, generally following his instructions and making good complements, but Claude initially expressed surprise and regret over the incident, then two seconds later began to laugh loudly.
"You know, Ed, I can hardly believe my ears! My dearest best friend Mr. Adrian Cowell actually playing nanny in London—for your self-esteem and the girl's age, I'll use the term 'male babysitter,' don't thank me. This is truly delightful news, enough to keep me laughing until next Christmas," Claude laughed over the phone. If in front of him, Adrian would not have hesitated to give him a punch.
Sighing inwardly, he looked toward the little girl sleeping soundly on his chest. Though he couldn't see her expression, he felt her chubby cheeks against his chest. Never mind, he made the choice, so why regret? The delayed matters were all arranged, time management was the key, especially considering… Emma Watson...
Initially, Adrian didn't realize it until the day before yesterday while routinely reading children's stories to the little girl before sleep. Though he wasn't certain, while the spelling seemed right, many people shared the same name, and one couldn't tell how a two-year-old would look in the future. Yet Adrian made a certain judgment in his heart; his main reason for coming to London was the Harry Potter series, but unexpectedly stumbled upon such an event. Why shouldn't she be her?
Alright, time to rest, whether she was or wasn't wouldn't affect now; tomorrow would be busy.
The next morning, Adrian took Little Emma to the hospital. Doctor Sean performed several simple tests, inquired about some situations, then filled out some forms and advised regular check-ups, concluding the matter. Then, he checked out of the hotel, picked up Mrs. Marson, who was hired to care for Emma, and prepared to move to the new apartment.
The rented apartment on Maioridi Street, several blocks away from the girl's original home, was chosen because the Old Watson couple didn't want her to be reminded of the past. Mrs. Marson, who was about 45 years old, was a kind, friendly person good with children. She had visited Emma before when Adrian was still staying at the hotel. Unfortunately, though the little girl didn't reject her, she didn't accept her either, withdrawing into Adrian's arms at the slightest display of affection.
They had a reasonably good impression of each other, especially Mrs. Marson, who, upon understanding the whole situation, expressed admiration towards Adrian, saying, "There are few people like you nowadays, so committed to charity and willing to selflessly help others, Mr. Adrian. The Watson couple in Heaven must be at peace."
"Thank you." Adrian neither agreed nor disagreed with this, but he couldn't deny it was also previous charitable actions that gained the Old Watson couple's trust in him.
There weren't many issues in daily life; next was to handle work matters. Adrian didn't want to bring the post-production team to London, as that would waste both money and time, and constantly staying in a studio with Emma wouldn't be good for the little girl. Fortunately, there was a thing called a videophone.
(Hey, hey, hey, please recommend, please collect, everyone, show some support...)"
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