Morning came and Christina was still savoring the bed. She was drooling, deep in her dreams.
'Hmm…'
Uncomfortable with her position, Christina tried to turn the other way. But a sudden ache all over her body stopped her from attempting to even move an inch.
Without opening her eyes, Christina concluded that she just slept the wrong way. She prepared to move her body again.
'Eh—'
Christina visibly felt a weight pinning on her position in bed. It was not heavy, but it would make one wonder before moving. It's like an expensive vase was resting on her chest that would make her lose a fortune.
As lazy as she was, Christina in closed eyes raised an arm to feel what was above her.
All she could touch was a small thing. It was a bit heavy but in Japanese terms, mofu-mofu would cut it. Squishy and soft to pinch skin with a hint of milky scent in the air.
'Skin?'
Christina snapped awake. Her bloodshot eyes stared wide-eyed at the ceiling. She was now aware of the peaceful snores of a certain someone on top of her.
A toddler was squirming while comfortably lying on her bosom.
As much as she didn't want to disturb the sleep of the toddler, her body was already aching badly. She had to move now rather than later.
Testing whether she could move for a bit, the toddler's hand gripped on her nightwear. The toddler refused to let her move.
'Haaa…'
Gently patting the toddler's back, Christina whispered loud enough for the toddler to hear.
"Good morning, Ellie."
Hearing the familiar voice, the toddler Ellie raised her head half awake. She was rubbing her eyes to clear her vision. After blinking a couple of times, the toddler named Ellie recognized the person before her.
She smiled sweetly and warm.
"Moning… Nana"
Toddler Ellie's smile filled Christina's morning. But despite the cuteness overload early in the morning, Christina had to thoroughly wake up the toddler.
"It's time to wake up. Get up and fix yourself."
"Unnn~"
Opposite to her tone, toddler Ellie dove back to Christina's bosom. Unwilling to let go of the comforting feeling and even tried to get some more sleep.
Grruuu~
Giggling amused, Christina's growling tummy didn't give toddler Ellie a chance to refuse. Pouting, toddler Ellie hung her head down and unwillingly went to the toilet to fix herself.
Watching the small back of the toddler Ellie, Christina felt nostalgic.
It's been two years since toddler Ellie came to the Witch's Mansion and lived with Christina.
Christina spent most of her time reading and catering to a certain child at home. At first, the unskilled new parent like Christina managed to turn the huge elegant mansion smell like poop for a week.
The milky smell from the changing and refreshing could barely cover the smell. She had to call Mike, her slave of a disciple to deal with it or teach her. Day by day, Christina remembered the information for children in her previous life and at the same time had a practical experience.
'Raising children sure is hard…'
"Lady Christina, have you found a name yet?"
Mike asked the nodding haggard, Christina.
"Uhhh…"
Right now, Christina and Mike were turning the town's library upside down. They were finding a name for the toddler. Currently, they're about to finish every single book available in the library.
Mike was scratching his head in frustration. Despite his suggestions, nothing seemed to please Christina. Christina was grumbling at every turn of the page. Every option was either common, ordinary, uninteresting, or exclusive for the royals.
"Can you just pick one—"
Bang!
Christina unkindly slammed the book on her hand at the table. Creating a commotion amongst the readers in the library. Despite the displeased face of the librarian, he let Christina go to give her face but warned her with a glance.
Mike was vexed and frustrated too but he didn't expect Christina to act unruly. He decided not to care and buried his head on the books. After scanning the page, he noticed one cute name.
"Hey, Ma— Wait!"
While Mike was eager to show his findings, he had a slip of tongue and was about to get hit by Christina. He covered his head with the book open to show Christina.
Unknowingly, he pointed at his intended name to suggest and Christina looked at it. Mike was pointing at one but Christina's eyes were staring at the name above.
Contemplating for a bit, Christina found the name viable. She couldn't be as meticulous as the writers back on earth. But with her life on the line, she needed to make sure that the Gods would be pleased to an extent.
"Let's go with this."
Leaving the pile of cluttered books, Christina left without waiting for Mike. dumbfounded, Mike hurriedly apologized for the mess and caught up to Christina.
Using [Teleport] for both of them, Christina and Mike arrive back at the mansion within a second. Mike was still huffing after he ran for his life. He was still thinking about how to apologize to the angry librarian back in the town.
"Little one, from today onwards, your name shall be—"
"Ellie!"
"Kya!"
Before Christina could finish her words, Mike interrupted and the baby surprisingly liked it. She had to facepalm at the situation. Helpless, she threaded on the written path.
'Maybe this is the will of God.'
—Or not?
Every day, Christina was filled with gratifying results, satisfying moments, and warm days. But that included the fear that didn't leave since day one.
Christina denied the possibility that Ellie's parents were good people. But she assumed her parents were searching for her in the vast world. Therefore, they live their days like it was the last.
That way even if Ellie had to come back to her real family, their relationship won't be denied that easily. Memories would forever be engraved in her childhood.
Christina was thinking that everything would be over with that naming session. But Eric called her via Crystal Communication Ball.
"You need to properly name her at 2 years old."
'What?'
Christina then asked.
"How about her parents? Isn't she getting their family surname?"
Eric was confused and unable to decipher expressions.
"If that baby truly got kidnapped and left to die then it's necessary to register again. But if facts turned out to be the other way around, you'll be able to keep her forever. Anyways, that means you need to register her either way."
Christina felt like she was living a dream. Now, she found a way to keep her desired name for the baby.
'God is on my side.'
For the first time, she was sincerely grateful to this world's God.
Eric explained certain procedures that he would do and the documents that he would need when the time comes. He also told her that he would visit by that time.
Compromising with this fact, Christina waited 2 years for Ellie to grow up and properly name her.
Elysia.
Elysia Edwards.
Ellie as her nickname.
Now, Elysia would turn two the day after today. Tomorrow, her name would officially be documented as her daughter.
'Daughter…'
Just the thought of it thrilled Christina. She was unable to wait until tomorrow.
Containing her excitement, Christina went to check on Elysia. Elysia was standing on a foot stand and brushing her teeth obediently.
"Brush it clean, okay?"
"Hnnngg~"
Elysia energetically replied despite the garbled words. Christina left to prepare some food. Afterward, Elysia took out one of the thin books nearby.
"Nana…"
Elysia pulled the edge of Christina's apron. She was showing the thin book in her hand. Christina had to vouch down and slightly smiled.
"Let's read this after getting some snacks. We can't starve, can we?"
"Hm. Hm."
After nodding, Elysia ran towards the living room. She sat waiting obediently for Christina to finish while scanning each book. The book on her hand was one of the picture books that Christina made recently for her.
The stories inside were the typical children's stories back on earth. She copied them as far as she could remember and imagine a made-up cartoon to fill out the illustrations. After all, illustrations were a bit harder to remember than when you made them up in your mind.
"Let's read now~"
After she put down the food on the table, Christian sat beside Elysia. Today, Elysia picked Red Riding Hood to be read. The descriptive imagery wasn't as heavy as Grimms but something that could slightly scare a child.
Every day was picture perfect. As if nothing would go wrong the next day. They spent time reading in peace and Elysia was growing up without a hitch.