Chapter 12 - Baby Bottle

Vera was finally brought home, sitting in a wheelchair pushed by Elio. Her vacant eyes looked around with curiosity, like a baby seeing the world for the first time. Her hands moved aimlessly, and her feet kicked lightly.Elio, with patience and love, pushed Vera's wheelchair into the house."Welcome back home, my dear." Elio whispered softly, hoping his words would offer some comfort to Vera.Emma followed behind them, carrying a bag filled with Vera's essentials.They moved slowly towards the bedroom, ensuring each step was taken carefully.Elio and Emma worked together to gently transfer Vera from the wheelchair to the bed.After laying Vera down, Elio noticed her mouth was slightly open, showing signs of thirst."Emma, could you get a glass of water, please?" Elio asked calmly."Of course, sir." Emma replied quickly, then hurried to the kitchen to get a glass of water.Elio sat at the edge of the bed, looking at Vera with love and concern."Vera, you must be tired. We will take good care of you, don't worry." Elio said softly, stroking his wife's hair.Soon after, Emma returned with a glass of water in her hand. "Here's the water, sir." She said, handing the glass to Elio.Elio took the glass and carefully brought it to Vera's lips."Come on, dear, have a little drink." Elio said as he tilted the glass slowly.However, when the water touched Vera's lips, she didn't know how to swallow it. The water spilled out, running down the side of her mouth and wetting her cheek.Elio pulled the glass away and looked at Emma with concern. "It seems she can't drink from a glass."Emma nodded, thinking quickly. "Of course, sir. As Dr. Milena mentioned multiple times, Mrs. Vera is like a newborn baby now. We might need to try using a baby bottle, sir. She might find it easier to drink from a nipple.""What? A baby bottle? No! I don't want to see Vera treated like that." Elio initially rejected the idea, feeling it would humiliate his wife."There is no other choice, sir. Mrs. Vera can't eat and drink like we do. We have to take care of Mrs. Vera as we would a newborn baby." Emma explained firmly but gently.Elio thought for a moment, considering their situation. Finally, with a heavy heart, he agreed. "Alright, Emma. That's a good idea. Can you prepare one?""Of course, sir. I'll prepare it right away." Emma replied and hurried to the kitchen to find a baby bottle.***In the kitchen, Emma looked for the baby bottle she used to use for her baby, Mia.Suddenly, Emma felt a sharp pain in her breasts, a sign that she should be nursing her baby.Emma tried to endure the pain. With trembling hands, she opened the cabinet and took out the baby bottle she had used for her baby.Emma spoke to herself in a barely audible voice, "So this is what it feels like to have an abundance of breast milk but hold it back, trying to stop nursing when there's still so much milk in my breasts."As she filled the baby bottle with water, the pain in her breasts intensified. She felt the flow of milk that should be released, but she held back.Usually, Emma would use a breast pump to relieve the pain, but now she had to stop her milk production. Enduring the pain was the only way to stop her body from producing milk.With determination, Emma poured water into the baby bottle and screwed the cap on tightly.Once again, the pain hit. She paused, holding her breath and enduring the stabbing pain."Oh God, my breasts hurt so much. I have to bear this pain." Emma said firmly, motivating herself.After she finished, with heavy steps and pressing pain, Emma brought the baby bottle back to the bedroom.***When Emma returned to the bedroom with the baby bottle filled with water, she saw Elio sitting beside Vera, who lay on the bed with a vacant stare, like a baby who understood nothing.Elio took the bottle from Emma and tried to give it to Vera."Vera, dear, try to drink this." Elio said softly, offering the bottle to his wife.However, Vera refused by shaking her head slowly and keeping her mouth closed, like a baby refusing to drink. Elio tried again, but Vera kept refusing."It seems she doesn't like this water." Elio said, sounding desperate.Emma approached to help. "Maybe she's just not used to it yet, sir. We need to be patient and try several times until she gets used to it."As they were about to try again, a strong, pungent smell filled the room. Elio took a deep breath, trying to endure the odor."What is this? This smell...?" Elio asked, his eyes narrowing.Emma approached Vera and saw that the bed was wet with urine. "Mrs. Vera has wet herself, sir."Elio looked disgusted and confused about what to do. "Emma, please clean this up immediately. I really don't know what to do. It smells so bad!"Emma nodded and immediately looked for cleaning supplies. "Yes, sir. I'll clean it right away.""Hurry, Emma!" Elio requested, covering his nose with his hand."Yes, sir." Emma nodded while continuing to gather the cleaning supplies. "But sir, you should buy adult diapers for Mrs. Vera. This will likely happen again, and we need to be prepared."Elio sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "Alright, I'll go buy them now. Can you handle this?"Emma gave a small smile, trying to provide some reassurance to Elio. "Ofcourse, sir. I'll take care of it."As Elio hurried out of the house to buy adult diapers, Emma started cleaning the bed.Emma carefully lifted and carried Vera. Emma's larger and fuller body compared to the frail and shorter Vera made it easier for her to lift Vera and lay her down on the carpet and pillows."Somehow, when I hold you, I feel like I'm holding my baby, Mrs. Vera." Emma said while gently patting Vera's head, feeling deep empathy for her mistress's condition.After ensuring Vera was comfortably lying on the carpet and pillows, Emma began cleaning the urine-soaked bed.She removed the soiled sheets and cleaned every corner of the mattress thoroughly.Occasionally, she glanced at Vera, who lay there with small movements like a real baby, squirming and moving her hands aimlessly."Indeed, you look like a real baby, Mrs. Vera." Emma muttered to herself, taking a deep breath and smiling slightly.Vera glanced at Emma with a vacant stare."Mam..." A soft murmur escaped her lips, but there was no understanding in her expression.Emma paused her work for a moment and approached Vera."Don't worry, ma'am. I'll finish cleaning soon." Emma said gently, patting Vera's hand as she grasped at the empty air.Vera continued to move her hands and feet like a baby learning to control her body. Her vacant and confused eyes made Emma's heart swell with sympathy and unconsciously triggered her maternal instincts.