C4 4

A week passed by with Benjamin getting the hang of how to deal with baby Sapphire.

The first evening Sapphire woke up crankily. Most of the day she has been sleeping. Only woke up for her drink and food and promptly went back to sleep.

The social worker from child welfare had mentioned that Sapphire had a terrible night the day before. She kept waking up at night asking for her mama.

Benjamin had panicked seeing Sapphire jutting out her lower lip ready for another session of wailing.

Madison, one of the caretakers of the Lockwood household, had finally come in for rescue.

She had instructed Benjamin to take off his shirt and hold the baby close to his chest.

The skin to skin contact, it seems, helps in bonding.

The baby, initially wriggled in his hold, but later snuggled into him.

She had gotten that kind of warmth only from her mama before. And she lapped up all that warmth she was feeling after the whole three weeks.

"Keep talking to her, Benjamin. Sing her a lullaby." Madison had instructed him then.

"I don't know any lullaby," Benjamin whispered.

"It doesn't have to be a lullaby. It could be a discussion of stock markets for all she cares about. Your voice and tone is what matters. Talk to her in a soothing way. Make her feel secure, Benjamin." Madison said.

Benjamin held the baby securely against his heart and talked to her in a soothing voice.

He talked about her mother and the years they spent together.

The baby looked on curiously not particularly understanding anything, but liking the way he was talking.

A week later Sapphire got used to her uncle being around.

Madison brought a bowl of baby food for baby Sapphire.

Benjamin placed the baby on the newly bought high chair.

Sapphire made a face seeing the mushy paste in the bowl.

"Don't make that face. You have to eat, baby." Benjamin said and took a spoonful of food towards her lips.

"No.." Sapphire turned her face sideways in denial.

"The first thing you say to me is a No. That's bad Sapphire." Benjamin chided softly.

Sapphire jutted out her lower lip again.

"Sapphy no bad," she said, her lips trembling and eyes filling up with tears.

"Awww. Sorry Sapphy. Sapphy is a good girl. Now eat like a good girl." Benjamin said, coaxing the little girl to open her mouth.

She had her dinner with lots of fuss that Benjamin felt completely exhausted by the time she finished her dinner.

Not even during a sports meet at university, did he feel so exhausted.

"Come on. Time to sleep again." Benjamin said and laid her on her new baby cot

"Good night, Sapphire," he kissed her on nose.

"Ayt ayt Benji," she said with a toothy grin.

Benjamin looked at her in surprise.

"Uncle Ben it is. Call me Uncle Ben." Benjamin said.

"Benji," she repeated with a giggle.

"Stubborn, just like your mother." Benjamin said with a chuckle.

****

Next morning Isabella walked into the boss' cabin with his coffee; with milk and sugar ofcourse.

She knocked on the door and entered when she heard a firm come in.

"Good morning, Benjamin" she greeted him as she placed his coffee on the desk.

"Good morning, Bella." Benjamin greeted back with a smile.

Isabella looked at him surprised.

Nobody ever calls her Bella. She is Izzy in short.

"Uh. Everyone calls me, Izzy." Isabella said with a smile.

"Why? Bella suits you more" Benjamin said as he went through another file.

He missed the blush that crept up her cheeks.

Isabella looked around and noticed that baby Sapphire was awake and was playing in a playpen placed near the couch.

"She seems happy today." Isabella commented

"Why? Do you want to dance Bella?" Benjamin teased her.

"Oh no!!" Isabella shook her head in horror.

Isabella walked towards the playpen and kneeled down beside her.

"Hello angel. How are you? Do you remember me?" Isabella asked in a babyish voice.

Sapphire stared at the women curiously trying to remember where she had seen her.

Sapphire held the boundaries of the playpen and stood up when she remembered it was the woman who danced for her a few days before.

She had also seen the woman coming in and out of the room she stays in.

"Up up," Sapphire asked raising her hands to be picked up.

Isabella happily picked her up and gave her a loud kiss on the little girl's cheek earning a giggle in return.

"Go go," Sapphire said, pointing her fingers towards the door.

"Go where?" Isabella asked with a frown.

"Go..." Came the demanding response again.

Benjamin was watching them with a smile on his face.

"Seems like she got bored sitting in the playpen and looking at my face the whole day, Bella." Benjamin said with a chuckle.

"Shall I take her out for a walk around the floor?" Isabella asked expectantly.

"Sure. If you don't mind," Benjamin said.

"Not at all. Come on angel. Say bye to uncle." Isabella said.

Sapphire raised her hand in a wave.

"Bye-bye, Benji," she said and Benjamin groaned as he heard that silly name.

"Uncle Ben." Benjamin ordered softly.

"Benji," Sapphire repeated with a mischievous giggle, enjoying irritating her uncle. Isabella laughed along with Sapphire.

"Bella," Benjamin called in a warning tone.

"Bell-bell," Sapphire repeated and Isabella made a face and it was Benjamin's turn to laugh.

"Serves you right," Ben said with a chuckle.

Isabella walked out of the cabin with Sapphire in her arms.

Sapphire waved happily at the employees around making them all smile at her cuteness.

"Down down," Sapphire asked Isabella to let her down.

Isabella placed Sapphire down and she wobbled on her chubby little legs towards the aquarium kept at the corner of the floor.

Sapphire climbed on the couch below the aquarium and tried to reach for the aquarium. She raised on her toes and extended her arms in an attempt to touch the aquarium on the wall. But it was too high for her.

She tried again and again, but started getting frustrated as she failed multiple times.

Isabella was watching on with amusement, but was caught off guard when Sapphire threw herself on the couch and started hitting the couch angrily.

She rushed to the kid and picked her up high enough for her to touch the aquarium.

"Angel, look at the fish." Isabella pointed at the aquarium, trying to change her focus from crying.

"Ishh..." Sapphire squealed happily touching the aquarium and patting it gently and happily.