Arthur stood near the white door frame, his heart beating wildly in his chest as he prepared himself for the worst. Every time anyone tried to feed Leo over the last three days, the baby would scream in pain, push the bottle away, and choke up blood-stained liquid. Arthur put his hand over his mouth, terrified that he was about to watch his son suffer another agonizing episode right in front of him.
Hannah did not immediately force the rubber nipple into the baby's mouth. Instead, she began to sing a soft, low lullaby, rocking slowly back and forth in the steady rhythm of the wooden chair. She used her thumb to gently stroke the side of Leo's cheek, softly speaking to him in sweet, calm whispered words. Little Leo's tiny body was trembling, his mouth open as he prepared to cry out in discomfort.
Hannah Reed: Shh, sweet boy. You are safe now. Nobody is going to rush you.
Arthur Vance: He is going to fight you... he always fights.
Hannah Reed: Stand back near the door, Arthur. Let the room breathe.
Arthur Vance: I cannot just stand here doing nothing while he suffers!
Hannah Reed: Your fear is filling this room like smoke. Just take a deep breath and trust me.
Arthur took two steps backward until his spine rested against the white wooden doorframe. He clamped his right hand firmly over his lower face, tears welling up in his eyes as he watched the young nurse work. Hannah gently brought the bottle tip to the baby's lower lip, touching it soft and light without shoving it inside. She waited patiently for the baby to open his mouth on his own terms.
For a long, agonizing moment, the nursery was completely still. The only sound in the giant mansion was the soft, rhythmic creak of the rocking chair moving against the rug. Then, little Leo let out a tiny, soft sigh. His small, bright eyes opened wide, looking up at Hannah's gentle face with deep curiosity. The tight tension in his little forehead began to vanish as he felt the warmth of her arms.
Arthur Vance: Look... he is not screaming.
Hannah Reed: He is listening to my heartbeat, Arthur. He knows I am calm.
Arthur Vance: But will he take the milk?
Hannah Reed: Give him one more second. Let him make the choice.
Slowly, little Leo closed his tiny mouth around the soft bottle tip. A soft, clear sucking sound filled the quiet nursery. The baby did not gag, he did not turn his head away, and he did not cry out in pain. He began to drink hungrily, his tiny throat swallowing milk smoothly, drop by drop, while his little eyes stayed locked on Hannah's reassuring smile.