“So good, my little boy. So very good.”
I sniffed, my body relaxing a bit. I jerked when Sabastian pressed against my stomach, forcing another gush of water to trickle out.
“Bath time. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I blinked, not able to move. My legs were tingling, and my heart had mostly settled once again.
“Oh, sweet boy. You gotta help me here. Stand up.”
I whined, but did as he said. Once I was standing, my legs weak and tears still falling from my face, Sabastian pulled me into a tight hug.
“Do you feel better now?”
I nodded, melting into him. Tons better.
“Good.” He pulled back far enough to tug at the stuffie. “I need to take this. It doesn’t go in the bath with you.”
I looked at him sadly. I didn’t want to let it go.
“You can have it back once you’re nice and clean. I promise.”
With a sigh, I let him take it. I watched as he set it on the sink, right in sight of where I could still see it.
“Let me put your hair up so I don’t have to wash or dry it.”
Somewhere, he produced a rubber band, putting my hair up in some type of bun thing atop my head. It felt heavy, and I wasn’t a fan of it, but if I didn’t have to wash it again for the day, I’d survive.
Sabastian led me to the tub, shutting off the water before helping me in. My entire body shook, remembering a mix of the baths from Sir’s and the last time.
I glanced at Sabastian as I lifted one foot into the warm water, then the next. The bubbles were high enough to cover just about everything on my body, but that didn’t stop the growing fear of what was to come.
“Sit down, little one.”
Gently, I did as he said, pulling my knees up and loosely wrapping my arms around them.
“Feeling better?”
I nodded, more worn out than anything now. And maybe hungry. Defiantly thirsty.
“Juice?”
“Remember to take this out,” he tapped the paci lightly. “But yes, I can go get you some juice.”
I hummed out a thanks.
“Be right back.”
The bathroom instantly got cold when he left. I shivered, even though the water was warm and bubbly.
I took deep breaths, knowing Sabastian would be back in a matter of seconds. He wouldn’t leave me alone like this for more than a minute or two. Heck, the man had hardly left me on my own at all today, which was probably a good thing.
My eyes stayed pinned to the doorway, and he appeared like I summoned him to me.
He held up the sippy, shaking it with a small smile. “Lemonade okay?”
I nodded.
He handed it over while popping the paci from my mouth. I took a good long drink, relaxing a bit more in the water.
