ᏟᎾᏒᏒuᏢᏆᎬᎠ ᎠᎬᏟᎥsᎥᎾᏁs

ChApTeR - 9

As Zadia moved over to the cabinet near the fridge, Santino's nails scratched at Roman's naked chest as he wailed, trying to get back to Zadia. "Mama." He cried, causing their eyes to widen. "Mama."

Zadia turned around shocked as ever. "Did he just..."

"He did," Roman said, patting Tino's back, trying to soothe him.

"Mama, mama!" Tino cried louder, face turning red.

Zadia looked through the cabinet with trembling hands and grabbed the first bottle of medication that labeled fever. She read through the instructions carefully, and then read the ingredients, making sure that there wasn't any soy in the medicine, since Santino was allergic to it. Taking the baby syringe, she sucked in the liquid, taking in the correct measurements. "I've got it," Zadia said, walking back to them.

They did a switch off, Roman passing her the baby back and she passing him the syringe. She held the crying baby firmly, prying his mouth open with her fingers so Roman could stick the syringe in there. Roman held Tino's arm down and pushed the syringe into his mouth, emptying the purple color liquid.

"You see that?" Roman asked, removing the syringe and setting it on the counter.

"What?" Zadia asked, confused.

Roman moved closer to her side, his naked chest touching her bare arm. They both ignored the chill they felt run through their bodies and stayed focused on the baby. He pried Tino's mouth open again, pointing at the teeth forming at the top of his gums. "He's teething." He said as the baby began chewing on his finger, his crying came to a mid-stop.

"He's teething," Zadia said in disbelief. "How could I miss that?"

"It happens," Roman said, trying to move his finger from Tino's mouth, but Tino held onto his wrist tightly. "It's like he gets stronger every day." He muttered, taking the baby from Zadia again. This time Tino didn't protest, his focus on Roman's finger. Moving to the fridge, Roman pulled out two ice cubes and pointed at Zadia. "Grab me one of his new washcloths."

Zadia walked to the other side of the kitchen and opened the drawer that had most of Tino's new things. She took one of the green washcloths, before handing it over to Roman.

Roman sat the washcloth on the counter and set the ice inside, before folding it over. He then mashed the ice into the counter, making sure to crush it well. When he was finished, he folded the washcloth some more and put it into Tino's mouth, so his finger could get some relief. "You know that method too?" Zadia asked, she thought it was just a Haitian thing.

"My mom used to do the same thing when Eliśa was a baby." He let out, before sighing. "Come on, he's not gonna fall asleep anytime soon out here. He'll fall asleep quicker in my room." Roman paused. "Unless you want him in your room?"

Zadia shook her head. "He likes your room more because it's darker." She stated. "So, your room it is." She cleared her throat. "I'll meet you up there, I'm gonna heat up his bottle real quick."

"Mmmh." He hummed, walking out of the kitchen.

Roman walked up the stairs, his drowsy eyes begging to shut. He was exhausted and stressed out, two of the things he despised the most. Between looking for his sister and taking out... assignments he was busy as hell and having to keep an eye on Zadia all the time now didn't help one bit. Now he had a sick Tino to add to his plate, along with meetings with important people he kept pushing aside.

It was starting to be too much.

As he made it to his room, he used his leg to open the door fully. Stepping inside, he took one of the few blankets he had on his bed and set it on the ground. When he was finished, he sat Tino on the blanket and went to his dresser to get a night light. This nightlight was different from the other ones in the house, when it was plugged in, it showed reflections of little golden stars throughout the room.