Obadiah

Nineteen

"Ma!"

A gentle tug followed the call, stirring Obadiah awake.

"Ma!" He heard the call again.

He opened his eyes and remembered where he was.

Guinevere's cottage.

Lydia's bright green eyes stared up at him with wonder.

She didn't look unwell anymore.

She looked calm and happy.

"Hello, little one." He whispered, trying not to spook her.

Her grip tightened on his thumb, and she yawned like a kitten.

Little Lydia was adorable.

"Maaa," Her cherry lips quivered, sending panic through his body.

He eyed Guinevere.

She was still asleep.

"I'm sorry, little one." He took a slow breath to calm his anxiety.

Why did he take the baby? He didn't know what to do with a baby.

"Help me, Lord," He whispered as a tear rolled down her flushing cheeks.

Just like Guinevere.

It warmed his heart to see the resemblance between the little baby girl and her mother.

"Maaa," She cried softly, lightly slapping his arms and chest. "Mamaaa,"

Her cries punctured his heart.

How did parents endure the cries of their little ones without giving them their every whim?

"Shh, please, don't cry."

His plea didn't work.

She wasn't hot. She wasn't tired.

Why was she upset?

"Oh, my darling,"

Guinevere.

He could breathe now.

She stood from the couch and hurried to him.

"Mama's here, Lydia. What's got you all upset?" She asked in the sweetest tone.

He handed her Lydia and she swiftly held the little girl to her chest.

Oooh.

She turned away and within seconds, the soft cries were silenced.

Amazing.

"There's a good girl." She cooed and walked to the kitchen.

He watched.

Guinevere. The woman was amazing.

She awoke from her slumber to tend to her child. She didn't murmur or complain. She didn't even yawn.

"Thank you,"

He blinked and stood. "No. No, I'm only glad to have been some help." He insisted.

She had no reason to thank him.

He needed to be thanking her for everything she'd done.

His help was only a partial way of saying thank you.

She turned to him with a lovely smile. "You're very kind," She placed a kiss on Lydia's temple and hummed. "I don't have a right to ask for more of your time," She started somewhat shyly.

He shook his head. "A right?"

She had a strange way of speaking.

"Yes. I-i've already taken your time, and we got nothing done this afternoon, but I was hoping I could thank you by keeping you for dinner."