"Pfft! Hahaha!" Eli couldn't help but to let out an amused laugh from seeing Leon troubled to the point that he was frozen in shock.
This man was usually wearing a cold and reserved expression even when troubled. Yet, who knew that the tiny Little Han would make him so flustered and troubled!
Hearing Eli's delight, Leon couldn't help but feel hot in his face, a visible tinge of redness appeared on his ears while drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. He felt like the hand that was holding Little Han's bottom was on fire, however he dared not to pass the soiled Little Han to Eli.
His eyes wandered around the room desperately looking for a way to address the issue until he met Eli's gaze.
"Help.." He said in surrender.
Eli tried to lift her body up to the sitting position but her arms were too weak to contain her weight. A sharp pain suddenly harassed her lower back from the sudden movement. Her pale face couldn't help but wince in pain.
Leon saw everything and decisively said in worry, "Do not push yourself, just guide me on what to do. I'll follow your instructions to clean Little Han."
"Alright, first get some clean cloth diapers, swaddle cloth, a towel in that corner, and a basin of slightly warm water.."
She slowly instructed Leon on how to clean Little Han step by step. Leon followed her instructions to the dot and was able to finally clean Little Han and his cradle.
However, he was stumped on how to put the clean cloth diaper on Little Han, he tried a few times until black lines appeared on his forehead. He looked at Eli again in distress, worried that Little Han might be exposed for too long if he didn't finish clothing him properly.
Eli let out another amused smile which made Leon blush again in embarrassment, "Please help me up."
Leon carefully placed a warm cloth on Little Han before moving Eli to sit. Then he carried Little Han beside her.
Eli then demonstrated how to carefully dress Little Han with closed diapers,
"Always use warm water to clean Little Han, then pat him dry with a soft absorbent towel before dressing him.."
"The cloth diapers must not be too tight, because the cloth might hurt Little Han's skin especially when he starts to move. The fit should just be right.."
"It would be nice if we could get some gentle ointment or petroleum jelly to keep Little Han's bum moisturized and free from rashes.."
Leon listened and burned Eli's demonstration on how to dress Little Han, taking note of the things he also needed to get for Little Han the next day. He was amazed by how she dressed Little Han so familiarly as if it wasn't the first time she was doing it.
"I practiced with Azayn.." Eli uttered, Leon was being obvious with his expressions, so she opted to answer whatever was on his mind.
"I see.."
"Ummm.. booo!" Little Han's sleeping face uttered some inaudible words while pouting grumpily. It seemed like he was hungry.
Eli instinctively carried Little Han and lifted her shirt up, revealing the skin underneath.
Leon realized what she was about to do. His body jolted and scrambled to immediately turn on his back.
"Heavens!" He couldn't help but exclaim, although he was fast, he was able to see a glimpse of Eli's abdominal area. It was the first time he saw so much feminine skin. He felt like his eyes burned because he almost saw something inappropriate.
"Ah!!" Eli was also equally startled. She was so focused on tending Little Han and so at ease in Leon's presence that she had forgotten that it was still inappropriate to let him see the skin beneath her shirt.
"I'm sorry! It didn't cross my mind!" Eli uttered full of shame!
Goodness! Now I look like an exhibitionist! She thought. How could she be forgetful to not be sensitive with her surroundings! She felt her body heat up in embarrassment.
"No it's alright. I didn't see anything!" Leon tried to squeeze out these words as calmly as possible. However he didn't know that with his back exposed, he was actually displaying his reddish nape and ears!
"Just feed Little Han.. do tell me when you are finished." Leon continued with a shaky voice. He then busied himself to tidy up the things he used while cleaning Little Han, bringing it out of the room.
When he finally entered, Eli was now lulling Little Han to sleep, kissing the Little Bun's forehead so sweetly.
His heart melted.
He burned this image in his mind. Eli with her flowy black hair cascading so naturally in her white nursing dress, carrying Little Han lovingly in a simple log bedroom.
This is family. The people he wanted to protect with his very own life. A gift from the creator!
Eli noticed Leon standing quietly by the door, she smiled calmly and announced in a hushed tone, "He's fast asleep."
"Uhn.." Leon hummed and quietly reached out his hands to put Little Han on his now clean crystal shell cradle, not forgetting to also tenderly plant a kiss on Little Han's forehead.
After carefully placing Little Han on the cradle, he stood up and looked at Eli who met his thoughtful and gentle eyes. It was as if time froze when the two looked at each other.
The atmosphere created by Little Han had made the two feel sentimental with each other. Yet both knew that it wasn't the right time yet.
Leon then continued to go near Eli and assisted her again into a sleeping position. "Rest now.. So that you can gain more strength and recover..." He whispered tenderly.
"Uhn.." Eli let out a hum as drowsiness and weariness slowly engulfed her. She sleepily looked towards Leon while he tucked her to sleep.
"Leon.. you are a good man… Little Han is lucky to have you as his dad.." She said before the sleepiness completely overcame her.
Leon's heart skipped a beat when he heard Eli's words, however when he turned to look at Eli, she was already fast asleep. His eyes displayed a defeated look as he carefully caressed Eli's face, clearing the fringes in her forehead.
"No.. I and Little Han.. were lucky that you came here in this world.. and brought us this new life…" He said as he tenderly looked at Eli.
He looked towards the peacefully sleeping mother and son, then towards the window.
The moon was happily showing its luster in the dark night. Giving light to those who are still out and awake, and cuing those who needed to sleep, guarding them from the darkness the night brings.
Just like Leon who was the only one who stayed awake, his thoughts wandered on how his little family will live from now on.
Morning came and shined gently on the little log bedroom.
Eli was awakened by the gentle kiss of the morning light. Feeling refreshed and happy, her fluttering eyelids opened instinctively and looked toward the area where the father and son were supposed to be sleeping.
The beddings were neatly folded while Little Han's cradle was already on her bedside. She looked towards her son who was sleeping cutely.
Last night, Little Han was not as needy as she expected him to be. He had only woken them up once in the night and let her and Leon sleep until morning.
"My baby is so behaved!" Eli playfully uttered as she gently caressed Little Han's tiny head.
However, she still didn't let her guard down. It was just Little Han's second night. Who knows in the following days or months ahead? She may go through countless sleepless nights to tend to Little Han. She must mentally prepare herself.
Soon a soft knock was heard on the door, "Eli, are you awake? May I come in?"
Eli heard Azayn's voice. "Uhn, I am already up! Please come in!"
Azayn then opened the door, greeting Eli with a bright smile. Leon followed closely, holding a steaming bowl of porridge and two glasses of who knows what.
Leon wordlessly put Eli's body into sitting position then left the room. Azayn quickly checked her condition while asking her some details about how her body feels.
She then encouraged Eli to take her breakfast and drink the two cups.
The first one was a concoction that was pale green in color, its scent emitted a strong herbal smell invading her nose and lungs. Upon sniffing the scent, Eli could feel the cooling effect, as if she had sniffed the scent of a eucalyptus ointment.
According to Azayn, this concoction was made for Eli to immediately recover her bodily injuries after giving birth. She immediately took a sip, checking its taste. She was expecting the bitter, leafy taste of the drink, however to her surprise it was actually like drinking mint tea!
The next concoction had a subtle smoky smell and muddy in color. The scent is milder in contrast to the other one. But Eli was repulsed when she inspected the drink's texture, it was like a wood smoothie. She frowned in hesitation, clearly fearing on taking this drink.
Azayn let out a chuckle and playfully said,
"Why are you afraid? Haven't you been worried about the size of your chest? Didn't you keep on lamenting that Little Han would be malnourished because of their size?
"See, I already gave you the solution! With this, you wouldn't have to worry about that-"
As soon as Eli heard the first part, she immediately closed her eyes and pinched her nose. She drank the wood smoothie in one go!
