Feeling defeated, I picked up the baby, and he stopped whimpering, breaking into a happy cackle and a grin. I cooed and rocked the baby in my arms, walking around the room without any particular destination in mind. Despite my best efforts, memories of the past were threatening to resurface.
"Grr! Garh!" The baby occasionally shrieked, his small eyes lighting up with joy as he looked up at me. I conversed with the baby, admitting that I was a damaged man who couldn't protect his family. But the baby's innocent laughter and smiles kept tugging at my heartstrings, making me smile too.
"You can't trust me, buddy," I continued, "but I promise to protect you and your mom. That's something I can do."
"Grah!!!" The baby shrieked again, smiling even more broadly. As I looked at his angelic face, I couldn't help but think of Dannie when he was born.
Suddenly, I felt the need to be alone, so I took the baby to the kitchen to give him back to his mother. The aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, and Jasamina smiled at her baby when we entered. She quickly put the frying pan back on the table and apologized if her baby had woken me up.
"I was already awake," I gruffly replied as I handed the baby back to her. I couldn't help but notice the change of clothes and floral scent that clung to her. She was a very beautiful girl. No wonder that monster of a husband of hers was so obsessively possessive.
As I caught myself admiring her appearance, I was startled. It had been a long time since I had noticed a woman's physical appearance. Jaimie started fussing, bringing me back to reality.
"He's hungry," Jasamina observed, already heading to the kitchen chair to lower herself on it. "I'll feed him quickly, and then I'll continue with breakfast," she whispered as an apology.
"Take all the time you need," I reassured her before I remembered something important. "Oh, dress up later, we'll take the baby to the hospital."
Jasamina's eyes widened with fear. "Hospital! Is he sick? Did something happen?" She immediately started checking her baby, feeling his forehead.
"Nothing happened, he just needs to be medically examined and vaccinated, like every other baby out there," I explained, remembering how Suzy and I had spent many months at the hospital after Dannie's birth. The girl has been on the run these past few months, and it's obvious that she doesn't really know much.
She breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Alright, thank you. I thought something happened to him..."
I shook my head to reassure her again before I headed out. She stopped me by calling my name.
"Thank you so much, for everything." She whispered sincerely.
I shrugged and walked out.
XAZIX
As I regained consciousness, even before opening my eyes, a mouthwatering aroma of food wafted into my nostrils. The scent was so tantalizing that I couldn't resist getting up and following it to Tann's room, where I deduced the deliciousness was emanating from, but I was wrong. It was coming from the kitchen.
A smile automatically formed on my face as I entered his room and saw Tann putting on pants after his bath. However, my joy was short-lived as I couldn't help but notice the weight loss he had experienced. My heart sank at the sight, and I couldn't help but long for the old Tann. The Tann who was built like a tank, laughed often, was relaxed, showed his love for his family, and had a special glow that indicated he was in love with his wife.
"You're awake," Tann remarked as he turned and saw me.
"Yes, I am," I replied, still staring at him.
"You're staring, Xax," he said again without looking at me.
"You've lost weight," I pointed out with concern.
Tann shrugged as though it was no big deal. "That's what happens when you live only on the bottle. I don't remember being clearheaded enough these past few years to eat healthy food or work out."
"Suzy wouldn't have wanted this for you. The suffering and self-torture you're inflicting on yourself," I told him, softly.
He didn't bother looking at me. "Too bad. Suzy should tell me with her own mouth," he said, sarcastically. "But then again, she's too dead to do that, right?"
His words stung, and I could feel my heart breaking for him. "Tann-man," I trailed off, trying to find the right words to say.
"Let it go, Xax. Please."
I sighed in defeat. "At least lose the beard. You scare the girl and her little boy every once in a while."
Tann's lips twitched to the side, but he remained silent. I left him and went to the bathroom to freshen up while he walked out of the room.
As I was about to undress for a shower, my phone rang. It was the girl's husband, the Billionaire Baron. I ignored the call, whistled to myself, and was ready to hop in the shower when another call came in, and I recognized the number.
"Rutherford speaking," I answered.
"Xazix?" the familiar voice asked.