Spencer opened his eyes to the dim lighting of the nursery. He squirmed a little and noticed the squish of his diaper underneath him. It felt strange, but still felt right. He put his pacifier into his mouth and his other hand frantically searching for his bear. When he found it, he calmed considerably. He focused his eyes on the bars of the crib, and it had a soothing effect on him. As he woke up slowly, his ears attuned themselves to footsteps in the hall.
Daddy.
What was he doing? Spencer wondered as he watched the spinning mobile above him. A lamb circled by, then a bird. then a bear, and a puppy. All set off by stars floating in the middle. It was nice, he decided. Soothing. He laid there a few minutes, enjoying himself.
The door opened and William came into the room, dressed in a black suit, and lowered the sidebar of the crib.
"Good morning, Spencer." He smiled, picking up his son and taking him to the changing table. Spencer grumbled something unintelligible in reply as he rubbed his eyes. William just shook his head in amusement. When he finished changing his son, he picked him up and took him into the kitchen, where a high chair was set up just for Spencer.
His son smiled. "For me?" He asked innocently.
"Yes." Said William, setting him in the chair.
Spencer couldn't stop smiling.
"What do you want to eat for breakfast?" Asked William.
Spencer shrugged.
"Do you want fruit or eggs?"
"Fruit."
"Mango kiwi or strawberry banana?"
"Mango."
"Okay."
Spencer swung his legs happily as his father got out the small jars of mashed fruit.
It was a surprisingly bright Saturday morning in Virginia, although it was very early- perhaps five or six in the morning. The sun filtered through all the windows in the house. Spencer could see birds landing on Rose bushes in the yard across the street. It made him feel cheerful.
He put his pacifier on the tray in front of him, still feeling drowsy.
William pulled up a chair to sit in before he began feeding his son. They both enjoyed a quiet breakfast.
When breakfast was over, William helped to dress his son before leading him to the car. He locked the nursery door behind him, then got into the driver's side of the car. By the time they left, it was nearly ten o'clock in the morning.
They drove off to the Piedmont Sanitarium together.
Diana was thrilled to know that her son and husband were coming. She was writing in her journal about her morning, and had taken all of her medication and eaten, all in preparation for seeing them.
Spencer was the first one out of the car and was quick to sign in before hurrying to his mother's room. William drove around to find a parking spot.
Diana was reading when Spencer came in.
"Mommy!"
She put the book aside and opened her arms so her son could run into them.
"Hi, baby!" She kissed his forehead and cuddled him. "Where's Daddy?"
"Daddy's parking the car."
"Okay, good."
He giggled, and she brushed a lock of hair behind his ear.
"How are you today, sweetheart?" She asked in her sing-song voice.
He smiled. "Good." She kissed his forehead, and he leaned on her chest, happy.
"Good." She stroked his hair gently like she knew he loved.
Her husband entered gracefully a moment later, and her grin widened until she wondered if she looked like The Joker or The Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland.
Willam came in and leaned down to kiss his wife.
"Hello, my love." He whispered. The words still had the power to turn her insides to jello.
"Hello, darling." She replied, giving him an Eskimo kiss.
Spencer watched them with interest. Seeing his parents exchange signs of affection was still a little strange. It wasn't an unwelcome sight, but it still made his stomach clinch. Maybe because he himself found being touched uncomfortable in most situations. The only exceptions were with his parents and his friends.
William sat next to his wife and wrapped an arm around her. She smiled and shared a chaste kiss with her husband as her son snuggled with her. Nothing had ever felt so perfect to Diana as this moment. The two most important people in her life were there with her and beginning to love one another. Even though her illness had ravaged her life, somehow she had picked up the pieces and learned to live with it.
Spencer was happily snuggled with both of his parents. He could feel their love and affection coming off of them in waves. Mommy had always loved him like that, but this kind of love from Daddy was still new. However, he was quickly learning to reciprocate.
"What do you want to do today, sweetheart?" Diana crooned. William watched his son with a smile. Spencer grinned in turn.
"I wanna bottle." He said, looking at both of them with big eyes. Diana looked at William with one eyebrow quirked up.
"Did you give him one with his breakfast?" She asked. William shook his head, silently berating himself for making such a stupid mistake. Diana stroked his cheek and looked at him, silently telling him that it was alright. William decided to get up and fix it to reconcile his earlier mistake. Diana took the chance to read him the poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson. Specifically, The Song Of The Lotos-Eaters. She found the rhythm very soothing. Spencer did too, as he sucked his thumb in time to the poem.
William returned quickly with his son's bottle and watched him suckle on it as he laid in his mother's lap. Diana looked at him and gave him a kiss. William smirked.
"You look mighty fine, Mrs. Reid." He whispered.
She grinned. "As do you, Mr. Reid."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek just to hear her laugh.
Meanwhile, Spencer was already falling asleep. Diana picked him up and laid him in her bed to take a nap before going back to sit with her husband on the couch. They kissed and whispered to one another as they cuddled together.
It was the perfect morning.