Chapter 6

A few days later, Opie woke up after a good night's sleep. He had been on medical Marijuana in gummy form for a couple nights now, and he had never felt calmer. He got a good night's sleep every night now, with decreased to zero amount of nightmares, and thoughts of death, or medical emergencies. Opie sat up in his bed, with his full-body car pajamas, as he held his toy car close to him. He felt tired, exponentially.

There was a soft knock at the door, as Esmeralda came in. "Hi, love". She said, gently. She sat on the side of Opie's bed. "Good morning, sweetie". "How are you?".

"Ok". Opie said, looking up at Esmeralda. "How are you feeling?". She asked, in a gentle whisper. "Tell me the truth".

"Oh, I...I...I...I I am kinda tired, and I'm hungry all the time". Opie said. "I would eat some corned beef, or fried chicken and mashed potatoes". "I could eat a horse".

Esmeralda chuckled a bit. "That's good to hear, honey". She said, gently. "I don't have nightmares, and my head doesn't hurt". Opie said. "That's wonderful, sweetie". Esmeralda said, kindly. "You don't feel nervous, or sad?". "You don't feel anxious, or glum?". She whispered.

"No". Opie said. "I'm ok, now". He played with his truck. "You just feel relaxed, and happy". Esmeralda said, gently. "I'm happy to hear that, sweetie". "I know it's been a bit difficult at first, but when you eventually let certain things help you, and make life easier, you benefit".

"I do wish the best for us". Esmeralda whispered, gently. "Seeing you and your father so sad, and scared, bothers me". "I want our little family to be happy".

"I try to be happy". Opie said. "I'm certainly doing my best each day". "You are doing excellent". Esmeralda said, gently. "I know you fight each day". "Waking up, and trying to do good in school, is a fight you can never know". Opie said.

"You are the strongest, most honest, responsible, kindest person I've ever met besides your father". Esmeralda said, gently in a whisper. "You are a blessing to everyone you've met". "You are a blessing to your family". "You and your father are my gifts from god". She stroked Opie's cheek.

"Thank you". Opie said. "We'll get through this, as a family". Esmeralda whispered. "My blessing, my gift from god". She tickled Opie's cheek as Opie laughed and played.

"I don't really sing well, but, I will sing to nurture you". Esmeralda said, gently.

"You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged, when you realize, and darkness take over". "If this world makes you crazy, and you've taken all you can, then, you call me up". "Because you know I'll be there". "I see your true colors, shining through". "I see your true colors, and that's why I love you, so don't be afraid to let them show". "True colors, your true colors are beautiful like a rainbow".

Esmeralda sang, gently, softly. "That's how my ma used to sing". Opie said, looking up at Esmeralda. "I'm sure it is". Esmeralda said, whispered, gently. "I'm sure, as I don't definitely know if she sang like that". "But if you say so". Esmeralda kissed Opie's cheek. "You're like my ma". Opie said. "I'm glad you feel that way". Esmeralda said, gently. "I would never try to replace her, but, I would like to be your advocate, and your reassurance for anything you might need". "As you are my sunshine, my hope from god". "I love you tremendously, my best friend". She kissed Opie's cheek.

She sighed, a deep, airy feminine sigh, as she massaged Opie's cheek.

"Are you hungry for breakfast, my love?". Esmeralda asked, gently. "Yes, please". Opie said. "Let's go eat breakfast, love". Esmeralda said, kindly. "You can bring mr. Firetruck if you need to". They walked to the kitchen.

Opie sat at the table, as Esmeralda put some fruit, oatmeal, and salmon in front of him. "Thank you, Essy". Opie said, beginning to eat his breakfast. Esmeralda cleaned the work area in the kitchen, as she dried the dishes.

"Where's my pa?". Opie asked. "Daddy's at work right now, at the station". Esmeralda said, gently. "He got in this morning before you woke up". "You didn't know it, but he came in earlier, and gave you a good morning kiss".

"That's sweet". Opie said. "It is Saturday, so you and I have a free day". Esmeralda said, gently. She sat down, eating some salmon. "The sword in the stone comes out today". Opie said. "Oh, I used to love Disney productions when I was your age". Esmeralda said, dreamily. "I remember the first time, "Snow White and the 7 Dwarves" came out on radio". Esmeralda said, gently. "I loved princesses, Snow White, Mickey Mouse, Pinocchio, Dumbo". "I loved Dumbo when I was your age". She chuckled a bit.

"Walt Disney productions are important for every child". Esmeralda said, gently. "They bring the world joy when the world needs it most".

"I like 101 Dalmations". Opie said. "That movie is pretty swell". Esmeralda said, gently. "What shows do you usually watch besides the farm report?".

"Mighty Mouse". Opie said. "Mighty Mouse, and Bugs Bunny". "Cartoons are essential for every child". Esmeralda said, gently. "I don't mind those cartoons either".

"Can you watch Bugs Bunny and The Jetsons with me?". Opie asked. "Of course, sweetie". Esmeralda said, gently. Opie ate his breakfast, as he went into the other room where the T.V was. They sat, turning the dials on the television, as Esmeralda watched Saturday Morning Cartoons with Opie. Esmeralda watched Looney Toons, The Jetsons, Tooter Turtle, and other children's cartoons dance around the screen. Esmeralda enjoyed every second of it.

Sure, she was doing what Opie would do, on his age level, but she enjoyed the time with Opie. She enjoyed being a stepparent, a mother in that aspect. She enjoyed being motherly, a playmate and friend to Opie. She was living her dream. That was being a mother. She had always wanted a child, a husband, and family of her own, to call hers. She always wanted someone to be with, and love. She got her wish. Now, it would be even better as she was about to be married. She was about to be married to Andy and become a wife. That made her even happier.