To some people the hospital doors would the last doors they would ever walk t before forever closing their eyes. To others it was a temporary home especially the babies in the NICU unit, to which Lori was a familiar visitor and easily made her way towards the front desk and checked herself in.
"There you are, Lori. Zack's been waiting for your visit dear." The receptionist called Anne grinned at Lori. She was a plump older lady that had a kind and warm smile that made everyone feel like they mattered. Lori remembered when she first volunteered her how nervous and afraid she was of accidentally hurting the children, but Anne was right there to encourage her and Lori slowly got comfortable with the babies.
"I know how he feels. I've been on pin and needles all day. Eager to see his adorable face." Lori told Anne happily and grabbed her scrubs heading towards the bathroom where she scrubbed her hands clean with antibacterial soap and put on her outfit to keep germs from flying out everywhere.
Lori headed towards the NICU where the premie babies were held and entered. A handful of incubators that had small delicate babies in them. Some if them had life threatening illnesses and others were born far too early where their bodies were not properly developed yet and had to wait a handful of months to actually go home. Lori neared a specific incubator Where a small baby was laying attached to breathing tubes. Lori transferred to the nearby rocking chair while a nurse got the baby out of his incubator and handed him to Lori once she was ready.
"Hey, there, Zack, buddy." Lori told the baby in a gentle voice as she started to rock the chair gently. Zack was a small baby with barely any hair on him. His blue eyes were shut as he attempted to cuddle closer to Lori. Her calm heart beat lulled Zack in and out of sleep, while he listened to her speak. The babies in this part of the intensive care unit were too sick or too tiny to be taken home by their parents, so while their parents went to their jobs or some other important matter, volunteers like Lori give their time to the hospital. They volunteers or Baby Cuddlers as they are called were entrusted with the important task of holding and rocking the babies, so they wouldn't be left alone.
"You look so much better today. You are such a strong little guy." She cooed to the baby. Zack was born two months prior. He was a preemie in need of oxygen. Unfortunately for him and his family, he wouldn't be strong enough to leave the hospital for a few more months.
"You know when I was a baby I was born a premie too. That's why I come to the hospital to be with you guys. I was once small and sick too. Eventually, I grew stronger and went home after a while and you will too." She encouraged as she wrapped the blankets around him tighter making sure he was warm and secure. "Let's see, should I tell story from home?" Lori asked the baby while craning her neck bit to see if anyone was around. She would often tell the little guy stories from her home planet; stories from her childhood. Stories; like how she once, helped a race of dragons be free from generations of slavery. Today she would tell him how she came to earth. So, She told little Zack about that day. How she was sent away from her beloved Neptunium. She could still remember mother ocean's caress it was always warm and inviting to her, but that day it was cold as a dead corpse.
AN: I know short chapter next two chapter are a decent length. Aquaman won't appear in the next two chapters, but you get more of Lori's backstory and glimpse into her home planet and you understand exactly why she was sent to earth. Thanks for always reviewing, AlchemistWitch2018! Least someone out there likes my story..
Characters and the DC is not mine nor am I making money out of this.