Chapter Fourteen: The Return of Gabrielle Gribble
Over the next three days, Constance kept a close eye on Mildred. She was worried that the least bit of stress could cause another seizure.
Amelia had Constance bring Mildred to her office. "In light of your recent seizure, I am ordering you to relax, Mildred. You are to spend the next three days relaxing and studying. I don't want your health to cause any further problems. Mistress Broomhead is not allowed near any of us so everyone is safe. I understand the mere discussion about her caused so much stress, you had a seizure. She is not your concern so I'm advising you not to think about her. Is that understood?" Amelia asked in a gentle voice.
"Yes, Miss Cackle." Mildred said meekly.
\'\do you understand why I'm so worried about you, Mildred? It's possible the next seizure could kill you." Said Constance, brown eyes lo0cking on blue ones.
"I don't want to die, Aunt Constance." Said Mildred.
"I don't want you to die either, Millie. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I lost my sister and I almost lost my niece. I won't let myself lose you." Constance told her. She took Mildred straight to the dormitories and straight to her room. "Lie down. I'll be back to check on you later. If you need me, blow this." Constance told Mildred, handing her a whistle. "Go to sleep. I'll see you later." Constance leaned forward and kissed Mildred's cheek.
Later that day, Constance was reading "Your Magical Infant: Third Trimester to Age Two."She was finding out all of the magical milestones and when they were supposed to happen. \for being a preemie, Star's development ws right on time. Star wasn't even a week old yet.
Constance picked her up to nurse her. "Come on, love. You are hungry, aren't you?" She coaxed as she got herseld ready to nurse the baby. Star latched on perfectly.
"Good girl!" Constance praised, stunned. "Such a good little girl."
Star was now able to hold her head up briefly as her neck muscles were beginning to get stronger.
Just as Constance ws finishing Star's feed, she heard the sound of a shrill whistle.
Constance tossed a cloth over her shoulder, picked up Star and dematerialized, appearing in Mildred's room, winding Star. "You needed me, Mildred?" She asked.
"I was lonely, Aunt Constance." Mildred simpered.
"You're supposed to be resting..." Constance smiled gently. "And someone's supposed to burp." She told Star.
"
Have you been studying?" Asked Constance.
"Yes, Miss Hardbroom...I mean, Aunt Constance." Said Mildredd, sheepishly.
"Don't look so afraid, Mildred. Miss Cackle told you to relax. Calm down. I don't want you stressing out." Constance was sitting on the bed, waiting for the newborn to burp.
After a few more minutes, Star let out a loud burp. "Well,well,well...That was a loud sound for such a tiny baby." Constance said. "There's a good girl." She turned to Mildred. "No I want you resting, Millie."
"Yes, Aunt Constance." Mildred sighed.
The following day, Gabrielle Gribble returned to Cackle's Academy. She noticed Mildred wasn't in classes. She asked Amelia where Mildred was.
"You and I have a lot to catch up on, Gab." Amelia told her.
By the time Amelia had finished telling Gabrielle everything that had happened, Gabrielle was stunned
"So, Mildred is Miss Hardbroom's niece, she lost her parents in a car crash, her mother was Miss Hardbroom's sister, Miss Hardbroom had a premature baby and |Mildred had a seizure because of stress?" asked Gabrielle.
"Quite so, Gab." Amelia said. "Mildred is on a three day bedrest."
Constance was making sure Mildred had all her books, including her workbooks, something to eat, and her cat Tabby as well as the whistle.
Gabrielle came in. "I was just coming to see how you were doing, Mildred. And meet the newest member of the Academy." She said. "She's precious. She looks so tiny."
"Yes she is, Miss Gribble. She is still tiny at just five days old." Constance smiled a little.
"She'll bring her weight up. She already is, Aunt Constance." Said Mildred. "She's gained half a pound in five days."
"You should be getting to your classes, Miss Gribble. I am on Maternity Leave for at least six months." Constance told Gabrielle. "I don't want to leave my little girl's side, but I know I'll have to sometimes to get a break." Constance smiled. Star let oujt a squeak, bringing Constance's attention back to her.
"You just want attention, don't you, my Princess?" Constance chuckled. "Well, you've got it."
Staropened her still birth-dark eyes, looking around.
"You're opening your eyes...Are you going to say hello to Miss Gribble?" Constance took the tiny hand in hers and waved the ittle arm. " 'Hello Miss Gribble'. Can you say ' My name is Star and I am five days old.'... Are you looking at Mum?" Constance murmured in a soft voice. Gabrielle was shocked to see Miss Hardbroom change this smiled as she left to start her classes. Constance left to relax and spend some time with Star.