Chapter 7

The next day Autumn came home, as she went into the other room, seeing Mandark, as he wore a tired, dopey, and softened, sappy grin on his face….while he looked to be in a haze. "Hello, love". "J'adore". Mandark whispered, gently with a kind, loving soothing, relaxed, calm, softened, and airy, light and raspy deep voice. "Mmmm, I am so happy to see my baby….baby….baby". "That's a funny word….baby". "Baby". Mandark said, in a register that imitated Barry White….though it was much more sexual. "That is such a lovely word….just like you're a lovely baby…..baby baby….mmmm, you know I'd love to hold you….mm, squeeze you….please you….I need you, coochie". "I need your face….and your breasts….so tender and young, like a little baby girl's breasts". "I want your breasts…..and I need your eyes….mmmm, you're my lovey". "You're my lovey doo". "Come lay with me". Mandark's voice register became deep, and sexual, as he bursted out in childish, coy, maniacal laughter.

"Ok". Autumn said, as Mandark made kissy faces with his lips. "Come lay with me, coochie". "Come to bed….let me rub your back, and touch your breasts". "Lay with me….keep me tender, give me some lovin". "Lovin' dumplin". Mandark said in an incredibly soothing, gentle, and tender voice, as he chuckled again. "You've given me everything, coochie". "Mmmm, yeah…hee hee hee". Mandark laughed, as he squirmed a bit in bed. "Come give me a kissy poo". "Give me a kiss, coochie". "Kissy time". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentle tenderness. He laughed again, as he chuckled, brushing Autumn's face. "Mmmm, my testicles hurt". "Mmmm, I need someone to spoil". Mandark said, soothingly with kind gentleness. He laughed again. Autumn nodded, as she walked away to give Mandark some more ibuprofen.

"Love you, coochie". Mandark whispered, gently with soothingness. Autumn laid beside Mandark…on his chest. "Mmmm, you're so amazing….oh, darling….give me a kiss". Mandark whispered, kindly with soothing gentleness. Autumn remained, as Mandark kissed her lips. His pajama shirt remained open, as his scrawny chest showed. He kissed Autumn's lips, as he stroked her forehead. "Baby". Mandark whispered, seductively. Mandark rubbed Autumn's shoulder while she fell asleep. Autumn slept, in Mandark's arms, Mandark smiled, as he wallowed in his sleep…all while his under-region rested.

Yep.

Autumn got out of work one day….as she waited for Mandark to pick her up. She worked part-time at an investment firm. Mandark waited in the car, as he smiled a nourishing, gentle smile. "There she is". Mandark said, kindly with soothing gentleness. "Hello, coochie". "How was work?". Mandark asked, gently with soothing kindness. Mandark brushed Autumn's cheeks. "It was fine". "It wasn't busy at all". Autumn said, as she sniffled. She hid a cry.

"That's nice…it was a nice and easy day". "You had fun". Mandark said, kindly with gentleness. Autumn nodded, as she drank her almond milk.

"Today is the big day….time for therapy". Mandark said, gently with kind soothingness. Autumn nodded, as she rubbed her eyes. "What's therapy for?". Autumn asked. "It's for helping you ease the journey across, and come to terms with your past". "It'll be nice….you'll talk to your counselor, you'll build a relationship, and I might see what I could do to help…in any way I can". Mandark whispered, kindly in a gentle, soothing voice. Autumn nodded, as she continued drinking her milk.

She drank from her sippy cup, as her round, widened eyes looked straight ahead. She looked similar to a traumatized, innocent, fragile young girl as she drank her milk. Her eyes looked tired, exhausted, sad, and depressed….frail, and human. As if she had been through a lot. Not through abuse, cruelty, and hatred. She had experienced grief, loss, illness, and sadness. It was nature, and the passage of time, and natural order, as well as bad luck. As for the people she knew, they got along well with one another, they were friendly, they loved her dearly, and had a harmonious relationship with her, and with one another through an essence of peace.

It was no one's fault, and no one was a bad person.

"Darling". Mandark whispered, gently with kind, loving soothingness and a nourishing, silky voice that sounded rich in love, and compassion. Mandark brushed Autumn's cheeks, gently with kindness. "Yes?". Autumn asked, as she sucked on her sippy cup.

"You look beautiful today". "And I love you….I know I've told you today already". "But I thought I'd tell you one more time". Mandark whispered, kindly with gentle soothingness. Mandark brushed Autumn's cheeks, kindly as he smiled, buttoning his lips for a kiss. "I love you so much". Mandark whispered, gently with soothingness. "Thank you". Autumn replied, plainly, in a manner similar to Neville Brown. Autumn continued drinking her almond milk. "My angel…my beautiful, amazing, lovely guardian angel". "Drink your milk….you'll feel better soon". Mandark said, in an incredibly soothing, gentle, loving and kind voice.

Autumn nodded, as she sucked on the mouthpiece of her sippy cup. Mandark pulled into the parking lot for therapy. The little plaza that was nearby. Mandark helped Autumn into her wheelchair, as they went inside. They opened the door, as the desk attendant checked them in.

"We have an appointment for I.R.". Mandark stated. "I'll let him know you're in". "No need to worry about paperwork….everything's covered, Dr. Astromonov". The attendant said. "Thank you". Mandark replied.

Mandark sat with Autumn, as she drank from her sippy cup, while her knee bounced a bit. It was common for some Autistic adults to have bouncing knees.

"Awww…you're so cute, coochie". "You have such a beautiful face". Mandark whispered, as he kissed Autumn's lips. Autumn nodded, as she drank more of her milk.

The attendant looked, as I.R. Baboon came through the door. "It looks like he's here to see you". The attendant said, with some excitement. "I see that". Mandark replied. He smiled.

I.R. smiled a kind, nourishing smile, as he wore a short sleeved collared shirt with a red necktie. His tie had a tie clip as well. "Hello, everyone". "It's so good to see you". "How is everyone this afternoon?". I.R. asked, kindly with a gentle, soothing voice. "Hello, Mandark…good to see you". "Where's our mademoiselle?". I.R. smiled, as he fixed his tie. "She's here". Mandark said, kindly.

Autumn came in, as she drank from her cup. "Hi". Autumn said, shyly, as she put her hands up. "Hello, darling". "Hello". "How are you?". I.R. asked, kindly in a softened, friendly, gentle, soothing voice. He extended his hand to Autumn. "I'm ok". Autumn replied. "My name is Ire…it is so good to see you". "What's your name?". I.R. asked, kindly with gentleness. "Autumn". Autumn replied, shyly.

"Well, it's good to see you, honey". "Welcome….you look so beautiful this afternoon". "You have beautiful eyes". "Are they brown?". I.R. asked, gently with soothingness. Autumn nodded. "Yes". Autumn replied. "They are a beautiful color…..I have blue eyes, but I wish I could change my eye color". "I love brown eyes". I.R. said, gently. Autumn nodded. "Ok". Autumn replied, shyly.

"Well, I'm just in awe of your eyes…and your face as well". "You have a beautiful face". "I'm sure you got that from your birth mother". "We inherit so many beautiful qualities from our parents…and our parents inherit much from us". I.R. said, in a soothing, kind, gentle voice. "Ok". Autumn replied, as she rubbed her eyes.

"Let's head back, and talk for a bit….I have some cocoa with honey, and oat milk…and I have some cinnamon hot chocolate". "Let's see what we have". I.R. said, gently with a kind, loving, and soothing voice. "That sounds lovely". Mandark replied, kindly as he and Autumn went back to I.R.'s office, which was a nice, cozy office with a couch, and blanket, some teddy bears, tan wallpaper, a Buddha with a running fountain, and some mood lighting. "Here we are, darling". "Go on ahead, and take a seat…..here, I'll make some cocoa….it'll be nice". I.R. said, in a gentle, comforting, soothing, softened voice. "Here you are, darling….a nice blanket for us". I.R. smiled as he placed a blanket over Mandark and Autumn, as they sipped some cocoa complete with honey, and oat milk.

"This is cozy, huh?". "I really enjoy it". Mandark said, in an oozy, dreamy voice. He sipped his cocoa, as he crossed one leg over the other….enjoying the blanket.

"So….the both of you….a happy couple….welcome, my name is Dr. Ire….and I'm not someone you should think of as a therapist, or a doctor….or even a clinician". "I'd like to think of myself as a friend….and a second husband…..maybe to our sweetheart". I.R. said, gently with soothingness as he winked at Autumn, while she nodded. "So, what kinds of barriers are we facing today?". "What are some questions you have….or some concerns?". "What can I do to help our sweetheart, and to help the blossoming friendship, and relationship you both have?". I.R. asked, gently in a soothing, kind voice as he sipped some of his hot cocoa.

Mandark spoke on behalf of Autumn. "Well, Autumn's been facing some issues, recently….she has been depressed recently…..she's been very depressed at an all–time low, I've observed". "She's been very tearful at various intervals of the day, she has been eating a bit more, which is harmful for her heart, she's been sleeping more, she's been more disengaged from conversations, and socialization…..there's nothing harmful, or bad….but as her friend, I'm concerned for her…..all I want is for her to be happy, and healthy". "Happiness is imperative to her health and development….and if she's not happy, she won't be healthy". "I just feel concerned for her….because I've never seen her this sad, and this exhausted". "I'm not sure what to do….I need more information….and I need a better way to understand her…in order to get to the root of her burdens, and walk with her, and beside her through her journeys". Mandark said, softly with kindness.

"Yes, I've noticed…well, please try to remember that she's suffering right now". "She's a damaged, wounded, injured, baby who needs love, and nourishment". "International adoptees come to a point in their lives…in their adulthood, when the trauma, and scars that remain hidden and dormant begin to reappear". "And she's experienced more as some bad things have happened, and surfaced". "More than understanding….she needs love….love, kindness, and affection". "She needs the wisdom and understanding of a guiding hand….love may be hard to come by as time goes on…but as time and nature puts it….love is a healing source of nourishment in young, baby girls". "When she hasn't received it as an infant….and as the sources of her nourishment have passed, she needs it now…from a guiding, romantic, loving man". "We'll work on some things as time goes on…..and…are you familiar with the different mechanisms in her body that correlate with Bergou's?". I.R. asked, in his soothing, gentle, kind voice.

"I am". Mandark replied, in his soothing, oozy, gentle voice. "Well, are you familiar with her Autism….and how Autism affects stress, and problem-solving?". I.R. asked. "somewhat….I find that she becomes stressed a lot….and I'm not sure how to handle it". "I try giving verbal prompts, I've attempted at giving her incentives, I've tried talking to her, in a kind manner….however, she still becomes depressed, and will take much longer to solve the problem". "She becomes overwhelmed sometimes, and will become emotional….there were moments in the past….when I first began caring for her, that she became violent, in fact". "I have some bite marks on my hands, I've carried my share of bruises, I know it's not intentional….she's just stressed". Mandark said, softly with a small voice.

"Mmmm, well, she has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and usually, international adoptees with PDD-NOS become overwhelmed easily". "It is much harder for her because she has this condition on top of her Bergou's". "She is constantly worried about her health….her body, and her safety". "This can make someone with Autism….even more stressed, and less prone to logical aspects of problem-solving". "Because she's constantly under pressure". I.R. explained in a gentle, soothing, softened voice. "I understand". Mandark replied.

"Maybe instead of giving verbal prompts, incentives, or commands, try to talk with her….have an open dialogue…..and whisper to her….let every side be heard…and through dialogue, try to understand her feelings". "Because she is sad now". "And sadness is a real, raw emotion". I.R. explained in a kind, soothing whisper. "Another technique we like to use is positivity". "Incorporate a lot of hugs, kisses, holding time, and positive thought". "When she feels sad, incorporate a happy thought….like a lullaby, a positive image, or a nice poem". "Engaging in an activity helps couples bond, and share ideas". "Take a writing class, a cooking class, or a meditation class". "Zen and Buddhism have a positive effect on the mind, the body, and the soul". I.R. explained, kindly with soothingness.

Mandark nodded, kindly as he kissed Autumn's lips. "You are my baby". "I love you so much". Mandark said, in an oozy, gross, sappy, soothing, softened voice. "Thank you". Autumn replied, as she received the kiss on the lips. "I'm going to hold you so close….and kiss your beautiful head". Mandark said, in an oozy, gross, sappy, softened, soothing, small voice. The rasp and nasally nerdiness in his voice remained. "I know". Autumn replied. "Yes, I'm going to indulge you…..because you're my beautiful lovey". Mandark said, in his soothing, oozy, dreamy, softened, calm, relaxed voice. Mandark smiled, as he kissed Autumn's cheeks.

I.R. continued his explanations. "Love heals wounds…love heals open scars, everything will be ok, now". "Everyone is ok now". "In our sessions, we'll face fears, we'll talk about upset feelings, we'll discuss attachment, and bonding….and we'll even dive a bit deeper into adaptional grieving…used to treat the earlier model of losing your birth mom….which is a traumatic way to lose the necessary nourishment, and milk….love, and nutrition in infancy…..because every baby…every infant needs their birth mom…..especially when their birth mother loved them, and cherished them so much". I.R. said, soothingly with gentle softness. Mandark nodded.

"Yes, that is so sweet". "We certainly will work with her on that". "Awww". Mandark said, with gentle, kind, softened, soothingness. "Yes, that is such a cute thing….and she has her baby book we can look through". Mandark felt tears come to his eyes. Behind the walls of evil, and the mad scientist enigma, and persona he had kept up for so long, behind the evil, remodeled lab, and the evil overlord style he had brought about for a while, he was a compassionate human….a scrawny, cute, friendly, little nerd who cared so much about his friend. Mandark sniffled, as his eyes became red.

"Is everything alright, Dr. Astromonov?". "Mandark?". I.R. asked, as he sipped his cocoa. Mandark began crying. It was perhaps the first time ever that he cried…in his life. "Um…perhaps….well, everything's alright". "I just had no idea what Autumn went through….and now, I just….I just feel so bad for her….I just….it's just a lot of emotion to contend with….I'm still adjusting". "I had no idea….I…I just want to help her". "I had no idea what she experienced early in life, and what she goes through everyday….I just….I need a quick second". "Also, no need to call me Mandark anymore". "My name is Susan….Susan Astromonov…it's what my dear parents named me". Mandark said, as he cried. Autumn looked on, as she nodded, drinking from her cup. Mandark continued crying, as he sniffled.

"Well, I understand it is a lot to handle, but just know that this is a good first step….this shows a new side of you as well". "You're a kind, compassionate, loving human being". "You care so much for your friend". "While she has a lot of handle, and work past, you are always beside her….kissing her lips, giving her love, and helping her….which is everyone's big priority". "Helping this amazing, beautiful, graceful, eloquent human being". I.R. explained, gently with kindness. "That is true". Mandark replied, as he sniffled.

"Autumn….darling, do you see and acknowledge how your friend feels towards you?". I.R. asked, in a gentle, soothing manner. "Yes, I do….and I'll do my best to work with him". Autumn replied. "He loves you so much….and though you might not be ready yet….he's devoted to you in an amazing way". "He's your best friend….and he wants the best for you…truly". "Everything will be ok, darling". "We're here beside you to ease the way for you". I.R. assured, gently with a kind, and loving, soothing voice. "Thank you….I appreciate it". Autumn replied. I.R. smiled a gentle, kind, and loving smile. "You're our amazing baby girl". "We love you so much". I.R. said, soothingly with gentle, kind softness. Autumn nodded, as she sucked from her sippy cup.

"Thank you". Autumn replied. It was Mandark's turn to smile a soothing, loving smile. "You're my best friend…..and I'll love you always". Mandark said with a soothing, nourishing, gentle, and softened voice. "Thank you". Autumn replied. I.R. nodded, as he tickled Autumn's hands. "You've given us everything, darling….forever and always". "Now, it's our turn to help you". I.R. said, in his softened, gentle, and kind soothing voice. Autumn nodded, as she hugged Mandark, while he kissed her forehead, and they walked outside….feeling much more confident in themselves.