Chapter 1
The evening's breeze gently brushed over the riverside…..and the mansion…the estate that sat on the river…down and over towards the Puget Sound. A boat sat by the dock, as a gentle wind swept by. The mansion…..big in its essences, belonged to Dr. Mandark, Susan Astronomonov….a biochemical engineer with 3 doctorates, and a position as vice president at his engineering firm. He had his own lab still….yes. Yet, he found solace in smoking cigarettes on the back porch…..while he wore his silk robe with nothing except boxers underneath. Shirtless under the robe? Yes, and sometimes, boxers were optional.
Mandark loved his position as a scientist….but even more so, he simply adored his adoptive sister….Emily. Emily Benson…..a blonde 9 year old girl with shimmering blue eyes, and a porcelain face…..she was very short, and very small due to the deprivation, and neglect received in Ukraine….as an infant…in the state-run orphanage.
Emily was adopted by the Astronomonovs after her former adoptive parents passed away in a plane crash. Emily was a quiet, kind, polite girl, who always followed Mandark's directives…even if it wasn't on the first try that she followed them.
On this evening, as the porch was dimly light with the ambiance of candles, and string lights….while the pool held a seductive, alluring glow of color….and as the sounds of wildlife, and snakes filled the bushes nearby, Mandark sat outside on his chaise….his lounge cushion….in his silk, leopard-print robe, with boxers on underneath. The rest of him was shirtless. And his scrawny, nerdy body showed and revealed everything. Even his nipples shone in the glow of the golden, dim light.
Mandark smoked a cigarette, the end of the cigarette singed with ash, as he brought it to his lips. His wrinkles around his face showed a seductive, manly appeal aligned with a smoker. He smoked, adjusting his thick, nerdy glasses. He saw Emily come outside, as she held her sippy cup…sucking on the mouthpiece to her cup.
"Emily…darling". Mandark said, in his nerdy, nasally, thick, raspy voice coated in a smoker's profuse allure that made for brittle vocal cords. Mandark's voice held a sexual, sultry, nerdy allure to it….that made him seem intelligent…yes, but also made him thirsty for the intimacy aligned with caring for a hurting child.
"Emily….baby". Mandark said, in a soothing, sultry, gentle voice. Silk rustled as he placed his cigarette aside. Emily looked up at Mandark. "Man-dark". Emily said, as she put her hands up. "Yes, love….could I see you for some time?". "Visit with you?". "I have some things I'd like to share with you". "Come visit with me". "I love seeing my best friend….and my soulmate". "You make me so elated, and so perspicaciously ecstatic with zealousness". "Come give me a kiss, baby". "I'd love a kiss". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle kindness. Mandark chuckled for a bit. Emily nodded, as she came to see her older brother.
"You're so beautiful, lovey". "I am so happy to see my darling". "You are a coochie…you've given me everything, little one". "I am so in awe of you….and I am so in awe of everything you are….my selfless, kind, resilient, intelligent, lovely, amazing, talented, beautiful knightess in shining armor". "You've made me into a much better man". "You've given me so much to be faithful for…..and so much to look towards". "When I see your face….when I see the beautiful way you look in the morning, I am so happy….I am so overjoyed to be your soulmate". "You are the light of my life…..and the happiness of my day". "I am so inspired by the beautiful, lovely, resilient, authentic knightess you are to me". "You are the smartest, strongest human being I've ever met…..and I love you…..always". Mandark said in a gentle, kind, loving, soothing, softened, sultry, relaxed, laid-back manner.
Emily nodded, as she felt Mandark's bony hand brush her face. "You are my sunshine, darling". "My only sunshine….you make me happy when my skies are gray". Mandark hummed in a soothing, alluring, gentle, sultry hum. "Mmmmm, oh yes…..do you remember that one evening….when you saved my life?". "When you sacrificed yourself for me?". Mandark asked, kindly with a soothing, softened, sultry, gentle, seductive register.
"Kind of….um…um…um". Emily stammered. "You did….you saved me when that one building collapsed". "You rescued me, when it seemed the odds of me surviving it were very low". "You gave me another chance, honey…..and I feel so grateful to have you as my protector". "You've always helped me…..I have always been a ditzy, imbalanced, unfocused man who has neglected his personal safety in order to get ahead". "But now that I have a beautiful, lovely, graceful, kind knightess who is willing to save the court jester…the village idiot from peril, I feel so much better about myself…..I have a knightess….a best friend, and a soulmate….a mentor who is willing to straighten me out…..and put me back into focus". "What I see in us, is such beauty…..and I always am willing to find the love, and the kindness in us….and I will love you, unconditionally". "I love you unconditionally…..and what I find in you….is bravery…..bravery to be true to yourself…..and true to me". "There are no secrets between us….and there is no fear….because I have you as my own…and I will hold you in my arms, I will rock you to sleep, I will kiss your delicate, immaculate head, and nourish you the way you need to be nourished". "Because you are my baby…you are my everything, and what I see in you….is a beautiful, smart, strong angel….a guardian angel who has touched my life". "I'll protect you….I'll protect us…..because I see a beautiful baby….a miracle baby who has given me so much….and has kept me safe". Mandark said, in a soothing, gentle, softened, seductive, sexual, laid-back, kind, relaxed voice that was laden in smoker's rasp. His voice, still a nerdy, nasally, annoying twang.
"I love you always, coochie". "You're forever my love". Mandark said, soothingly with seduction. He brushed Emily's cheeks, massaging them. "Thank you". Emily replied. She kept her head bent down in prayer. "Do you remember when we first adopted you….when you were only 8 and a half?". "You were so traumatized from the plane crash…..you would hide from everyone…you cried for a long while, you became easily agitated, and anxious". "Sometimes, you wouldn't sleep for nights on end….you were so disengaged, you couldn't even lift your head". "But over time, when I spoke to you, and you recognized my voice, you followed my instructions, you learned to give hugs, and kisses". "You opened right up to me….and you and I have been through so much together". "We've been through it all together….and you've come such a long way". "We've seen laughter, tears, happiness, sadness….we've become such good friends….and I know that we'll always have a special bond….a bond that will never be broken". "We have the gift of one another, lovey". "Forever and always". Mandark said, kindly. Emily nodded.
Mandark tapped ash from his cigarette. It was silent for a moment. Then, Mandark spoke. "Do you miss your mom and dad?". "Your former mom and dad from Pennsylvania?". Mandark asked, gently with kind soothingness. "Do you miss mommy and daddy?". Mandark's voice was soft, kind, and soothing.
Emily nodded. "Yes". Emily replied. "Yes, you do miss mom and dad". "They were beautiful parents….your adoptive mom….was a homemaker who shared in cooking and cleaning duties". "She used to nourish you, and take care of your basic needs, like feeding, and cleaning….dressing and helping you get ready". "When you were just a baby, and you arrived home from Ukraine, you were so malnourished, and deprived of basic essentials like breastmilk, and solid foods". "You came home, and you could barely walk, talk, eat, or play with toys". "You were so traumatized, and deprived, you could barely lift your head, or sit up because….overseas in the orphanage, you were only left in a crib all day". "You had a lot of catching up to do when you arrived home". "Mom helped nourish your development by setting up early intervention programs, she arranged for speech, and occupational therapy, she gave you all of the necessary holding, and one on one time needed for you to form secure attachments, and a loving bond". Mandark said, softly with gentle, loving soothingness behind his voice. His sultry, alluring, sexual voice was nerdy.
"Why do bab-ies need to be held?". Emily asked. Mandark kissed both of Emily's cheeks. "When a baby is born, she needs the breastmilk, the nourishment, and the necessary touch, and holding time….the contact of another human being….namely, her birth mother….in order for her brain to develop properly". "Babies need the nourishment of their birth mothers in order for synapse connections to form in the Hippocampus, and they need stimulation, play, and intimacy associated with positive interaction in order for gray matter formation near the amygdala". "This helps with cognitive development, neuron connection, and brain formation". "When there's a lack of nourishment or interaction between babies and their caregivers, the neurons don't connect in their wiring the proper way, and a range of cognitive deficits occur". "When you were in the orphanage, you never were held, touched, kissed, played with, spoken to, fed, stimulated, or taken care of". "It was through no fault of your caregivers, or of your own". "It was just a poor environment with low staff, and no caregivers prevalent in the common ratio". "You never received nourishment the way you did with your birth mother". "Therefore, you fell behind in development". "This affected your growth, development, and security towards attachments and bonding". "You were never abused….you were just left behind…unintentionally". "This made it difficult for you to form a secure attachment with a caregiver…..and this made it harder for you". "It's not your fault, honey". "You and I both know that you were loved very much by everyone who cared for you". "It's no one's fault…..you just had a rough start….that's all". Mandark explained in a soothing, softened, gentle, loving, sultry, sexual, alluring register. Emily nodded.
"What was the be-ginn-ing like?". Emily asked. Mandark's voice sounded as if it came from his bare chest…near his voice box. He breathed strained breathing from being a smoker. "The beginning was a bit rough for you, darling". "But it wasn't all bad at the very beginning". "You were born on May 2nd, 1992….it was a warm, spring day in the North of Ukraine….and you were born to Marieles Nikitas". "You were a healthy baby….with no genetic disorders, or predispositions to be wary of". "You weighed 9 pounds, and 5 oz….and you were very healthy….though, your birth father was away at war, and he passed away in battle…leaving your birth mother by herself to raise you". "She was excited to have you…..she loved you unconditionally…..and when she nursed you, with breastmilk, she covered your tiny head, she let you drink milk from her breasts, and she kissed you on the forehead….she promised you that nothing would happen". "She nourished you…..because for those 2 days, nothing could separate the both of you…..you had a loving, strengthening, nourishing birth mom….who loved you beyond words….and made you her baby….for always, and for life". "You were her greatest gift…and she thought of you….as a soulmate…an eternal soulmate who was bound to her because what you both had was special". "There is no stronger bond than that of a mother and her baby". Mandark explained in a soothing, softened, kind, loving, and gentle voice. "The bond between any creature and her mother…is the strongest one in existence…..and you had that bond….because birth mom loved you". Mandark's voice softened.
"What was my birth mom like?". Emily asked, as she drank her milk. "Your birth mother was a nice woman….she was talented like you….she loved to sing, and dance….she loved to make things….she was a nourishing young woman….she cared very much about her family….she and her husband….your birth father, had a great relationship". "They bonded, they kissed, married when they were young, though, Marieles was widowed at a young age". "She loved hearing that she would be a mom, although". "When she gave birth to you….she was overjoyed, and thrilled". "There was nothing that could separate the both of you…..even from the beginning". "And there were moments within those 2 days she had you….where she would hold you, nurse you in a quiet place by the window where light would come in…..she would kiss you as well". "She loved you deeply…..and sadly enough….that all ended". Mandark explained kindly in an incredibly soothing, gentle, kind, softened, sultry voice. "Why?". Emily asked.
"Your birth mother….was terminally ill, and was fighting stage 4 brain cancer". "She passed away 2 days after having you…and unfortunately, because everyone else in your family was passed on, you were taken by the state, and placed in an orphanage". "A baby center". Mandark explained, as his voice softened, and became soothing. There was some emotion behind his voice as well. He was ready to cry.
"And when you were in the orphanage….you weren't nourished properly". "You stayed in your crib, you only came out for cleanings, and changings, feeding time, and other times". "You were little, and you were barely outside of your crib…no one fed you, no one kissed you, no one hugged you, no one played with you, no one nourished you, or took care of you….you were by yourself most of the time…and you were very malnourished". "You would sometimes cry, and because there was no one there at night, you went without being comforted". "It was cold some evenings, and you were shivering…..just shivering and crying because you were so cold". "You learned not to cry for so long because your cries were never answered". "You were so in distress sometimes….but it was like there just weren't enough people there to comfort you". "You survived….albeit, just barely". "When you were adopted, you had a hospital gown….not even any clothes to wear". "You were just by yourself….there was no one else to comfort or nourish you…..and it was sad for your mom and dad to see when they came to adopt you". Mandark said, softly with an even more soothing element to his voice.
"Why did they do that?". Emily asked. "They didn't mean to….the orphanage directors, and caregivers loved you very much….they loved all of their children….they didn't mean for it to happen like that". "At the time, they were a poor orphanage, with little to no funding….and they made do with the things they had". "Remember, no one is at fault…..everyone loved you very much….everyone cared for you very much….but because they were low on resources, they could only depend on what they were given". "Nothing was anyone's fault". "People did the best they could….at the time". "You were an amazing baby girl….who was loved very much….I know it was sad what happened….but everyone did their best….they really did". "No one meant for it to happen….just as no one meant for your birth mom to pass, either". "Sometimes, bad things happen…..sometimes, we receive bad luck…..but it doesn't mean we're bad". "It just means we've received something beyond our locus of control". "It's ok, however….because we know that we can overcome these things". "You've overcome a lot, honey". "You've overcome so much adversity in your time…..you've come a long way….which is something to really be proud of".
"When you were a little girl, you received music therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy….you learned so many things…..all because you had the proper nourishment from mom and dad". "You received so many gifts…..all because you had such amazing parents….who took meticulous care of you….when you were still an infant". "If it weren't for that adoption, we'd be telling a much sadder story". Mandark explained in a kind, incredibly soothing, relaxed, sexual, sultry, gentle, laid-back, loving voice. "You were adopted at the right time…..and you were nourished at the right time as well". "You've come a long way, honey". "And you have so much to be proud of right now". "Please don't feel sad….because you've made improvements…..however small, they still are meaningful to your development". Mandark's voice provided a calm, relaxed, soothing, gentle, sexual, suggestive register. "You've come a long way…..and your loved ones are beyond proud of you, darling". "You have nothing to be worried, or sad about….because you're doing well now". "Yes, you are special needs….you are a bit disabled in your learning". "But it's through no fault of your own…..it's through no one's fault….it's because of your environment, and the trauma you've endured in infancy". "And you've endured quite a bit in your infancy…it's sad to recount….but you don't need to feel sad…please…allow me to feel sad for you….it's my job". "Please be happy that you've made improvements through the years…..you've done so much…..and there's always something to be proud of". "Don't focus on the past….focus on the amazing miracles you've made every day for so many of your loved ones". "You are an extraordinary human being whose very bravery, intellect, hard work, and creativity has touched so many lives". "You need to soar, little one". "You'll do amazing things one day….I believe so much in you…..and I wish the best for us….as soulmates". "Please don't feel sad…..try to be happy for me….because I need you….and I need us". "Let me be the sad one….I feel sad all the time now that I'm an old man". "I love you, unconditionally…..and for us…..I wish for happiness". "You've given me so much happiness….and so many amazing things to be grateful for". "You are such a gift to me, and the world". "We won't let anything hold you back….we'll get you as close to the sun as we can, lovey". Mandark said, in a softened, gentle, kind, soothing, sultry, sexual, suggestive register.
Emily nodded. "Am I spec-ial needs?". Emily asked. Mandark buttoned his proboscis like lips. His insect pincer looking lips, on his bug looking face. "Well, technically, international adoptees fit into the category of special needs in terms of learning, and academic performance". "Fewer than 70 percent of them graduate from college, and some 67 percent of them can live on their own with meaningful careers". "You are a special needs child, technically….due to learning differences, and academic scores". "There's nothing wrong with that…nothing at all". "Having therapy, and having medicine and dietary restrictions is nothing to be embarrassed about, or shameful of". "Please don't be ashamed of having special needs….this makes you all the more beautiful….and all the more human….you are not perfect". "You are a heroine with so much bravery…..however, you are a vulnerable, placated human being who needs nourishment, love, kindness, and respect like the rest of us". "You are a human being who has endured, and experienced just like we all have". "What you want, and what you need, are different things". "You want to be a kind person…..you want to be a heroine who is independent, stoic, and aloof in her bearings….however, you need love, nourishment, supervision, milk, and nurturing from those who love you best". "The latter will benefit the former…..and you'll one day, be able to be as independent as you wish". "We need to nourish you now….because it is crucial to heal these wounds you've born….now that you're much older, and you're in school". "This is crucial to your journey as a functioning, thriving child". Mandark explained in an incredibly soothing, nourishing, gentle, laid-back, relaxed, sexual, suggestive, kind, seductive, register that was silky and smooth….charismatic.
He was like a raspy sexual man's voice on a GPS system installed in a car….or a computer's voice installed in the house….which, Mandark had, by the way. Computer was his name…and he was Mandark's "brother". Computer powered the main living areas of the mansion including lights, appliances, showers, and T.V.
Mandark had a separate computer for his lab. Emily nodded, as she looked around. "You need nourishment….in order to foster a secure, loving attachment to your loved ones". "You need nourishment, and love….in order to heal those wounds…..and secure a loving attachment to me". "Because I'm your soulmate now….we're all you have…my family and I". "I know it's hard now….and that it's been harder….but I promise that I will do my best to secure a loving, devoted bond with you…..because you need it….we need it". "What you need, I can provide you with….and I promise….it's something I've devoted my life to". "Because you are my savior…you are my favorite…..always and forever". Mandark assured, kindly with a soothing, softened, gentle, kind, loving, nourishing, seductive, sexual voice. "Please trust me…because I need you….and as much as you don't wish to admit it….you need me". "You need someone….please now….allow me to save you, just as you've saved me". "Let me give you the world…as you've given to me, baby". "Please….for us". Mandark massaged Emily's cheeks, gently…as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Will you let me help you?". Mandark asked, soothingly with gentle, soft kindness. Emily nodded. "Thank you, darling". "I knew we'd benefit from one another". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle, kind, softness.
Mandark bombarded Emily's cheeks and forehead with kisses. Emily could see the lump in his boxers from where his reproductive organ was.
"Want to lay your head right here on my chest?". "I promise it smells nice….I have a new men's fragrance I'm experimenting with". "Polo, by Ralph Lauren". Mandark said, in a soothing, kind, softened, gentle register. "There you are, darling". "Lay your head down….relax now….take a deep breath….let it wash over you for a bit". Mandark comforted Emily. Emily nodded, as she laid her head down.
"Mmmmm, you need more oat milk in your sippy cup". "We'll refill it before bed, darling girl". "Coochie coo". Mandark said, in an incredibly soothing, gentle, softened, kind register. Mandark massaged Emily's back, as she laid her head down on his bare chest. "Mmmm, lovey….you seem so happy now…..so engaged…..you're doing well now that you're with a new developmental pediatrician". "You needed a new pediatrician for a while". "The one you had was back up in Pennsylvania….and since you're down here with us….you need Dr. Dee Dee". "mmmm, she is a beauty, that one". "Though, she is my ex-wife". Mandark said, as he chuckled.
"Mmmm, you're doing well now….you're excelling in school, you're doing singing, and church activities….you're so well-endowed". "I'm very proud of you, little one". Mandark said, soothingly with gentleness as he smiled. "Mmmmm, yes". Mandark hummed in a hazy, laid-back, sweetened hum.
"What happ-ened, when my birth mom pass aw-ay, that was sad?". Emily asked. Mandark sighed an exhausted sigh. "Well, you were too young to know….but one morning, she passed away….in her sleep, and when you were in the house, you were too young to know what was happening…..but you were found in the house, and you were brought to the baby orphanage by the police". "It was a very sad state of events….I….I….I just….I just think it is so….unfortunate". "Because you and your birth mom were so close…and….and it is unfortunate that it ended". "Because you both had a special bond…..and it was cut short". Mandark said, softly in an incredibly soothing, gentle voice. Mandark fought back tears. Emily nodded, as she looked up at Mandark. "But if that wasn't enough that were left with no more nourishment from her….you were left behind in the orphanage….you were neglected…not on purpose….but you were still neglected". "You were a little, tiny, baby girl….just an infant with no greater knowledge, no other skills who was just crying out of hunger because they didn't have enough food for everyone….you were crying out of fear, and bitterness because of the cold winters….and there were no blankets or heat…..you were lonely…and you needed play, love, touch, milk, care, and nourishment". "Most of all, you were crying out for your birth mom….because you needed her". "You were without her love, and nurturing….you were without her touch, and her milk". "She had passed away…but you were too young to know….you just knew that your basic needs were to be met….but the natural need and nourishment came from your birth mother….whom you craved more essentials from". "You needed her…..but you were without her….which made it much harder for you". "The orphanage was too poor and dysregulated to function to a child's needs". "I just think of this….and it makes me sad….because….you deserved so much more". "And unfortunately, you didn't get it….which is so sad". "But I think of the mom and dad you had….and the journey you've taken to become a strong, selfless, eloquent, intelligent, resilient, kind, heroic, gentle person with so much maturity and strength….and I can't help but feel so much gratitude towards your mom and dad, Wendell and Lilac Benson". "They nourished you, and gave you the opportunity to thrive in your own unique way".
"I often thank Wendell and Lilac Benson….I thank them for giving me you". "Without them, we wouldn't have met…and I wouldn't have my best friend, and soulmate beside me". "You are an excellent person…and what we have, I will always cherish". "You are my everything….and I don't know if I'd be the man I am today, without you". "You are my heroine…and I love you to the moon and back". "You have given me so much, little one". "We always have one another….and it makes me a happy man…now and forever". Mandark said, kindly with gentle, softened soothingness. "You are so beautiful….baby". Mandark reached a hand up, brushing Emily's face, her cheeks, as she closed her eyes. She sat up, looking outwards. Emily folded her hands in prayer. She heard the cheerful, playful, enigmatic, kind voice of Lilac Benson. Lilac, born in 1964. Lilac Benson's voice was like a child's voice, playful, energetic, wound up, yet nourishing, and firm in kindness, respect, and duty.
Emily greeted the stars, and the enigmatic little shade of stars around the constellation above, as she herself greeted her adoptive mother, Lilac Benson. Brown hair, brown eyes, a fun, playful smile. Lilac was the true epitome of a fun, kind, loving, nourishing, gentle child.
The pink constellation above….beside the glow of the moon that glowed over the riverside. Emily laughed and played, as she greeted her mom.
"Mom-my". Emily said, as she laughed and played. "Today, I played hide and seek with my friend, Au-tumn, and my other friend, Lilah". "We played in the woods". "I got an A on my reading test…..and I did my homework, and got an A on it, too". Emily said. Emily put her hands up, as she had a conversation with her mom….the group of pink stars whose glow seemed to surround her face. Mandark smiled a bit, as he sucked in a smirk of his lips. "Is that your mom you're speaking to?". Mandark asked, gently with kind, softened, soothingness. "Yes". Emily replied. "She seems nice…..you both seem to get along very well together". "hmm…I have somewhat of an idea…could I talk to her, too?". "I think she'd know me". "We talk, sometimes". Mandark said, kindly with a soothing, softened, gentle voice. "Yes". Emily replied. Mandark smiled, as he spoke to Lilac Benson as well, hearing her laugh…hearing her childlike, playful voice, and going along with her anecdotes.
"Yes, how are you, Lilac?". "Yes, it is so good to hear from you again….Emily had a beautiful day". "She got a wonderful grade on her test….she did a beautiful thing for her friend, Autumn, today". "She did so well….and you'll be glad to hear that she is getting a record deal for her new album she and her manager are releasing". "It's a private company that is Christian, and has none of the stress that the actual industry has". "But she's all set with it….and she is getting so many offers from various places for it". "I'm very happy for her….and I'm happy she's in a good place now….she's excelling at so many things….I couldn't be prouder". Mandark said, kindly as he laughed along with Lilac, hearing her response.
"Well, that's great that she is excelling". "Does she like reading as a whole?". "Would you say it's what she's most smart in?". Lilac asked.
"Yes, she is very swell at that particular subject". "She's doing book reports now, and different analyses on things….she's very well-versed". "I'm very impressed with her". "She knows so much….and she's doing things…amazing things at grade level….which is suitably impressive". "I think she might actually be ahead of her class in those specific subjects". "What we need now, is to nourish her strengths, and tend to her weaknesses…it'll do her much good". Mandark replied, kindly.
"That's good, good to hear". "I thought she'd do well in those areas". "I'm impressed, too". Lilac replied, as she and Mandark laughed. "Yes, she is quite the darling….she is very beautiful….very much so". "In many ways". Mandark said, gently with kind, softness. Mandark rubbed Emily's back, as Emily's hands remained folded in prayer….and she yawned. Mandark still smiled.
"Darling". Mandark's voice was a seductive, raspy, soothing, sexual, charismatic, caramel, rich, luscious smoothness on a creamy, coated drop that sounded like machine sex. His smoker's voice, with its nerdy nasal quality made him seem like a geeky, annoying robot that sounded like sex. "Emily, darling". Mandark said, soothingly with a relaxed, laid-back, kind gentleness about him. Emily opened her eyes. "Pumpkin….pumpkin". Mandark whispered, soothingly. Emily looked up at Mandark. "Are you falling asleep?". Mandark asked, in a soothing, gentle, silky voice. Emily was also coated in Mandark's men's fragrance.
"No….I'm not sleeping". Emily replied. Mandark chuckled a bit. "Your eyes tell me the opposite, pumpkin". "You might be going to sleep, and you don't wish to admit it". Mandark said, kindly with gentleness. Mandark brushed Emily's cheeks, gently. "Time for bed, little one". "We do need to head in, and get ready for tomorrow". "Tomorrow is an inservice day….hmm, we have the day to ourselves….maybe we could just rest….and see about just staying in". "It would benefit us, greatly". Mandark said, gently with kind soothingness and softness. Emily nodded.
"Let's go in now, pumpkin". "We need to refill that sippy, and take some of your medicine, too". "Ready, baby girl?". Mandark said, kindly as he tickled Emily's cheeks, while she got up…heading inside. Mandark set out Emily's medicine, making sure he had an accurate count of every kind. "Here we are, honey"."take these, and we'll be all set". Mandark assured, gently as he watched Emily take her medicines.
"Very good, lovey". "Now, we can head to bed". "Hmm, and which story would you like to hear this evening?". "I have "Goodnight Moon", "Baby Angels", I have all sorts". Mandark said, kindly with a loving, soothing voice. "Goodnight Moon". Emily replied.
Mandark nodded, as he took down Emily's favorite book from the bookshelf. He read it to her, while she laid in bed, tucked under the blankets. When he finished, he noticed Emily had fallen fast asleep. Mandark kissed Emily's cheeks, kindly, ruffling her hair a bit. "Goodnight, my darling". "I love you". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentleness. He smiled, as his proboscis-like lips moved in a wormy manner as he spoke. "I love you so much". Mandark sighed a dreamy sigh, as he leaned against the doorway, sighing dreamily.
Mandark went into his room, taking off his robe, (and his boxers) as he slept naked under the silk sheets. Mandark sighed a bit, as he fell asleep quickly. Though, his room smelled of cigarettes, and men's fragrance. Mandark fell asleep, quickly….as he rested now…for a long while.