Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Willow and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Born To Lead Chapter 7
As the humans would say it was time to hit the sack. The last stragglers were calling it a night. The flames of the fire tamped down with dirt packed over the coals to preserve them for the next day.
Willow and Ash would've stayed there all night if their parents hadn't called them away. Separating Willow met her father at the bottom of the old oak tree while Ash joined Rocket. She then climbed to the main section of their dwelling with him.
Inside Blue Eyes was getting comfortable on his bed while Cornelia and the baby were fast asleep the infant breathing peacefully on the older female's chest.
Willow wished she could say the same about her mother.
Cornelia's breathing was off. She wheezed shifting onto her side.
"Mother sounds ill. Is she all right," asked Willow, concerned.
Slipping onto the bed beside Cornelia and their newborn, reassuringly, Caesar signed "Your mother is fine. She simply overexerted herself during the delivery. She just needs rest."
Willow cast Cornelia a skeptical glance unsure before settling into her bed a little ways from Blue Eyes. Shutting her eyes she fell asleep immediately.
Later at night while everyone else was sleeping Willow was woken by the baby whining. His sounds of distress hadn't woken anyone yet, but they would if he was left alone for too much longer.
Disgruntled Willow groggily got up tiptoeing over to her parent's bed. With tender care, she extracted the infant from Cornelia's arms. Willow then sat on her bed gently bouncing and rubbing the baby's back. She thought whatever was bothering him would stop, but no such luck. She needed to think of a solution quickly or else he'd wake the rest of their family.
Well, Willow did have one idea she considered, but if she was caught…
Double-checking to make certain no one was watching Willow retrieved the music box from its hiding place. Caesar may like her having it, but she didn't know how he'd react to involving his citizens in this. Cradling the baby in one arm she activated the music box. As the tune played Willow hummed lowly converting it into a lullaby. To her surprise, the strategy worked like a charm. A couple of seconds into it the baby ceased its pathetic crying. Yawning he nuzzled against her chest drifting off into dreamland. Soon enough the young prince was asleep once more. Literally out like a light.
Willow was satisfied, smiling, now there was no cause to believe anyone else in the family would be disturbed.
Pleased with the results Willow rose to return the little one to his bed on his mother's chest. She stopped in her tracks when she was met with Caesar the moment she turned around. Her father was staring right at her.
How long had he been awake? Knowing Caesar he'd probably been so the whole time.
Willow expected to be thoroughly chastised for her methods to calm the newborn. Instead, she was surprised to receive Caesar's approval. Smiling gently he raised his hand, palm up, curling his fingers twice motioning for her to come. Carefully she obeyed walking around to his side of the bed so as not to wake anyone, but not before returning the baby to Cornelia. Moving over a bit to make room for her Caesar nodded to the open space next to him. Willow lay down next to her father snuggling into his fur an arm wrapped around her.
Willow knew she was too old for such antics, but that didn't mean she couldn't take part in the fun. It definitely didn't stop him one bit. Willow loved rare moments like this when they were all brought together. She vowed to always cherish them in her heart.
If only things as perfect as this could last for a lifetime.
Authors Note:
All right guys brace yourselves! Next chapter we get to see what we've all been waiting for…HUMANS!