She's panicking.
I look to Doctor Denali.
She's gone, quietly slipped from the room.
I try to calm Bella, but it doesn't work. I set the carrier on the floor and move closer, but then I pause, afraid of how she'll react when I touch her.
Fuck it.
I palm her cheeks, rubbing my thumb over her soft skin. "Baby, please. You have to calm down. Match your breaths to mine."
In slowly.
Then out.
Her eyes are watery and a little wild.
But she does as I ask.
Repeatedly.
After a minute, she asks, "What should I call you?"
