Page 22 of Hidden Pain

“I’m sorry,” she mouthed. “I’ll go.”

“No, please,” Emma cried as the other baby started to wail alongside their twin. “I need help, please. Will you take Zahara out of the chair and just walk with her for a bit while I change Morocco?”

Lily looked around the room, desperately hoping that one of the other members of the pack would materialize. It didn’t happen, though.

“Please, I’m all alone.” Tears now tumbled down Emma’s cheeks.

Lily looked down at where Zahara was screaming. Her little, chubby legs were kicking in the chair as she threw a tantrum. Tentatively, Lily reached down and undid the buckle of the straps keeping the baby in place, and she lifted Zahara up into her arms. Initially, Lily held her around the waist, leaving her little legs dangling and kicking.

“Cradle her in your arms,” Emma suggested encouragingly. Lily nodded and shifted the baby to a more comfortable position. Emma returned to changing Morocco and trying to calm him down.

Having been picked up, Zahara’s screams settled a little, but she was still crying. Lily swayed with her, and a song her mother used to sing to her as a baby popped into her head:

“Rock-a-bye, baby, in the treetop

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall

And down will come baby, cradle and all”

Zahara stopped mid-scream and looked up at her with big blue eyes full of tears. The baby pursed her lips together and wiggled her nose as if smelling the air before she cocked her little head to the side, taking in everything about Lily.

“You probably smell similar to Zain, being a bear. I don’t know how different the scent is from brown to black bear. Zahara loves her uncle Zain. He can walk around holding her for hours, and she’ll not cry once,” Emma said. She’d now finished changing Morocco and had placed him down in the chair. The baby boy mumbled a few times before shutting his eyes and going straight to sleep.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Just like his father!” The lioness then approached her, and Lily tensed her body. “Thank you. It’s been a long night. They had a stomach bug of some sort. I don’t think I’ve slept at all.”

“It’s ok,” Lily replied almost in a whisper. She offered Zahara back to her mum.

“Do you mind if I just wash the pee off me first?” Emma pleaded.

“Sure.”

The lioness disappeared into the bathroom, chatting away to her as she did, but Lily heard none of it. She was too busy staring down at the little baby in her arms. Zahara was now fast asleep and looked really peaceful in contrast to the red-faced and frustrated infant of a few moments ago.

“That’s better.” Emma emerged from the bathroom, looking a little fresher. “I’ve no idea what’s taking Selene so long. She only went to find some food for us. We’re both starving.”

“I can go look for her.” Lily offered but secretly hoped she’d be allowed to hold Zahara for a little longer.

“No, it’s ok. She’ll be back in a minute. Take a seat. Zahara starts feeling heavy after a while when you stand and hold her.” Emma gestured toward a comfortable chair in the corner of the room.

“Ok.”

Lily took a seat, holding the baby close to her but being careful not to wake her.

“You’re a natural,” Emma said as she started to tidy up the changing station.

“First time I’ve ever held a baby.” Lily found herself opening up to the lioness.

“It doesn’t show.”

There was a commotion at the door, and a heavily pregnant and very naked Selene appeared in the doorway. From where she was sitting, Lily couldn’t be seen by Selene.

“I’m so sorry,” Selene apologized, looking almost as flustered as Emma had a few moments earlier. “The baby got frustrated that his father was outside running and kept turning me into a snow leopard, hoping I’d join him.”

Emma picked a blanket up and threw it at Selene.

“Ok,” the lioness replied nervously. Emma’s eyes then flicked in Lily’s direction, and Selene’s followed them.

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