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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 12:37:08 GMT -5
*Merlin was up with the sun after his conversation with Malefica. He was warming some bottles of milk for Gawain, hoping the milk wouldn't be too warm when he tried to feed him. He tested a drop of milk on the skin on his underarm. It was just the right temperature.
He went to the tiny crib where Gawain was sleeping, now that Malefica had gone back to the Mondego mansion. His grey eyes softened as he saw the baby sleeping in his bed, and he lifted his hand and stroke the soft baby hair gently. When he spoke to Gawain, his voice was warmer and milder than Malefica had ever heard it.*
"Good morning, Gawain. Rise and shine. It is time for your breakfast. And after that, I will change your diapers and give you your morning bath."
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 12:43:19 GMT -5
*Gawain woke slowly, his tiny eyes blinking as he let out a big yawn.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 13:00:14 GMT -5
*Merlin smiled warmly and lifted Gawain carefully up from the bed, supporting his little head as he did. *
"Good morning, little sunshine. I hope you will have a great day today. How about you and I start with giving you some breakfast, hmmmm?"
*He held the baby bottle against Gawain, hoping he was smart enough to figure it out, but supported the weight of the bottle for the tiny baby.*
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 13:06:50 GMT -5
*Gawain squirmed, nudging the bottle away with his face, scrunched up unhappily.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 13:14:54 GMT -5
*Merlin looked down at the boy with his warm, grey eyes. He understood that Malefica had been breastfeeding her child as long as she possibly could. He thought about possibly arrangements that could be done. Did he know any women who had recently given birth and had enough breast milk for other children than her own? He couldn't think of anyone. He tried to feed the baby again. His voice was warm and pleading.*
"Come on now, lad. You have to eat to keep your strength up. I know that you miss your mother, but..."
*He wondered if Malefica was still capable of breastfeeding her son. If she was, he would try to find a way to make it possible for Gawain to touch his mother without crying. The Golden Wand of Heaven? He would discuss the possibility with Malefica as soon as she arrived.*
"Your mother will come tonight, Gawain. I promise you that. But now, you have to eat. One little sip, for old Merlin, hmmm?"
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 13:20:18 GMT -5
*Gawain frowned up at the old man, but finally took the bottle into his mouth, chewing it tentatively.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 13:31:36 GMT -5
*Merlin smiled warmly and watched the baby chewing on the bottle. He knew there was no chance for a baby without teeth to bite hole in the rubber at the end of the bottle. Thus, he couldn't bite loose any small rubber pieces and choke. Merlin lifted the bottle a little, causing the milk to drip through the small holes in the rubber and into Gawain's mouth.*
"Good boy." *He bragged.* "Your mother will be so proud of you."
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 13:34:42 GMT -5
*Gawain nursed a little but looking a bit unimpressed eventually rejected it, smacking his lips.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 13:49:20 GMT -5
*Merlin looked down at him with compassion in his eyes. He really felt sorry for the child. Silently he cursed Malefica for not thinking about her children before she got herself into trouble. He forced himself to calm down and lifted Gawain up to his shoulder.*
"I understand, lad. It can't be fun with a bottle when you are used to your mother's breast. But sooner or later you would have to let go anyway. When you become older and get teeth, you will have other sorts of food. Like bread, cheese, fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. It's a natural part of life, to prepare you to be a man one day."
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 15:26:46 GMT -5
*Gawain gurgled softly, looking like he was thinking on something.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 15:32:16 GMT -5
*Merlin smiled and offered the bottle of milk to Gawain again.*
"I wish you could speak and tell me what you are thinking right now. From the look on your face it must be something really nice. How about another sip of milk, to make you grow up quicker, hmmm?"
*His grey eyes twinkled with humor from behind his glasses, and his long white beard made him look a bit like Santa Clause.*
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 15:40:41 GMT -5
*Gawain opened his mouth, but only to emit a large belch.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 15:55:07 GMT -5
*Merlin chuckled with laughter and stroke Gawain's tiny back gently.*
"You see? You're starting to behave like a man already!"
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Post by Gawain on Jul 15, 2008 15:59:39 GMT -5
*Gawain smacked his lips, his head wobbling a little as his hands made clenching gestures.*
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2008 16:05:38 GMT -5
*Merlin looked at him and smiled.*
"If you are ready for your morning bath now, young master, I have your bath ready right over here."
*Merlin helped Gawain out of his baby clothes and found a new set of clothes in the bag Malefica had brought for him. Then he dipped his elbow in the water, making sure the water was not too hot before he gently placed Gawain in the bath tub, supporting him to avoid him from falling.*
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