Blessing Moon

Three: Baby Girl

Lorrus held his breath before opening the front door. He hoped that the usual click of its lock and its screeching hinges wouldn't disturb the sleeping infant he carried on his elbow. Also, more importantly, he wished not to alert his wife; he was not ready to face her yet.

Once he squeezed through the doorway, whilst awkwardly manoeuvering the bulky wicker basket, he pushed the door to. He then turned around and jumped at the sight of his wife standing with a glower on her brow and her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Where did you go?" she demanded.

"Just out..." Lorrus answered, looking down at his feet and trying his hardest to conceal the basket underneath his navy blue cloak.

"Don't be so vague, Lorrus, where did you go?"

"Just to Night Forest," Lorrus shrugged, then added with fake assertiveness, "Is there an issue?"

"Really?" Lorren bit back, her eyes widening. She then took in a deep breath to calm herself down, for the thought of her boys trying to sleep just down the corridor came to her mind. "I was worried about you. We all were. How could you just take off like that?"

Tears then came to her amber eyes and her bottom lip quivered, she turned her head away, desperate to hide that her brave front was beginning to crumble. But, of course, Lorrus saw. Her broken look grabbed at his heart. He put the basket down carefully and took his distraught wife into his arms. She shook with sobbing as soon as she felt his warmth.

"Please, Lorren, don't. Don't cry. I'm sorry," Lorrus whispered into her curly, chestnut hair. She gave a pitiful sniff in return and wiped her eyes across his shoulder. "I was at Night Forest, I needed space to calm down, that's all. I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Okay," Lorren choked out, her voice barely audible.

Lorrus then moved back so that he could look into his wife's face. He took in a deep breath and let it out, whilst caressing his wife's arms. "So, am I forgiven?"

A small smile played on Lorren's lips and she nodded her head. "Yes, yes of course you are."

Lorrus then bent down and pressed a gentle kiss upon her lips. A moment of bliss blossomed between them, but was cut short when Lorren's gaze fell upon the wicker basket sitting behind her husband's feet.

"What is that?" she asked, making Lorrus follow her gaze. His eyes grew and he turned back to his wife; guilt coloured his dark face.

With a scowl, Lorren walked around him and took a closer look. A gasp left her as the last thing she was expecting met her eye.

"By the stars!" She quickly grabbed the basket and lifted it onto the kitchen table. A small smile curved her mouth as she gently brushed the baby's cheek. But then she snapped out of it, worried, she turned back towards her husband.

"What have you done?" she demanded. "Whose child is this?"

"What do you mean by asking a question like that?"

"You storm out angry with Biabus-Lus, angry at society, and come back with a baby! What am I supposed to think?"

Lorrus stared at his wife, gobsmacked at her accusatory tone. "I found her, in Night Forest, abandoned!" he answered defensively. "I didn't go out and steal an infant in a fit of insanity, if that's what you're getting at!"

Lorren shook her head, brought the fingers of her right hand to her face and nervously fidgeted with her bottom lip. She was at a loss for words.

Her silence spurred Lorrus to carry on his defensive rant. "I heard crying, I saw the basket in the clearing, all alone, in the dark. What was I supposed to do, just leave the poor thing there?"