Embody by Jamie Magee

passed, then she drifted to sleep. Her little
eyelids shifted back and forth, and we could feel excitement, love,
joy, and peace as she dreamed. I wondered for a moment why we all
forget. Why would we ever step away from such bliss?
    Hours passed, and Felicity and Brady cradled
each other as they slept. I was watching Allie and could feel
frustration and confusion in her emotions. I assumed she was
getting hungry and would wake at any moment. I reached for the
bottle Felicity had left for her.
    “ Do you think it’s safe to pick her
up?” I asked Landen.
    “ I don’t think there’s anything that
would wake you. Just focus on being here,” he thought. I
nodded. Landen reached for my shoulder to calm me, and I smiled,
feeling it take effect. Allie began to cry before her eyes even
opened. I handed the bottle to Landen, then reached for her.
Allie’s cry lessened at my touch, but her frustration was still
growing. As I settled into the rocking chair, cradling her, Landen
handed me the bottle. As soon as the bottle touched her lips,
gratitude filled her as she began to eat, staring up at me.
Felicity turned restlessly in her sleep. Landen put his hand on her
hand to calm her, then the peace returned to the room.
    After Allie ate, I changed her, then rocked
her on my shoulder until I felt her drift into another dream. I
laid her down gently, proud of myself. The sun was starting to peek
over the hilltop, and we decided to stay until Brady and Felicity
woke on their own. Just past eight, they started to move, then they
both sat up at once with a panic. Landen and I grinned at each
other, then stepped closer to touch them, calming them down. Their
peace came back as they saw Allie sleeping soundly and the empty
bottle beside the night stand.
    We woke ourselves back to our home. Every
night we spent together was amazing, but this one seemed to be
more; it was as if Allie taught us. I couldn’t remember a time that
I was so grateful for being able to eat or have such a constant
emotion of bliss.
    On the bedside table, the phone rang. I
reached for it. It was Felicity. “Did you sleep well?” I asked.
    “I haven’t slept that well in months. Thank
you, really,” she said.
    “It was fun. She ate around five. I changed
her then, too.”
    “Are you guys going to come over and spend
time with us today?” Felicity asked
    “Maybe. We’re going to spend some time with
Libby and Preston today. I’m sure that you’ll have a house full of
people soon.”
    “I can imagine that you’re right. I guess
I’ll let you go. I want to try and take a shower before she wakes
up again.”
    “Alright then. Love you guys.” I hung up the
phone and nestled next to Landen. He was so warm. If I could take
this warmth with me to my dreams, I’m not sure I’d ever want to
wake up. I laughed at myself, thinking that may very well be the
reason that that flaw was in place.

Chapter Four
    From the kitchen window, I could see Preston
coming over the hill toward our house. He was such an adorable,
peaceful little boy. He was wearing one of Marc’s black travel
shirts. It swallowed him, but it was easy to feel the pride it gave
him as he wore it.
    I followed Landen to the porch to meet him.
We had not spent a lot of time around him, so we were both a little
anxious about trying to bond with him. Preston stepped up on the
porch, holding his little shoulders back with a big smile on his
face.
    “Libby will be here in a minute,” I said to
him.
    He nodded like he already knew that.
    “Have a seat,” Landen said, extending his
arm for Preston to take a seat in one of the chairs.
    Preston’s smile lessened a little. “We need
to be in the grass,” he said as he looked over his shoulder.
    “Why is that?” Landen asked.
    “You want Libby and me to show you how to
leave right?” Preston asked.
    Landen forced a patient smile. “Yeah – but
why the grass?” he questioned again.
    “Cause it’ll be easier for you the first
time,”