“Everything is going to be okay. It’ll stay in there for a couple of minutes, but after that, it will be all done,” Daddy gently says. “After a while, you won’t feel it if you stay really still.”
“I don’t want this,” I repeat quietly and blink, letting a single tear roll down my face.
“It will be over before you know it. I need you to be really brave for a couple of minutes.” He runs his fingers through my hair. “I’ll hold your hand the whole time if you want me to.”
I nod and close my eyes.
“Daddy is going to take your diaper off. Why don’t you open your mouth and suckle on the pacifier?” he suggests.
I do as he says, and he places the nipple in my mouth. Immediately, I start to suckle on it, trying to calm my nerves. But my mind is spiraling with everything that could happen. What if Yamal moves it the wrong way and hurts me? What if I end up liking it?
“Shhh, you’re okay,” Daddy whispers as he takes off my diaper.
“Pull her knees up to her chest, and then you can hold her hand,” Yamal instructs.
I close my eyes tighter as Daddy moves my legs up, completely exposing myself to Yamal.
“Everything is going to be okay,” Daddy gently says as he holds my hand, giving it a little squeeze.
“You are going to feel my hand on your bottom. When I tell you to take a deep breath and slowly let it out, I want you to do what I say. It will make it go a lot smoother.” Yamal instructs me. “Do you think you can do that?”
“Yes.” My voice gives away how nervous I am.
“What was that?” Yamal asks.
“She said ‘yes,’” Daddy replies. “She didn’t want to let go of the pacifier, so it didn’t sound correct.”
Several seconds pass, and the room is quiet, but I don’t dare to open my eyes.
“Okay, I want you to take a deep breath and slowly let it out. You are going to feel something cold and then some pressure. Don’t fight it,” Yamal says. “Now, take a deep breath and slowly let it out.”
As I slowly start to exhale, a cold liquid touches my bottom hole. Then there’s some pressure as he pushes on the probe. Instinctively, I clench around the probe, stopping Yamal from putting it further into me.
“Nora, I need you to relax,” Yamal says. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Daddy runs his hands through my hair.
“Everything is going to be okay. Just relax and focus on the pacifier in your mouth. Pretend you are in my arms, snuggling on the couch with me. Pretend you are just talking to me and that there is no one else around us,” Daddy gently whispers. “Look me in the eyes. Good girl. Such a good girl for Daddy. Now, focus on me and suckle on the pacifier. Everything is going to be okay.”
I relax, and slowly Yamal starts to push it in further. I don’t like the feeling of being this full. It’s uncomfortable.
“We are going to let it sit there for a couple of minutes. Don’t move around too much,” Yamal says. “While we are waiting, I am going to collect a sample of your urine.”
My eyes go wide. Before I can move, Daddy has his hand on my shoulder, stopping me from moving.
“Everything is going to be okay. You are going to feel a little pressure, but then it is going to be all over. Just take a deep breath and keep focusing on me and the pacifier,” Daddy locks eyes with me again. “After this, I’ll give you a reward.”
I eye Daddy, and he chuckles.
“Yes, I’m telling the truth. How about we go out and look around Venkoria? You haven’t been out much, but you are used to the brightness of our planet by now,” he says. “There is a park outside our apartment building that I have been wanting to take you to. Though we are going to have to get you some clothes since it is far too cold outside right now. I don’t want you to get sick.”
He is going to dress me? Maybe we should go out more often.
“Don’t even think about it.” His eyes narrow on me. “The park is an exception. I was going to put you in a swing, so you won’t be near me and will get cold easily. But when we normally go out, you will be in my arms and will be perfectly warm without clothes.”
Sighing, I close my eyes. Of course, he just knew what I was thinking and wanted to do. How could I keep anything from him?
“All done with getting the urine sample,” Yamal states.
