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Meryn shook her head. "I never had a mom, so I have no idea what to do."
Elizabeth raised her teacup. "I never had a mother either, Meryn," she reminded her.
Meryn gave her friend a sour expression. "Yeah, after visiting here, I'm calling bullshit on that. You had Sebastian, who is actually better than any mom I ever saw growing up. He's like Super Mom."
Sebastian stopped in his tracks at the head of the table, teapot in hand. His eyes filled as he looked down at Elizabeth. The love he had for his charge was clear to see. He turned to Meryn. "That has to be one of the most wonderful things anyone has ever said about me."
Ellie wondered about Meryn's childhood. If, to her, all grandmothers were evil and she never had a mom, who did she have growing up?
"I understand what she's saying," Grant said. "I'm scared to death I will do something that will hurt Benji because I don't know what to do." He looked over at Meryn. "I was literally raised by wolves. But I've found that if I just concentrate on the basics like food and sleep, it's not so bad."
Meryn looked over at him. "I can see that." Then she frowned. "But I can barely handle that for myself much less a baby," she said, sounding worried.
Ellie had an idea. "Meryn, do you want to try something?"
"It depends, do I have to move?" Meryn asked.
Ellie shook her head. "No. Since you use visualization for your empathy, maybe we can go over different scenarios so you can see how you would react to having a child."
"Okay." Meryn wiggled in her chair, getting comfortable before closing her eyes. "Ready."
"Wonderful. Now, try to imagine a real-life situation; this will only work if you're honest with yourself about your reactions. Do you see your baby?" Ellie asked.
"Yes. Awww they are so little."
"Little?"
Meryn grunted. "If I have to push this thing out it better be little. I'll kill Aiden if this kid has his big head."
Beside her Grant coughed to cover his laughter and she continued. "What else can you tell me about the baby?"
"Meryn two-point-oh is wearing a Doctor Who onesie.
Ellie smiled at her geek reference. "Are they crying?"
"No. They make sound when they cry right?"
"Usually. Are they fussy?"
"No. They're just kinda laying there."
"Are they hungry?"
"How can I tell? Babies don't come with those pop-up timers like turkeys have to tell you when they're ready. How do I know if they're hungry?"
"What expression does the baby have? Are they suckling on their fist?"
"I don't know." Meryn's face scrunched up.
Ellie frowned. "What do you mean you don't know? Just look at the baby to see what facial expressions they are making."
"I can't see them."
"Why not?"
"Because Ryuu is holding the baby," Meryn said, her eyes still closed.
Elizabeth snorted. "Well, you did say to make it honest and realistic."
