Chapter 3 - 3

A week passed by with Benjamin getting the hang of how to deal with Sapphire

The first evening Sapphire woke up crankily. Most of the day she has been sleeping. Only woke up for her drink and food and promptly went back to sleep

The social worker from the child welfare had mentioned that Sapphire had a terrible night the day before. She kept waking up at night asking for her mama.

Benjamin had panicked seeing Sapphire jutting out her lower lip ready for another session of wailing

Madison,one of the care takers of Lockwood household had came in for rescue finally

She had instructed Benjamin to take off his shirt and hold the baby close to his chest.

The skin to skin contact ,it seems ,helps in bonding

The baby ,initially wriggled in his hold ,but later snuggled into him

She had got that kind of warmth only from her mama before. And she lapped up all that warmth she was feeling after whole three weeks.

"Keep talking to her Benjamin. Sing her a lullaby" Madison had instructed him then

"I don't know any lullaby" Benjamin whispered

"It doesn't have to be a lullaby. It could be a discussion of stock markets for all she cares. Your voice and tone is what matters. Talk to her in a soothing way. Make her feel secure Benjamin" Madison said

Benjamin held the baby securely against his heart and talked to her in soothing voice

He talked about her mother and the years they spent together.

The baby looked on curiously not particularly understanding anything ,but liking the way he was talking

A week later Sapphire got used to her uncle being around

Madison brought a bowl of baby food for Sapphire

Benjamin placed the baby on the newly bought high chair

Sapphire made a face seeing the mushy paste in the bowl

"Don't make that face. You have to eat baby" Benjamin said and took a spoonful of food towards her lips

"No.." Sapphire turned her face sideways

"The first thing you say to me is a No. Thats bad Sapphire" Benjamin chided softly

Sapphire jutted out her lower lip again

"Sapphy no bad" she said ,her lips trembling and eyes filling up with tears

"Awww. Sorry Sapphy. Sapphy is a good girl. Now eat like a good girl" Benjamin said coaxing the little girl to open her mouth

She had her dinner with lots of fuss that Benjamin felt completely exhausted by the time she finished

Not even during a sports meet at university ,did he feel so exhausted

"Come on. Time to sleep again" Benjamin said and laid her on her new baby cot

"Good night Sapphire" he kissed her on nose

"Ayt ayt Benji" she said

Benjamin looked at her in surprise

"Uncle Ben it is. Call me uncle Ben" Benjamin said

"Benji" she repeated with a giggle

"Stubborn ,just like your mother" Benjamin said

****

Next morning Isabella walked into the boss' cabin with his coffee ; with milk and sugar ofcourse.

She knocked on the door and entered when she heard a firm come in

"Good morning Benjamin" she greeted him as she placed his coffee on the desk

"Good morning Bella" Benjamin greeted back with a smile

Isabella looked at him him surprise.

Nobody ever calls her Bella. She is Izzy in short.

"Uh. Everyone calls me Izzy" Isabella said

"Why? Bella suits you more" Benjamin said as he went through another file. He missed the blush that crept up her cheeks.

Isabella looked around and noticed that baby Sapphire was awake and was playing in a playpen placed near the couch

"She seems happy today." Isabella commented

"Why?? Do you want to dance Bella??" Benjamin teased her

"Oh no!!" Isabella shook her head in horror

Isabella walked towards the playpen and kneeled down beside her

"Hello angel. How are you?? Do you remember me??" Isabella asked in a babyish voice

Sapphire stared at the women curiosly trying to remember where she had seen her.

Sapphire held the boundaries of the playpen and stood up when she remembered it was the woman who danced for her a few days before. She had also see the woman coming in and out of the room she stays in

"Up up" Sapphire asked raising her hands

Isabella happily picked her up and gave her a loud kiss on the little girl's cheek earning a giggle in return

"Go go" Sapphire said pointing her fingers towards the door.

"Go where??" Isabella asked

"Go..." Came the response again

Benjamin was watching them with a smile on his face

"Seems like she got bored sitting in the playpen and looking at my face" Benjamin said

"Shall I take her out for a walk around the floor??" Isabella asked

"Sure. If you don't mind" Benjamin said

"Not at all. Come on angel. Say bye to uncle" Isabella said

Sapphire raised her hand in a wave

"Bye-bye Benji" she said and Benjamin groaned

"Uncle Ben" Benjamin ordered softly

"Benji" Sapphire repeated with a mischeivous giggle enjoying irritating her uncle. Isabella laughed along with Sapphire

"Bella" Benjamin called in a warning tone

"Bell-bell" Sapphire repeated and Isabella made a face and it was Benjamin's turn to laugh

"Serves you right"

Isabella walked out of the cabin with Sapphire in her arms

Sapphire waved happily at the employees around making them all smile

"Down down" Sapphire asked Isabella to let her down

Isabella placed Sapphire down and she wobbled on her chubby little legs towards the aquarium kept at the corner of the floor

Sapphire climbed on the couch below the aquarium and tried to reach for the aquarium. She raised on her toes and extended her arms in an attempt to touch the aquarium on the wall. But it was too hig for her.

She tried again and again ,but started getting frustrated as she failed multiple times

Isabella was watching on with amusement ,but was caught off guard when Sapphire threw herself on the couch and started hitting the couch angrily

She rushed to the kid and picked her up high enough for her to touch the aquarium

"Angel,look at the fish" Isabella pointed at the aquarium

"Ishh..." Sapphire squealed happily touching the aquarium and patting it gently

***

"Benjamin!! Mr Gabriel is here" Claire informed

"Send him in"

Gabriel Clarke walked in looking tensed

"Gabriel?? Everything okay??" Benjamin asked

"Nothing is okay Ben. John's family had gone to the court with the appeal for custody" Gabriel said

"What are the chances of them winning the case uncle??" Benjamin asked

"Usually in cases of sudden death of the parents ,the custody goes to the grandparents. Paternal side will be given priority."

"Why?? Why paternal side??"

"That's the law Benjamin. And since John's brother is already married with a family of his own ,he will be getting priority"

"That's total rubbish. All they need is money" Benjamin gritted out

"We don't have proofs Benjamin. And moreover you do not have any blood ties with the child. That's another plus point for them" Gabriel said

"But Eleanor was my sister"

"In the eyes of law ,she was your step sister. No blood relation. Our only relief is Eleanor's will. But court would consider the future of the baby which would always be better with a mother in her life"

"What am I supposed to do now??"

"That social worker you met the day you got Sapphire. She called me half an hour ago informing me that she is on the way here. John's brother informed her about you never once visiting Sapphire after she was born. I came here in a hurry to get to you before she does" Gabriel said

"What am I supposed to do?? I'm not going to give up on Sapphire. Not ever"

"Our side of case could gave gotten stronger if you were married" Gabriel said

Claire poked her head in from behind the door

"Benjamin. One Mrs Fort is here to see you" Claire said

Benjamin panicked

"She is here"

"Just tell her you are engaged. We will find a solution soon."

"What rubbish?? Where am I to find a bride now"

"I talked to William. Its anyway time for you to get married. We will find a suitable bride for you. Meanwhile keep up the ruse that you are engaged" Gabriel said

"Why should I lie??"

"That woman is very strict. In a second she can take away Sapphire from you and hand over her to John's family. Do you want that to happen. We have to play carefully until the final court decision. Until then Mrs Fort holds the reigns regarding Sapphire"

"Fine fine. Claire ,let her in"

Mrs Carla Fort , a woman in mid fifties walked in

Pleasantries where exchaged and Mrs Fort dived into the matter of concern

"Is it true that your family had disowned Eleanor after her marriage" Mrs Fort asked

"Yeah"

"And you haven't visited her once after Sapphire was born??"

"No. My family was really hurt by her decision"

"I heard that your parents are not at home. You are alone managing the baby??" Mrs Fort asked

"My mother is a little depressed with Eleanor's sudden demise. I thought it would be better if she stayed away for a while"

"You are caring for Sapphire single handedly? Or do you hand her over to workers at home?? A nanny perhaps??" Mrs Fort asked

"Oh no!! No nanny. My fiancee has been a great help in the last one week" Benjamin said and Mrs Fort looked at him in surprise

"You are engaged??"

"Oh yeah"

"I didn't knew"

"Oh. We just got engaged when we lost Eleanor . And we couldn't get around to make an official announcement" Benjamin said with a nervous chuckle

"And where is your fiancee?? I would like to meet her. Preferably today" Mrs Fort said

"Today??"

"Yes. I would like to be sure about the facts"

At that moment ,Isabella pushed open the door with a giggling Sapphire in her arms and Benjamin's smile brightened

"Darling!! Come meet Mrs Fort" Benjamin drawled startling Isabella