Lawe's Justice - Lora Leigh [48]
Amber’s smile trembled for a moment before a baby laugh parted her lips and Diane lifted her from Rachel’s arms. Cuddling the little form close to her own breast as the small head tipped back to stare up at her had Diane’s heart melting with such a surge of love it was painful.
“She looks like a mini-you,” Diane whispered in awe as she glanced at her sister for only a second, her eyes drawn back to the baby. “She’s more beautiful every time I see her, and every time I see more and more of your features when you were a baby. They are coming alive inside her. Mom and Dad would have melted for her.”
Her sister sniffed as a tear slid down her cheek. “And you look more like Mom every day, Diane. Sometimes, I swear, it’s like having her here.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
Diane tickled Amber’s little belly where it peeked out from her pajamas. Chubby legs kicked as baby laughter filled the darkness. Grasping little fingers found Diane’s shirt, grabbed and held on tight as Diane leaned down and brushed a kiss over her forehead. That little sound came again, the cutest little purr, stronger, almost teasing. A sound of happiness as Diane hugged the baby against her and blew another kiss against her baby-scented neck.
Rachel’s hand pressed to her lips as she fought back a sob, the pain and fear trembling through her body as Amber suddenly tensed. She struggled against Diane until she could turn and stare back at her mother in confusion.
“Ignore Mommy,” Diane advised her and tickled her belly again, bringing a hesitant little chortle before Amber looked to her mother again as though asking permission for such a simple joy.
Diane lowered her lips to Amber’s ear, her gaze meeting her sister’s. “Mommy forgets that was a nasty old Breed-type serum that bad old doctor gave you,” Diane reminded the mother rather than the child she was talking to. “What did she expect, hmmm? Wolfie growls maybe?”
Rachel shook her head. “It isn’t funny, Diane.”
“Well, you know, we need to make it funny, or our little chimp here is going to think we don’t love her as we should.” Diane lowered her head further and growled against her niece’s little shoulder.
Amber’s little gale of laughter was followed by that cute little purr. The second the sound slipped free her gaze moved quickly to her mother once again. Rachel hadn’t heard it that time, she had been concentrating on the baby laughter instead, the fear fading away as her daughter seemed to enjoy this moment of unexpected pleasure.
“Rachel, you have to enjoy the changes that aren’t harmful to her,” Diane chided as she continued to draw the little chuckles from the baby. “Every time she purrs or makes a sound you consider odd, I bet you’re crying. Becoming frightened.”
“Diane, it’s wrong,” Rachel whispered raggedly.
Once again Amber gave a frightened little start as her lips puckered and she turned to her mother for solace.
“I wish I could smack you.” Diane sighed in disappointment. “You’re letting your own stress affect her and steal her childhood. Give her some laughter, Rachel. Play with her. Let her purr or growl or whatever she needs to do. She’s so precious. Too precious to be made to feel unaccepted.”
Diane continued to speak with gentle affection as she tickled, petted and teased the baby. Finally, she had Amber’s attention once again as Rachel watched her with sudden understanding and agonizing regret.
“How are the other children reacting to her now?” Diane asked, knowing Rachel had mentioned problems a few months earlier.
“They growl at her, snap at her without thinking.” Rachel reached out and tickled Amber’s tummy as she kept her tone soft.
Amber was no dummy. She watched her mother somberly for long seconds before Rachel was able to draw a smile from her.
“Those little hybrid brats giving my girl a hard time?” Diane whispered as Amber curled closer