[73.4] Children Get Older as Time Keeps Ticking

Cry.

Eat.

Diapers.

Sleep.

And repeat.

Cry.

Eat.

Diapers.

Sleep.

And repeat.

I don't think I can handle it anymore!

I'm so tired I can't even think straight!

I looked down at the babies who were speaking in baby chatter.

I think…

It should be fine…

If I close my eyes for one moment…

Just a few seconds…

I'm not sleeping…

I will listen to make sure nothing bad happens…

I just have to close my eyes-

…

…..

.....

I snorted myself awake, "Wha-What!?

I was startled to see Asmonious standing over me with a blanket. Before I could say anything, he raised a finger to his lips and then pointed at the babies sleeping in my arms.

He whispered, "You looked cold so I wanted to lay a blanket over you…"

Eh???

Ehhh???

Did I fall asleep on the deck of the house!?

The last thing I remember is trying to get the babies to fall asleep. Then I leaned against the column of the house and-... 

I fell asleep alongside them.

Well… 

At least they are still sleeping.

I gently went to put the babies in the bassinet, but they all burst out crying as soon as their backs touched the bedding.

I wanted to cry myself.

Who knew raising babies was this difficult!?

I've barely gotten even a few hours of sleep the last few weeks!

When one child cries, it wakes the other who starts crying!!!

If it's not one, it's the other!

It's maddening!

I don't even think I can use magic at this point, I'm that exhausted!

Even Lene wasn't this much of a handful.

Speaking of Lene…

I let out an exhausted sigh, "She's going to be awake soon…"

Asmonious smiled softly at me, "Master… You should let me help you. I can take over Lene's sleeping schedule while you take care of the babies."

I avoided the mirror as I paced around the room rocking the babies, "No, no. You need proper sleep. You're a growing boy."

He laughed heftily, reminding me of the laughter I heard when I first met Moni. Unable to get that memory out of my head, I stared at Asmonious with an unreadable gaze.

Those two can't be the same person.

They can't be.

He smiled at me completely unaware of my inner thoughts, "Master. I'm no longer growing. I'm not the little boy you first met. I'm an adult now."

I shook my head quickly, "Nope. You'll always be that little boy to me… Plus, how will you stay asleep without me by your side?"

He hesitated, "Ah… The nightmares… Well, maybe it's time I learn to deal with it on my own."

"And if you can't?"

"Then I will endure. I won't die from losing a bit of sleep."

I shook my head, "I don't like it. I'm your guardian and it's my job to make sure you are all safe… Plus, who is going to watch over Lovi, Lene, Atta, and Rose!?"

"They are old enough to take care of themselves. Lene is really the only wild one and I can handle her."

"Then who's going to teach all of them!? They can't teach themselves! Atta's grammar is still atrocious and Lovi is always cheating on her homework!"

"I can teach them." He offered obediently, "I can also make sure they do their homework."

I pursed my lips, "Asmonious. You're incredibly bright, but you're still a child. It's my duty to ensure a proper education. Not yours. And what about your own education? It will stagnate if you teach them and disregard yourself!"

"Master." Asmonious led me over to my bed and forced me to sit on it as I rocked the babies, "I know it's hard for you since you raised us, but we really have grown up. Just let us prove to you how capable we are on our own."

I still tried to protest, "-But!"

"-If anything goes wrong, then I won't ever suggest it again. We can do whatever Master asks."

I felt myself pouting, "But… If I don't at least teach you… Will you even need me anymore?"

Why do I feel like my precious children are leaving the nest!?

"Pffft-"

My head snapped up in shock as I watched Asmonious struggling to hold back laughter, "W-What!? Why are you laughing?!"

He cleared his throat as his lips quivered, "Sorry Master… I just never thought you would say that. We all worry we rely on you too much, so to know you think that-"

Maybe he is right…

Maybe it is time I give them a bit of freedom.

But-

He added, "Master can always give us lessons when she's awake."

I nodded, "Yeah, you're right."

If I just watch the babies, it really does free up a lot of my time…

Honestly, it's mostly Lene giving me headaches.

She never sits still.

Between her and the babies, I never have time to sleep!

Asmonious gently forced me to lay down with the babies in my arms and put the blanket over me. I stared at his orange eyes that looked like a dreamy desert sunset, "Plus, we need Master to tell us stories every night. None of us are capable of telling the stories that Master does."

I felt a twinge of guilt.

That's because the stories I tell are based on true events…

My guilt slowly disappeared into darkness as I quickly fell asleep once my head touched the pillow.