Chapter 8-missing

Gemma's POV

"How's my baby girl doing?" I asked Daysha, Baby Girl's nurse, who was sitting in a comfortable chair in the corner of the nursery.

Daysha was sitting in the overstuffed chair which was covered in embroidered animals with her sewing in her lap. We had placed that chair in the corner of the nursery where there was plenty of sunlight coming through the nearby window, but also right next to the door for added security. Baby animal decorations and light cheerful colors were added to help make the nursery atmosphere comfortable.

Daysha shook her head in amazement "I've never seen such a good baby. She only cries when she is hungry or needs her nappy changed. Otherwise she just plays quietly by herself."

I also felt amazement at this, but also a little guilty. In an effort to help my oldest daughter transition from being taught at home to going away from home to learn from her mentor, I had been neglecting my youngest daughter in regards to everything except her feedings.

I leaned in closer to the crib only to realize it was empty.

"Where is she?" I asked in panic.

"Huh?" Daysha had a confused look on her face which turned to fear when she saw that the crib was indeed empty. "She was there earlier, I swear!"

My mind was racing with all the different possibilities. I stopped myself just before I gave into irrational panic.

"Call the guards nearby and see if they have seen my baby" I ordered Daysha, who swiftly obeyed.

While Daysha was talking to the guards, I stayed in the nursery just in case she came back, all the while praying to the Creator for her safety. It was only 5 minutes in reality, but it seemed like hours before one of the hidden guards returned with Daysha with news.

"Young master and youngest miss are in the back garden" Said the hidden guard. He then stood at attention waiting to be dismissed.

I nodded in gratitude and dismissed the hidden guard before moving swiftly to the back gardens, but stopped short at the sound of giggles. I hid behind a pillar at the entrance to the garden to see the cutest sight. My little girl was tottering along while holding Jasper's much larger hand with her own much smaller one. Jasper was moving while kneeling, creating grass stains on his knees and clearly not caring.

I watched as Jasper lead Baby over to a patch of flowers.

"Flower", Jasper said as he used Baby's hand which he held to touch the flowers.

"Flower" Baby repeated. "Flower, flower, flower". She smiled as he patted her head and told her well done.

Jasper next leaned down and helped her touch the ground. "This is grass and this is dirt" he said as he helped her touch both grass and dirt respectively.

"Grass...dirt" Baby parroted, touching each item thoroughly with her tiny hands.

I don't know how long I watched the two of them. Watched as Jasper patiently lead her all around the garden to learn the names of the items. Then they decided to play a game where one person hides and the other person tries to find them. I don't know how they came up with that game, but they both appeared to be having fun.

"Uh, oh. It is getting late and if we don't get you back soon, everyone will worry" I overheard Jasper tell Baby.

At that point it was time for me to be a serious mom. I cleared my throat and watched as they both jumped and Jasper looked guilty.

"I have nothing against you bringing your sister out, but I do ask that you make sure her own nurse knows beforehand" I said in my stern voice. I knew this couldn't happen again. Their father had too many enemies due to his position who would not hesitate to kidnap his children to get to him.

"Ok mum, I'm sorry!" Jasper said. He then grabbed a hold of Baby's hand to lead her back to the nursery.

'Click...click...click' I heard this strange noise at even intervals. "What is that noise?" I asked as I looked for the source.

"That is coming from Baby Girl" Daysha said.