Nap

After lunch, the satisfying warmth of the food spread throughout James’s body; his eyes were half-open, his cheeks flushed, his breathing slow. Lara set the plate on the table, wrapped the blanket around James’s shoulders, and held him like a baby. “Time for a nap, my dear…” she whispered, and slowly walked toward the bedroom. The sound of rain on the ceiling was like a soft lullaby.

In the room, gray autumn light filtered through the thin curtains and fell on the large bed. Lara laid James on the mattress, took off his teddy bear sweatshirt—the buttons undone one by one, revealing his warm white skin. She pulled down his velvet shorts; James was now completely naked, his thin, small body gleaming in the dim light. Lara pulled the wool blanket over him, lay down next to him, and hugged him. She placed her hand on James’s stomach, caressing it with the slow rhythm of her breathing. James buried his head under Lara's chin, the scent of vanilla and fresh bread wafting from his skin. A few minutes later, James's breathing became deep and regular; he was asleep, a sleepy smile on his lips.

Lara closed her eyes too, but she couldn't sleep. She just held James, twirling her finger around his navel, and humming along to the sound of the rain. After two hours, James stirred in his sleep, stretched his legs, and clung to Lara again. Lara smiled, placed a kiss on his messy hair, and whispered, "It's time to wake up, honey... Your post-nap bath is waiting for you."

James rubbed his eyes, and said in a sleepy voice, "Bath...?"