The Dream

A young child with hair like spun silver and skin as flawless as porcelain lay peacefully slumbering on a plush bed, clad in an adorable baby blue romper adorned with shimmering silver patterns.

Twitch-twitch.

Twitch-twitch.

Without warning, the little boy began to thrash and cry out.

"Waaaaaaah!"

Asselin was taken aback by the sudden outburst. Furrowing her brow, she swiftly scooped the child into her arms, gently rocking him back and forth.

"Shhh, Little Ely, don't cry, don't cry. There, there. Nana's right here, Nana's here. Shhh, it's okay, it's okay."

Gradually, the little boy's cries subsided.

'What the hell?!'

Continuing to soothe him, Asselin murmured, "You worried me so much, little Ely. This is the first time you've cried this hard, and without any warning whatsoever. One moment, you were peacefully opening your gift, and now you start crying out of the blue?" She held the child at eye level, a scolding tone in her voice. "You're becoming quite the naughty one, lit