Iona was just about too restless to sit down and wait to hold him. He looked just like a doll. And she wanted to look at this new doll properly! Nonetheless, she brought in her outstretched arms and sat down cross-legged, then looked up at her mother in anticipation. “I sitted. Now?”
She could hear Aunt Meadhbhi’s slight laugh as her sister reached down to adjust Iona’s hands properly, but the little girl was too focused on getting to hold the doll to pay attention.
When her mother finally settled down across from her daughter to put the baby in her arms, Iona hardly noticed that her mother was still holding him. Her gaze fell on the tiny face, eyes still closed, lips puckered slightly, and hands positioned close just over the belly.
“Say ‘hello, Douglas’. He’s your baby brother.”
Iona pulled one hand out from under her mother’s and reached over to touch the baby’s hand. The second her finger touched his palm, Douglas’ fingers closed down over it. “Hi, Doug.”