Muses: Love of a Child

You know that nephew that I keep mentioning? Well, I don't know if I've mentioned before that he has a little sister... but he does. He's four, and she's two. The little dear has formed an attachment to me. I'm not sure when this happened, to be honest, but it's awesome 'cause she's the sort of child who loves to be snuggled and cuddled.
So yes. Today's story, my children, takes place on New Year's Day. I was at my brother and sister-in-law's for a nice family dinner. When I got there with my mom, dad, and two of my other brothers, I was told by my sister-in-law's mother that my niece had been eagerly waiting for me to arrive. Once she saw me, she ran over to me and demanded to be held. For the rest of the evening she wanted to be by my side, playing with her uncles and baby-talking with her Nana, but always making sure I was within eye-shot. When her bed-time came, she refused to let her mom brush her teeth or put on her pyjamas... Aunty had to. And when the time came for her to be tucked in, she didn't want Mommy or Daddy to do it... Aunty had to. So I went upstairs and put her in her crib.
She didn't lie down, like she usually does once you place her in there. She stood instead, holding on to the railing and saying my name in her soft little voice: "Aunty... Aunty...".She's never done this before and I babysit for my brother often, so I knelt in front of her and asked, "What's wrong, sweetie?"
She looked at me, then threw her arms around my neck, buried her face into my shoulder, and started sobbing. "Aunty, don't leave! Don't go! Stay!"
I was kind of stunned speechless. Having a little, beautiful two-year old cling to you like that, well, it breaks your heart. But I couldn't take her out and indulge her... I was going home soon, and it was way past her bedtime. So I told her that I'd stay there until she fell asleep, and that I loved her lots and lots and that I knew she was sleepy (she had been falling asleep in my arms)... after a lot of that sort of convincing, she lay down on her bed and let me tuck her in, sniffling occasionally but looking incredibly tired.

I felt like such a villain when I shut off the light and left the room. All that my poor little niece knew was that her Aunty wasn't staying with her, and now she was all alone in a little room. She didn't understand something, though; she wasn't old enough to understand the one thing that makes me feel safe enough to fall asleep at night.
All that she knew was that she was alone, but what she didn't realize was that... she wasn't. She never is. Yes, her mommy and daddy were downstairs, but there was Someone upstairs for her, too. Someone that would provide all the comfort and protection she'll ever need in her life.

~Godspede