Yes, again, this one has been re-wrote for the fourth time to fit in with monkey's background, and I honestly didn't like the way I wrote the older version.
let me know what you think!
You could always say that your life had been somewhat complicated—you never really understood the importance of family, not properly at first anyway. Growing up with your alcoholic, drug addict biological father who made it painfully obvious he didn’t want you tended to do that to a kid.
From as early as you could remember, you learned that love came with conditions and home was never somewhere that felt safe.
Not until you met Leah and Jordan, and everything changed.
Because they became your found family—they were the people that in your eyes, raised you to be who you are today.
You’d been a part of the Arsenal Girl’s Centre of Excellence since you were little. If you asked Leah, she’d probably tell you that she’d watched you grow up right in front of her eyes.
Which, to be fair, wasn’t completely wrong.
Leah first met you when you were six years old, a small and scrawny kid with a magical touch on the ball.
You had wormed your way into Leah’s heart from the very first day.
If you asked Jordan, she would joke that you had attached yourself to Leah like a baby duck within the first week.
Honestly? She wasn’t entirely wrong.
Back then, life was simple and you were a happy kid. You lived with your Grandma Jean—your biological dad’s mum—she was the only real family member that gave a damn about you.
That woman adored you, fussed over you and made sure that you never went without so when she died, you were completely heartbroken.
And that’s when everything started to crumble.
Sure, for the first ten weeks or so, everything was okay…ish? As good as it could be when you were six years old and your life had suddenly been flipped upside down, but you were safe in a warm home, being raised by Leah, who didn’t entirely have a clue how to parent a grieving child—but she made it work the best that she could.
You were remotely happy during your time there—Leah tried to keep everything as normal as possible for your sake.
Living with Leah, Amanda and Jacob felt strange at first, like you were waiting for somebody to surely change their mind and tell you that you didn’t belong there at all. But slowly, the house started to feel safe—your LEGO sets took over the dining table half the time, your football boots permanently lived by the back door and your bedroom was cluttered with your belongings, including a pile of toys that Amanda kept ‘accidentally’ buying for you whenever she went shopping.
You were starting to feel settled and happy. Even if you were forced to still go to school every single day by Leah’s insistence—you guessed it was her attempt to seem like she had everything under control.
Of course, you didn’t always make it easy, and pulled a face about it.
But everything felt normal. You felt like you belonged—properly happy since your Grandma had passed.
Until social services came into the picture and you were sent to live with your arsehole of a father… if you could ever even call him that.
Mark.
A cruel, neglectful man who barely acknowledged your existence—except when his fists did the talking, of course.
You never knew the promise Leah made to your Grandma before she died. A promise to keep you safe from the man you unfortunately called your father.
But promises only meant so much when social services deemed Mark was ‘stable enough’ to regain custody.
They missed every single warning sign—they messed up.
Mark was a master manipulator, convincing them that everything was fine. They failed to notice the numerous beer cans strewn around the room, the stale smell of cigarettes that lingered through the house, or the bruises that you were forced to hide underneath oversized hoodies.
His act was so convincing that people believed him—they saw him as the picture perfect dad, making up for the lost years with his daughter.
Nobody realised that everything wasn’t as perfect as it seemed behind closed doors.
Leah knew, though.
She had known for a long time that something wasn’t sitting right and she never gave up ever fighting for you—she’d always been in your corner, constantly checking in and constantly fighting for you in every single way she could without overstepping boundaries that she wasn’t legally allowed to cross.
Of course, Mark hated that.
He hated her.
Because Leah noticed things that other people didn’t.
Slowly, he started cutting her out.
First the visits stopped happening. Then, the phone calls mysteriously stopped as well. At first you were confused, more so hurt that Leah wasn’t there anymore—that she stopped showing up.
You didn’t know Mark had been behind it all along.
Leah never broke her promise to show up. Mark had just made it impossible for her to keep.
At the age of ten, you were temporarily removed from Mark’s home after you finally called Leah and Jordan in tears and asked for help.
You finally had the courage to speak up.
Social services got involved almost immediately after that.
For the first time in years, somebody actually listened.
The court ordered an emergency placement for you to live with Leah and Jordan while everything was investigated and honestly? It was the safest you had felt in a very long time.
For a while, things were okay. Life with Leah and Jordan was… good. You were quiet, and reserved—nothing like before, but you were safe.
And that was enough.
You slept through the night more often than not, there was always food in the cupboards, clean clothes waiting for you and there was always somebody there to remind you to brush your teeth before bed.
Even on the bad days, you still tried to test boundaries and push back… but even then, they never gave up on you.
They never stopped trying.
But that safety was temporary.
The judge gave Mark a second chance to change his ways—looking back, that was a bad call on his part. He was careful at first, kept his temper in check and played the role of a changed man.
And it worked, Mark’s manipulation swayed the judge to rule in favour of joint custody.
Social services were there waiting for him to put one wrong foot out of place, but Mark never did.
Then came the talk of supervised visits at a contact centre with Mark. The very thought of that made your stomach twist.
But you were ten—what could you do?
The court had made the decision and your voice didn’t matter.
Of course, Leah and Jordan fought the decision but even they were overruled, and slowly, Mark manipulated his way back into your life once again.
A new social worker had taken over your case—someone who barely knew your history—and signed off on unsupervised visits far too soon.
And just like that, you had two homes.
But only one where you felt truly safe.
“I don’t like this weather,” Jordan muttered, slowing the car slightly as the heavy rain hammered against the windscreen, “It’s absolutely chucking it down.”
Beside her, Leah glanced out of the passenger window before looking back towards her girlfriend with an amused smile, “I swear you complain about the rain every single time it drizzles.”
“Yeah, because I hate driving in it,” Jordan shot back, though there wasn't any real bite behind it.
The two of them had just left their most recent midwife appointment, which happened to be a few streets away from your primary school. The appointment itself had gone well—everything was progressing normally, though Leah herself still looked slightly overwhelmed by the entire thing. Every conversation about babies and scans and due dates still felt surreal.
Jordan found it adorable while Leah found it mildly terrifying.
“You’re overthinking again,” Jordan noted knowingly, glancing across from the driver's seat as Leah anxiously tapped her fingers against her knee, “It’s going to be fine.”
“I’m not overthinking,” Leah mumbled, though that was the furthest thing from the truth.
The reality? Leah was freaking out on the inside.
“You absolutely are,” Jordan fired back with an amused smirk.
Leah’s remark was cut short when her expression suddenly changed, “Oh you’ve got to be joking me!”
“What?” Jordan frowned.
“Over there,” Leah pointed through the rain streaked windscreen in the direction of the pavement across from them, “Look, it’s Monkey—I told you that we should’ve checked. I knew he wouldn’t bloody show up.”
Truthfully, Jordan hadn’t thought much of it when Leah had insisted on driving past your school on the way from the appointment to check that Mark had actually shown up on time for once to pick you up from school.
In fact, Jordan had teased her for being protective and dramatic about it at the time.
There you stood, waiting outside the school gates in a soaking wet school uniform with your backpack heavily hanging off one shoulder whilst you tried—and failed—to shield yourself from the freezing rain with a flimsy coat that clearly wasn’t waterproof.
And you were entirely alone.
Leah’s face darkened instantly, “You are actually taking the piss,” She snapped, already unbuckling her seatbelt before Jordan even had a chance to fully slow the car down, “Where the hell is Mark? It’s his bloody day with her!”
“There might be a reasonable explanation, Le,” Jordan said, though her expression tightened as she watched your small frame shiver in the rain, “Maybe he’s running late?”
Leah arched an eyebrow, entirely unimpressed, “Right, of course because forgetting to pick up your ten year old daughter from school is completely normal behaviour.”
Jordan sighed quietly because honestly? She couldn’t exactly argue with that.
“It’s just bloody typical for him to do something like this!” Leah seethed, her jaw tightening as she saw you standing outside the school gates entirely drenched.
The sight of you was enough to make something angrily twist in Leah’s chest.
You looked exhausted.
Tiny, and cold.
Every other child had already gone home, leaving you sitting there alone on a low brick wall outside the gates, your school backpack beside you as you quietly kicked your feet against the pavement.
Your whole uniform was entirely soaked, your tights clung to your legs uncomfortably and your hair was plastered to your forehead from the relentless rain.
“This is unacceptable,” Leah seethed, her voice cracking slightly around the anger, “She’s ten years old—ten! Why the hell is she waiting outside her school in conditions like this? This is absolutely ridiculous for him to not show up! He has one job—one! And he can’t even do that!”
“Le, baby, calm down,” Jordan instantly tried to rectify the situation in the best possible way she could.
“Pull over!” Leah demanded firmly, “Pull over, we’re taking her home! If Marks’ not going to show up then we’ll take care of her like we always do!”
“Alright, I am, just… calm down,” Jordan murmured, quickly pulling the car over against the curb before Leah could fully work herself up into a proper spiral, “Think of the baby. Don’t get upset, please.”
“I wouldn’t have to get upset if Mark actually stuck by his own parenting responsibilities,” Leah seethed through gritted teeth, rolling the window down, “Monkey!”
You were immediately startled by the familiar voice, looking up with wide eyes that darted in the direction of the car, “... Hi, Mum,” You mumbled quietly once you realised it was Leah, your voice small beneath the sound of the rain.
“Hi?” Leah looked perplexed, able to get a proper look at you and any signs of remaining patience that she previously had completely disappeared, “Oh my God, look at you,” She breathed in disbelief before her voice sharpened again, “Monkey, you’re absolutely soaked. Get in the car. Right now.”
Your shoulders instantly tensed, “No, no, it’s alright,” You replied quickly, clutching the straps of your backpack even tighter, “Dad will be here soon…”
That was a blatant lie—you were well aware when Mark was, and it was nowhere near here.
Of course, Leah and Jordan both knew that as well.
“Absolutely not,” Leah looked two seconds away from losing her mind, ready to pick you up and hurl you into the backseat of Jordan’s car, “Monkey, don’t be silly. You’re not waiting around in weather like this—you’re soaked to the bone. Just get in the car, please.”
“It’s not that bad,” You mumbled, staring down at the ground to avoid any sort of eye contact with either of them, “He’ll be here.”
“Come on, Monkey Moo,” Jordan’s voice softened out Leah’s furious one, “You’re shivering. You’re going to end up poorly, and you don’t want that, do you?”
You hesitated awkwardly on the pavement outside the school gates—Mark always hated when Leah and Jordan interfered on his custody agreed days, and even accepting a lift home from them could cause consequences if he found out.
You didn’t want to risk that.
Leah could see the conflict happening across your face and it only made her angrier because no ten year old should have to feel frightened to accept help from people who cared about them.
You were their kid—regardless of what any paperwork or judge said. You were theirs and neither Leah or Jordan would ever allow you to walk home in conditions like this.
“D… Dad wouldn’t like it though,” You mumbled quietly, afraid to speak louder.
“Monkey,” Leah’s tone softened slightly this time, though there was still a slight bit of fury underneath it, “Hey listen, don’t worry about your dad, okay? Leave that to us adults to handle. Please just get in the car before you get ill, yeah?”
You were about to argue but another gust of freezing wind hit you directly in the face and finally your resolve cracked, “... Fine,” You muttered quietly before climbing into the backseat dripping rainwater absolutely everywhere.
The second the door shut behind you, Leah immediately twisted around in her seat, “You’re freezing, baby,” She frowned, reaching back to rub your arm gently before looking at you properly, “Tell us the truth, where’s your dad?”
You couldn’t tell the truth, though.
You knew it would cause friction.
“He’s working late,” You mumbled, your eyes dropping instantly to your lap.
Jordan furrowed her eyebrow, “He’s working?” She shared a look with Leah, though neither of them actually believed it.
“Uh huh. He’s… He’s got a new job,” You told them quietly, buckling your seatbelt, “He’s working away.”
That explanation made Leah feel further irritated because if Mark really was working away then any normal parent would’ve arranged for somebody else to collect their child from school instead of leaving her stranded outside in the pouring rain.
“I’m sorry, he’s doing what?” Leah blinked in disbelief, “What sort of man leaves his ten-year-old daughter home alone overnight?” She was seething with your recent confession.
Jordan winced slightly at the sharpness in Leah’s tone, “Le,” She warned gently, resting a calming hand against Leah’s arm—she knew the sharpness in Leah’s tone meant she was two seconds away from fully exploding, “Breathe, baby.”
However, Leah was far too angry to let it go easily, “No, no, I can’t breathe— seriously, Jord—what the actual hell is he playing at?” She snapped, twisting around properly in her seat to look at you again, “Monkey, sweetheart, how long have you been staying home on your own?”
“Uh… dunno,” Your shoulders immediately hunched inward.
“That’s not an answer, baby,” Leah said, softer this time though the anger was still there and it was simmering dangerously close to the surface.
“Just… sometimes,” You picked anxiously at the sleeves of your soaked school jumper.
Jordan’s grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel, “Sometimes as in an hour?” She asked carefully, trying to keep her voice calm and non-threatening, “Or sometimes as in all night?”
That immediately shut you up because you couldn’t tell them the truth.
Leah felt her heart sink straight into her stomach, “Monkey,” She said gently now, all the fury momentarily disappearing beneath concern, “Sweetheart, answer Mama for me. We need to know what’s been going on.”
“Sometimes…” Your lip trembled slightly at the confession you were about to unveil, “Sometimes it can be for a bit and uh… sometimes it can be overnight,” You admitted so quietly that you hoped they didn’t hear it.
The car fell completely silent.
Jordan visibly paled at your recent confession.
Leah on the other hand stared at you in horror for a second, “You mean to tell me he’s been leaving you home alone overnight?”
“I… uh, I can handle it,” You immediately rushed to defend him despite everything, “An… And I have stuff to eat and that—it’s not that bad ‘cause I’m nearly eleven—”
“Oh absolutely not,” Leah cut in sharply, looking genuinely furious now, “I don’t care if you were fifteen, let alone ten! That is not okay to leave you alone at that age! What the hell is he thinking doing something like that?”
You shrank slightly in the seat at the sudden change in tone, “I… uh… It’s not that bad, Mum.”
“Baby,” Jordan immediately glanced at Leah warningly again, “Le, stop. You’re scaring her.”
Leah exhaled shakily through her nose as she dragged a hand down her face, trying to reign herself back in, “I’m sorry. I’m not angry at you Monkey,” She said quickly, her tone becoming softer, “None of this is your fault, alright? I’m angry at your dad. He’s not supposed to leave you home alone—he’s supposed to be there on the days that you're at his. That was the agreement in court. He needs to stick to that and take care of you!”
Your eyes stayed fixed firmly in your lap, fidgeting in your seat because deep down?
You already knew that. You were ten… and ten years old weren’t supposed to be left alone to fend for themselves.
“I swear they’re treating me like I’m made of glass,” Leah complained dramatically, dropping herself down at the table in the canteen beside Jordan with a plate of food.
“You got out of doing sprints,” Jordan barely even looked up from her food, “I don’t want to hear it.”
Leah looked offended, “I still had to do stretches.”
“Oh no,” Jordan deadpanned, “Sending you thoughts and prayers, babe.”
Leah kicked her lightly underneath the table.
Across the canteen, several of the girls were still filtering in after training whilst coaches shouted something about recovery schedules from the other side of the room.
Training had been relatively light for Leah lately—well, as light as Arsenal allowed with her being pregnant—mostly because the coaching staff had practically banned her from doing anything remotely intense after Jordan threatened to personally fight anyone that stressed Leah out too much during the pregnancy.
So whilst the rest of the squad continued the more intense drills across the pitch, Leah had mostly been stuck doing recovery work, passing drills and light gym sessions instead.
Not that her head had really been focused on football much lately anyway.
Not after the incident outside your school the other day.
Because no matter how much she tried to stay calm about the situation, Leah didn’t trust Mark as far as she could throw him.
Especially not after finding out he’d been leaving you home alone overnight.
“So, how’s your kid doin’?” Beth asked curiously, wandering over to the table with her usual smug expression.
Leah glanced up from where she was sitting at the table alongside Jordan, “Our kid?”
“You know she has a name, Beth,” Jordan snorted immediately from where she sat beside Leah.
Beth looked entirely unapologetic, “... I knew that.”
“No you didn’t,” Jordan deadpanned, playfully poking her fork in Beth’s direction.
“That’s literally what I said,” Beth argued, shoving a forkful of food in her mouth.
“It definitely wasn’t,” Jordan stated in amusement.
“Oh whatever! It starts with the same letter,” Beth scoffed, rolling her eyes, “So, how’s she doing? When is she next at your house—and more to the point, when do I get to meet her properly?”
“Hopefully never,” Jordan joked, “I don’t think we could handle you both together.”
Beth gasped dramatically, “Rude! I would be the best auntie figure!”
Leah snorted quietly into her drink, “Oh I bet you would.”
“She sometimes bites, by the way,” Jordan informed Beth matter-of-factly.
Beth looked absolutely delighted by that information, “Brilliant. I love feral children.”
“She’s not feral,” Leah defended automatically before pausing for a second, “Actually… no, sometimes she absolutely is—especially when it comes to her getting ready for school.”
Jordan burst out laughing immediately, “See? Honest at least.”
Beth pulled out the chair opposite them and sat down, still looking entirely too entertained by the conversation, “So seriously,” She tried again, “When do I finally get to properly meet Mabel—”
“Maeve!” Leah corrected with a firm glare.
Beth held her hands up in mock surrender, “Right, right… I knew that. Totally.”
“She’s back with us this weekend,” Jordan filled Beth in with a soft, genuine smile, “We get her for the whole week so she’ll be able to come and watch the game.”
“Oh! That’s perfect!” Beth grinned in excitement, “I can’t wait to meet her, properly.”
“We can,” Jordan snorted, “The day you two meet it’ll be trouble. We’ll all lose our sanity.”
“Once again—rude!” Beth complained dramatically, placing a hand against her chest in mock offence, “What does she like? Chocolate? Haribo’s? Because I can absolutely bribe my way into becoming the favourite auntie.”
“She’s a ten year old, Beth,” Jordan grimaced at the idea of you being overloaded on sugar, “Obviously she likes sweets. Leah already struggles to contain her when she’s hyper.”
Leah pointed accusingly across the table, “She gets that from you, actually.”
Before Jordan could even argue back, Leah’s phone suddenly began vibrating loudly against the table. The smile on her face faded instantly the second she saw the caller ID, “Monkey’s school is calling me…”
“Oh?” Jordan’s eyebrows furrowed immediately, “Answer it. See what they want!”
“I was planning to do that, babe,” Leah mumbled, swiping to answer the phone call, “Hello? Uh… yes, this is Leah speaking.”
Jordan noticed the shift in Leah’s body language almost immediately, “Le?”
The easy teasing atmosphere around the table completely vanished as Leah sat up straighter in her chair.
Beth noticed it too, “... What’s happened?” She mouthed quietly towards Jordan.
Jordan only shrugged slightly, though her concern was starting to creep onto her face as she began to immediately think the worst possible scenario.
Leah’s eyebrows furrowed deeper, “She’s been sick?” She repeated quickly, her expression tightening with concern, “How long ago was this?”
“Oh no,” Jordan’s stomach dropped at that.
Leah pushed her untouched plate away from herself slightly, already looking ready to leave before the call even ended, “Right,” She exhaled sharply, her jaw tightening almost immediately afterwards, “Yeah, yeah, that’s no surprise you can’t get hold of him.”
Jordan closed her eyes briefly at that, “Typical Mark,” She muttered aloud, tsking.
“We’ve got joint custody,” Leah gritted her teeth, clenching the phone in her hand, “I’ll come collect her now.”
The second the call ended, Leah dropped her phone back onto the table with an irritated sigh, “I swear to God that man is absolutely bloody useless!”
“What’s happened?” Jordan asked immediately, though judging by her girlfriend’s expression she already knew half the answer.
“Monkey’s been throwing up since lunchtime apparently,” Leah explained quickly, filling her in as she began to gather her things together, “The school’s been trying to get in touch with Mark for the last hour and he hasn’t answered once.”
“Well he sounds like a dick,” Beth muttered, raising an eyebrow.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Leah huffed out in annoyance, “Every call’s gone straight to voicemail. Every single time I think he might finally change, he goes and proves me wrong again.”
“Breathe, Le. Just… breathe,” Jordan chimed in, “Do you want me to come with you?”
“Oh I would, if only it was that easy,” Leah scoffed in response, “I’ll be okay. You stay, you’ve got media obligations—”
“Maeve is more important than media duties,” Jordan cut in with a knowing look.
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Leah did her best to reassure her, reaching out to squeeze Jordan’s hand, “I’m going to bring her back to the house and keep her with us tonight. If Mark wants to argue about it, he’s got no leg to stand on considering he ignored the school for over an hour.”
Jordan sighed softly before nodding, “Be safe on the road, please? And please, try to stay calm.”
“I am calm,” Leah remarked, looking genuinely offended.
“Liar,” Jordan deadpanned.
That was something at least that managed to pull the tiniest smile out of Leah, “I love you,” She told her softly, leaning down briefly to peck Jordan on the lips, “I’ll see you at home with our girl.”
“Love you too,” Jordan squeezed her hand once more, “Now go get our girl.”
As Leah hurried away from the table, Beth immediately called after her, “Tell Mabel I said hi!”
“Maeve!” Both Leah and Jordan snapped in unison.
“I knew that,” Beth grinned smugly, “See? I was just testing you both.”
“Come on, come on… the light is literally green. Why are you still waiting to go?” Leah drummed her fingers impatiently against the steering wheel as the car in front continued to sit there for absolutely no reason whatsoever.
The drive to your primary school felt far longer than it actually was.
Every single red light irritated Leah to no end, her fingers anxiously tapping against the steering wheel.
It wasn’t something to really overreact about—kids got sick all the time but ever since Leah had discovered the truth about Mark leaving you home alone overnight, her brain refused to settle whenever something involved you.
“Oh my God, go already!” Leah groaned dramatically as the traffic finally began moving again, immediately pressing down on the accelerator, “I have a poorly child to get to—thank you! Maybe Monkey is right… Maybe I do have road rage?”
By the time that Leah pulled into the school car park, she was out of the car immediately, hurriedly pulling her hoodie tighter around herself as she rushed through the front doors of the school.
“Hiya, I’m here to collect Maeve,” Leah said quickly the second she reached reception, slightly breathless from rushing, “I got the call she was sick…”
“Ah, Leah!” The receptionist behind the desk visibly softened as she had known Leah for years at this point—not only from the countless school pick ups and drop-offs over the years, but because she’d actually been working there back when Leah herself attended the same primary school, “Maeve’s been asking for you.”
Something painful twisted in Leah’s chest, “I’m here. Where is she?”
“She’s in the nurses office,” The receptionist nodded towards the corridor, “You remember where that is, don’t you?”
Leah huffed out the tiniest breathless laugh despite herself, “I think I can probably find it.”
“She’s had a rough afternoon, bless her,” The receptionist informed Leah, “She’ll be happy to see you.”
That only made the horrible knot in Leah’s stomach tighten further.
Leah thanked her quickly before immediately hurrying down the familiar corridor, her trainers squeaking slightly against the polished floor as she passed the brightly coloured classroom displays and tiny pegs lined with children’s coats.
If she was honest, the school hasn’t changed much since she had attended here herself.
The nurse's office door was slightly open when Leah finally reached it, and the second she looked inside, her heart cracked a little—you looked tiny curled up on the medical bed underneath a scratchy grey blanket, whilst you were still dressed in your wrinkled school uniform.
Your face was flushed pink with fever, your hair was messy from school and your arms were wrapped tightly around yourself despite the warmth of the room—classic flu like symptoms.
“Hey, Monkey,” Leah appeared in the doorway with worry etched on it.
As soon as you saw her, your whole expression changed in an instant—relief.
Pure, immediate relief.
“Mum,” You whimpered, the words were croaky and small, “You came.”
Leah rushed over in an instant to you, “I’m here, baby. I came.”
You pushed yourself upright sluggishly and before Leah had even fully crouched beside you, “I kept askin’ for you,” You told her quietly, leaning into her side weakly.
“I know, I heard. I’m here now… I heard you weren’t feelin’ so good, hm?” Leah murmured, wrapping her arms around you as she felt the heat radiating off you, “Oh baby girl, you’re boiling.”
You whimpered pitifully in Leah’s embrace, “They kept on trying to ring my Dad, but he wasn’t answering…”
“I know,” Leah answered, reminding herself to keep her own feelings at bay as you were her primary focus, “But don’t worry, they got hold of me and I’m here now instead, aren’t I?”
“She’s been trying very hard not to fall asleep,” The nurse explained, offering Leah a sympathetic look, “But she’s absolutely exhausted.”
“Oh my poorly girl,” Leah cooed softly, rocking you in her arms.
“She’s not managed to keep much down this afternoon,” The nurse continued softly, “And her temperature has been creeping up over the last hour or so.”
“Oh, poor baby,” Leah murmured, pressing a kiss against the top of your head before looking back in the nurse's direction, “Thank you for looking after her.”
“Oh, she’s been no trouble at all,” The nurse smiled sympathetically while glancing down at you again, “She’s mostly just been wanting her mum.”
The words visibly caught Leah off guard for half a second. Not because it felt wrong but because it felt painfully right.
“Come on,” Leah swallowed the sudden lump in her throat before clearing it quickly, “Let’s get you home and tucked up on the sofa.”
Home—Leah and Jordan’s house, not Mark’s.
The second the word’s left Leah’s mouth, your whole body relaxed slightly against her, “... Can we go now?” You asked quietly, your voice still rough and sleepy from being sick.
Leah’s expression softened instantly at the quiet little question, “Yeah, baby,” She murmured gently, brushing your messy hair back from your sweaty forehead, “We can go home now.”
You nodded weakly against her shoulder, too exhausted to say much else.
“I’ve got you,” Leah reassured you, gently easing you into her arms despite the awkward angle of your school uniform bunching slightly between the two of you.
At ten years old, you were definitely getting a little too big to carry comfortably for long periods of time anymore—but Leah was hardly expecting you to walk given the current state you were in.
The second Leah adjusted you against her hip, your arms immediately curled weakly around her shoulders whilst your head dropped against her hoodie.
That was a given, you were far too exhausted to even pretend you didn’t need the comfort.
“Oh Monkey chops,” Leah murmured quietly, her hand rubbing slow circles on your back.
You made a sleepy little noise against her shoulder, already half dozing now that you felt safe being in Leah’s arms.
The nurse smiled softly, “She’s really tried to be brave. She kept apologising every time that she threw up.”
“My brave, poorly girl,” Leah cooed, continuing to rub your back, “You don’t ever need to apologise for being sick, okay?”
“But I made work for everyone,” You mumbled weakly, barely opening your eyes.
Leah furrowed her eyebrows together, “No you didn’t. That’s what grown ups are here for.”
“Your Mum is right, Maeve,” The nurse chimed in, turning to look in Leah’s direction, “Her coat and backpack are still hanging on her peg. I didn’t want to leave her on her own to collect them.”
“Thank you,” Leah replied, “I’ll grab them on the way out.”
Adjusting you more securely on her hip, Leah thanked the nurse again before carrying you out into the corridor, “Let’s find your stuff, yeah?”
Leah didn’t have to look too far, the moment she reached the familiar row of colourful pegs she was able to spot yours in the midst of them.
Maeve R Hart
Underneath hung your familiar pastel rainbow coat, one that Leah had brought you along with your book bag stuffed full to burst—your PE kit dangling from the hook by one strap, and a crumpled painting that looked like it had narrowly survived the school day.
“How many bags do you need, Maevey?” Leah chuckled quietly, “I think you have more than me and Mama do on game days.”
You made an incoherent sleepy grumble that made no sense, and Leah smiled faintly as she balanced you with one arm while she carefully lifted your backpack from the peg before reaching for your coat.
“Soon enough I won’t be able to hold you like this,” Leah murmured, awkwardly tossing your backpack over her free shoulder, “I suppose we’d better make the most of it while we can, eh?”
Your answer was too simply to snuggle closer, your warm forehead pressing against the side of her neck.
Leah didn’t complain again. Not when you were holding onto her like she was the safest place in the world.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get you home,” Leah carried you all the way back through reception without a single complaint.
The receptionist looked up and smiled softly, “Oh bless her. All sorted?”
“I’m taking her home,” Leah smiled tiredly, “Nothing a bit of proper rest and Shrek can’t fix.”
“That sounds like the best cure for sickness,” The receptionist agreed, “Bye, Maeve. We’ll see you back in school when you feel better.”
You managed the tiniest wave without lifting your head, “Bye…”
Outside, the cool afternoon air hit Leah’s face as she hurried across the car park, shielding you as best as she could beneath her hoodie, “We’re almost there, Maevey,” She murmured, unlocking the car with a simple click, “Then we’re going home… I think somebody deserves a blanket, a film… and probably a bucket just in case.”
“Mama?” You asked quietly.
“Mama’s still at training,” Leah explained, buckling your seatbelt, “But I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you when she’s back, won’t she?”
That earned the faintest sleepy nod against her shoulder.
It wasn’t Mark's house that made you relax—it was the word home.
Leah and Jordan’s home. Your proper home.
“Le? I’m home?” Jordan called aloud, walking through the front door after training with her kit bag slung over her shoulder.
“In here,” Leah called quietly from the living room, “Sh, don’t wake her up. She’s not long fallen asleep.”
Jordan carefully slipped her trainers off by the front door before padding into the living room, “How’d it go—oh bless her.”
The sight that greeted her made her heart ache.
You were sprawled across Leah’s chest on the sofa, curled beneath your favourite blanket that you owned at their house. One of Leah’s hands rested on your back, gently rubbing slow circles every now and then, while the other balanced a mug of tea that had long since gone cold.
Shrek was playing quietly in the background, of course.
Leah looked exhausted.
You looked even worse.
Jordan crouched beside the sofa, her expression immediately softening as she reached out to brush a damp strand of hair away from your forehead, “Poor Monkey Moo.”
“She’s burning up,” Leah exhaled a sigh.
“She is?” Jordan rested the back of her hand against your forehead before wincing, “Crikey, you’re right. She’s roasting.”
“Mhm,” Leah murmured tiredly.
“How long has she been asleep?” Jordan wondered, curiously, “Have you taken her temp?”
“About twenty minutes,” Leah told her partner, “Not yet, I haven’t been able to grab the thermometer,” She looked down at you with a tiny smile, “She wouldn’t let go of me.”
“Right, hold on. I’ll grab it for you,” Jordan reassured her, wandering upstairs into the bathroom and grabbing it out of the cupboard, and running back downstairs with it in hand, “How’s she been in herself since you picked her up?”
“Barely been able to keep anything down,” Leah murmured, letting out a tired breath as she accepted the thermometer from Jordan. Pressing it against your forehead, she waited for it to beep, “Thirty nine point four.”
Jordan’s face fell, “Jesus. That’s bad, right?” She questioned in a panic, “Do you think we should take her to the hospital? We could ring 111—What do we… What should we do?”
“Jord, breathe,” Leah reached over with her free hand and squeezed hers, “She’s going to be fine. I’ll just… let me call my mum and ask her advice,” She reasoned with her panicked girlfriend, trying to remain calm for Jordan despite her own initial worry, “She’ll be able to help.”
“Okay,” Jordan agreed, looking at you in concern.
Leah fished her phone out her pocket, finding Amanda’s number before pressing call.
It only rang twice.
“Le?” Amanda’s warm voice spoke from the other end of the phone, “Everything alright? I’m just at work, bubba.”
“Shit, sorry. I completely forgot,” Leah immediately realised, glancing down at your sleeping face.
“It’s okay, I know you wouldn’t phone unless it was an emergency,” Amanda reassured her in her usual warm tone, “What’s wrong?”
“I had to collect Monkey from school today because she’s been throwing up,” Leah began to explain, “They couldn’t get hold of Mark.”
“Oh, sweetheart…” Amanda sighed sadly, “How is she now?”
“She finally fell asleep about twenty minutes ago, but she’s burning up,” Leah explained, brushing a damp strand of hair out of your eyes, “We took her temperature. It’s reading at thirty nine point four right now.”
There was a brief pause before Amanda answered, “Right,” She replied, immediately slipping into practical mode, “First things first, don’t panic…”
“What is taking them so long?” Leah all but demanded for what probably felt like the hundredth time, pacing the length of the tiny cubicle they were in before back towards the curtain, “This is absolutely ridiculous!”
“Le,” Jordan said quietly from the chair beside your bed.
Leah spun around, frustration written across every inch of her face, “We’ve been waiting in this place for almost an hour now, Jord!” She hissed, lowering her voice just enough so she wouldn’t wake you, “She’s a poorly ten year old kid, for God sakes. Why is she not a priority?”
Jordan completely understood why Leah was angry.
Neither of them wanted to see you lying there so helplessly and it was tearing Jordan apart just as much, but losing their heads wasn’t going to make a doctor appear any faster.
“I know,” Jordan replied softly, “I know it’s frustrating.”
Leah dragged an anxious hand through her hair before looking back towards you, “Her temperature has skyrocketed and she’s still continuously throwing up,” She said, her voice cracking with worry, “Surely that’s enough cause for concern!”
“Le, A&E is busy,” Jordan reminded her gently, “There’ll be people coming in with life threatening emergencies. They’ll get to Monkey as soon as they can.”
“Not soon enough,” Leah murmured, her eyes drifting back to the hospital bed, “Just look at her, she can’t even keep her eyes open.”
Jordan followed Leah’s gaze across the tiny cubicle that the three of you had been shoved in since you arrived, you looked impossibly small lying on the hospital bed with the white sheet tucked around you. Your usual rosy red cheeks were flushed with a worrying shade of crimson as the damp curls clung to your forehead with sweat.
There was a clear plastic bowl resting on the table, though it hadn’t stayed empty for long.
“Oh Monkey Moo,” Jordan’s expression softened painfully. She had seen you tired before, she had seen you grumpy after school, upset after losing a football match and even stubborn when Leah told you it was time for bed.
But this was different.
It wasn’t just you being dramatic, nor trying to get out of something. You looked completely exhausted.
“Le,” Jordan pressed, trying to engage her girlfriend's attention.
“What?” Leah answered distractedly, unable to stop watching the rise and fall of your chest.
“Come here,” Jordan motioned for her to come and sit beside her.
“I’m fine,” Leah disagreed immediately.
Jordan raised an eyebrow, “Leah.”
Slowly, Leah walked back over and dropped into the chair beside Jordan, “I… I hate this.”
“I know,” Jordan mumbled, reaching over and squeezing her partner’s hand, “I feel the same way.”
“No, no… I mean, I hate that she’s lying there in this hospital bed,” Leah began to explain looking at you in worry, “And there’s fu—fudge all I can do about it.”
“You got her here,” Jordan pointed out.
Leah shook her head in disagreement, “That’s not good enough.”
“It is,” Jordan reassured her, gently.
“No,” Leah stated bluntly, “It’s not supposed to be like this, Jord. She’s ten.”
Jordan swallowed the lump in her throat, “I know.”
“She should be worrying about the simple things like homework or what film she wants to watch. Or how she can make up an excuse to get out of going to bed at night—not being stuck in hospital because she’s been too sick for someone to notice.”
“Maeve Hart?” The sudden voice made Leah and Jordan both look up, “How are we doing in here? Sorry it’s been a bit of a wait, A&E is always busy at this time of the day.”
A young doctor stood in the doorway, wearing dark navy scrubs with a tablet tucked under one arm and a gentle expression on her face. Immediately, she noticed the worry etching across both of their faces before her eyes moved towards you lying quietly on the bed.
“Hi,” Leah was on her feet almost immediately, “She was throwing up at school when I got the call to pick her up, her temperature got really high at home, she’s not able to keep anything down and she’s just… she’s not herself.”
“I see,” The doctor gave Leah a reassuring smile, “Okay, let’s have a proper look at our little patient and see what we can do to help her.”
“Maevey, wake up, little one” Jordan shook you gently to wake you from your sleep, “The doctor is here to have a look and make you feel better.”
The doctor set her tablet down on the counter before pulling a pair of gloves from the dispenser on the wall, “I’m Dr Morgan,” She introduced herself warmly.
“I’m Leah,” Leah introduced herself quickly, before gesturing towards Jordan, “This is Jordan. We’re her mums.”
The word still felt strange to say sometimes. Not because they weren’t true, because they were. In every single way.
“Maevey,” Leah tried again, gently brushing the damp curls away from your forehead as a worried frown settled across her face as there was still no response, “Hey, baby… you need to wake up for me.”
Nothing.
Your breathing remained slow and heavy, your small body barely moving beneath the thin hospital blanket.
Leah looked up, her composure beginning to crack, “Monkey?”
Jordan leaned over the opposite side of the bed, resting a reassuring hand against your shoulder, “Come on, little one,” She coaxed softly, giving you another gentle shake, “Wake up for us sunshine. The nice doctor just needs to make sure you’re alright.”
A quiet whimper escaped your lips as your nose scrunched, the effort of opening your eyes was simply too much.
“There she is,” Jordan smiled gently, “That’s it, sweetheart.”
Your eyelids fluttered weakly before opening and squinting against the bright fluorescent lights above you. You didn’t recognise where you were.
For a few seconds, you stared at the unfamiliar ceiling as confusion clouded your feverish expression, “... Mum?” You croaked, your voice rough and barely audible.
Leah’s heart lurched, “I’m here, Monkey,” She answered immediately, taking your hand between both of hers, “I’ve got you.”
Your eyes slowly found hers before drifting towards Jordan, “Mama…”
“Hey, Monkey Moo,” Jordan smiled softly, though her own eyes glistened with worry, “You gave us quite a scare.”
You frowned faintly, looking around the unfamiliar cubicle, “... Where am I?”
“You’re in the hospital, sweetheart,” Leah explained carefully, “Your temperature got really high and you kept being sick, remember? We wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Almost immediately, panic flickered across your face, “I… I don’t want to stay here.”
“I know, sweetheart,” Leah soothed, rubbing comforting circles across the back of your hand, “Hospitals can be scary.”
Your breathing began to quicken, “No, no. I don’t—I want to go home.”
“I know, we will,” Jordan promised gently, “As soon as the doctors had a little look at you. Can you be brave for us?”
You finally noticed the unfamiliar woman standing nearby, and immediately your fingers tightened around Leah’s hand.
Doctor Morgan didn’t move any closer, but instead crouched down until she was eye level with you and making herself appear as unthreatening as possible, “Hi there, Maeve,” She said warmly, “Your mums have been telling me how incredibly brave you’ve been today.”
You didn’t answer.
Instead, you edged a little closer to Leah and attempted to hide your face against her arm.
Leah instinctively wrapped an arm around your shoulders, “It’s alright, Monkey,” She murmured, “She’s just here to help you feel better.”
Doctor Morgan smiled kindly, “My name is Dr. Morgan. I’m just going to ask you a few questions and then have a little look at you, if that’s okay?”
“I… I don’t want needles,” You panicked immediately, your voice barely above a whisper, “Please don’t do needles.”
“I will try my best to make sure that doesn’t happen,” The doctor reassured you the best she could, “I won’t do anything without telling you first.”
You weren’t quite sure whether to believe the doctor or not, but she did seem kind enough, “... Okay.”
“Good girl,” The doctor praised gently, “Can you tell me how you’re feeling?”
You frowned slightly trying to find the right word, though your aching head couldn’t think of one, “... Poorly.”
“I can see that,” The doctor smiled sympathetically, offering you a reassuring smile, “I’m here to try and make you feel better. Can you tell me where it hurts?”
You instinctively curled one arm around your middle, “My tummy.”
“Okay,” Doctor Morgan nodded, making a quick note on her tablet before looking back up, “And is it hurting anywhere else?”
“My head,” You added, quietly.
“I thought it might be. Well done for answering the questions so bravely,” Doctor Morgan smiled, turning her attention briefly towards Leah, “Has she managed to keep any fluids down since she got here?”
“Not yet,” Leah let out a quiet sigh, the exhaustion evident on her face as she shook her head, “We’ve tried little sips of water a few times, but every single time she drinks, she’s sick again.”
Doctor Morgan gave a small nod, clearly concerned but remaining calm, “Okay. That’s helpful to know,” She entered another note on her tablet before looking back at you with the same warm smile, “Right, let’s see if we can get your tummy settled first, and hopefully it’ll start being a little kinder to you.”
“No injection,” You pleaded, initial panic appearing on your face, “No needles, you promised!”
“No needles,” The doctor repeated in reassurance, “Not unless we absolutely have to. And if we do, I’ll tell you first. Nothing’s going to happen without us explaining it to you. For now, it’ll just be some nice medicine to help your tummy calm down.”
You seemed to accept that answer, although your grip on Leah’s hand didn’t loosen in the slightest.
“You can keep holding onto Mum’s hand for as long as you like,” Doctor Morgan told you softly.
Leah gave your fingers a gentle squeeze, her smile reassuring, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Doctor Morgan reached for the thermometer first, slipping the disposable cover over the end before holding it out for you to see, “See? No needles,” She explained, “Just this little thermometer under your tongue for a few seconds.”
You eyed it suspiciously before giving the tiniest nod, “I want you, Mum…”
Leah obliged, lifting you onto her lap with ease as you settled against her, “I’ve got you.”
You obediently opened your mouth, shivering despite how hot you felt.
“You’re doing so well, Monkey Moo,” Jordan praised.
The thermometer beeped a few moments later.
“Thirty nine point seven,” Doctor Morgan frowned almost imperceptibly as she read the display, “That’s quite a fever.”
Leah’s shoulders sagged, “I gave her paracetamol before we came in.”
The doctor nodded in understanding, reaching for her stethoscope that was around her neck to prepare for the next check, “And that was…?”
“About two hours ago,” Leah informed without any doubt.
“Okay,” The doctor stepped closer, keeping her movements slow enough so you could see everything that she was doing, “Maeve, I’m just going to have a little listen to your chest now.”
Doctor Morgan warmed the stethoscope between her hands before placing it gently against your back, “Big breaths for me, sweetheart.”
You tried but each breath was shaky, ending in a miserable little cough.
“Good girl,” The doctor praised, “You’re doing so well. Just one more for me.”
You managed another one before your stomach suddenly clenched, and your face drained of what little colour it had left, “... Mum…”
“Jordan, bowl,” Leah recognised the look immediately.
Jordan was already reaching for it.
You barely had enough time to lean forwards before your body lurched violently. The room fell silent except for the sound of you being sick.
Leah rubbed slow circles across your back, carefully holding your hair back away from your face while Jordan crouched beside you with a damp flannel that she had grabbed from the sink.
“I know, sweetheart,” Leah whispered, cradling you in her arms, “I know. You’re okay.”
Another heave wracked your tiny body before you finally slumped back against Leah’s chest, completely spent, “I’m sorry…” You whispered hoarsely.
Leah’s brows furrowed together in confusion, “What are you saying sorry for, baby? You don’t need to apologise for anything.”
Doctor Morgan watched the interaction quietly before speaking up again, “Has she been eating normally over the last few days?”
“I… I don’t know,” Leah hesitated to admit.
The doctor looked confused, “What do you mean?”
“We have court ordered joint custody,” Jordan explained carefully, “Maeve has been staying with her dad. We’re not supposed to have her until this weekend, but the school phoned because they couldn’t get hold of her dad.”
“I see,” There was no judgement in the doctor’s voice, only understanding as she typed something into her tablet. She turned her attention back to you, “Maeve?”
Your heavy eyelids cracked open once more, looking at her.
“Can you remember the last proper meal you had?” The doctor questioned in a soft, concerning tone of voice, “Even if it was just something like a bit of toast.”
You frowned, it took a moment before you answered, “I…” Your gaze drifted towards Leah and then Jordan, almost as though you were looking for the answer written on their face, “I… I don’t know.”
“That’s okay,” The doctor offered a small smile, “It can be difficult to remember when you’re feeling poorly,” She knelt a little lower beside the bed, keeping her voice soft and patient, “Can you remember what you had for breakfast this morning?”
You screwed your face up in concentration, “... Toast?”
Leah looked up hopefully, “With butter?”
“No,” You shook your head, “I… I don’t think I had any.”
Doctor Morgan made another note, “That’s okay. What about yesterday? Do you remember having any lunch or dinner?”
Another beat of silence.
“Monkey?” Jordan prompted.
You shrugged your shoulders the tiniest amount, “I wasn’t hungry.”
“Were you feeling poorly then too?” The doctor asked gently.
You gave a small nod, “My tummy hurt.”
“And was your dad at home?” The doctor continued to ask questions.
You hesitated to speak and Leah felt your fingers tighten around hers, “Just be truthful, sweetheart. Dr. Morgan only wants to help.”
“... He was working,” You admitted quietly.
Doctor Morgan’s expression remained kind, “And who was looking after you while he was working?”
You blinked at her like the answer was obvious, “I was.”
The words that came out of your mouth were so quiet that it was barely audible, but everyone heard it.
Silence settled over the room.
Jordan slowly looked towards Leah and Leah felt something twist painfully inside her chest.
“Right,” Doctor Morgan didn’t react outwardly, simply nodding and continued to speak in her gentle tone, “Did somebody check on you?”
You thought about it, “No.”
“What about overnight?” Doctor Morgan continued to ask, her concern deepening, “Did you think about calling Mum and Mama?”
“No,” You told her honestly, “The phone wasn’t workin’ an… an’ I couldn’t call Mum or Mama.”
Jordan closed her eyes briefly.
Leah stared at the floor, her jaw tightening as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
You watched as Doctor Morgan quietly entered another note on her tablet before looking back at you, “Thank you for being honest and telling me that, sweetheart.”
You knitted your eyebrows together, “... Am I in trouble?”
Leah was shaking her head before the sentence had even finished, “No,” She gently pulled you into her embrace, “No, Monkey. Absolutely not.”
Jordan leaned in closer, “You’ve done nothing wrong. You just told the truth. You’re very brave for doing that, Monkey Moo.”
You searched both of their faces to look for any sign they might be upset with you, however you found none and relaxed just enough to lean back against Leah’s chest, you just wanted to feel safe and Leah was the definition of that.
Leah was safe. Jordan was safe.
“I’m just going to feel around your neck, alright? I’m checking your glands,” Doctor Morgan explained kindly.
You gave a sleepy nod.
The doctor's fingers moved gently beneath your jaw before travelling down the sides of your neck.
“Mmm…” You murmured, wincing slightly.
“I know it doesn’t feel comfortable,” Doctor Morgan sympathised, withdrawing her hand before reaching for your wrist, “I’m just going to check your pulse now.”
Slipping your sleeve back, she carefully rolled it towards your elbow, “You’re doing so well,” She murmured, her hand suddenly stilling as she looked at your wrist.
There were bruises. Several of them.
Fading yellow around the edges.
One darker than the rest.
Small enough to be overlooked by someone not paying attention.
Doctor Morgan didn’t say anything immediately, simply finished counting your pulse before gently turning your forearm over.
Another bruise.
Then another.
A dark angry shade of purple.
The doctor looked between Leah and Jordan, “Have these been documented before?”
Leah frowned, “Documented?”
“The bruises,” Doctor Morgan told her in a serious, concerned tone of voice.
Instinctively,Leah looked at your arm, “What bruises?” She asked, confused.
Doctor Morgan carefully turned your arm just enough for Leah and Jordan to see.
The colour drained from Leah’s face and Jordan’s breath caught.
“I…” Leah swallowed hard, “I’ve never seen those before.”
Leah gently brushed her thumb over one of the fading marks, her touch impossibly careful, “Monkey, what happened, baby?”
You followed her gaze to your arm, “I… I fell… in the playground.”
The answer came far too quickly and far too automatically.
However, Doctor Morgan didn’t challenge your answer as she made a final note on her tablet.
Leah’s heart hammered painfully against her ribs.
You were known to forever be climbing things that you shouldn’t, running around the playground. You came home with scraped knees, grass stains and the occasional bruise on your shin.
But not this.
Not little neat fingerprints wrapped around your arm.
Not bruises that made you look afraid to answer.
Doctor Morgan watched the three of you carefully before gently lowering your sleeve back down, covering the marks again, “I think that’s enough questions for now. We can talk more when you’ve had some rest.”
You seemed relieved by that answer, your head slowly settling back against Leah’s chest, “M’ tired.”
“I know, baby,” Leah whispered, stroking your damp curls away from your forehead, “You just go to sleep for me, okay? I’ve got you.”
You didn’t answer.
Within moments, the exhaustion finally won. Your grip around Leah’s hand loosened, your breathing becoming slower and more even as you drifted into an uneasy sleep, still curled safely against her.
The three adults remained silent for a few moments, instinctively lowering their voices, “She’s absolutely exhausted,” Jordan noted, quietly.
“She’s barely slept,” Leah added, her voice barely audible to hear within the small space they were in, “Every time she closed her eyes she woke up to be sick again.”
Doctor Morgan gave a sympathetic nod before resting her tablet against her side, “From what I’ve seen so far, I think the main reason Maeve is so poorly is that she’s picked up a significant infection,” She told them calmly, careful not to overwhelm either Leah or Jordan, “Ordinarally, children recover well with rest and fluids, but because of her frequent vomiting and her body that has become quite dehydrated, she’s so sleepy and struggling to stay awake. Or even keep going.”
Leah swallowed hard, her thumb absentmindedly rubbing slow circles over the back of your hand, “Is it… treatable?” She asked quietly, “She is going to be okay, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” Doctor Morgan reassured her immediately, “Everything I’m seeing points towards an infection that should improve with supportive treatment. Right now, our biggest concern isn’t the infection itself, it’s correcting the dehydration before it causes any further complications.”
Leah let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realised she had been holding.
Jordan swallowed, “So… what happens now?” She questioned, slipping an arm around Leah’s shoulder as much for Leah’s comfort as her own.
“I’d like Maeve to stay with us overnight on the children’s ward,” Doctor Morgan explained, “We’ll monitor her temperature closely, continue checking her observations and focus on getting some fluids back into her system.”
Taking a moment to glance down at your sleeping form, the doctor continued to speak, “We’ll always start the least invasive treatment. We’ll try anti sickness medication first, and if that settles her stomach then we will encourage her to take small sips of water little and often.”
“Okay,” Leah murmured in understanding.
“However,” Doctor Morgan continued gently, “Considering how much she’s been vomiting and how drowsy she is, I do need to prepare you both for the possibility that oral fluids won’t be enough. If she can’t tolerate drinking, we’ll likely need to give her fluids through a cannula.”
Leah instinctively tightened her hold on you, “She told you how frightened she is of needles.”
“I know,” Doctor Morgan replied softly, “And we’ll do everything we can to avoid one if it’s safe to do so. But if she continues becoming more dehydrated, the benefits of a cannula will outweigh the distress it’ll cause. If we reach that point, we’ll explain everything to her slowly and give her plenty of time and you can both stay with her throughout.”
Jordan nodded, relieved to hear that, “That’s good that she won’t be on her own.”
“Not for a second,” Doctor Morgan reassured them.
A faint whisper escaped your lips as you shifted in your sleep, your brow creasing, “No… needles…”
Leah’s heart broke, she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against your clammy forehead, “Shh, sweetheart,” She whispered, “You're safe. Nobody is doing anything right now.”
That was enough reassurance that you needed, apparently. Your face relaxing once again as your fingers instinctively searched for Leah’s hand before curling around it once more.
Doctor Morgan waited until you had settled before speaking again, “I’ll arrange for Maeve to be transferred upstairs to the children’s ward,” She said, “It’ll be much quieter there and we’ll be able to keep a much closer eye on her overnight.”
“Can we stay with her?” Leah asked immediately.
“Of course,” Doctor Morgan’s expression softened, “We actively encourage parents and carers to stay with children her age. We’ll make sure you’re both accommodated.”
Leah nodded, her shoulders dropping slightly with relief, “Thank you.”
“Looks like you’re stuck with us Monkey Moo,” Jordan whispered, smiling faintly as she brushed another damp curl away from your forehead.
Your only response was a sleepy sigh as you burrowed a little closer into Leah’s side.
Doctor Morgan watched the little family in front of her with a soft expression before picking up her tablet again, “I’m just going to go and arrange everything for the move upstairs,” She explained, “Someone from the children’s ward will come and collect you shortly.”
Leah nodded, still holding onto you tightly, “Thank you,” She said quietly.
“There is one more thing I would like to discuss with the two of you,” The doctor told them, her tone becoming more serious, “Not here and not while Maeve can hear us. Once she’s settled upstairs, if that’s alright.”
Immediately, Leah’s shoulder tensed because she knew what was coming—those bruises weren’t nothing, and she knew the answers you gave weren’t just simply because you had forgotten to eat lunch.
Hearing the fear in your voice when you talked about your dad wasn’t something anyone could ignore anymore, and she was done letting the courts make the judgement that Mark was fit to be deemed as a responsible parent.
Because he was the furthest thing from it, and finally someone else was ready to listen and take action to step in and help.
“For now, the main thing is making sure that Maeve is comfortable,” Doctor Morgan told them both, resting the tablet under her arm, “That is the number one priority.”
“How long do I have to stay here?” Your voice was small and croaky, barely louder than the steady beep of the monitor beside your bed.
“Just long enough for the doctors to make sure you’re feeling your cheeky self again,” Leah promised, offering you the warmest smile that she could manage despite the exhaustion pulling at her features.
You furrowed your brows, not liking that answer, “I want to go home.”
“I know you do sweetheart,” Leah murmured, gently stroking your curls away from your clammy forehead, “I know you do.”
The children’s ward was quieter than A&E.
There were no constant sirens, hurried footsteps and raised voices. The lights in the room were softer, the walls decorated with painted jungle animals and colourful balloons that did little to distract you from the fact you were still in hospital.
You lay curled on your side beneath the pale blue blanket, one hand stubbornly refusing to let go of Leah’s.
The anti sickness medicine had finally settled your stomach enough that you hadn’t been sick again, however the fever still left you looking pale and exhausted.
Leah hadn’t moved from the chair beside your bed.Every so often, she would brush her thumb across your knuckles to reassure herself you were still there.
“... Mum?” You questioned after a beat of silence.
“Hm?” Leah answered instantly.
You blinked sleepily around the room before looking back at her, “Where’s Mama?”
Leah smiled gently, “She’s just had to nip home for a little while.”
Your face fell in confusion, “W… Why?”
“Hey it’s okay, she’s just gone to get some of your things to make you more comfortable,” Leah quickly reassured you, rubbing slow circles over the back of your hand, “We thought you would be needing your pajamas, your toothbrush…”
“And Mini?” You asked, hopeful.
Leah couldn’t help the tiny smile that appeared, “Of course. We can’t leave her at home now, can we?”
That earned the faintest smile, “My Monkey?”
“Your Monkey,” Leah confirmed, “Mama said she wasn’t coming back without her.”
“She’ll make it better,” You mumbled, a sleepy smile tugging at your lips.
“I think she will,” Leah agreed softly.
The steady beep of the monitor filled the room while Leah continued to absentmindedly trace circles across the back of your hand.
A gentle knock broke the quiet, “Knock knock,” A familiar voice came from the other side of the door.
Leah looked up, “Come in.”
The door opened slowly and Amanda walked in, carrying a small gift card and wearing a worrying expression that was equal parts worry and relief.
“There’s my girls,” Amanda said softly, placing the gift bag on the nearby table.
Your eyes fluttered open at the familiar voice, “... Nana?”
Amanda’s face crumpled into an affectionate smile, “Hello, my darling,” She crossed the room in a few quick steps before leaning down to press a careful kiss against your arm forehead, “How’s our brave patient doing?”
“I’m poorly, Nana,” You whimpered pitifully.
“I know you are, darling,” Amanda murmured sympathetically, “You’ve given us all quite a fright.”
Your bottom lip wobbled, “I don’t like hospitals.”
Amanda glanced at Leah before she looked back at you, “I know you don’t. But you’ve got your mum, and your mama will be back soon as well…” She gently tucked the blanket back around your shoulders, “... And you’ve got me as well.”
Your tired eyes searched hers, “You’ll stay?”
“For as long as I am allowed,” Amanda said without hesitation, smiling.
“Okay,” Your shoulders relaxed, sinking back against the pillows.
Within moments your eyes drifted closed again as your breathing evened out, sleep claiming you once more.
Amanda waited until she was sure you were asleep before resting a comforting hand on Leah’s shoulder, “You look exhausted, bubba,” She told her, “It’s important that you take care of yourself as well. You’ll be no good to that little girl if not.”
Leah let out a shaky breath that she didn’t realise she was holding in, “I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared, Mum.”
“Talk to me, bubba,” Amanda questioned, gently rubbing slow circles across Leah’s shoulder, “What’s happened?”
“I… I don’t even know where to start,” Leah laughed humorlessly, shaking her head as she looked back towards you, “Mark has been neglecting Monkey. It’s worse than we imagined.”
The colour drained from Amanda’s face, “What?”
“He’s been leaving her home alone, there’s no food in the house… she couldn’t call us because the phone isn’t working there,” Leah inhaled a shaky breath, “And there’s bruises. They’re littered all over her arms—some of them old and faded but some of them so new and fresh. How could I not realise, Mum? That’s my little girl, I should be the one to protect her from him… that monster—I knew something wasn’t right, he couldn’t just change. I should’ve fought harder to keep her with us permanently.”
“Le, take a breath,” Amanda encouraged her daughter gently, crouching beside her.
“I’ve let her down, mum,” Leah admitted, putting her head in her hands.
Amanda frowned, “Let who down?”
“Monkey… and Jean. I… I’ve let them both down. I made that promise to Jean that I would take care of Maeve and do whatever I can to protect her,” Leah’s voice wavered, “I’ve broken that promise, mum—how could I let her go back time after time to that house where’s put his hands on my girl and hurt her?”
“Leah,” Amanda tried to speak.
“She’s not going back there. She can’t,” Leah insisted firmly, “Not ever again! I’ll fight the courts if I have to—social services can’t stand by and let this go on any more.”
“I know, bubba,” Amanda tried to do her best to keep Leah calm, “Just… calm down, it’s going to be okay.”
Leah’s voice broke on the final word, “Enough is enough now!”
The anger that had been holding her together dissolved as quickly as it had come. A strangled sob escaped her lips before she could stop it.
“I’ve failed her,” Leah’s shoulders shook violently as she buried her face in her hands, “I’ve failed my little girl.”
Amanda was beside her in an instant, “No, bubba…”
“I have,” Leah insisted through broken breaths, “She was crying out for help and I didn’t see it. Every weekend I just told myself that she was tired… that she was adjusting or that maybe I was looking too much into it.”
“It is not your fault,” Amanda told her daughter, honestly.
“It is!” Fresh tears spilled freely down Leah’s cheeks, “She’s ten years old,” Her voice cracked, “Ten. She shouldn’t have been left on her own. She shouldn’t have been wondering where her next meal was coming from.”
“This is not your fault,” Amanda repeated, wrapping both of her arms around Leah, pulling her into the same embrace she had done since she was a little girl herself, “Listen to me, bubba. You have done everything you can to make a better life for that little girl right there. The courts ruled in favour of joint custody—they didn’t see the insight in her home life, they made the mistake. Not you.”
“But I… I signed the papers,” Leah’s words were muffled against Amanda’s shoulder, “I stood by helplessly and agreed to share custody with that monster.”
“You didn’t have a choice in it, bubba. The decision was made by a judge, you were just following a court order,”
“I should’ve fought harder,” Leah insisted, the exhaustion becoming evident in her voice.
“There wasn’t enough evidence, Le,” Amanda reminded her gently, “You’ve done everything you can for that little girl. You can’t blame yourself for this.”
Leah shook her head in disagreement, “I… I should’ve known. I should have followed my gut instinct.”
Amanda cupped Leah’s tear stained face and forced her to meet her eyes, “Listen to me.”
Leah reluctantly met Amanda’s eyes.
“You never once stopped fighting for that little girl. You haven’t failed her,” Amanda glanced towards the hospital bed where you slept peacefully, your tiny hand still reaching towards where Leah had been sitting, “You answered every single phone call. You turned up every single time she needed you. You brought her here today. And because you did…” Her voice softened, “People have seen what you’ve been trying to tell them all along.”
Leah looked over at you, another sob catching in her throat, “I just want her safe.”
“I know,” Amanda murmured in understanding, “She will be.”
“I don’t care what it costs me,” Leah declared boldly, “I will fight for full custody. My little girl is staying with me and Jordan. She’s staying right where she belongs.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her looking so small,” Jordan murmured, wandering back into your hospital room with two paper cups in hand.
“Mm,” Leah barely took her eyes off you as she watched you sleep, her fingers gently wrapped around your own.
You had the little plastic tube attached to your hand that was connected to the fluid bag hanging beside your bed, slowly dripping away.
The doctors had really tried their hardest.
Unfortunately, the anti sickness medication hadn’t worked all that long before you rejected it, and then even just encouraging you to drink small sips of water didn’t go too well either—they tried everything they could to avoid putting you through a cannula.
However, your stomach refused to cooperate and even a tiny sip had come straight back up.
Your temperature still continued to remain dangerously high and your body was showing rapid signs of dehydration, so Doctor Morgan had to explain that fluids through a drip was the best option going forward.
You didn’t take the news too well at all and there were a lot of tears, burying your face against Leah’s shoulder as the nurse carefully inserted the cannula.
“You’re so brave,” Leah continued to whisper the whole time, rubbing soft circles on your back, “I’ve got you.”
Now you finally slept, completely worn out.
Jordan placed the drinks on the small table, settling back in her chair, “Le?”
“Hm?” Leah continued to not look away.
“You’re beating yourself up again, aren’t you?” Jordan questioned, knowingly.
Leah let out a humourless laugh, her eyes never leaving your sleeping face, “It’s hard not to.”
Jordan stayed quiet.
“I had a gut instinct,” Leah admitted, “I should’ve gone with it and went to the house to check myself.”
“You wouldn’t have got through the front door if Mark had been there,” Jordan reminded her.
“I would’ve kicked the bloody thing down if I’d had to,” Leah muttered, tracing small circles on your hand, “But that’s exactly the point, isn’t it? He wasn’t there. And he should’ve been.”
“I know,” Jordan agreed quietly.
“His ten year old daughter was lying in that house getting poorlier and poorlier, and he wasn’t even there,” Leah’s voice cracked, the weight of the emotion in that sentence.
Jordan reached across and gently rested a hand on Leah’s arm, “I know you’re upset, Le. Believe me, so am I.”
“He couldn’t even be bothered to answer the school’s phone calls,” Leah whispered bitterly, “And now she’s in hospital because he couldn’t be arsed to be a parent.”
The silence settled between them.
Leah looked down at your tiny hand resting in hers, “So much for changing.”
Those words hung heavily in the room.
Jordan didn’t know what to say, because there wasn’t anything to say.
Mark had made countless promises. Time and time again. He had promised the court, social services and he had even promised Leah.
He stood there, face to face with her and promised that you would always be safe in his care.
Leah was naive enough to actually believe him.
Yet here you were, fast asleep in a hospital bed with a cannula taped to your tiny hand while your cheeks were still burning with a fever.
A gentle knock interrupted the silence.
Leah looked up, “Come in,” She said, her voice cracking faintly from exhaustion.
The door slowly opened, Doctor Morgan stepped inside first before she was followed in by a woman in her early forties, wearing a navy cardigan and a NHS lanyard, with a thick folder tucked beneath one arm.
“How’s our patient doing?” Doctor Morgan offered them both a reassuring smile.
Leah instinctively glanced down at you, “She’s finally sleeping.”
“I’m glad,” Doctor Morgan replied quietly, “She needs all the rest she can get.”
“She does,” Jordan murmured in response.
Doctor Morgan took a minute to look at the woman standing beside her, “So as you know, after examining Maeve earlier, I made a safeguarding referral to our hospital safeguarding team.”
Leah’s shoulders stiffened.
“When they reviewed her records, they discovered Maeve is already known to Children’s services,” Doctor Morgan continued gently, "The case was passed straight over to them,” She added, motioning to the woman standing beside her, “This is Sarah from social services. I’ll leave you with her to talk, and I’ll be back in a little while to check on our patient.”
With that, Doctor Morgan stepped out of the hospital room and allowed Sarah to formally introduce herself to Leah and Jordan, “Hello, as Doctor Morgan said I’m Sarah,” The woman introduced herself with a polite smile, “I’ve recently been allocated as Maeve’s new social worker. It’s nice to meet you both and put faces to the names I’ve read about in Maeve’s file.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Leah replied curtly, though her stomach twisted with nerves.
“Good to meet you,” Jordan added, politely.
They both knew why Sarah was here—what was bound to happen now.
Sarah carefully pulled a chair closer, making sure not to disturb your sleep. The faint beep of the monitor and the gentle drip of the IV filled the silence for a moment before she finally spoke, “I know today has been overwhelming,” She began softly, “Before we discuss things further, I want you both to know that my priority is Maeve’s safety.”
Neither Leah nor Jordan said anything.
“I’ve taken the time today to read through Maeve’s file entirely,” Sarah explained, resting a hand on the thick folder in her lap, “I understand that the current situation is that you are both sharing joint custody with Maeve’s biological father, Mark. Is that correct?”
“That’s right,” Leah answered curtly, biting her tongue from what she really wanted to say on that matter.
“I can also see that throughout Maeve’s life, the two of you have provided the consistency and stability she’s needed,” Sarah noted, clasping her hands together, “I want to make it absolutely clear that I’m not here to take that away. I’ve read enough of Maeve’s file to understand that the stability you’ve both provided is exactly what she needs, and sadly, it’s something Mark has been unable to provide.”
Leah gave a humourless laugh, “I’ve been trying to tell social services that for years but they’ve never wanted to listen.”
“I know,” Sarah replied quietly, “I can understand the frustration you are feeling Leah,” The words caught the blonde off guard, “I’ve also read every concern you’ve raised. Every email you’ve sent. Every school report. Every statement from yourself, Jordan, your family, and the professionals involved.”
“What does that mean?” Jordan questioned, furrowing her eyebrows together.
“I’ve spent the last few hours reading every report, assessment and safeguarding referral in Maeve’s file,” Sarah admitted, “The truth is… there were multiple opportunities where somebody should have looked closer.”
Something about the way that Sarah said that made Leah’s stomach sink.
“It should have never reached this point,” Sarah clarified, exhaling a sigh.
The silence settled over the room.
“I have read every report dating back to when Maeve first came into your care temporarily following the death of her grandmother,” Sarah said with a sombre expression.
Leah hummed in response, “That’s what Jean wished for—she never wanted Maeve to go back to Mark,” She stated, trying to keep her emotions at bay, “We’ve been worried for months—years even. Nobody wanted to listen. In the end we just… we had to accept that shared custody was for the best in order to still try and protect her from Mark.”
“It wasn’t what we wanted,” Jordan added quietly, “Leah made that promise to Jean to protect Maeve from Mark, but… we knew if we agreed then we would at least be able to still see our girl and make sure she was okay when she was in our care.”
“I can understand that. However at the time, Leah, you were barely an adult yourself and therefore social services deemed it appropriate that parental responsibility should be given to Maeve’s biological father.” Sarah
“And look how that’s turned out,” Leah muttered, speaking without even thinking.
“Le…” Jordan reached towards Leah’s hand, taking it in her own.
“I’m sorry, I just… I’ve spent years trying to get people to listen and nobody would, and now… look where we are? A hospital because Mark was neglecting his daughter that was in his care,” Leah looked down at your sleeping face as her thumb absentmindedly stroked the back of your hand, “I kept thinking… if I just shouted a bit louder…”
“I can understand the reason for you to feel upset and hurt by this. You’ve spent many years trying to advocate for Maeve,” Sarah sympathised with Leah, “My job now isn’t to defend past decisions. It’s to make sure we get the next one right.”
That seemed to take some of the fight out of Leah, “So…” She asked quietly, “What happens now?”
“Based on Dr. Morgan’s examination when Maeve was brought in along with Maeve’s disclosure that she’s been left home overnight,” Sarah took the moment to flick through her paperwork, “The concern around neglect, her physical presentation, and the unexplained bruising, I’ve already spoken with our safeguarding manager and the local authority’s legal team.”
Leah felt her stomach knot, “You’re… You’re not going to take her into care, are you?”
Sarah’s expression softened immediately, “No. We’ll be asking the court to immediately suspend Mark’s contact with Maeve while our investigation continues, and my recommendation is that Maeve remains solely in your care.”
“You mean…” Leah’s voice cracked, “She… she gets to stay with us?”
“That’s right,” Sarah smiled gently, “You two both already hold parental responsibility under the existing court order. We’ll be asking the court to remove Mark from the day to day arrangements, and given the evidence we have gathered over the last twenty four hours, we’ll also be recommending that his parental responsibilities are revoked.”
“What are the chances that the court will agree?” Jordan questioned, furrowing her brows together.
“High,” Sarah answered honestly, “Everything I’ve reviewed tells me that yesterday’s events aren’t isolated. They form part of a much larger pattern of neglect.”
Leah stared at her, scarcely daring to believe what she was hearing, “So…” Her voice trembled, “She’ll be safe?”
“She’ll be safe,” Sarah didn’t hesitate to agree, “The bruising concerns me. Her disclosures concern me. The neglect concerns me,” She paused, “I cannot support returning a child to an environment where I believe they’re at continued risk of significant harm.”
Leah’s shoulders finally gave way beneath the weight that she had been carrying for years. A sob escaped before she could stop it as Jordan immediately slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, “She’s going to be coming home, babe.”
“She’s… She’s coming home,” Leah cried in joy.
Silence settled over the room once more, only the rhythmic beeping of the cardiac monitor filled the space.
Then, a tiny groan broke through the quiet, and all three adults in the room turned at once.
“She’s waking up,” Jordan realised, breathing out a sigh of relief.
You shifted beneath the blankets, your eyebrows pinched together as you slowly started to surface from sleep.
Your eyes fluttered open.
“Monkey?” Leah’s voice sounded close but cautious.
“Hey, there’s our little one,” You heard Jordan’s faint voice in the background, hovering near to you.
For a second, you looked confused as you saw the cannula taped to your hand, and the dull ache running through your body.
Until your gaze found Leah, “... Mum?”
“I’m here, Monkey,” Leah was beside you, your other hand clasped in her own, “I’m right here.”
“... Mama?” You asked, scared as you looked around the room until you set your gaze on Jordan.
“I’m here, little one,” Jordan answered, looking somewhat relieved to see you were awake.
“We’ve been here the whole time, baby,” Leah added, squeezing your hand.
You turned your gaze back to Leah, your own frightened expression immediately softened with Leah’s reassuring words, “Why are you cryin’?”
“I’m just… these are happy tears, my girl,” Leah explained, wiping her tears away with her free hand, “I promise I’m not sad.”
Your fingers tightened instinctively around Leah’s own, “You stayed.”
“I told you I wouldn’t leave your side,” Leah smiled, brushing a curl away from your forehead, “I meant every single word.”
Still in a state of being half asleep, you instinctively shuffled across the bed as far as the IV line would allow you to do so until you were pressed against Leah’s side.
Jordan couldn’t help but smile, “Someone’s clingy.”
You mumbled something completely unintelligible before burying your face against Leah’s arm, “... Hurts…”
“I know it does sweetheart,” Leah gently kissed the top of your head, “But the medicine will help you feel so much better.”
Sarah watched the entire interaction in silence, she hadn’t expected the report to come alive in front of her.
Every safeguarding assessment that she had read had described your attachment to Leah, but none of them had quite captured the moment like this.
Not the immediate calm.
Nor the complete trust.
“Ah,” Doctor Morgan walked back in at the correct moment with a soft, genuine smile on her face, “I can see our little patient is finally awake. How are you feeling, Maeve?”
“Sleepy,” Maeve mumbled, though it was barely audible for the rest of them to hear.
“That’ll be the nasty infection that you’re fighting,” Doctor Morgan explained gently, “But you're in hospital now to make you feel one hundred percent better.”
“I’ve got a needle…” You frowned sleepily, lifting your hand ever so slightly before the cannula tugged against the tape, “... In my hand.”
Doctor Morgan smiled sympathetically as she stepped closer towards the bed, “You do, it’s called a cannula. We needed it to give your body some medicine because you’ve been very poorly.”
You pouted at the sight of it, “I don’t like needles.”
“I know you don’t, sweetheart,” Leah soothed, rubbing slow circles over the back of your hand, “But this little one is helping your body fight the infection. Once you’re feeling better, it’ll come out.”
“It’s yucky,” You wrinkled your nose in protest.
A small chuckle ripped around the room.
“It isn’t the nicest thing in the world,” Doctor Morgan agreed, “But you’ve been incredibly brave.”
You weren’t entirely convinced, “I didn’t wanna be brave.”
Leah couldn’t help smiling through the tears glistening in her eyes, “N… No you didn’t, but you were so brave, our little monkey chops.”
Your tired eyes slowly wandered around the room until they landed on the unfamiliar woman sitting nearby quietly, “... Who’s she?”
Sarah offered you a gentle smile but stayed exactly where she was, careful not to overwhelm you, “Hello, Maeve. My name’s Sarah.”
You instinctively looked back at Leah for reassurance.
“This is Sarah, Monkey,” Leah explained softly, “She’s a social worker.”
You were quiet for a few seconds.
“Am… Am I in trouble?” You asked, worriedly.
“No, sweetheart,” Leah answered immediately, “Not even a little bit.”
Sarah shook her head, “Quite the opposite.”
You frowned in confusion, “Then why are you here?” You looked directly at the unfamiliar face in the room—social workers being around was never a good thing.
“My job is to help keep you safe, Maeve,” Sarah explained, leaning forwards in her chair ever so slightly, “And right now, the safest place for you is with your Mum and Mama.”
Your face fell immediately, the colouring draining from it, “...Don’t…” Your voice wobbled as your grip tightened around Leah’s hand, “... Don’t make me go back to Dad.”
The room suddenly became painfully still.
Sarah didn’t rush to answer, “I’m not going to make you go back there, Maeve.”
Your eyes searched Sarah’s in uncertainty, “... Really?”
Other social workers had said that before, you trusted them and then you were sent back there.
What if Sarah wasn’t any different?
“Really,” Sarah confirmed in a soft, genuine tone of voice.
You looked back at Leah for her own reassurement, “Is it true, Mum?”
Leah brushed another curl away from your forehead, “You’re safe now, baby.”
“With you?” You repeated, confused.
“With me,” Leah replied in agreement.
“And Mama?” You asked, turning your gaze to Jordan.
Jordan smiled, blinking back fresh tears, “I’m here too.”
Sarah watched as the fear slowly melted from your expression, she had seen frightened children before and she had seen children cling to adults they trusted—but she had rarely seen fear disappear quite so completely.
“Maeve, baby,” Leah began in a warm tone, “Sarah’s helping us to make sure you can stay with me and Mama.”
Your sleepy brows knitted together, “What do you mean?”
Leah exchanged a glance with Sarah, who gave the smallest encouraging nod, “It means staying with me and Mama for good, sweetheart. No more packing bags. No more going between houses. Just one home.”
“... I get to come home with you…?” You blinked slowly, trying to understand as your eyes shifted to Jordan, “...And Mama?”
Jordan felt tears prick at her eyes, “That’s right, little one,” She whispered, brushing a thumb across your cheek, “We’re bringing you home.”
You stared between the two women, “... For good?”
Neither Leah nor Jordan could find the words.
“We’re going to do everything we possibly can to make sure you stay somewhere you’re loved, safe and cared for,” Sarah answered for them, her voice calm and reassuring, “Because every child deserves to grow up somewhere they feel safe.”
Staring at the adults for another few seconds before your shoulders visibly relaxed, “O… Okay,” You let out a tiny yawn before curling yourself even closer into Leah’s side, “I wanna go home.”
“I know you do,” Leah gently stroked your hair, “Soon, baby. We just need to wait for Doctor Morgan to give the nod of approval…”
“And then we can take you home,” Jordan finished the sentence in a soft tone of voice.
Doctor Morgan smiled warmly, “Just a little longer. Let’s get you feeling stronger first, then we’ll get you home.”
Your eyes were already beginning to drift closed again, “... Kay…” That was all the confirmation you needed in that present moment, a tiny sleepy smile tugging at the corner of your mouth.
Within moments your breathing began to slow once more—the combination of the antibiotics, exhaustion and pain relief quickly pulled you back into dreamland.
Even then, you still refused to let go of Leah’s hand.
“I think that answers everything I needed to know,” Sarah stated, watching quietly from her chair.
Doctor Morgan glanced between you and Leah, “I think Maeve has made it very clear where she feels safest.”
“I’ve worked with a lot of children over the years,” Sarah said, quietly closing the folder that rested in her lap, “You can usually tell where a child feels secure. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one make it quite so obvious.”
Leah looked down at you, still clinging to her hand despite being asleep, “She’s always been my little shadow.”
Sarah smiled, “And I have a feeling that she’d like to keep it that way.”
“I don’t think we’d have it any other way,” Jordan chuckled.
Sarah stood, gathering the paperwork beneath her arm, “There’ll still be meetings, assessments and court hearings over the next few weeks.”
Leah nodded firmly in agreement, “We’ll do whatever it takes.”
“I know you will,” Sarah paused before opening the door, “And for what it’s worth..”
All three adults looked at your social worker.
“I think Maeve already knows exactly who her parents are,” Sarah stated knowingly.
Neither Leah nor Jordan managed to answer, simply looking down at you sleeping peacefully between them.
For the first time in years, the future didn’t feel frightening.
so i've been working on this for what probably feels like months, but i was determined to finish the rewrite and upload it tonight before i continued with anything else i'm working on!
this rewrite is pretty sad on monkey's behalf 🥲
but i'm keen to know your thoughts & feelings about the new rewrite! (however if you hate it then please don't be unkind and leave me anything horrible) 🙂↕️
you don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to but you are my fav writer on here and idk if you like being personal but how did you handle your break up? mine happened last night and it’s killing me
First off, I’m sorry about that. Break ups really do suck sometimes 🙂↔️
Thank you for the compliment, as well 🥺 I just try and write what I think people will enjoy
That being said, it’s not always easy to get over but within time it’ll happen. It’s always best to busy yourself with things to do, listen to music, or watch a comfort film—in the mean time, if you ever need to talk about it, you can always feel free to message me 🫂
Twin I just discovered you on Wattpad. Had no idea you were station 19 fan as well. Gonna sit down and read the whole troublemaker book😌. My sleep schedule is gonna hate me for a while.
Haha hi 👋🏼
Yesss I am—I still need to finish that series so if you’ve got any ideas. Let me know 🤭
