The soft place after the storm.
Again please be kind, I’m new to this. This one one focuses on diabetes more than the other ones I’ve done. Not every story will focus on diabetes but I wanted to make something for other diabetics. As a t1d little I wanted representation.
It’s your birthday, and the three of you have decided a meal out would be a nice way to celebrate. But as soon as you step through the doors of the pub, something in your chest tightens. You’ve been out for hours, barely had a moment to breathe, and now the place is crowded, loud and far too bright. A part of you already knows this night is going to be harder than you hoped.
You stand waiting to be seated, but there seems to be no staff out. After waiting a few minutes, somebody finally comes across and takes you to a table. But they’ve just cleaned it, so the table and chairs are wet. And it’s out in the open so that you can hear and see everything.
There’s a light shining directly into your eyes, and it makes everything feel sharper, harder to manage. People are talking everywhere, voices overlapping until it’s all your brain can hear. When someone finally comes to take your order, you pull yourself together and manage to ask for your food and drink on your own - a small, brave moment in the noise.
After ordering, Nat has already worked out the carbs for your meal. She says the number quietly to Wanda, who unclips your insulin pump from your waistband. She checks your blood sugar - “5.6, not bad, but it’s dropping a bit.” - and types in what Nat told her. The pump gives the dose, and when it’s done, she clips it back onto your trousers with a gentle pat, like she’s making sure everything is settled.
You sit there for another twenty minutes while Wanda and Nat talk to you, but you’re quiet, avoiding eye contact. Your eyes keep drifting around the room, searching for an escape that just isn’t there.
Of course, Wanda notices. She sees the way your gaze keeps darting, the way you haven’t said a single word since sitting down, and she can feel your leg shaking under the table.
Wanda gently places her hand on your knee, which helps calm the leg shaking, and rubs small circles with her thumb to remind you that you’re safe.
Nat looks over at you and notices something else: your hands are shaking, and your breathing has gone a little faster. She and Wanda share a look - the kind that says they both know exactly what needs to happen.
Nat calls over a staff member and quietly explains that the noise is too much and the lights are too bright, asking if there’s a quieter place you can move to. The staff member agrees without hesitation.
Nat reaches down for the backpack they always carry, and Wanda helps you stand, her hand warm and steady on the small of your back. She keeps you upright as the three of you move toward a table tucked away at the back of the pub. When you reach it, you sit down again - you in the middle, Wanda and Nat on either side, facing each other like a protective little shield around you.
Nat unzips the backpack and pulls out your blood sugar meter, a couple of small snacks and an apple juice. She gently takes your hand, checks your blood sugar, and waits for the number to appear. After a few seconds, it flashes up: “3.6 - okay, a bit low. Food shouldn’t be too long, so have an apple juice while we wait.”
Wanda opens the straw and slips it into the juice box for you. She knows you’d normally do it yourself, but with how much your hands are shaking, it would only make things harder. She holds the juice box steady while you drink, staying close and calm until it’s empty, then sets it quietly on the table.
Nat calls a staff member over to check how long the food will be. She explains that your blood sugar is low and you need something soon. They check the system and realise your order never made it to the kitchen. Nat asks how long it’ll take, and they promise to rush it - about ten minutes.
Wanda opens your snack and breaks it into small, manageable pieces, handing you a new one each time you finish the last. “You’re doing so good, sweetheart. Your food will be here soon.”
Between the two of them, they keep you steady and calm while you wait.
Eight minutes later, all the food arrives. The moment your plate is set down, you dig in, eating fast from the hunger and the crash. It’s such a relief to finally have something in front of you.
Wanda notices the way you’re almost curled over your plate. “Hey… baby, slow down a little. The foods here, you’re okay.”
Nat nudges your drink closer. “Pace yourself, baby. We don’t want you getting sick.”
With their voices and their steady presence on either side of you, you manage to slow down enough to actually taste the food. You hum softly at how good it is, and finish the rest at a calmer pace.
Nat keeps an eye on you, watching for the little signs that you’re settling - the shaking easing as the food starts to help, the way your hands slowly steady over the next few minutes.
Wanda glances at her every so often, checking your blood sugar to make sure it isn’t dropping anymore. She doesn’t say anything about it, just keeps quiet track of where you’re at.
They both see you start to calm as your blood sugar starts to rise. You’re not shaking now, and you’re more aware of what’s happening around you. You finished your food at a slow, steady pace. You still look overstimulated, but you’re calmer - more grounded than before.
Now that you’re settled in your little bubble, the exhaustion hits you - the kind that comes from being overstimulated and running low for too long. All you want is to go home.
Nat pays the bill, and you hear the staff member apologising for the mix-up with your meal. They offer a free dessert or a discount. You sigh quietly, hoping Nat chooses the discount; you can’t imagine staying here any longer.
Wanda sees the way your shoulders drop at the mention of dessert, the way your body leans towards the idea of leaving. She declines the dessert and asks for the discount instead. “We’ll take the discount - we need to get home, it’s getting late.”
Nat quickly agrees and pays the bill. Once she’s got the receipt and her card tucked away, she grabs your backpack without a second thought.
Wanda takes your hand and helps you stand. Together, they guide you out of the pub, through the car park, and toward the car.
The cold air hits you the moment you step outside - sharp, but somehow a relief after the heat and noise inside. You stand there quietly, waiting for Nat to unlock the car.
Wanda opens the door for you, and you slide into your seat with a tired little sigh. She pulls your seatbelt across and clicks it into place - she always likes making sure you’re safe. She presses a quick, gentle kiss to your forehead before closing the door.
Nat holds the passenger door open for Wanda, who slips into her seat. Nat sets your backpack on the floor between Wanda's feet. They share a quick kiss, and Nat closes the door behind her.
Then Nat moves around to her side, opens the door, and slides in with her usual quick efficiency. She puts the key into the ignition and turns it. The car comes to life with a low rumble, and you feel the vibration settle through you. She turns the heating up a little, knowing the cold air outside hits you hard.
The drive home is quiet - not an empty quiet, just peaceful. Nat keeps the radio low, the music humming softly under everything.
Nat and Wanda talk back and forth in gentle voices, enough to fill the space without overwhelming you. Every so often, one of them glances back to check on you.
Halfway home, Nat looks at you through the mirror. “You okay back there, sweetheart?”
You nod, your voice small but steady - the first words spoken since arriving at the pub. “Yes, Mommy… thank you for helping me. I feel calmer now.”
The car pulls into the driveway, though you barely notice - you drifted off a little on the way home. “Are we home, Mama?” You mumble, rubbing your eyes sleepily.
She turns slightly in her seat to look at you, “Yes, baby, we’re home. Let’s get inside, and then I think a certain someone might be getting birthday snuggles.”
Nat is already out of the car. She opens your door and unbuckles your seatbelt with quiet care. You slide out slowly, still heavy with tiredness. She closes the door behind you and takes your hand, guiding you towards the front door.
Wanda is waiting at the door, already holding it open with your backpack in her hand. She lets you and Nat inside before closing it and locking the door behind you.
You sit on the bottom step so Nat can take your shoes off. She tucks them neatly into the shoe rack beside hers and Wanda’s.
The three of you make your way into the living room, and you spot the big fluffy blanket waiting on the sofa, the one that’s big enough for all of you to curl under together.
You sink onto the sofa and beneath the blanket while Wanda settles beside you, placing your backpack down by the sofa. Nat disappears into the kitchen for a moment.
You look toward the kitchen doorway. “Mama? What’s Mommy doing?” You ask, turning back to Wanda with sleepy curiosity.
Wanda chuckles softly, “You’ll see in a minute, baby. It’s a very special surprise.”
A minute later, Nat appears with a birthday cake, candles glowing in the dimmed room. She walks slowly toward you and lowers the cake so you can see it properly. “Go on, baby, big breath and blow the candles out. Make a special wish.”
You take a big breath and blow until every candle flickers out. “I don’t need to wish for anything,” you say softly “I have everything I want. A Mama and a Mommy, who are the bestest and take care of me and love me… maybe a new stuffie though.”
All three of you giggle at that - because you already have plenty of stuffies. Nat heads back into the kitchen to cut the cake. She returns with three plates and hands them out.
You all eat quietly for a few minutes, the only sounds are your happy little noises at how good the cake tastes. When you’re done, Wanda gathers the plates and sets them on the table.
Then she opens her arms, and you melt into her without hesitation. She wraps you up from your left side, and Nat slips in on your right, completing the warm, sleepy bundle.
It’s the perfect end to the night - better than anything you could’ve wished for. You’re home, safe, loved and happy with your Mama and your Mommy.
