Always 💕
🎀 Mama sat at the edge of the bed, fingers loosely tangled in the hem of her jumper, pulling at a thread that refused to come free. The room was quiet in that heavy, late-evening way, no distractions, no noise, just her thoughts echoing a little too loudly.
She sighed, shoulders slumping. “I don’t feel very… good today,” she murmured, mostly to herself.
From the doorway came a soft shuffle. “Mama?”
Babygirl’s voice was gentle, careful, like she already knew the answer but was asking anyway. She stepped closer, padding across the floor until she stood right in front of her, hands clasped behind her back.
Mama didn’t look up right away. “Mm?”
“You sound sad.” That did it. Mama let out a small breath that almost turned into a laugh, but not quite. “I guess I am, a little.”
Babygirl tilted her head. “Why?”
Mama hesitated. It felt silly saying it out loud, like the words would sound smaller once they existed outside her head. But they didn’t feel small.
“I just…” She finally looked up, eyes softer than her tone. “I don’t feel like I’m doing anything right lately. Like I’m not… enough.”
Babygirl stepped closer without asking, gently placing her hands on Mama’s knees. “That’s not true.”
Mama smiled faintly. “You’re supposed to say that.”
“No,” she said, a little firmer this time. “I mean it.”
She carefully climbed up beside her, tucking herself against Mama’s side like she belonged there, which she did. After a moment, she reached up and brushed a stray piece of hair away from Mama’s face.
“You take care of me,” Babygirl said softly. “You listen to me. You make me feel safe.”
Mama’s expression wavered. “I try.”
“You do more than try.” Babygirl leaned her head against her shoulder. “And you’re gentle even when you’re tired. And patient even when you’re not feeling good. That’s… really big, Mama.”
The words settled slowly, like warmth spreading through cold hands.
Mama let out a quiet breath. “It doesn’t always feel like enough.”
Babygirl shifted so she could look at her properly. “Then can I take care of you a little? Just for now?”
Mama blinked. “You don’t have to, sweetheart”
“I want to.”
There was no hesitation in her voice, just quiet certainty.
After a pause, Mama nodded, just once. “Okay.”
Babygirl smiled, small and proud, and gently guided Mama to lie back against the pillows. She pulled the blanket up over her, smoothing it out like she’d seen Mama do a hundred times before.
“Close your eyes,” she whispered.
Mama huffed softly, but there was no resistance left in her. She let her eyes drift shut.
Babygirl stayed close, one hand resting lightly over Mama’s, thumb tracing slow, comforting circles.
“You don’t have to be perfect,” she murmured. “You just have to be you. That’s my Mama.”
For a long moment, there was only silence again but it felt different now. Softer. Safer.
Mama squeezed her hand gently. “…Stay with me?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Babygirl smiled. “Always.” 🎀
