Hey Y'all!!! I wanted to do something for Mother's Day and so for those who chose kids in the prologue here and also maybe I should apologize.
There are two snippets below one where MC is brought breakfast and the other where Mc is breakfast bringer.
warning: child loss, grief, mourning
As the sun shines through the blinds, you pull the blankets over your head, trying to grab a few more precious moments of sleep before you inevitably must get up and face the day. When you roll over, you find a cool spot where your partner should be and become suspicious. Just as you sit, you can hear the hushed whispering of your partner and the giggling of two small voices.
The door pushed open gently. It’s Kristen holding a bunch of flowers too tightly in her tiny fist. Tristan beaming behind her holding presents, your spouse no doubt just out of sight with breakfast. As the two climb into bed to snuggle, you wake.
Sitting up alone in your bed, you wipe the tears from your eyes. The dream had felt so real, you could swear the smell of your children’s shampoo still lingered in the air. Looking over at your dresser, you see their smiling faces… the way you like to remember them.
When you finally feel brave enough, you rise from the bed and change for the day. Giving the picture one last longing gaze before heading into the living room. It’s oddly quiet even for a Sunday , you can’t help but wonder if Diana is up to something.
“Happy Mother’s Day, Sleepy! These are for you,” Diana greets while handing you a bouquet of your favorite flowers.
The tears welling in your eyes again as you take the flowers, “Di. I don’t—” The sentence dies as the lump grows in your throat.
Warm arms wrap around you, holding you tightly, a light shushing as a reassuring hand runs against your back. “I know. I’m sorry, was it too much?”
“I wish I could change it. It seems so unfair… I wasn’t supposed to have to mourn them” The whisper falls weakly from your lips. Your legs feel weak as you begin to sink to the floor.
“Did your mom at least call? I know that’s been tense, but given the day?” Diana asks softly.
“Not since I came out here, I guess I don’t exist to her anymore… too much to deal with.” Your head falls into your hands as you let the despair sink in.
Diana anxiously walks around the room, trying to figure out a way to save the day. The small clack of her heel filled the otherwise silent room.
“Okay, so we stay in. A few places are still delivering. Maybe we can get Chinese and marathon some movies… what can we watch that is as far away from today as possible?” Diana moves off into another part of the house, probably gathering the menus and the TV Guide.
Sitting on the floor, you can’t help but feel grateful for your best friend in this moment, even as dread stirs within you.
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You lay there for a moment, watching her sleep. She looks so peaceful like this. As you try to settle in to hopefully find more sleep for yourself, you hear the sound of small feet pounding down the stairs. Leaning over and placing a small kiss on Danielle’s forehead, you tuck your part of the comforter around her and slip downstairs.
Turning the corner, you find the mess has already begun. The backdoor flung open and Tristan, trying his best to put the ingredients for breakfast on the counter. Peeking out the window, you see Kristen excitedly rushing in with flowers… you’ll have to go by the garden center later this week.
Looking over to Tristan, you smile, “Ready to be my sous chef?”
His face lights up as he brings you the eggs.
Three unsuccessful pancakes and one averted meltdown later, the kids are dashing ahead with gifts in hand to wake Danielle. Grabbing the breakfast tray, you make your way up the stairs. You can hear the delighted voices of your wife and children.
As you push the door open, the scene changes, and you wake up, tears running down your face. None of it was real, just another dream from a time you can't get back.
Sighing, you push yourself out of bed and get ready for the day, your eyes lingering on the picture of your children that sits on the dresser. You looked over at the picture next to it and saw Danielle smiling; it was from your wedding day.
None of this seems fair, but perhaps that is life.