To the Moon and Back

o n e

I turned over to see Marlowe laying beside me. Her eyes were closed as she slept silently. I smiled to myself as I brushed my fingers through her curly blonde hair. Her eyes started to flutter as they met mine. "Morning." I signed to her. She smiled and signed good morning back. I kissed her forehead as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I rolled onto my back so she laid on top of me and traced circles on her back. "Are you hungry?" I traced the letters out and I felt her nod. I felt her got up and I got out of bed, putting my slippers on. She skipped out of the room and I smiled at her positivity.

After putting Marlowe's hair into a ponytail, I put her hearing aids in. "What do you want to do today?" I spoke and signed to her. Since she got her hearing aids, we've been practicing her speech. "Zoo." She smiled, signing animal but I knew what she meant. "Do you want Justin to come?" I asked her, making her nod fast. "Maybe he'll bring Dodger." She grabbed my hands tightly. I grabbed my phone before calling him.

I held Marlowe's hand as we walked to the entrance of the zoo. I smiled as I saw my boyfriend and his service dog waiting for us. "Hey Justin!" I smiled and he turned to us as Marlowe ran to him. "Hey you two." He smiled and picked her up. They hugged each other and Justin kissed me gently before putting Marlowe down. "Ready to go inside?" Justin signed to us and Marlowe nodded before we walked inside.

I watched as Marlowe ran over to the playground that was by the picnic table. She looked around curiously before beginning to play. "She starts school soon doesn't she?" Justin asked me. I nodded. "I'm nervous babe, I don't know how others will react to her." I sighed. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I know she'll be alright. Is she going to be in a regular school?" "She's going to a special needs charter school." He nodded. "I'm just nervous. I don't know how she react. She's never around people her age." I chewed on my bottom lip. "She'll be fine. I know it."