Happily Ever After

50: Baby Steps

The doctors chuckled, smiles all around the room. As far as they were concerned, the two moms had their girl back, and things were beginning to be right in the world. What Maya and Carina did not know is that things would work in their favour, more than they imagined.

———

Sarah returned home days later. While it was a miracle that she had no brain deficits, the redhead definitely was not the same person she once was. She cowered at every touch, every gesture. She refused to eat or sleep, sitting in the corner of the shower with her knees pulled against her chest.

Maya or Carina would try and coax her to sleep, but she wouldn't budge. Sometimes they'd convince her to leave the shower and lay down with them, but when they woke up, Sarah would be back in the shower where she started.

Days turned into weeks with no change.

Maya was beyond worried for her eldest. "Car, we need to do something. She's not speaking, not eating or sleeping. She just... Stays in here all day,"

Carina sighed. "We have to give her time, bella," she responded sadly. She'd had this fight before, been through this kind of pain, and the Italian knew that the best thing they could do for their daughter was just to be there if she needed them.

The one bit of relief that Sarah had was Moose, whose touches she could somewhat stand. Almost as if he knew what had happened, the one eyed sweet cat sat vigil with Sarah constantly, leaving to only use the bathroom, eat and sleep.

The two parents took turns taking time off from work to be with Sarah and help her heal. Luckily, both of the moms' bosses were more than understanding. Carina would sit with Sarah in the shower for a while in silence, her presence calming the bambina ever so slightly.

Both moms were suffering from residual anxiety. They too were not the same people that they once were, their grief and anxiety overwhelming them.

Tonight, Maya's was choking her. She had soothed Carina to sleep, and then went and sat in the shower with Sarah, making sure to stay a respectful distance away. She could not bear going to bed with her girl in so much pain. Both of them stayed up all night, each other's presence comforting each other slightly.

Carina went to the bathroom to check on Sarah that next morning and sighed once she saw her and Maya, both exhausted, staring at the wall.

"Come get some sleep, bellina," Carina tried, but the blonde shook her head. "Not without her," Maya responded, yawning.

———

Early that afternoon, the blonde stepped into the shower and knelt down in front of Sarah.

"Come lay down with me, sunshine," Maya coaxed gently, and Sarah looked into her mom's baby blue eyes. They were pleading, desperately. Sarah gave in and nodded slightly, and Maya helped her up. They walked to the living room where Maya begun to set up the couch, laying blankets and pillows down.

"Amelia and Link did this all the time, they recommended that we try this. It's comforting," Maya explained as she opened her arms for Sarah.

"Lay right on top of me. But lay on your stomach. Put your head right on my heart," Maya instructed, and Sarah pushed away the negative thoughts as she laid down, putting her head right above Maya's heart, the rhythmic thumping oddly soothing.

"Can I put my arms around you?" Maya asked. She felt Sarah nod, and she wrapped her arms around Sarah, hugging the redhead tight to her chest.

"We don't have to stay here long if you aren't comfortable, okay?" Maya reminded gently, and Sarah nodded.