Invisible String

24

Travis was the first to shoot up from the couch, eyes wide and voice doing that calm panic thing. "Honey... how did you get sissy? She was in bed."

"I climbed on the bench and got her! She wasn't sleeping anymore, she was just lookin' at me," Lily chirped, adjusting Mira in her arms as the baby blinked slowly, entirely unbothered.

I was already halfway across the room by then, arms out, trying not to panic. "Okay, okay, come here baby. Let's-let's trade."

Lily sighed dramatically, like I was ruining her moment of glory, but she stepped toward me carefully and let me lift Mira from her arms.

"Sweetie," I said gently, crouching down in front of her so we were eye level, "I'm so proud of how gentle you were. But you have to tell Mama or Daddy before picking Mira up, okay? Babies are really delicate. You did a good job, but she could get hurt if she wiggles the wrong way."

"I just wanted to show her off," Lily said, her bottom lip poking out. "She's mine too."

That hit me square in the chest.

"I know, baby," I said, pulling her in for a hug with one arm while Mira snuggled into my other shoulder. "And you're the best big sister in the whole wide world. But you gotta let us help with the heavy lifting, okay?"

Lily nodded slowly, then looked up at Travis. "Can I still show her off next time if you help?"

Travis grinned, crouching down next to us. "Deal. You can be her bodyguard, but Mama and I have to be your assistants. Cool?"

"Cool," she agreed with a little giggle, wrapping her arms around both of us.

Mira cooed then, like she was in on the conversation, and Lily gasped. "She agrees! She likes our deal!"

I just shook my head with a laugh, pressing kisses to both of their cheeks. "She's stuck with us either way."

I sank into the corner of the couch once the girls were finally settled again-Mira back in her bassinet, paci bobbing with every sleepy breath, and Lily parked in front of the TV watching Frozen like it was her first time all over again. I picked up my phone and texted Kylie with my heart still racing a little.

Me:
Lily just picked up Mira. Like... walked into the living room carrying her.

It didn't take long for the typing bubbles to pop up.

Kylie:
😭😭😭 omg
That is SO funny
Wyatt did that with Finnley once too

I raised my brows and snorted softly, glancing over at Lily, who was now humming "Let It Go" like she hadn't just shaved five years off my life.

Me:
Yeah... except Wyatt was 7 when Finnley was born. Lily is THREE 😅

Kylie:
Okay yeah fair. That's toddler chaos.
At least she didn't try to change her diaper. Wyatt did. 💩

I groaned and laughed all at once.

Me:
Don't give her ideas 😵
She said she wanted to "show her off." Like she's a new toy or something.

Kylie:
Well to be fair... she kinda is 😂
I'm gonna frame that quote.

Me:
You know what? I will too. After I finish breathing again.

Kylie:
You're killin' it, mama. Proud of your little circus ❤️

I smiled down at the screen, feeling just a little more sane than I had a few minutes ago. Then I heard Lily start singing at the top of her lungs and Mira stir, and I just texted:

Me:
Gotta go. Ringmaster duties call. 🤡👶👧

Kylie:
Godspeed.

I leaned against the doorframe of the villa's bedroom, my arms crossed loosely over my chest, watching the sweetest sight-and also the most inconvenient one at the moment. Travis was stretched out on the bed, one arm behind his head, the other wrapped tightly around Lily, who was nestled into his chest like he was her personal teddy bear. She was half-asleep but refusing to let go of him, clutching his shirt with her tiny hand like it was a lifeline.