echoes

KINDERGARTEN

edited.

The quiet stillness of the early morning was broken by the soft patter—patter of two tiny feet on the hallway floor. And when it reached the master bedroom, the door was cracked just enough for a little drop of sunshine to slip through.

Any, a three year old little girl-toddled inside the room, already wearing her favorite plush, white hood with long rabbit ears that covers her head, hiding her bright yellow bodysuit beneath it, and her short hair wisps up in every direction from sleep.

She was dragging her butterfly backpack behind her by one strap, looking sleepy yet determined.

As she made a straight line for the bed, climbing up the side using the comforter as her rope until she successfully flopped right into the middle of her two moms.

"Mae, wake up!" Any called, her voice soft but loud and bubbly as she plopped down right on Bonnie's chest. "The sun is awake! It's school day!"

Bonnie let out a low, defeated groan, the breath knocked out of her as she slowly pulled the sleep mask off her eyes. She squinted down at the energetic little toddler currently bouncing on her ribs.

"Any, sweetie... the sun isn't even fully awake yet. It's barely six."

"But I am!" Any beamed, leaning down to plant a wet, sloppy kiss right on Bonnie's nose.

From the other side of the bed, Emi started laughing softly, her voice deep and thick with sleep. She rolled over, wrapping an arm around Bonnie's waist pulling both Bonnie and Any closer to her.

"She got you there, Bon. Once the yellow bodysuit is on, there's no stopping her."

"Did you dress yourself, little sunshine?" Bonnie asked, a warm smile finally breaking through her sleepiness as she sat up, wrapping her arms securely around Any's waist so she wouldn't roll off the bed.

"Yes! Because I'm a big girl!" Any declared proudly, throwing her small hands in the air. "I want to see Lunar and Muvmuv! We are going to play and draw, and eat snacks and-and build a rocket ship!"

"Oh, a rocket ship?" Emi smiled, leaning in to press a sweet, lingering kiss to Any's cheek, making the toddler squirm and giggle.

Emi then looked up at Bonnie, her eyes full of soft, early-morning warmth. "I guess we better get moving."

Bonnie chuckled, reaching over to brush a stray lock of hair out of Emi's eyes, her thumb lingering gently against her cheek.

The heavy, terrifying days of work and fears of the future felt like a lifetime ago. Now, their mornings were defined by bright yellow outfits, messy hair, and the loud, beautiful joy of the daughter they adored.

"Alright, adventurer," Bonnie murmured playfully, gently tossing Any over into Emi's lap, making both of them yell out in happy surprise. "Go keep Momma company while I make some breakfast. If you're up for adventures, then you're going to need some pancakes."

Any immediately scrambled over Emi, giggling as she buried her face in Emi's soft sweater.

"Pancakes! With strawberries!"

"You heard the boss," Emi laughed, hugging Any tightly against her side and looking up at Bonnie with absolute love. "Strawberry pancakes it is."

—

Across town, the kitchen in Milk Pansa and Love Pattranite's apartment was the exact opposite.

It was a slow, quiet, and incredibly cozy sanctuary.

Love was standing by the stove, humming softly to herself as she flipped perfectly round the golden chicken nuggets.