The Love She Never Expected

New city, Same me

The warm morning sun slowly rose through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the room. The light peeked through the window and landed on Brooklyn's face.

She slowly began to wake up, her eyes fluttering open as she let out a quiet yawn. Still half-asleep, she shifted beneath the blanket, trying to get comfortable.

Then she felt something on top of her.
Something warm.
Something small.
Brooklyn blinked a few times before looking down.
Her daughter Olivia was lying on top of her chest, fast asleep, with her tiny arms wrapped around her. Her little head rested against Brooklyn, and every so often, she let out a soft sigh.

Brooklyn smiled.

"Good morning baby," she whispered.

Her daughter didn't move.

Brooklyn gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her daughter face, careful not to wake her.

For a minute she just lay there, enjoying the quiet.

Then her eyes drifted toward the window.

Philadelphia.
A new state.
A new home.
A new beginning.

And somewhere she was supposed to figure out how to balance college, motherhood, and everything else was about to throw at her.

Brooklyn let out a small sigh.

"First day back at college," she murmured to herself

Olivia suddenly stirred on her chest.

Brooklyn looked down at her and smiled.

"Okay, okay. Mommy getting up."

Brooklyn slowly slid one arm underneath Olivia, careful not to wake her. She gently lifted her daughter off her chest. and placed her down on the bed beside her.

"Shhh, baby." Brooklyn whispered.

She slowly pulled her arm away, hoping Olivia would stay asleep.

Brooklyn sat up on the edge of the bed and rubbed her eyes. She was tried, but she knows she had to get up. She had a whole day ahead of her and bring a mom and a college was not easy.

She carefully stood up from the bed and took a few steps toward the bathroom.

but before she could make it very far-

"Mm.. Mommy..."

Brooklyn froze.

She trued around and saw Olivia starting to fuss, her little face screeching up as she moved around on the bed.

"Oh, no, no, no," Brooklyn whispered, quickly walking back over.

She set beside her daughter and gently rubbed her back.

"Shhh, baby. Mommy right here."

Olivia let out a small whimper, her eyes still closed.

Brooklyn picked up her pacifier from the nightstand and gently place it in Oliva's mouth.

"There you go, pretty girl." she whispered

Olivia slowly settled back down, her little hands relaxing against the blanket.