Carina POV
"Morning bellina," I smiled, seeing Maya waking up.
She yawned and stretched her arms out above her head. I was sat up in bed reading and she lifted her head to look at me.
"Good morning," she smiled warmly.
Elva was still fast asleep beside her.
"How you feeling?" I asked, keeping my voice quiet.
"Not too bad, definitely better than yesterday," she replied.
"That's good, take it easy today. I'll sort everything for when Jane arrives," I assured her.
"You're amazing but I'll be fine don't worry," she said.
"How was Elva yesterday? I feel like I didn't even speak to her. I just slept," she added.
"She was much better, her temperature levelled out. She got so upset thinking she'd made you sick though," I told her.
She looked down at Elva and frowned.
"Poor little bubba," she pouted.
"Did you tell her about Jane's visit?" She asked.
I shook my head.
"No, we should tell her this morning though. Give her time to get used to the idea," I suggested.
She nodded had moved to lean into me. I wrapped my arms around her.
"It will be okay bellina," I said reassuringly, knowing she was silently overthinking everything.
"It better be," she sighed.
I was about to reply when Elva rolled over and wined.
She was starting to wake up.
"M-mama" she mumbled sleepily.
"I'm here bambina," I said, leaning my arm over Maya to stroke her arm.
"Mommy," she yawned.
"I'm here too sweetheart," Maya said gently.
Still leaning against me, she pulled Elva closer and into her arms so the three of us were wrapped up in one big cuddle.
Elva yawned and rested her head bad down on Maya's chest before closing her eyes again.
"Ahh ahh wakey wakey bubba," Maya laughed.
"It's morning baby girl," she whispered in her ear, tucking back her hair.
Elva pushed up against Maya's body and opened her eyes.
"School?" She asked cutely.
"No bambina, back to school tomorrow," I said.
"Mommy work?" She said, looking at Maya.
"No bub, I'm at home with you and mama today," she smiled.
Elva smiled back and cuddled back into Maya who gave her a squeeze and kissed her head.
Whilst holding Elva to her chest, Maya glanced up at me, asking with her eyes whether now was the time to tell her about Jane.
There would never be a perfect time but here in bed with us seemed like an alright option.
"Bubba?" Maya began.
"Yes mommy?" She said sweetly.
"This afternoon your social worker Jane is coming for a visit?" She told her.
We held our breath and waited for her reaction.
Any reaction.
But none came.
"Elvie?" Maya said.
She didn't respond.
Maya and I sat up properly and she lifted Elva off her chest so she could see her properly but Elva wouldn't make eye contact.
"Talk to us bambina," I said after a few moments.
"She'll take me," she finally said.
"What do you mean sweetheart?" Maya asked.
"She never comes twice. If she comes twice it means I move somewhere else," she said as she started to cry.
I glanced at Maya who looked like she wanted to throw up.
Elva made a move to get out of Maya's arms. Maya moved to stop her but she was too quick and was off the bed before we could grab her.
"Elva!" I shouted after her, already climbing out bed.
She'd gone into her bedroom. Maya followed after quickly throwing on a t-shirt.
"Oh Elvie," she said, joining me in Elva's room.
She'd thrown herself onto the floor near her draws and was taking things out and trying to shove them into a bag.
"Elva stop," Maya said, rushing over to her on the floor.
Elva ignored her and continued rapidly searching through her things.
"Elva stop for mommy," she said loudly.
"Got to go," Elva screamed out, trying to push Maya away.
"Got to get away," she sobbed.
I felt a lump form in my throat. I couldn't watch her like this without breaking down myself.
Maya POV
She was breaking my heart. I could see and hear how scared she was. With each cry she was getting more and more frustrated and worked up.
I looked towards Carina but she'd disappeared so I turned my attention back to the distressed little girl in front of me.
"Elvie bubba, you need to listen to mommy, listen to Maya," I said firmly.
"Quickly go," she cried into a pile of her clothes.
"Elva stop!" I repeated.
I grabbed hold of her arms. And forced her around to look at me. She struggled against my hold.
"Look at me, look at Maya," I said strongly.
Her eyes fixed with mine. I could see the fear deep within them.
"You're safe Elva. No running. You're safe with me and Carina," I said slowly and gently.
"Breath bubba,"
"I've got you, you're safe,"
"Copy mommy," I told her.
I lifted her hand and flattened it against my heart.
"Feel it beat. Copy mommy," I told her.
Her eyes moved to my chest, she watched it rise and fall as I slowly breathed in and out.
Tears continued to fall down her soft, baby cheeks but her heart wrenching sobs had stopped.
"I wanna stay," she cried.
"I'll do everything to make that happen Elva. Everything," I said.
"Promise?" She whimpered.
"I promise bubby," I assured.
She threw her arms around me. I stood up with her in my arms.
"Let's get you dressed, come on baby," I smiled gently.
I helped her get changed and we went to find Carina who happened to be in the kitchen making breakfast.
I sat down with Elva and watched her move around, sorting everything out.
She turned to hand me a class of almond milk for Elva and my mug of coffee. As she did, I caught a glimpse of her face.
Now I understood.
She'd been crying.
She'd have left the room to avoid letting Elva see her cry.
I remained quiet, I wasn't going to draw attention to it.
"This looks great," I said warmly, keeping the conversation light.
"Thank you bellina," she smiled back, sitting down and joking us.
Today was going to be a long wait.
Authors note-
Short chapter I know 🙈
I wasn't going to update tonight but I've got so much anxiety about work tomorrow so needed a distraction and writing this is one of the only things that works so I hope you still enjoyed it. 💕