“She was strong and stubborn, never letting anyone tell her who to be or how to act in certain situations.” Her eyes flick to mine. “Remind you of anyone you know?”
“Maybe a little.”
“You have so much of her in you, Cielito. But you’re also your own person, and she would love that most of all.”
“It brings me so much joy hearing that,” I take a shaky breath and glance at the locket next to the pictures, running my finger over the tiny clasp, trying to open it. “But I’m balancing somany roles. Her legacy, dad’s hockey world, my job. Being a daughter, a sister, a…”
I almost saya future mom, but I catch myself. Mom seems to have missed it.Thank god.
“Yes, you’re all those things and so much more. You can always take time off from one or more things. Nobody expects you to always keep going. It’s a lot to manage.”
I let her words settle into my heart as they ground me. Running my finger over the locket again, it finally clicks open to reveal the tiny photograph inside. A picture of my mother holding me as a baby. A fresh wave of emotion washes over me, and I blink back my tears.
Mom notices and wraps her arm around me. “She loved you more than anything. That kind of love doesn’t fade. It’s always with you.”
I turn to her. “Thank you.”
Mom smiles. “For what?”
“For always being here.” My voice wobbles, but I hold her gaze. “For loving me like your own.”
Her eyes start to water. “Oh, Cielito. That has always been the easiest thing in the world.”
Tears prick at my eyes, as well, but they aren’t sad tears. They’re full of love, gratitude, and something else. If I hadn’t realized the importance of our talk, I would blame my pregnancy hormones.
Instead, I rest my head on her shoulder, and we’re wrapped in the quiet comfort of each other’s presence.
A loud knock at the door breaks the moment. “When’s breakfast?” Hendrix’s voice carries through, sounding far too awake for the early morning. “I’m starving.”
Mom chuckles, giving my hand one last squeeze and pushes herself up. “Guess that’s my cue.”
Wiping the last remnants of tears from my cheeks, I shake my head. “Boys.”
She gives me a knowing smile. “Tell me about it.”
“I’ll be down in a minute.”
Mom leans down and presses a kiss on the top of my head. “Take your time, Cielito.”
When she leaves the room, I glance at the open locket and close it again. Maybe I don’t remember much, but what I remember is that she truly did love me until her last breath.
I wish to be that type of mom to the little one inside me.
13
THE BABY IS THE SIZE OF A MEATBALL
Rasmus
I searched what fruit the baby is the size of during different weeks. Week 10 is kumquat. What the fuck is that?
Haisley
Google is free
Rasmus
Very funny
