🎀 Bubba made it through the front door on autopilot.
Keys dropped into the little ceramic bowl by the entrance with a clink she barely registered. Her shoes were kicked off unevenly, one by the mat, one halfway down the hall. Her work bag slipped from her shoulder and landed with a dull thud.
And then she just stood there.
Not physically, though she felt like she could fold in on herself and disappear if she tried hard enough. It had been one of those days. The kind where every email sounded sharp, every mistake felt catastrophic, every interaction left her feeling scraped raw. She’d held herself together under fluorescent office lights and polite professionalism, but by the time she got home, all the “grown-up” parts of her were fraying at the edges.
Her eyes burned. From the kitchen, she heard soft music playing and the quiet clink of dishes.
Mama’s voice drifted down the hall, warm and immediate. That was all it took. Her bottom lip wobbled as tears flooded her eyes.
Mama appeared in the doorway a second later, drying her hands on a dish towel before immediately softening at the sight in front of her.
Babygirl let out the smallest, most pitiful sound, half whimper, half breath and suddenly she was crying.
Just exhausted tears slipping down flushed cheeks as she stood frozen, shoulders trembling. Mama crossed the room quickly but calmly, like approaching a frightened animal.
“What happened, sweetheart?” she asked gently. Babygirl shook her head.
“Don’t know.” That only made her cry harder. Mama’s expression turned impossibly tender.
“Okay. That’s okay.” The dish towel was tossed aside as she opened her arms. “Come here, bubba.” Babygirl practically fell into her.
Mama caught her easily, wrapping both arms around her and pulling her close until there wasn’t even an inch of space between them. One hand cradled the back of her head while the other rubbed slow circles over her back.
“Its okay baby” Mama murmured into her hair. “You’re home now.”
“I had a bad day and i felt really small all day” babygirl hiccuped.
Her fingers twisted in the fabric of Mama’s shirt. Mama’s hold tightened slightly.
That seemed to break something open. Words tumbled out in messy fragments.Her boss correcting her in front of everyone. The way she forgot something important. How everyone seemed louder than usual. How she felt stupid for crying about any of it.
Mama listened to every word like it mattered deeply because to her, it did.
When babygirl finally ran out of breath, Mama tipped her chin upward.
“First of all,” she said softly, brushing tears away with her thumbs, “you are not stupid.” Babygirl sniffled.
Mama kissed the tip of her nose. “You had a hard day while carrying a lot of big feelings. That doesn’t make you weak.”
Another kiss, this one on her forehead. “It means you’re overwhelmed.” Babygirl leaned into her touch like a flower toward sunlight.
“I feel really little.” Mama smiled softly, with no surprise at all. “Yeah?” A tiny nod.
Mama’s voice dropped lower, gentler. “Do you need Mama to take over for a while?” Immediate relief washed over her face. “Yes.”
“Okay, sweet girl.” Mama tucked hair behind her ear.
“Then no more worrying about grown-up things tonight. Mama’s got all of that handled.”
Babygirl’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
“Can you do one thing for me?”
“Can you let mama help you get comfy?” She nodded.
“Good girl.” The praise hit her like warm honey, and she melted a little further.
Mama helped her out of her work clothes piece by piece careful and unhurried. She traded stiff office wear for one of bubbas favourite tshirts and got her bum padded, before helping her sit up and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
“There’s my baby” Mama whispered when fresh sleepy eyes looked up at her.
By the time they made it to the couch, a blanket was waiting. And so was a bottle of warm milk.
Babygirl curled into the corner while Mama settled beside her. Without needing to ask, she climbed into Mama’s lap, tucking herself against her chest.
“That’s it” Mama murmured. “Get comfy.” Her body finally unclenched. Mama played with her hair while softly asking simple questions.
“Did you eat lunch today?”
Mama gave her a knowing look. “I figured.”
Soon there were cut-up strawberries, yogurt, and little pieces of cheese waiting on a plate because full meals felt too overwhelming when she was small.
Mama fed her bites between soft kisses to her temple. “Open, please sweetheart” Babygirl obediently took a bite.
“Good girl.” By the time the plate was empty, her eyelids had grown heavy.
“Can I stay little all night?” Mama smiled and pulled the blanket higher around her.
“You can stay little as long as you need.”
“What if work is bad again tomorrow?” Mama pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Then tomorrow you’ll handle tomorrow.”
“Tonight,” Mama whispered, “you rest and let yourself be cared for.” Babygirl sighed deeply, the kind that came from somewhere far inside.
Safe. Held. Protected. Mama continued stroking her hair as her breathing slowed. Right before sleep claimed her, she felt another kiss pressed to her forehead.
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