move to the sound as the spirits awake

Sally couldn’t lie, Mother’s Day was a particularly rough day for her. Not solely for the fact that she remembered every detail of losing her baby no matter how healed she may be, but she also missed her mother and sister. No matter how much they fought or disagreed, her mother was trying to keep her children as safe as she could and Lori was her best friend since birth. She lost all three females who would’ve made this day something special, instead their losses made it a somber day of reminiscing. 

She was happy for the mothers around who got to celebrate it with their kids and happy for the children who celebrated their moms today. She felt sorry for the children who lost their mothers…for her own niece and nephew who lost their mother years ago. Yet she was happy they found some solace with an adoptive mother who loves them and cares for them as her own. Truly it was a day of mixed emotion for the woman. 

As she was pulled from her headspace temptest by Cass’s hands over her eyes, a soft smile slid her lips up into half an arc as she pushed away free roaming thoughts. Once her eyes were uncovered, setting them upon the single white flower, she clenched her jaw as she felt her ribcage shrink. Happy Mother’s Day. A deep inhale through the nose, trying to further her soft smile into a genuine one she leaned against Cass. “Thank you….Happy Mother’s Day, to you too, Mom.” 

In reference to her actual daughter, Sally did genuinely wish the woman another wonderful day with her child. “I have somethin’ for you too, it’s in the cabinet.” 

 “You didn’t have to do anything,” she acknowledged, while flattered and pleasantly surprised at the notion from the woman..she still had zero intention of making this day any harder for Sally than it already was. That was precisely why she was here, to ease some of the pain as best she could..and just be there to support the rest. 

It was nice to feel the small smile beneath her fingertips, however small it may be. Truthfully, Cass was just content that Sally still wanted to spend any time with her at all after their years separated, let alone happy to see her. It would be a bittersweet reaction; she anticipated that, confirmed by the conflicting emotions dancing behind the other woman’s eyes. 

Smoothly, lightly Cass balanced her weight on top of Sally’s legs and slipped both arms loosely around the other woman’s shoulders. Both offering a place for Sally to rest her head if need be..and to thread fingers loosely here and there through ever growing dark locks. Providing a soft sense of comfort both playful and loving, tilting her head to catch Sally’s gaze even if just briefly. “Come to dinner tonight, babe. You deserve that much.” She expected the immediate hesitation, the apprehension..and she wouldn’t blame the other woman even remotely if she declined, but..maybe she didn’t have to. Maybe it could help, in a weirdly comforting sense. “I’ll be there, the kids will be there. You and Judy can share the biggest bowl of pasta.” A pause, chewing on the inside of her cheek, “It’s your choice, honey. Maybe it could be..cathartic.” To remember them, honor them with a night of mutual respect for mother’s both alive and deceased. This was a difficult day..and she wanted to be there to take shoulder some of that pain and shed a little bit of light in remembrance. She could try, anyway.

  “You softie,” she nudged, faintly smiling as she turned into Sally’s cheek. Graciously accepting the caffeinated gift with her left hand, but curling the right loosely into the cool cotton tank Sally had on. Pulling her into another loose, one armed embrace with a soft hum and warm nuzzle of appreciation. She could hear a very faint ‘shh!’ whispered harshly from the neighboring room, raising suspicion in the teasing glance she fixated upon her wife. 

 “Wait until you see what I have for you,” layering the words between small brushes of affection, teasing the other woman while the kids waited so very patiently next door. She did take a moment to appreciate what Sally had done for her before parting, though. To make sure she knew that her efforts hadn’t gone unnoticed or overlooked. Cass sipped gratefully at the coffee in her grasp, her favorite coffee, she’d noticed..and tipped Sally’s chin with a light finger to look her square in the gorgeous, wonky eyes she loved so much. Leaving a coffee flavored peck to her wife’s upward curled lips and a loose hold around her waist. “Happy Mother’s Day, baby. You deserve this. All of this.”  Clarification wasn’t needed, she didn’t think. Sally knew exactly what she meant in lesser words, and she intended to fill her in on the rest when they weren’t as pressed for time in greeting. “I love being a mom with you.”

  It was utterly gorgeous outside from the moment Cass woke up, granted she woke up a little later than expected today..but she had a peculiar feeling her daughter had something to do with the mysteriously removed alarm she knew she’d set the night prior. Not for any particular reason, it was the weekend, but she still distinctly remembered setting it there so she could get a jump on the day. Sky had other plans - wonderful plans.

  Allowing the calmness to seep in through brushed aside curtain she simply stood there in the sunlight for a moment, watching the birds and squirrels in the backyard roam around. Enjoying the peace, that was..until she saw her car roll down the street, her daughter bouncing happily in the drivers seat in full karaoke mode. Smirking softly to herself, Cass waited a few minutes for the door to sneakily open and for the scurry to come to a halt before treading down carpeted hallway in an oversized sweater and shorts, raising an amused suspicious brow at her overjoyed daughter. 

“What’s all that?” She chuckled, bracing for the oncoming love tackle with a happy little squeeze around her baby’s middle. Swaying with her kid for a few seconds before peeking over her shoulder at the arrangement in the living room. “Thank you, baby,” she mused, resting chin atop Sky’s shoulder and planting a grateful kiss to her daughter’s cheek. Sky never had to do any of this, she certainly didn’t expect their life to happen to the way it had. But she wouldn’t change any of it for the world, not for a second. Becoming Sky’s mom was the best thing that ever could have happened to her, and every day she was thankful for a daughter that loved her back just as much as she cared about her. Sky could have gifted her a coffee and she would have been pleased, but going out of her way to do all of this spread a little extra bit of warmth and appreciation through her chest. “I love you, Jedi. I have the best kid.”