survival is my middle name;

Celia was fully aware that Toby was back today, they has been texting late into the night about how telling Alessia about them would make an excellent Mother’s Day gift. Celia had told him where he could stick that idea, graphically. “I think you have a very pretty brunette pal that would appreciate a facial,” Cee teased, trying to keep her face straight. Chairs scrape as Violet and Cecelia join her at the table, both instantly reaching for cake. 

“I will never say no to ice cream and shopping. My two favourite things. Well, my third and fourth favourite things.” She sticks her tongue out at Violet, who giggles. In truth, if it wasn’t for Violet, she would let the day pass by. Cee has never celebrated it, having no mother around, and even after Charlie was born it was always pushed aside and forgotten. If it wasn’t for Instagram and shops in London screaming about Mother’s Day gifts, the day might have passed by unnoticed by the editor. “I wonder how much money mother day bring in these days? I bet it out does Valentine’s day now, commercially anyway.” 

"Oh yeah, I know a brunette pal that would love that! I must see if Karen is free on these dates." Alessia winked at Violet, smirk present. Of course it would be Cecelia, no other female companion was worthy enough for a relaxing spa day other than her  best friend.

Celia was fully aware that Toby was back today, they has been texting late into the night about how telling Alessia about them would make an excellent Mother’s Day gift. Celia had told him where he could stick that idea, graphically. “I think you have a very pretty brunette pal that would appreciate a facial,” Cee teased, trying to keep her face straight. Chairs scrape as Violet and Cecelia join her at the table, both instantly reaching for cake. 

“I will never say no to ice cream and shopping. My two favourite things. Well, my third and fourth favourite things.” She sticks her tongue out at Violet, who giggles. In truth, if it wasn’t for Violet, she would let the day pass by. Cee has never celebrated it, having no mother around, and even after Charlie was born it was always pushed aside and forgotten. If it wasn’t for Instagram and shops in London screaming about Mother’s Day gifts, the day might have passed by unnoticed by the editor. “I wonder how much money mother day bring in these days? I bet it out does Valentine’s day now, commercially anyway.” 

"Oh yeah, I know a brunette pal that would love that! I must see if Karen is free on these dates." Alessia winked at Violet, smirk present. Of course it would be Cecelia, no other female companion was worthy enough for a relaxing spa day other than her  best friend.

Cee shrugged as if to say, I didn’t do a thing. She watches Violet and Alessia with a grin, feeling her chest swelling and her eyes actually prickling. Maybe it was pride or happiness or a mess of both, but seeing Violet so loved by her mother, and Alessia so loved by her daughter only made Cee love both girls more. Violet was getting so big as well, and Cee couldn’t control that motherly feeling of ‘stop growing’. Part of her still pictures Violet as that kidney bean shaped sonogram pinned to the fridge. That felt like a long time ago now. 

“Sit, eat! I would say it’ll get cold but I think it is mostly fruit… no wait, there are some waffles there. And cake, it’s one of those days you can have cake.” She hands a card over to Violet with a small wink and Violet hands it over to her mother. Inside she’ll find a sweet card with a small handwritten note from Violet (from which she received very little help for Cee, another scary reminder of how old she was getting) and a spa day, for two of course. “There was some talk of going to the zoo or… the park or swimming as well. We haven’t decided.” 

Waffles were most certainly her favourite. Oh and cake! You couldn't go wrong with cake at nine in the morning. Alessia moved over to the table, smile widening. As if this day could get any more wonderful. "I wonder who will be accompanying me to the spa.." Alessia giggled upon opening the card. "Either one of those ideas sound perfect to me. As long as I'm with my beautiful ladies."

A WELCOME HOME STARTER // @hellsbraveknight

Since her return to London, even though she had found her own place pretty quick, Celia had sort of, unofficially, accidently started living with Alessia again. It just made sense. She was round more often that not and having two semi-functional adults around seemed to be beneficial for everyone, not just Violet. It was like being married, and since Celia has graciously accepted the role of ‘other parent’ some things just fell to her. Like organizing Violet’s mother day present. So, Cee had risen close to six, blown up about twenty pink and white balloons, filled the living room with flowers and set out various ‘breakfast delights’ that she has pre-ordered the night before. Her cooking breakfast would have just ruined the whole thing. And then she had to get Violet quietly up so by the time Al came downstairs, it was all finished, she would get the surprise of her life and Vi would win daughter of the year. 

Glancing around the room as a one last check, she was actually pretty pleased with her efforts. And doing something so nice for Al (and Violet) had taken her mind off of how awful this day actually was, without her mother or daughter about. Not now, she mentally scolded herself. “Okay Vi…” she whispers, “one, two, three– SURPRISE!!” 

Every year this day came around, Alessia was filled with dread. She didn't have the chance to know her own mother let alone father. For many years she believed that she would never be able to celebrate this day-- especially with her first born taken away by his father. So once Violet was born this day became a lot more enjoyable. She remembered how Jason used to go over bored even though was too young to even know what was happening. It did pass her mind this year how things would be different now he was gone but she tried not to let her mood dampen the day. Alessia flung her silk dressing gown around her shoulders and headed downstairs. The house was quiet... a little too quiet.

Maybe there was some small, minuscule, tiny part of her that also came round when Al and Violet were out so this… might… happen. It wasn’t even a conscious thought; it floated in the back of her mind like the aftermath of a dream. You sort of knew what had happened but you couldn’t grasp it, or explain it to someone else. This time, she didn’t back away from him, and she found the strength to meet his eye (although not before her eyes rake over his bare chest, and hover on his lips). “You know I was engaged to your grandad, right? Dated your step-dad before your mum did. Best friends with your mother, who you’re just getting on better terms with. I am really worth messing that up for, Tobiah?” There was a new tone in her voice now; it was stronger. She had remembered her place; remembered what she was worth. Cecelia Holmes did not get flustered by little boys. No matter how naked, and attractive.”You’re putting a lot on the line, when I am sure there are girls your own age just lining up to get into bed with you.” And then, slowly, she took a step towards him. “Hm?”