Simmy couldn’t help her amusement rising as she looked at Mariona. She hasn’t stopped chewing on her lip since the moment she had arrived. Simmy had met her at the door with Opal continuing to bang together her blocks and squeal in delight in the living room, ushering her in with a quick kiss before preparing to ease her nerves.

It didn’t take a genius to know she was nervous. Mariona hadn’t stopped questioning Simmy on the proposed meeting since she had first brought it up.

‘What if she isn’t feeling well when I see her?’

‘What if she sleeps the entire time I’m there?’

‘What if she only wants to play with you?’

But Simmy knew every question was only a thinly veiled attempt to disguise Mario’s true feelings. She knew they all really meant,

‘What is she doesn’t like me?’ and

'What if I don’t know what to do?’

But she was always there to quickly quell those thoughts, reassuring her that Opal was by far the most accepting baby and would have no problems getting along with smiley, happy Mariona.

And it wasn’t a lie. Opal, whilst at times cheeky, was happy to play with anyone as long as they followed her lead. This usually meant some type of smacking of her toys but at least it kept her happy.

‘Are you ready babe?’

Simmy figured getting it over and done with was the best option and Mariona would quickly see that there was nothing to be nervous about. Her girlfriend was of the opposite opinion, voting to stay anxiously waiting in the foyer.

‘Simone, I don’t know if I can do this?’

But it was already too late. Simmy had taken a hold of her hand, tugging her along back into the living room where Opal resided. They soon reached their destination, meeting Opal upon her play mat still loudly banging and squealing, so preoccupied with her work that she took no notice of her Mummy and their new guest.

Simmy swiftly took up a spot next to Opal, motioning for Mario to follow suit whilst gently grabbing her daughter's hands to stop her banging.

'Oppie, would you like to meet a new friend?' When she was met with no reply, Simmy continued, 'Oppie, this is Mummy's friend Mariona. Can you say hi to Mariona?'

The women watched on as Opal's lips morphed into a grin, yanking her hands from her Mummy and bending to bury her face in them.

'Oooooh are you getting shy?' It was clear the teasing in her voice as Simmy prodded at her daughter's side.

Mariona couldn't help her own smile as she watched the mother and daughter duo, Simmy continuing to poke at Opal whilst Opal decided the best course of action would be to flop on her back, leaving Simmy with far more space to tickle.

As she continued to roll on the floor, Opal caught sight of her new guest, someone she hadn't seen before, sitting next to her Mummy.

The tickles were fast forgotten, Opal swatting away her Mummy's hands to say no more and moving to sit up to look at this new face properly.

Mario thought that this was it. This was her judgement day, and she could either pass with flying colours, or fail miserably. It was all up to this tiny little girl swaying back and forth in front of her.

If she didn't approve of her, what would Simone think? Mariona truly believed there was no way Simone would continue to see her if she couldn't get along with Opal. What would be the point? Opal was the most important thing to Simmy, so it made sense.

Opal abruptly swivelled to Simmy, demanding, ‘Mummy, bwock.’

Already so in tune with her daughter’s communication, Simmy passed her baby a few of her wooden blocks she had since abandoned. Her daughter was quick to take up the toys once more before turning back to Mariona and without a second thought, throwing a block at her, rolling off her fingertips and gently hitting Mario’s stomach.

Taken aback, Mariona wasn’t quite sure what this meant but Simmy was more than aware.

‘She wants to bang her blocks with you.’ Simmy reassured.

And there was Opal, wide eyed, waiting for Mario to take up her block and allow her to bang her block-loaded fists against the one Mariona had newly acquired. So that’s what she did, quickly picking up the block that had rolled on to the floor, positioning it between two fingers. This soon set off Opal as she careened forward and bashed her blocks into Mariona’s, giggling and squealing again at the motion.

This continued on and on with no tiring in sight for Opal as she seemed more than happy to whack again and again with her blocks.

‘I told you! This is all she does all day.’ Simmy had already briefed Mariona on her daughter’s choice of past time activities.

‘I didn’t think you were serious. And she really doesn’t get bored of it?’

‘No! Seriously, no joke.’

That is how the next 30 minutes passed, Mariona and Simone sitting on the mat, easing into conversation whilst Mariona withstood the attack of Opal and her two wooden blocks. With no end in sight, Simmy took this as an opportunity to quickly go to the toilet.

Mariona was not so convinced, believing that as soon as Simone was out of sight, Opal would probably explode because Mariona had somehow done something wrong like she was so sure was going to inevitably happen.

‘Simone, no, please don’t leave me here.”

“Mario, you’re going to be fine. Nothing is going to happen.’ She said, cradling the side of Mariona’s face, ‘And if it does, you’re still going to be fine. Shit happens and I promise she is very resilient.’

And off Simmy went, Opal barely flinching at her Mummy moving away and leaving her with this woman she just met. The block smashing hadn’t ceased, and Mariona was more than happy to keep her entertained anyway she could.

Mario knew how silly she was being but supervising little baby Opal was the most important job she had ever had. Opal was the most precious parts of Simone and if anything happened to her, Mario would never be able to forgive herself. More importantly, Simone definitely would not.

Nevertheless, Mariona’s submissive block smacking was severely undercutting it for Opal. Sitting and letting Opal do as she wished was not what the baby was looking for, fumbling to her feet and stumbling over to her pile of other bits and bobs to smack. Once she had finally fished her bright rainbow baby piano out of the basket, she was content.

Whizzing around was in hindsight maybe not Opal’s best idea, but every situation is a learning opportunity when you’re under 2. Both feet caught up in each other and her weight pushed her forward to fall onto her front, bellyflopping with hands splayed out on the floor.

Mariona and Opal both remained frozen in the moments following, neither moving as they took in what had just happened. But Opal’s shock had quickly been replaced by her anguish as Mariona watched her shocked mouth melt into a frown and her eyes wrinkle tightly to accompany her wailing and crocodile tears.

‘Opal, Opal, its ok,’ Mariona had sprung up and cupped her hands under the sobbing baby’s arms to bring her up to sit on her hip. But there was no consoling the child who had little problem burying her face into the crook of Mariona’s neck and latching her fingers into the material of her top. Her tears seemed to be coming faster and faster the longer it went on.

‘Hey hey hey, look! What’s this?’ Mariona had bent over to pinch up the piano Opal had dropped in the process of her fall.

Not being able to resist her curiosity, Opal peaked one eye from Mari’s neck to see what she was holding and instantly snatched away the piano the squish it to her chest.

‘Pano.’ It was all Opal had said as she smooshed it to her cheeks.

‘Wow that’s very nice! Can you show me?’

Opal had simply nodded her head as Mariona sunk to the floor and placed the child on her lap. She really should have seen it coming but Opal “showing Mariona how it works” was really just banging her hands on multiple keys at once, eliciting a horrendous mash up on electronic notes.

‘That was really nice’ Simmy had come up behind Mari to sit next to her on the floor.

‘What?’

‘You didn’t even hesitate to comfort her.’ she had a dopey smile on her face as she watched her two favourite people play together.

‘Oh, you saw that.’

‘Problems are always going to happen babe, especially with a baby, but I know you can handle it.’

Mariona smiled to herself as she looked back down at Opal, feeling just a little bit more secure in herself.

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simbont_

beginning and ending the week with everyone's favourite chicken :) surrounded by my favourite special people

kyracooneyx can't be your FAVOURITES cause im not there

-marcus_bontempelli i second that

stephcatley Don't be fooled! I'm still Calvin's favourite no matter how much he loves your's and Laura's cuddles

-laura_wienrother keep telling everyone that stephie

leahwilliamsonn my little chickie!! autie leah needs her oppie hugs!

katrinagorry10 Harper is missing Opal so bad! Can't wait to see you two soon

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There you guys go! the first instalment of the Mariona series. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it

As you can see from the masterlist, I have some stories already mapped out but feel free to leave any suggestions for possible little stories. I'd love to hear some suggestions.