Things had really started looking up for Charlotte and Mia. Charlotte had been back to working full time at the nursery for a while and they were getting ready to celebrate their first anniversary together. They loved each other unconditionally through every unexpected turn life gave them.
After driving Renee to school one morning, Mia sat in the parking lot with her for a while. She was nervous and wanted to talk with Renee. She knew Renee and Ellie had a birthday coming up because she could remember Charlotte talking about having April babies back when they first met. Renee couldn't stop side eyeing Mia because she could feel the awkward tension.
"So.. what's got you all messed up right now? You're acting super weird, Mom." She broke the ice because honestly it was getting too awkward to sit in silence like that. Mia laughed a little and squeezed the bridge of her nose before shaking off her nervousness.
With a deep breath, she began to ask Renee,"So kind of a serious question. What do you thinking your mom would do if I-"
Mia's phone ringing cuts her off. Damnit! Cut off again. She looks and sees it's Charlotte,"Hello sweetheart!"
"Hi Mia! Unfortunately the school just called saying Ellie has gotten sick, do you mind running and getting her?"
"Don't even worry about it, my dear I'll go get her."
Mia was getting ready to ask Renee the question again. She hoped she'd get the full thing out this time. But she was about to talk, one of Renee's friends tapped on the car window and was asking her to come with her. Renee looked at Mia silently asking for permission which she granted of course.
"Guess I better go get Ellie. Have a good day at school, Ren. I love you." She blows a kiss her way and drives off to the elementary school. Mia loved when she had one on one time with Elaina because some of the questions she came up with were just too cute and she was a cuddle bug. Mia would NEVER admit to anyone that she was also quite the cuddler.
Once Ellie was picked up, they went home and spent the majority of their day snuggled up on the couch. Eating saltines, soup and watching Jerry Springer.
"Mommy?"
"Yes Ellie bug?"
"These people are so silly. Don't they know you're supposed to have gentle hands?"
Mia begins to laugh,"Oh no! Their mama's must've not taught them that." She strokes Ellie's forehead before giving it a soft kiss.
Ellie loved the special one on one attention. Mia made her feel safe and like she could ask any questions she wanted to.
"Mommy? Where did Daddy go?"
Mia paused for a moment. She knew this was coming but trying to come up with a way to handle it with grace. "Daddy made a few really bad choices, Ellie. He didn't use his gentle hands or a kind voice when talking with others. He's learning to be kind and gentle with others right now."
Ellie thought for a moment before looking up at her," Is daddy a bad person, mommy?"
Mia thinks for a moment, "Ellie, remember when you got in trouble at school for hitting someone?" Ellie nods a bit and looks away feeling ashamed,"What did Mommy tell you about that?"
"Just because you make bad choices doesn't make you a bad person."
"Exactly, my Ellie bug. I actually have something to ask you about." She hugs her close to her chest.
"What do you think about Mommy asking mama to marry her?"
Ellie gets up real fast and squeals,"REALLY!!! You wanna marry my mama?!!!"
Mia laughs watching Ellie dance with such glee,"I do but you've got to keep it a secret. Is it okay if I ask her to marry me? Would you like me to be mommy forever?" She bends down to Ellie's level and Ellie acts like she's thinking really hard.
"Hm…. Yes!! But if you're gonna be my forever mommy you got to give me ice cream 2x a week!!"
"Sounds like a deal, Ellie bug. Now let's get you changed into some pajamas for a nap."
Ellie whines and throws herself around a bit,"Nooooo napppp"
"I'll let you sleep in my bed with me?"
"Sounds like a deal Mommy bug!"

*****
Once school was out, Ellie and Mia rolled up to pick up Renee.
"Hi sissy!"
"Hello Ren. How was school?"
Renee threw her bag down on the floorboard before buckling herself,"Eh it was alright. Dudes are weird though. They kept asking me Mom and dad and what had happened." She looks over to Mia,"I'm not sure why everyone is so invested in it because I think it's a personal thing."
Renee was quiet for a moment,"Oh and nobody will shut up about how hot you are, Mom."
Mia practically choked on the water she had taken a drink of, she began to laugh,"Oh man. Just wait til they begin to parody Stacy's mom."
When there was no reaction, Mia couldn't believe it. "YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF STACY'S MOM??"
She quickly fumbles to turn it on for the girls on the way home. "God I'm having a conversation with Charlotte about that when she gets off work."
Charlotte was very surprised when she came home to all 3 of her girls dancing in the living room to music. Not just any song though, blasting Stacy's mom so loud you could hear outside. But instead of Stacy, they interchanged Ellie and Renee's names. Charlotte could watch Mia and her daughters dance forever

Authors Note
I know this is way shorter than the previous but had to give you some fluff to apologize for the grief given yesterday lol.

Also I figured I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Maddie and I just turned 20 in April. I'm married to such a wonderful girl. The reason I was so inspired to write this was because my wife and I remind me of Charlotte and Mia in many ways. I teach 3-4 years old at my job so when I found the nursery nursery I had someone to relate to. Yes working in childcare is seriously like how she portrays lol.