Once Abandoned, Now Found

Chapter 30

The film was awkward, Maggie and Danni separating themselves from Alex in an attempt to keep their emotions in check. Alex was hurt by this, her innocent brain not understanding why they were ignoring her. She made up for this by snuggling deeper into Giuseppe, Tonya holding her spare hand (obviously Teggs was in the other) to comfort her.

The film ended, and after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Alex spoke.

"'Aggie?" Alex asked.

"Yes baby" Maggie attempted to smile.

"Elsa an' Anna 'ave each other, dey don't need mama and dadas" Alex began, her tired mind struggling to explain her point.

"That's right honey, Elsa and Anna don't need partners either, their sister love was the true love" Maggie explained.

"I don't wan' dat" Alex stated, jutting her chin out.

"Why not?" Danni questioned.

No-one had any idea where this was going, except Alex.

"Be-cos I don't wan' sis'er or bro'er." Alex reasoning was making less sense as she spoke.

"And that's okay, you don't have to have a sister or a brother" Maggie reassured her, though she really didn't know where this was going.

"Good."

Everyone assumed that was the end of the conversation. Tonya and Giuseppe got up and headed for the kitchen, Clara and Marco not far behind as they began putting away the leftover food.

Maggie and Danni went to get up too, but Alex was somehow quicker and jumped into their laps before they could.

"What's up bug?" Danni asked kindly, smoothing hair out of the little's face.

"I don' need sis'er or bro'er be-cos I has...I has mama and mummy," Alex said quietly, pointing at Danni first, and then Maggie.

Silence once again engulfed the living room as Maggie and Danni processed. Luckily they didn't take too long before wrapping Alex into a big hug, squishing her between both of them.

"Oh, my baby" Maggie stuttered out, not willing to let go of her baby and her girlfriend.

"Why sad?" Alex asked innocently.

Maggie hadn't noticed but she had begun to cry, looking up at Danni, she was the same. They hadn't quite realised how much they had wanted to hear those words until they happened. Alex had been with them for just under 2 weeks, and she had completely changed their life, only for the better. Well, except for the extra stress of looking after another living creature who likes to climb everything.

"They are happy tears sweetheart, mama and I aren't sad, we're very very happy" Maggie choked out.

As with every toddler, Alex was soon done being squished and wriggled out of her mothers' grips and toddled away towards her grandparents.

"Nonno, mummy an' mama cryin'" Alex shouted into the kitchen.

That got Maggie and Danni to move, quickly wiping away their tears as they stood up.

"Oi squirt, I'm going to get you!" Danni called out, breaking into a run towards Alex.

Alex immediately began running away, giggling maniacally as she wove around and under her grandparents, crawling under the table and making a break for the stairs.Danni was much slower, the couple of feet in height difference meaning she had to walk around her parents and in-laws, and around the table. She also doesn't have a toddler and little energy.Danni did eventually catch up, but Alex still had a secret weapon.

"Mummy hel' me!" Alex squealed, running headfirst towards Maggie.

Maggie was quick to respond, pulling Alex into her arms and shifting her until she was 

comfortable on her hip.

"Oh come on" Danni protested, "you can't use her every time we play chase!"

"Sorry babe, the baby is just smarter than you" Maggie shrugged, bopping Alex on the nose.

Alex giggled at the bop and returned it, nearly poking Maggie in the eye as she did.

"Mama"

Danni hadn't gotten used to the name, so kept walking.

"Mama, mama, mama!" Alex cried.

Danni turned to see Alex squirming in Maggie's grip, hands reached out towards her. Tears came too quickly to Alex, as always, her eyes already brimming and a few strays beginning to fall down her face.

"Oh, little lady" Danni cooed, rushing back and collecting Alex.

Danni was quick to hug Alex, one hand on the back of the little's head and the other running up and down her back.

"I'm sorry munchkin, I shouldn't have ignored you" Danni apologised.

Alex was carefully rocked, her eyes shut and head on Danni's shoulder. She enjoyed the peace. Before meeting Maggie and Danni, it had been a long time since she had felt this safe, and she wasn't about to let it go.

"'pecial hot choc'at'?" Alex whispered.

"Absolutely baby, can mama, mummy, nonno, nonna, pappy and nanny have one too?" Danni asked, rattling off the names of Alex's new family.

"'Aybe" the little sighed.

Danni couldn't see, but Maggie watched as Alex's thumb made its way to her mouth, her breathing evened out as she fell asleep.

Maggie wasn't sure if she would see a view as good as this again. Her girlfriend swaying with their sleeping little in her arms, her parents and in-laws in the kitchen talking among themselves, her house radiating love like never before.

A/N: You have all been so patient with me while I have written to get to this point, so here it is. The names have happened! There is plenty more to come: adventures, toys and maybe one or two guests with a little drama.

I know this was a short chapter, but I'm not feeling great (and may also be a tad tipsy).

Any suggestions or questions put them here.

Thank you all for everything, have a great week and see you next Sunday.