Once Abandoned, Now Found

Chapter 32

A/N: So technically, I am still in recovery and shouldn't be typing much...but I missed writing too much, so I'm just gonna deal with the consequences later and enjoy this now.

Thank you for all the kind comments, I really hope you enjoy this extra long chapter to make up for the wait. I hope everyone has had a good time while I've been away!

The front desk went silent. Maggie and Danni were trying to halt their feelings as Charlotte again asked if it was them who had been looking for Alex.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Danni was finally capable of nodding, running towards Charlotte and carefully taking Alex into her arms. Danni angled her head until she was surrounded by Alex, breathing in the scent of the berry shampoo and talcum powder to help her recover from the ordeal.

Alex whimpered at the change of person but was quick to snuggle into Danni, desperately seeking the comfort of her mama. Maggie took a second to fumble out the words "we've got her, she's safe," into the phone before rushing over, hugging Alex so she was sandwiched between her and Danni.

Charlotte and Lydia stood awkwardly as the family had their moment, hearing the collective relieved sigh as the clerk used the tannoy to update the shoppers. The shop began to move as normal again, people returning to their baskets and trolleys and continuing with only small glances at the three women who had yet to remove themselves from the hug.

Getting a bit warm, Alex stirred and woke up. Maggie noticed first, releasing the hug so she could move to where Alex could see her better.

"You can't do that bug, you can't walk away from us," Maggie croaked out, trying not to cry as she smoothed the hair off her baby's face.

Neither woman was able to be angry right now; Maggie was distraught at seeing Alex's face: red, puffy eyes still filled with tears, flushed cheeks, a dripping nose and a look of almost despair as the little clung to Danni's jacket as if it were her lifeline.

"'Orry," Alex squeaked out, beginning to tremble in fear.

"You're not in trouble little one, we aren't going to hurt you. We will have a conversation once we've all calmed down, but not now, now is just for comfort," Maggie reassured Alex, placing her hand under Alex's chin and massaging away the tremble in Alex's face as she came close to crying again.

It was only when Charlotte and Lydia took a step away that Maggie and Danni acknowledged their presence.

"Thank you for finding our baby, I can't explain how thankful we are" Danni smiled at the two, wiping away her own tears.

"No worries," Charlotte shrugged.

"'Ottie save-ed me," Alex mumbled into Danni's chest.

"Who's Lottie darling?" Danni asked, shifting Alex slightly to ease her aching arms.

"I am," answered Charlotte hesitantly.

"How does Alex know your name?" Maggie was not concerned but curious.

"We, um," Charlotte began to scratch the back of her neck. Maggie can be seriously intimidating, especially now with the mama-bear vibe.

"We knew Alex when she was physically younger, we lived together for a few years on and off," Lydia answered, taking some of the pressure off her sister.

"What do you mean?" Danni asked.

"We were in foster care together, kept appearing in each other's homes," Lydia replied stiffly, unsure what Alex had told her mothers.