Unexpected Family

She Called Me Mommy

Billie's POV

I don't even know when it happened.

We were sitting on the couch after lunch, cartoons playing in the background, both girls sticky with peanut butter and jelly.

Skylar was curled up beside me, drowsy and warm, her dinosaur clutched tight to her chest. Mackenzie was laying half on my lap, using my hoodie sleeve to wipe her mouth even though she had a napkin in her hand.

And then it slipped out.

"Mommy," Skylar mumbled, so soft I almost didn't hear it. Her head rested against my arm like it belonged there. "Can I have more juice?"

I froze.

Not even a full second, just... stopped.

She didn't notice. Didn't even blink. She was too focused on her empty cup and whatever fuzzy cartoon was playing. Like the word didn't mean anything.

But it did.

It cracked something open in me I wasn't ready for.

I got up and grabbed the juice, pouring it slowly with my back turned, hoping they wouldn't see my hands shaking.

I'm not their mom. I'm not even their real foster parent I'm just the celebrity stunt version, the temporary one, the fake one who's supposed to smile for photos and give them back when the PR cycle is over.

But to Skylar?

Even for just that moment?

I was Mommy.

And the thing is... I didn't hate it.

It scared me, yeah. Terrified me, actually. Because what if I get attached?

What if they get attached? What happens when this is over and someone just comes and takes them away?

What happens if I can't let them go?

I brought the juice back and handed it to her without saying anything. She took it like it was nothing, like she hadn't just detonated something huge in my chest.

Mackenzie yawned and snuggled in closer, and I just sat there, stuck between two kids who didn't ask for any of this.

And I couldn't stop thinking...

What if I'm the one who needed them?