Maya's Next Step

Part 88

Maya POV

"Remember Elvie, it's a surprise," I reminded her as I unlocked the apartment door.

"Shhh mommy secret," she giggled, holding her finger to her lip.

"That's my girl," I winked, pushing open the door.

Carina was back from Teddy's and from the aroma in the apartment, I could tell she'd been cooking. Carina was on the phone when we entered, pacing around the lounge whilst rapidly speaking Italian.

"Mama!" Elva squealed when she saw Carina, clearly having missed her.

She ran to her mama and wrapped her arms around Carina's legs.

"Shhh bambina, one minute," she whispered, gesturing for Elva to wait but still stroking her hand down Elva's hair comfortingly.

"Are you okay?" I mouthed when she made eye contact with me.

She nodded unconvincingly as she continued her conversation on the phone. The volume of her voice began to increase. Elva, sensing the building tension, released her arms from around Carina and headed back over to me.

"Let's give your mama some privacy," I whispered, leading her out of the room.

"You said cuddles mommy," she pointed out, following me into my bedroom.

"I did didn't I. Let's get you all bathed and clean and then we can watch a movie," I suggested, grabbing her a fresh towel.

"With mama?" She asked, following me like a little shadow.

"I'm sure she'll join for snuggles," I smiled.

I ran her a bath and helped her in.

"How did you sneak that in?" I laughed, realising that she had hold of her plastic doll that Andy bought her ages ago.

"Already in the bathroom, I picked it up," she shrugged innocently.

"I think we need to get you a toy box, there's toys everywhere," I chuckled.

She looked up at me suspiciously.

"Mommy," she said slowly.

"Yes Elvie?"

"Mulan in the freezer," she confessed.

"And why is that?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"She was in a fire and too hot," she explained.

"Okay baby well maybe we should get her out when you're all dry and dressed," I suggested with a laugh, finding her logic adorable.

"Okay mommy," she agreed happily.

The two of us jumped when we heard Carina raise her voice and shout at whoever she was on the phone to.
She looked up at me nervously.

"Shhh Elvie it's okay," I assured her, grabbing her shampoo and beginning to wash her hair.

"Tilt your head back little love," I instructed, pouring the water over her hair.

"Come here," I smiled, holding ends of the towel wide open once she was ready.

I scooped her up, cradling my girl in my arms.

"You smell good enough to eat," I said playfully, making her laugh by bring my head towards her and pretending. 

"No mommy," she giggled, wriggling about and laughing.

I carried her through to her bedroom and set her down in the middle of her bed. I took some clean pyjamas out of her dresser and helped her pull them on.