"Mandy Grace you have to eat your vegetables, no veggies no dessert!" Olivia tried to reason with her love, who as sweet as she was also had the worst stubborn streak. Mandy shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest and kicking her again feet against the back of the chair. "Nu-uh! Yucky!" Liv sighed, nearing the idea of giving in, but knowing what that could lead to if she did. All she wanted was for Amanda to finish the four pieces of broccoli sitting on her plate. "Okay" Liv sighed again, running her hands through her hair before speaking "alright Mandy. Here is your choice. Eat the broccoli like it is, or Mama can give you some we didn't cook. You gotta eat it either way." Mandy grumbled, picking up her fork and shoving the pieces in quickly, grimacing at the taste and washing it away quickly with the last of the milk in her sippy. If it had been Amanda present and not Little Mandy there wouldn't have been this issue. Liv high fived her little one and let her play while she cleared the table and did dishes, only stopping when she realized the time. Fuck Liv swore internally, it was time for Mandy's second injection of the week, the last one until next week, but still not any easier. At least the course is over in a few days, then it's back to just one weekly.
Liv gathers the supplies while Mandy plays, internally reeling on how she was going to make it as painless as possible for her girl. "Alright my angel, we have to do something real fast and then you can get back to playing." Liv decided the best option is honesty, even if it means the process takes longer. Mandy looks up toward her beloved mama, seeing the supplies and immediately trying to free herself from the hold Liv has her in. "No, no poke mommy no!" Mandy squirms and cries. Olivia attempts to block out her love's cries as she carries through the procedure, nearly finishing the prep before Mandy's fear and past catch up. "Mama noooo! I be good girl, no poke please!" She cries as Liv tries to soothe. Eventually Mandy calms, after many cuddles and a promise of treats Liv is able to apply the alcohol wipe without having to fight too much. "Okay baby, take a big deep breath for me sweetheart. I promise mama will do it so fast. Remember our little trick?" Mandy nods, her blue eyes welling up with tears as her bottom lip quivers, "look other way an' Owie go away?" She recites nervously, I nod and kiss her forehead, "that's right my love. Now are you ready to be mama's brave girl? I promise to be so fast with the poke." Mandy nods hesitantly, reaching for her paci and a stuffed animal to hold.
Once the alcohol is dry Liv take the syringe and makes the final adjustments as Mandy yells out of fear seeing the syringe. "Noooo!! Scary" Liv scrambles to keep Amanda in a hold,, shushing gently she wipes tears from Amanda's baby blue eyes and prompts her to look away from the needle about 5 seconds before she injects the medicine. As expected the needle poke makes Mandy cry and reach for Liv, but once finished Olivia cuddles her darling close. "That was wonderfully done my sweet girl, you were so so brave! Mama is so proud of you!"
Right as the needle was placed safely away Mandy crawled in for a cuddle, Liv obliged and snuggled her Babygirl close until the tears stopped feeling so overwhelming. Gentle back rubs and love taps prove to Mandy her mama really is a safe person. "Liv?" Amanda whispers, fear still present in her tone and body language "kiss better?" Olivia's heart broke at her love's admissions, knowing her past and what it meant for her to feel safe enough to share her feelings and not shut down showed the progress the two had made over the years. "Baby I need you to look at me for a second" Liv instructed, hoping to at least slowly begin to nip her doubts a little bit. "Baby love, you never ever have to be sorry for letting your feelings out. As long as you do it in safe ways it is totally okay." Mandy nods, trembling in her mama's arms as she struggles to take a shaky breath "no strap?" Olivia took a long look over at her beautiful blonde hair blue eyed love, heartbroken and on fire that her love had to endure so much. Liv cuddled her even closer, kissing Mandy's forehead gently "No strap for my baby. None of that my love. I promise."
