Under Her Wing

Chapter 96

Danielle POV

Still early morning, I was relaxing in the bath, very carefully scrolling through Instagram on my phone. The warm water was nice on my skin, the stresses of recent weeks finally starting to wash off.

I was just about to reach for the soap when there was a soft knock at the door.

"Everything okay Amalia?" I asked, knowing exactly who it was.

"Ermm yeah sorry. I'll leave you alone," she replied quickly.

"Mali wait," I called out, hoping she'd heard me.

"Yeah?" She replied quietly through the door.

"Do you need me sweetheart?" I asked.

"Ermm it's okay," she said, stuttering a little.

"Amalia," I warned.

"I'm feeling really panicky," she admitted, practically throwing the words out of her mouth like ripping off a band aid.

"The doors open bubs," I told her.

"But you're in the bath," she said back.

"That's okay, I told you I was always here. Day or night and now even bath," I smirked.

"Are you s-sure?" She asked nervously. 

"Mali come in bubba," I assured her.

I watched as the door handle was slowly pressed down and pushed open.

"Now come in," I chuckled when nobody appeared.

She shuffled in, her head down and fixed on the ground.

"Sit bubs," I instructed, gesturing to the closed lid of the toilet.

Amalia sat, swinging her legs, twiddling her thumbs.

"Talk to me sunshine. What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" I asked, sinking back into the bath.

"I d-don't know," she stuttered.

"What's triggered the panic?"

"I d-don't know," she shrugged again, beginning to get worked up.

"I think I'm nervous about Carter coming over. I've not really spent time with anyone except you, mama and Carla. And he was the last one I saw before they took me and I don't wanna have flashbacks and ...."

"Hey hey sweetheart, breathe deeply for me," I instructed.

"I just n-need you," she said, starting to cry for me.

"I'm right here Amalia," I assured her.

I watched her looking at me helplessly.

"Oh sunshine," I sighed, watching the tears fall down her cheeks.

"M-mom," she cried for me.

"Hand me my towel sweet girl," I said, sitting myself up in the bath slightly.

Still crying, she tilted her head to the side in confusion.

"I'm gonna get out Mali," I smiled softly, holding out my hands for her to pass me the towel.

"But you just got in," she said, wiping her tears.

"It's okay Amalia, day, night or even bath remember," I winked.

I stood up and wrapped the towel around me, securing the end by the side of my chest before stepping out of the bath.

"Come on," I smiled warmly, holding out my hand for her.