WALLFLOWER // B.E

bonus: two

juniper
set: when rue is one and a half years old

i sighed as i pushed the shopping cart along. when i glanced down at rue, who was sitting in the seat of the shopping cart, i couldn't help but smile. i looked back up, and i smiled even wider as i saw billie walking in front of the cart, leading the way around the grocery store.

"oh, i need shampoo," billie told me as she grabbed the front of the cart to bring me and rue towards that aisle.

"and you didn't think to put that on the list?" i asked in a teasing tone.

"i forgot," she simply shrugged.

"of course you did," i continued to tease.

"shush," she glanced over her shoulder at me to slightly narrow her eyes.

i let out a soft laugh. i looked at rue. i lifted my hand, and i pointed my index finger at the side of my head. i made circles with it, doing a "she's crazy," gesture. rue, of course, didn't understand it, but she still giggled as i crossed my eyes as well.

once we reached the shampoo aisle, billie let go of the cart. while she looked for the shampoo she uses, i continued to play with rue.

"can i have a kiss?" i queried as i leaned towards her.

she smiled before she leaned forward to give me one on the cheek. my face scrunched slightly as she, more or less, just opened her mouth and placed it on my cheek. when she pulled back, she giggled. she left a bit of slobber on my cheek.

being a mother is so fun.

"momma!" she smiled brightly.

"mommy," i corrected softly as i tried to get her to say it instead.

she hasn't learned how to say mommy yet. she only says momma.

billie has been loving it.

billie turned around, and she focused her attention on rue. "hi, sweet girl," she murmured.

"momma!" rue clapped.

billie grinned, and she reached over to tickle rue, after she put her shampoo into the shopping cart.

"i can't wait for her to be able to say mommy," i let out a puff of air.

"i can't wait for her favorite word to not be 'nuh uh,' anymore," billie chuckled.

"yeah, that too," i agreed.

rue is always saying "nuh uh." it's like she knows when to say it, too. if you ask her a question, nine times out of ten, she'll say "nuh uh," or even shake her head no.

"do you need more shampoo too, junebug?" billie questioned as she changed the subject.

i shook my head. "no, i'm good on it for a while," i answered.

she gave a nod. "okay, what else do we need?"

i pulled my phone out, and i looked at the list in my notes app. i listed off everything else we needed. billie gave another nod before she grabbed the front of the cart again to lead us to a different aisle.

once we finished shopping, we headed to check out. we went to the "self-checkout" section. as we were checking out, an older lady walked over.

"well, hey, there," she spoke to rue. rue gave no reaction; rue just stared at her blankly.

i watched closely. the lady glanced over at me. "how old is she?"

"a year and a half," i answered.

"she's adorable."