The Stunt [h.s]

Chapter Nineteen

Elsie's POV

February 24th, 2021

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"Momma!" I hear my daughter's voice ring through the house the minute I open the door. I crouch down waiting for the arrival of my toddler as I hear her small footsteps rubbing through the house. When she finally comes into view, the biggest smile ruptures on my face as she runs straight into my arms.

"Oh, my Halle girl, I missed you so much. I never want to leave you for that long again." I pulled her as tight as I could to my chest, biting my lip to keep myself from crying from all the emotions running through my body.

"I missed you more. I missed you so much." I hear her voice waver and I pull away slightly to see the tears start to fall from her eyes. I let myself drop to my butt, pulling her onto my lap and just holding her.

This is where I want to be always no matter what.

I look up from the counter, where I seem to get lost in my own mind, by the sound of the alarm Halle set on the Alexa. I watch as she comes storming in, heading straight to me and stopping at my feet.

"Momma, Momma! The cookies are done!" She grabs my hand and pulls me over the stove urging me to get them out.

"Hold on Hals, I have to get the gloves on to protect my hands." I reach over to the drawer and grab the oven mitts to place open my hand. As I pull open the door revealing the cookies I hear a gasp come from beside me. I grab the tray and place them on the counter to let them cool before we eat them while watching our movie.

Tonight's movie happens to be Monsters Inc and I'm a little excited. This is another one of my childhood favorites and it's been a while since I've seen it. Even though it's Wednesday and our designated movie night, we have been watching movies since I've gotten home.

However, as we watch my childhood favorites, I feel like I am healing my inner child. My parents were never the easiest and these movies were my escape. I still remember those rainy Saturday mornings, Jay and I cuddled up in my bed with a bag of popcorn and just enjoyed each other's company.

I really miss him.

But I don't let that stop me as I set up the couch and TV before going back to where the cookies are. I place them all onto a plate and bring them to set them down on the coffee table before turning to go get Halle but find her already under the blanket staring at me.

"Come on, Momma, sit down! I'm ready for the movie to start!" I laugh at her enthusiasm and pull the blanket up to slide in next to her, Halle immediately climbs on top of my chest and gets comfortable. I wrap my arms around her as the movie begins to play.

This sense of peace wraps around us as the only sounds that can be heard are our breathing and the theme song for the movie filling up the living room. In twenty years when Halle is all grown up and going through life on her own, I will always look back to these nights and wish to have just one more. But for right now I'm taking everything I can.

Halle doesn't even make it to the halfway mark before she's asleep but I find myself giving the tv my full attention, not planning on getting up until it's over. Just as the credit scene begins playing signifying that the movie is over, I feel my phone buzz to where it is sitting beside me. When I maneuver my arms without moving Halle, I grab my phone, and my breath practically gets caught in my throat.

It's a text from Harry.

From: Harry Styles

Hi El. I just wanted to ask how you were doing. It's been a while.