Two Worlds Apart

III

My eyes flutter open, the bright sun peers through the slight gap left from my curtains not being fully closed. I try to shut my eyes again savouring the deep slumber I was in. I rub my eyes, and reach for my phone that I shoved under my pillow.
9:14am, great so even on the days I don't need to be up early I still wake up relatively early anyway. I stay lay in bed because I just can't bring myself to get out of bed yet, I stay wrapped up in my covers and scroll through my phone. After about 30 minutes I finally drag myself up, going down stairs I decide to make myself some breakfast, when my phone rings.

"Morning Lena, is Pepper being good?" I ask.

"She's been a dream as always" I hear the wind whistle slightly down the phone before she continues. "We've just come for a walk to the park and I was thinking to myself, we haven't had a night out in forever. Hazel keeps asking you when she can have Pepper next, so why don't you take the opportunity and we head out tonight?" She asks.

I hesitate for a moment, "I don't know Lea, I've only had like 2 nights out since Pepper was born. You know I don't like leaving her and plus it's not like I have money to spare for things like that"

"I know but you need it and you deserve it, you work hard and you're a brilliant mum. My treat too and I promise it won't be a late one we will leave whenever you want to," she almost pleads down the phone.

I sigh in defeat, "fine let me check with Hazel first before we make too many plans."

I hear a slight squeal of excitement from her down the phone. "Great, I'll head to yours with Pepper just after lunch and we can see what's happening"

I know once I'm out I will have a great time, the thought of actually going out seems almost like a chore right now. nevertheless as long as it's okay with Hazel, I will have to go out now as there is no way Lena will let me out of it. The afternoon rolls around quickly, I hear Lena and Pepper coming through my front door. I get up and walk the the hallway where Pepper spots me and runs straight towards me!

"Hiya Mama" she shouts while hugging me tightly.

"Hey gorgeous girl, I missed you. Did you have a good time with Auntie Lena?" I ask.

"Yeah," is all she says before slipping out of my hold and rushing towards her toys.

"Have you spoken to Hazel yet?" Lena questions.

I sigh in defeat, "yes, she said she would love to have Pepper for me" the thought of not having Pepper here for another night makes my heart ache.

I miss Pepper so much when she isn't around, that little person is my whole world and more. I can't remember my life before I was a mum now, being Pepper's mum is the greatest and best achievement of life. I feel like I was born to be her mum and no matter what happens in life, or where we end up at least I know that being her mum and loving her unconditionally will never change.

"Well, we can chill here until Hazel is ready and then we will drop Peps off on the way to my house, you can get ready with me at mine" she smiles.

I nod in agreement, at least I'll get a few hours with Pepper before she goes. I can always ask Hazel to bring her back before lunchtime tomorrow as well, so at least then I've got her back relatively early. I make the most of my time with her now playing with her building blocks and dolls, watching her play with her teddies and dolls cuddling them and caring for them makes my heart swell. She's such a kind, sweet little girl and I'm so incredibly lucky to have her.
Whilst Pepper has a snack I start packing her a bag with all the clothes she needs and make sure her favourite comforter goes with her. A soft, but very worn little bunny she liked to call  Benny. I don't know where she got the name from, but the second she started to learn words that's what she decided his name would be. She's always stroked her cheek with his long, fluffy ears until she fell asleep.

"By the way I'm definitely not wearing heels" I state, shouting through the hallway so I know Lena will hear me from the front room.

"We're wearing heels Wren!" Lena shouted back.

I roll my eyes knowing there is no point in trying to argue with her because she will win, she always does. Once I've packed everything that Pepper might need, I throw a couple of my own outfit options into a bag with a pair of heels and a pair of flats, just incase. I carry the bags to the front door, leaving them there until we're ready to go.
I spend as much time playing with Pepper as I can, before Hazel eventually messages to let us know she's home and we can go round whenever we're ready.

"Pepper, are you going to sleep at Aunt Hazels tonight?" I ask her, mainly to test her response.

"Yeahhh!" She squeals and claps her hands excitedly. She spins in a circle frantically and I know she's searching for Benny.

"Where's he gone?" She asks holding both hand out, wondering where she left him.
"Benny's by the door waiting for us to leave," I reassure her.

She runs straight out the room and toward the front door to grab Benny. We take that as our cue to leave, Lena grabs one bag and I grab the other before we throw them into her car and drive to Hazel's. We drop Pepper off and go straight to Lena's to start getting ready.

I lost my very short battle with Lena over shoe options. So now I'm slipping on my black heels to match my basic little black dress, which is a staple for every girl. It's simple but effective, my body has changed a lot since I had Pepper. I'm all curves and hips now but I'm definitely not mad at it and I dare say this dress compliments my new shape.
Lena steps out in her denim co-ord and pink heels and bag to match. She always looks gorgeous, she's slightly younger than me and much more fashionable.

We decide to sit at her island counter and finish our wine before calling a Uber and heading out, I wonder what the night has in store for us.