{ a/n- just a quick thanks for almost 40k reads. I don't talk about reads much but it means a lot to me, so thank you guys. <3 )
England has always been a favorite pace of Grace's to visit. She loves the atmosphere, the way it feels being there. Going to Picadelli Square for a day or riding the tube through London is always something she's found extraordinary. Her visits have usually been YouTube related, whether it have been to see Carrie's performance as Eponine in Les Miserables, to do a round of NoFilter, or to film for the podcast. But this time is just a vacation, for her and Chester both. Louise offered to let them stay at her place, as she had an open guest room and week of not much to do.
"It would've been a home all day, mummy type week. I'm glad to have you both." She had assured Grace. Grace had accepted her offer almost reluctantly. There were two big reasons she didn't feel comfortable staying at Louise's. The first is that Grace felt it wasn't fair to Lou to have to put up with her and Chester for week. The second was that Grace was not, in the slightest, acquainted with Darcy.
The only time Grace had ever met Darcy was when she had come to YouTube Space to watch Louise film the podcast. And she had not been at ease with the small child. Kids put Grace on edge, no matter how well behaved they are. Darcy was an angel at the Space, she was calm and quiet and listened to her mother. But still, she made Grace anxious.
Yet Grace agreed, and here she is at Louise's front door with a suitcase handle in one hand and Chester's hand intertwined with her other. Louise opens the door, smiling, letting them inside. No sooner had the exchanged pleasantries and the general "hello how are you?" "I'm good how are you?" than a small little voice rings though the house.
"Mummy who's at the door?" Darcy calls, her sweet tone making Chester smile already. The young girl stands in the doorway, looking at Grace, who suddenly feels awkward. She blushes, brushing a piece of hair away from her face, and works up the courage to re-introduce herself to the child. She's 4 years old, I shouldn't be this nervous, Grace thinks to herself.
"Hi, I'm Grace." She says quietly, crouching down so she's level with Darcy. Darcy smiles shyly and looks to Louise, who just chuckles a little.
"Go on little monkey, you can shake her hand." Louise encourages. Darcy puts her small hand out and Grace shakes gently. Chester kneels down beside Grace and faces Darcy.
"I'm Chester." He says, a smile filled with awe on his face. He's taken with the child, and she's already quite fond of him. Darcy tentatively hugs him and he welcomes the surprise affection. He's careful hugging her back. Grace feels an odd twinge of jealousy in her heart. Maybe if kids seemed to take a liking to me, I'd like them better, she thinks.
"Alright Darcy, it's about your bedtime. Let's go upstairs." Louise says, taking Darcy's hand. "Your guys' room is just down that hallway, the last door on the right." Grace smiles and thanks Louise, taking her suitcase down the hallway.
~
Grace is woken the next day by the sounds coming from outside her room. She's alone in bed, Chester having already gotten up. She can hear Darcy shout happily from the lounge and Chester's jovial laugh following. Grace goes out to the lounge, finding Darcy on Chester's lap saying something that's making him smile. Louise is in the kitchen, waving to Grace when she catches sight of her.
"Morning love!" She calls happily.
"Morning." Grace replies tiredly.
"Good morning beautiful." Chester says, blowing her a kiss. Grace blushes and sits beside him, watching him with Darcy. Darcy is telling a story and he's listening intently, hanging on her every word. Grace feels a twinge of something, not jealousy this time, but more of a void opening. It's like she needs something, she just doesn't know what. The phone rings and Louise picks it up.
"Hello?" She asks. "Tiyana?" Her face goes from gleeful to concerned. "Wait slow down, I can't understand you. What happened?" Mumbling from the other side. "What do you need me to do?" More mumbling. "Oh god I can't haul Darcy all the way to Manchester unprepared,"
"Louise what's happening?" Chester asks in a whisper.
"Hold on, Tiyana." She says, placing her hand over the speaker. "My sister got in a car accident, she's alright, but she needs someone to pick her up. I can't possibly take Darcy all the way to Manchester right now."
"We can watch her, you go help your sister." Chester offers. Grace's heart stops a moment. Did he really just offer that? She asks herself in shock. Louise looks apprehensive, noticing Grace's tenseness.
"Really, you don't have to-"
"It's no problem." Chester assures her. Louise hurriedly goes to get her purse and kisses Darcy goodbye, heading out the door with a few quick instructions on what to do with Darcy. And suddenly, it's them and a small child. Darcy looks confused and worried.
"Where did mummy go?" She asks, tears welling up in her eyes. Grace doesn't know how to explain what's happening, she doesn't want to scare Darcy.
"Your mom had to run an errand, but she'll be back soon." Grace says gently. Darcy blinks hard, trying to push back the tears, but one slips out anyways. Grace has this sudden urge to hug the small girl, to hold her until she doesn't feel so sad anymore. She wants to mother the child. "Hey, hey, don't cry. Until your mom comes back, I'll be your temporary mom." Grace offers, opening her arms to the girl. Darcy climbs into Grace's lap and settles herself there. Grace rubs the child's back comfortingly and kisses the top of her head.
"What happened to you over night?" Chester asks in wonderment. Grace smiles sheepishly, unaware that any change had happened until just now. It was an overwhelming maternal urge that made her want to comfort Darcy.
"I'm not sure." Grace replies. "It's just terrible to see her sad."
"You would be an amazing mom, Grace." Chester murmurs.
"Chester-"
"No, listen to me. You're gentle, patient, loving, and obviously maternal. You would make a fantastic mother." Grace almost laughs at that. A mom isn't something she wanted to let herself become.
"I think I'll stick with being Darcy's temporary mom, just for now." Grace says, shifting Darcy in her lap so Chester can take her hand.
"I guess that'll have to do for now." He agrees, kissing Grace's cheek.
