Finding home

Chapter Thirty Seven- Maya

Maya smiled at Kassidy as clambered into the car, the girl's blonde hair falling in her eyes as she quickly turned to look at Maya to start telling her about her day. Kassidy was exaggerated as she told Maya about something that had happened at lunch.

"Hey bubs? I hate to interrupt you but I need to talk to you about something," Maya said softly glancing over at Kassidy, who had stopped talking once Maya had interrupted her. Kassidy looked over at Maya with a confused look on her face.

"What is it Mom? Did I do something?" Kassie asked, anxiety slowly seeping into her voice.

"You didn't do anything, sweet girl. I just need to talk to you about something at home," Maya said softly reassuring the young girl before continuing to talk, "We have a visitor at home, but I don't know if they are still going to be there when we get home."

"Who is it Mommy?" Kassie asked, the anxiety still clear in her voice. Maya watched out of the corner of her eye as she began to pull at her fingers, which seemed to be an anxious habit that she seemed to pick up recently- Maya made a mental note to mention that to Doctor Kellie the next time they took Kassie for her appointment.

"Mommy, who is it?" Kassie asked again, becoming slightly more anxious and agitated, that Maya had not responded yet, as she began to pull at her hands even more.

"Kassie, calm down for me sweetheart. I need you to calm down and then Mommy will tell you," Maya said in a voice that was both soft and firm. Maya began to exaggerate her bringing it the hope that it will help Kassie calm down. It took a few minutes but Kassie calmed down enough for Maya. By the time this had happened Maya had pulled into the parking lot of their apartment building. Maya decided to wait a few more moments so she could park, so then she could give Kassidy her full attention.

"Okay, bubs. Look at me and I will explain," Maya said softly. Kassie turned her head to look at her mom, but she was still pulling at her hands. Maya took Kassie's hands into her own in the hopes that she would be able to get her to stop pulling at her fingers, "Bubs, no you can't do that you will hurt yourself. Are you ready to listen to Mommy about what's going on at home?"

Kassie nodded, and Maya squeezed her little girl's hands.

"Okay sweet girl. So the person at the house is your dad-" Maya said softly, before getting cut off by Kassidy.

"NO MOMMY! HE IS GOING TO TAKE ME!" Kassidy cried out, her mind jumping to the worst case scenario. Tears cascaded down the girl's face, as she began to panic.

"Shhhh, baby girl. He isn't here to take you, I promise. He just came to talk to Mommy. But I think he wants to talk to you too baby and Mamma and Romeo and I will be there the entire time, and the moment it gets too much you and Mamma can move somewhere else and I will show him out. We take everything at your pace," Maya explained softly to the small girl, knowing that Carina had already spoken to Mason about doing things at Kassie's pace. "Are you ready to go in? Or do you want to wait a little longer?"

Kassie nodded, so Maya got out of the car and walked around to the passengers side to get Kassidy out, Kassidy reached out her arms wanting Maya to pick her up. Maya obliged knowing that being close to her would be something that would help Kassie through seeing Mason again.

Once Maya and Kassidy were up stairs they quietly entered the apartment, and Romeo came running. He stopped at Maya's feet and started tapping at the floor with excitement. Maya knew he was excited to see Kassie, he always was. Kassie was his human.

"Hold on a minute Ro you can say hello in a minute." Maya said to the dog, who was still tapping away at her feet. "Car, can you come here for a minute?"