Helping Aurora

20

"A business trip? When?" Olivia asks as she finishes plating up dinner, pulling off the oven mitts and hanging them over the handle of the oven.

Scarlett hums softly as she watches their little one play in the living rom from her place leant against the counter, hands absentmindedly fiddling with a discarded crayon. "My flights on Friday, so two days. It's only for one night, though, and I'll back Saturday morning." She tries to placate as she drops the crayon and runs an anxious hand through her hair.

Both of them knew that any time away from her mama was practically hell on earth for Rory, so whether she was gone just one night or ten, it was not going to be an enjoyable time for any of them.

Olivia frowns slightly as she grabs the plates and carries them over to the dining table. "And you can't bring her with you?" It wasn't that she minded staying home with the baby. In fact, she'd like nothing more than to do just that considering she couldn't even remember the last time they spent the day together without Scarlett present.

But just because it was something she wanted and was okay with didn't necessarily mean it was the same for Rory. She was a mama's girl, always had been and probably always would be. Though Olivia knew a regressed Rory loved her too, her grown up self was more comfortable with her and she was okay with that.

She still got all the snuggles and all the love, so complaining wasn't really in the cards.

Scarlett sighs as she shakes her head, "I'll be in meetings the entire time babe."

Olivia nods in understanding as she contemplates her next words for a few moments.

"Why don't we try pulling her out of her headspace for a little while? Just while you're gone? We both know she's more comfortable with me when she's big." Olivia tries to offer a solution to which Scarlett seems to immediately contemplate. "I'll let you think about it. Go sit down my love, I'll go get the baby." She presses a fond kiss to her wife's cheek before disappearing through to the living room where Rory was sat in front of the couch watching tv.

She still had her pacifier in her mouth and was clutching her blanket, but she didn't seem to be completely little.

Olivia suspects she must have overheard their conversation. With a light sigh, she heads over to the little one and perches herself on the end of the couch next to her. Rory immediately meets her gaze looking awfully sheepish, telling her all she needed to know.

"You heard?" She asks in place of a greeting, reaching out and gently tugging on the loop of the pacifier. It falls from Rory's mouth with a light pop, and Olivia reaches forward and sets it on the coffee table so it didn't get lost.

"Mhh." Aurora nods as her cheeks flush a light shade of red, the tips of her fingers trailing absentmindedly over the edge of her blanket.

Olivia smiles playfully as she stands up and holds out her hand. "That's okay. You're not in trouble. Let's go talk to mama, alright?"

Aurora doesn't hesitate to take her hand, allowing herself to be pulled from the couch and onto her feet. She trails a little behind Olivia their way to the kitchen, and the woman suspects it might be because she was still a little worried she might be in trouble. She gives her hand a soothing squeeze in hopes of putting that fear to rest.

Scarlett looks up as they enter the kitchen, lips quirking up into a smile when she takes note that Aurora was no longer regressed.

When her wife gestures to the little one with a knowing look on her face, Scarlett holds out her arms and Aurora immediately steps into them allowing herself to be squeezed into a comforting hug. A gentle hand trails against her back, and lips press against her head in a tender kiss.

"Hi baby." She murmurs, and she hears Aurora return the sentiment as she buries her head into her neck. Scarlett coaxes her into her knee as she scoots herself a little closer to the table, allowing Aurora to hide for as long as she needed as she picks up her fork in preparation to eat.

Olivia takes her place opposite them, watching the scene before her with a soft, knowing smile on her face. It only takes about ten minutes before Aurora finally braves coming out of her hiding space, going from Scarlett's lap to Olivia's as she shyly begins to nibble at her own food.

It was mac and cheese. Her favourite.

Conversation was quiet and limited, but not at all uncomfortable and just as she swallows her last mouthful and allows Olivia to wipe her mouth clean with a baby wipe, Scarlett decides to finally brave the conversation.

"So you know mama has to go on a work trip on Friday?" She leans back in her chair and crosses one leg over the other, hands fiddling with her own napkin.

Aurora nods as she leans back against Olivia's chest, bringing her legs up to her own chest and allowing the woman's hands to rest beneath her thighs to keep them there.

Scarlett couldn't help but smile at the sight. In big space, Aurora was definitely a mommy's girl. "Are you okay with staying with mommy?"

Aurora, again, nods, no hesitation in sight. "Yeah. I'll miss you though." She admits a little sadly, and Scarlett nods with a tender smile as she sits forward in her seat and rests her elbows on the table.

"I'll miss you too munchkin. But it's only for one night, and I'm sure mommy will find you something fun to do."

Olivia nods as she lightly bounces Aurora on her lap a few times, "Yeah. Maybe we could go to a trampoline park or something?" Her options on things to do with big Aurora were definitely broader than when she was little. She couldn't exactly take an eighteen month old to a trampoline park and expect it to go smoothly.

Neither woman miss how the little ones eyes immediately light up at her mommy's words, and they both share a smile.

"See? You're going to have so much fun," Scarlett smiles as she rises to her feet with the intention of getting the dishes done. "You won't even know I'm gone." She picks up all three plays and plants a kiss to Aurora's forehead and Olivia's cheek before disappearing through to the kitchen.

Little did she know, she couldn't have been more wrong.

**

This probably wasn't even worth how long the wait was I apologise 😅

Either way I'd love to hear your thoughts!! Don't forget to comment and vote for the next chapter!