Fatal wounds

22

Valentina

"Hi baby." I grin at little Anna in my arms. I haven't seen this little bundle of joy in a month. Crystal, Brooke, and I are finally having our brunch we decided to stay at my place since Anna began to run a fever due to teething.

"I can't." Brooke pouts looking at the video she previously had taken of Anna. One of her five month milestones was learning how to crawl. Brooke and Crystal both got it on camera as I guided her. "My ovaries are crying." She says sympathetically as she pats her lower stomach.

Crystal watches the video with a mix of happiness and sadness. "She's growing so fast. And it saddens me that I might never experience any of this again."

My hand instinctively goes to covers hers. "Don't let it stop you from embracing your baby's achievements."

"I won't." She smiles placing a kiss on Anna's chubby cheek. Anna gives her mom a sleepy smile before placing her head on my chest and closing her eyes. "I don't get it." Crystal muses, "every time she's with you she goes to sleep like it's nothing." With a small laugh she says, "it takes us hours to get her down."

"Well I'm happy to be of service." I grin continuing to pat her back rhythmically. Anna jerks against my chest when the loud doorbell sounds through the house.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Brooke asks seeing the confusion on my face.

"No. Theo is supposed to come over but not till-" my eyes flicker over to the time on my phone. "Oh. That should actually be Theo. Seems like brunch ran late."

"I'll get it." I stand with Anna in my arms leaving Brooke and Crystal chatting about upcoming Easter celebrations.

I quietly pull open the door hyper aware of every semi loud noise I make. Though as soon as the sun light hits Anna's face she's digging her face closer into my chest.

Theo's eyes drop to the baby in my arms. "Am I early?"

"Nope." I smile and lean in to press a kiss against his cheek. "We lost track of time." When I try pulling away he snakes a hand around my back and pushes me closer to place a kiss on my lips.

"I missed you mi amor." He mumbles against me.

"You were here last night." I laugh placing a hand on his cheek. "But I missed you as well, Theo."

"Good." He grins. His hand that was around his back comes into my vision and he holds out a pink tulip. "For you."

I smile and take it with my free hand. "Thank you." He smiles and his eyes flicker down to Anna who's now sleepily peering up at us.

I watch as Theo's eyes roam over the baby then back to me holding a soft expression. "Cute baby."

"Isn't she?" He nods his eyes still on me, "your friend Crystal's baby, right?"

"Yup. And you woke her." I say pointedly. "She had just closed her eyes."

"My apologies." He says softly before placing a kiss on my head. He runs a thumb over my back with his hand that's holding me and he gently places a hand over Anna's back before he pulls away. "Want me to come by later instead?"

"No." I frown, "come in." I place my flower on the counter and pull Theo's arm. As soon as we enter the kitchen Brooke is making grabby hands. "My turn with the munchkin, you've had her long enough."

"I guess." I pout and place the baby in Brooke arms. I look at Crystal's empty seat with questioning eyes.

"She's in the bathroom." Brooke says. Anna looks up at her curiously before looking back over at me and where her mom was seated. Her eyes widen and instantly fill with tears, her lower lip trembles pulling at my heartstrings.