Bailey Meadema: So long London and hello Manchester ( kinda)

4: Overtired bubba

Viv POV:

It's a sound that any parent knows all too well: the soft whimper of a child waking in the early hours of the morning. I was deep in my dream world, where clouds were made of candy and laughter echoed endlessly, when the heart-wrenching cry broke through the tranquility of my slumber. I blinked awake and glanced at the clock. It was still dark outside; neither the sun nor my will to rise were making any appearances.

"Viv," came the gentle voice of my fiancée, Beth, sitting on the edge of our bed, "it's Bailey." I'd forgotten how ethereal the world feels just after waking, and hearing Beth's voice brought me into the soft warmth of reality.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and trudged down the hall, the soft carpet beneath my feet providing a brief comfort as I knew what awaited me—our radiant five-year-old daughter, Bailey, who was, at that moment, a whirlwind of tears. She was crumpled up against Beth, her tiny frame shaking with the force of her sobs.

"Sweetheart, what's the matter?" I whispered softly as I knelt beside her, brushing a few strands of hair away from her tear-stained face.

"I... I had a bad dream," she managed to say, the innocence in her voice cutting straight to my heart. Dreams were supposed to be bright and whimsical, and yet here she was, carrying the weight of a nightmare far too big for her small shoulders.

Beth wrapped her arm around Bailey, gently rocking her back and forth, murmuring soothing words, something along the lines of "It's okay, sweetheart. Mummy's here."

Together, we comforted her, our small family cocooned in the tender embrace of each other's love, slowly transforming her sobs into little sighs and quiet breaths. It felt like an eternity, but maybe only thirty minutes passed before Bailey, exhausted, succumbed to the gentle lull of sleep once more—this time nestled safely between us on our bed.

With Bailey in a more peaceful slumber, the three of us started the familiar morning routine of getting ready for the day—sipping cold coffee, fixing tangled hair, and chatting lightly about our plans for the day. As we slid into shoes and jackets, a sense of anticipation danced through the air. Usually, our best friend Leah would be waiting for us at the hotel bar, ready to discuss the previous night, but the absence felt a little heavy in the silence between us.

"Where's aunty Leah, mama?" Bailey mumbled sleepily, her little face now relaxed above the covers. Beth and I exchanged a glance, our eyes sharing a moment of mutual concern. We hadn't questioned Leah's absence too much until now.

Without hesitation, I suggested we check on her, the instinct to protect our closest friends as strong as that to protect our child. I led the way down the hall, the path feeling somehow more significant with each step I took towards Leah's room.

I knocked lightly. "Leah? It's Viv."

The door opened almost immediately, revealing Leah's slightly groggy figure. "Hey, come on in," she said, pulling me inside. I noticed a sadness etched in her expression that was something I hadn't anticipated.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and the usual morning banter, Leah started to show me her phone. The words sprang from the screen like an avalanche of disbelief—messages from Mary Earps, her long-time girlfriend. As my heart sank into a pit of sorrow for Leah, the harsh reality unfolded: Mary had cheated on her.

I felt a mixture of emotions as I read through the words—anger, sadness, and an overwhelming urge to shield Leah from this heartbreak. I could only imagine the sweltering mix of emotions coursing through her. We sat together in silence as Leah gradually came to terms with the news, her eyes moist but resolute, as if processing her hurt aloud in the quiet of the empty room.

Before long, a message from Beth popped up on my phone, a gentle reminder of the little girl waiting for us. "Bailey's due for a nap, and she's getting overtired," it read. I knew we couldn't stay long. "Five more minutes, Leah," I said quietly, squeezing her hand. "I'm right here."

After an overall emotional twenty minutes, I finally said goodbye to Leah, promising we would talk more later. Beth was waiting outside with Bailey, who had just woken up and was beginning to whimper again.

"Mommy," she said, her arms reaching out. Without much thought, Beth scooped her up and whispered sweet reassurances into her little ear, suggesting a stroll in the pushchair to calm her down.

As they set off, I took a breath, stealing a moment to collect my thoughts. Leah had managed to crack a small smile; her spirit needed some uplifting. We decided to have a quiet chat by the bar while Bailey was briefly distracted.

About half an hour passed, but the cheerful chatter around the bar soon took a back seat as I heard Bailey's wails echoing from outside the doors. I rushed out to find Beth in distress, visibly frazzled with Bailey screaming in despair.

"I think we need a change of scenery," I suggested. "Let's take a short walk to the beach; it's not far." Beth nodded, though her exhaustion was palpable.

The three of us made our way to the beach, but the script flipped when we arrived. Bailey had calmed down almost instantly and lulled into a peaceful sleep in the pushchair. I shared a knowing glance with Beth, smiling a bit at how nature sometimes works its magic when the human spirit fails.

After stowing Bailey in the shade of a beach umbrella, Leah and I took a quiet moment by the water, feeling the salty breeze tousle our hair and rejuvenate our spirits. It felt good to unwind, to share a laugh amidst the heaviness of heartbreak.

With the sun casting a warm glow over the landscape, we returned to the hotel, the aura more relaxed now. We found Beth still tending to a sleeping Bailey and took this opportunity to fill her in on Leah's recent breakup.

"Just remember," Beth said soothingly, "We're all going through something. Love can be a wild ride, but we have each other."

That day was filled with a tapestry of emotions, interwoven with laughter, sadness, and a profound sense of support. By the time we left the hotel bar and headed back to our room among the distant sound of waves lapping against the shore, I realized the bonds of parenthood and friendship are intricately connected.

Whether it's waking to soothe a crying child or supporting a friend in the wake of heartbreak, it all weaves together to create a tapestry rich with love—one that we cherish and uphold as we navigate the chaos and beauty of life. And as I drifted to sleep that night, I whispered a promise to myself to hold onto that understanding, for each tear and giggle is a significant
thread in the fabric of our lives.

Authors notes:

Ok so me and my (ex) girlfriend have broke up...

I'm not doing well mentally at the moment so I'm sorry for that

ALSO CITY VS PSG IN THE PERTH CUP FINAL

WOOO

anyway Lucy_Keira6 hope you enjoyed the part