ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

18. Mamma

P.O.V. MAYA DELUCA-BISHOP

The station was silent, except for the distant sounds of the radio downstairs and the soft rustling of the trees outside. It was almost midnight, and I was in my bunk, lying next to Liam.

He was leaning against the wall, snuggled up against the blankets, his little body warmed by mine. He was 11 months old now, full of energy and curiosity, but that night, he was a little quieter, a little more needy.

Carina had been away for more than a day, and I knew he was missing her. He still didn't fully understand the concept of time, but he knew something was wrong.

He was nauseous, and it seemed that nothing I did could completely comfort him. Even though I was mommy Maya, it was my wife he wanted at that moment.

- Hey, little one, let's see some pictures of mamma, shall we? - I asked softly, picking up my cell phone from the side table.

My son looked at me with those big, curious eyes, which made me smile. I opened the photo album, which contained several pictures of Carina - some old, some new.

There was one from when she was already pregnant, another of her laughing with him in her arms, and many others that I kept as precious memories.

- Look here - I slid my finger across the screen, showing a photo of her with a radiant smile - Remember this one? She was holding you in her arms in the park. Mamma was so happy!

Liam looked at the screen, curious, and then looked at me, as if he was processing the images. He reached out his chubby little hand and touched the phone screen, his fingers closing over her image.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, but then he frowned, as if something was wrong.

- Mamma? - he murmured, his voice low but full of emotion.

My heart stopped for a second. He had babbled sounds before, but this was the first time he had said the word clearly.

 A silly smile spread across my face as I held the cell phone closer to him.

- Yes, that's right, Liam. Mamma. That's your mamma - I said excitedly, but with a soft voice, so as not to scare him.

He frowned again and this time the word came out with more conviction.

- Mamma! - he said, tapping the screen of his cell phone.

I laughed, surprised and delighted at the same time. It was as if he was trying to call her, as if he was looking for that familiar presence that always calmed him.

My eyes got a little watery. He was growing up so fast, and that moment, even though simple, was monumental.

- Mamma will be so happy when she hears you say that - I murmured, kissing the top of his head.

I continued showing him Carina's photos, telling him little stories about each one. Even if he didn't understand everything, I knew that the familiarity of the images and my voice calmed him down.

- Look at that, probie. Mamma was giving you a bath, remember? You were laughing so much... - I commented, pointing to the photo of Carina holding Liam in the bath, both covered in foam and smiling.

Liam smiled slightly, as if he understood. But after a while, his smile disappeared, and he murmured again, his voice a little lower this time:

- Mamma... mamma...

My chest tightened. It was incredible how, even at such a young age, he already had this deep bond with Carina. He missed her so much.

- I know, Lilo. I know you miss mamma, but she'll be back soon, okay? - I whispered, running my hand over his bald head.