Helping Aurora

28

It didn't take long for Aurora to stir. Her sleepy eyes blink open, and she grins behind her pacifier as she reaches for her mama.

"Good morning, lovebug," Scarlett whispers, brushing a gentle hand over her hair before reaching down and scooping the little one into her arms. The look on her face was serious, and it makes Aurora realise that something was going on. Slowly, she pulls her pacifier out of her mouth, looking between both woman with a look of confusion on her face, the security of her headspace slowly slipping away just slightly. She wasn't completely big, but she definitely wasn't little either. She blinks up at Scarlett, nuzzling into the warmth of her chest, clearly sensing something was different.

"What's going on?" Her voice was a mere whisper.

Olivia reaches over, giving Aurora's hand a gentle squeeze. "Pumpkin," she begins softly, her tone gentle and soothing. "Mama and I want to talk to you about something important, alright?"

Aurora looks between them with confusion and a touch of worry, her small fingers reaching for Scarlett's hand, clutching tightly.

Scarlett places a soft kiss on her temple. "It's okay, sweetheart. You're safe," she murmurs, rocking her gently.

"Maria called us this morning," Olivia explains softly. "There's another little girl, Alexia, and... well, she was matched with us, just like you were." She pauses, her eyes searching Aurora's face.

It takes a moment for the words to sink in, but as they do, Aurora's face falls, her expression turning from confusion to shock, and then, almost immediately, to distress. She clutches Scarlett's hand even tighter, her lip beginning to tremble.

"But... but I don't want a sister," she says, her voice breaking. "I don't... I don't want to share you."

The pain in her voice is evident, and Olivia's heart twists at the sound of it. She reaches out, brushing a thumb along Aurora's cheek. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmurs, voice soft with sympathy. "We know this is a big thing to take in. We haven't decided on anything yet, okay? We'd never want you to feel left out or... or like we're choosing someone else over you."

Aurora shakes her head, her eyes filling with tears. "But you are!" she cries, pressing herself against Scarlett, burying her face into her mama's shoulder. "I don't want her. I don't want anyone else. I only want you both. Just you and Mama."

Scarlett wraps her arms around her, holding her tightly as her little body shakes with quiet sobs. "Shh, lovebug," she whispers, rubbing her back soothingly. "You're our special girl, our one and only. No one is ever going to change that. I promise you."

Olivia sits beside them, leaning in close. "Aurora, we love you more than anything in the world," she says softly, heart hurting at their little one's pain. "We're only thinking about meeting Alexia. Just meeting her. That's all."

Aurora lifts her head slightly, her face streaked with tears. "Promise?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

Scarlett strokes her hair gently. "We promise. No one could ever replace you, love. No one."

It takes a while before Aurora's breathing calms, her little sobs subsiding into sniffles. She stays curled up against Scarlett, her arms wrapped tightly around her mama, refusing to let go. They sit together in quiet understanding for a few moments before Scarlett softly suggests, "How about we have some breakfast? We'll take it slow today."

Aurora nods but doesn't seem interested in anything more than nursing. Scarlett simply holds her close, letting her nurse as they head to the kitchen with Olivia following close behind. The morning passes quietly, with Olivia and Scarlett sharing a knowing look over the kitchen table, both aware of how deeply Aurora's reaction had impacted them.