Never Not You

Donor

The early morning light seeped through the curtains as Aurora quietly slid out of bed, careful not to wake Leah, who was still bundled under the blankets. Stretching slightly, she tucked her hair behind her ear and padded down the hall to Mateo's room.

When she opened the door, a soft smile tugged at her lips. Mateo was already awake, sitting up in his crib, clutching his little stuffed dinosaur, his dark curls slightly tousled. His big brown eyes lit up when he saw her.

Aurora approached him with a soft, warm tone.
"Buenos días, mi amor. ¿Dormiste bien?"
(Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?)

Mateo's small arms immediately reached up towards her as he called out, "¡Mami!"

Aurora chuckled, leaning down to scoop him up. But as she settled him against her hip, her nose scrunched slightly at the dampness of his pajamas. His back and curls were a little sweaty, clinging to his skin.

"¿Estabas calientito, bebé?" she asked gently, brushing a few damp curls from his forehead.
(Were you hot, baby?)

Mateo nodded enthusiastically, his face scrunching as he repeated, "'Ot! 'Ot!"

Aurora kissed his forehead with a laugh and carried him to the bathroom. She set him down on the plush bath mat and began running warm water in the sink. Mateo toddled over to the tub, gripping the edge and watching the water flow with wide eyes, already babbling excitedly in his toddler language.

"Vamos a limpiarte rápido, cariño. No queremos que te sientas pegajoso, ¿verdad?"
(Let's clean you up quickly, sweetheart. We don't want you feeling sticky, right?)

Mateo clapped his hands together, splashing them against the cool edge of the tub. "¡Agua! ¡Agua!"

Aurora laughed, her heart melting at his enthusiasm. "Sí, agua, mi amor. Eres tan listo."
(Yes, water, my love. You're so clever.)

She filled the small baby tub with warm water and a splash of baby-safe soap, creating a few suds. Mateo giggled as Aurora carefully lifted him in, the lukewarm water covering his little legs. His hands immediately slapped at the water, sending droplets everywhere.

"¡Cuidado, Mateo! Estás mojando todo," Aurora said with a playful laugh, shielding her face from the spray.
(Careful, Mateo! You're getting everything wet.)

Mateo only laughed harder, his giggles bouncing off the walls. Aurora knelt by the tub, rolling up her sleeves, and gently poured water over his back using a small cup.

"Mira esas burbujas, bebé. ¿Te gustan?" she asked, pointing to the few bubbles forming in the water.
(Look at these bubbles, baby. Do you like them?)

Mateo reached out with both hands, squishing the bubbles between his fingers. "¡Buubu-as!" he exclaimed, his attempt at saying "burbujas" (bubbles).

"¡Eso es, burbujas! Muy bien, mi cielo," Aurora encouraged, smiling at his effort.
(That's right, bubbles! Very good, my darling.)

As Aurora gently washed his little arms and legs, Mateo kept himself busy trying to "catch" the soap suds, his baby giggles warming Aurora's heart. She tilted her head to the side, humming a soft Spanish lullaby as she worked, her voice soothing and melodic.

When she rinsed him off with a cup of water, Mateo squealed, "¡Más! ¡Más!"
(More! More!)

"No, no, eso es suficiente, mi amor. Ya estás limpio y guapo," she said, smiling as she gently wrapped him in a soft towel and lifted him out of the tub.
(No, no, that's enough, my love. You're clean and handsome now.)