It had been three months since the incident, and things were finally settling down. Zivia's nightmares had reduced significantly-something that brought Olivia an immense sense of relief. Her baby was healing, slowly but surely.
But today, Olivia wasn't feeling the least bit calm.
She was scrambling through the entire house like a madwoman, flipping through drawers, zipping and unzipping suitcases, checking and rechecking lists while muttering under her breath. Tomorrow, they were flying to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and somehow, there was still too much left to do.
And to make matters worse-
"Zack freaking Goldsmith," Olivia seethed as she stormed across the hallway, hands full of Zivia's tiny clothes, "you promised you'd be home early! Where the hell are you?!"
Of course, there was no answer. Because Zack was not home early. Because Zack was Zack.
Meanwhile, Zivia, her ever-so-sweet little angel, had transformed into a hyperactive bundle of energy. The sugar rush had hit, and it had hit hard.
"Mama, look at me!" Zivia squealed as she zoomed in circles around Olivia like a tiny tornado, arms flapping wildly. "I'm a butterfly! Wheeeeee!"
Olivia, who had just managed to shove some of Zivia's dresses into the suitcase, barely looked up. "Mhm, that's great, baby."
Zivia gasped dramatically. "Mama! You're not watching!"
"I am watching!" Olivia shot back, stuffing socks into a side pouch. "I have eyes in the back of my head."
Zivia skidded to a stop, looking at her suspiciously. "No, you don't!"
"I do."
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
Zivia stomped her tiny foot. "Prove it!"
Olivia sighed, turning around just enough to point. "You're standing by the couch, wearing your yellow pajamas, and you just ate another piece of chocolate when I told you no more sweets."
Zivia's eyes went wide. "Wha- H-How did you-?!"
"Mama magic." Olivia smirked before grabbing another handful of clothes.
Zivia, completely shook, stood frozen for a second before resuming her sugar-fueled antics. "Okay, okay, now I'm a puppy!" She dropped to her hands and knees, crawling around Olivia and making adorable little barking noises. "Woof woof! Mama, I'm a doggie!"
"Zivia, baby, please," Olivia groaned, dodging her tiny daughter as she zipped past her again. "I need to finish packing!"
"But I'm a doggie!" Zivia whined, nuzzling her head against Olivia's leg. "You have to pet me!"
Olivia exhaled dramatically, reaching down to give Zivia's curls a quick ruffle. "There. Good puppy. Now let Mama-"
Zivia gasped. "Mama, doggies don't like head pats! They like belly rubs!"
"Oh, for the love of-Zivia, I am not rubbing your belly!" Olivia nearly shrieked.
Zivia collapsed into giggles, rolling onto her back anyway. "Yes, you have to! I'm your doggie!"
"Baby, I swear, if you don't let me pack-"
Before she could finish, Zivia suddenly jumped to her feet again, her little body vibrating with excitement. "Mama, I have a 'mazing idea!"
Olivia sighed. "Oh dear."
Zivia ignored the sarcasm. "I will help you pack!"
Now that got Olivia's attention. She blinked, slightly skeptical but mostly relieved. "Oh? You will?"
