Abandoned

22

It was another fun-filled morning, one that seemed just like the others, but Zareya felt a quiet anticipation in the air, as if something new was waiting just around the corner.

As usual, the day began with Doctor Waters arriving for his weekly check-in. His now bright smile and calming presence were a welcome start to their mornings, and though Sienna never seemed bothered Zareya could tell she appreciated the steady rhythm of their routine.

Doctor Waters knelt down beside Sienna, his voice soft and gentle. "How are we feeling today, sweetie?" He asked, his tone warm and patient. Sienna met his gaze, then reached out to touch the stethoscope around the doctor's neck, her fingers brushing lightly over it, as if in silent acknowledgment of the question.

Sienna had grown to like the silly man soon after her surgery. He was silly and had a shiny thing, she liked to look at herself in the reflection.

Zareya watched from the corner of the room, a quiet smile on her lips. She had seen this routine play out so many times, yet it never failed to amaze her.
Doctor Waters finished his checkup, nodding in approval as he stood "Everything's looking good with her progress," he said, smiling warmly as he gave Sienna a gentle nod. "Keep up the good work, Zareya. She's responding well."

As the door clicked shut behind her, Zareya let out a quiet sigh, feeling the usual wave of relief wash over her. She stood up and walked over to the girls bed. It was time for breakfast.

Breakfast was always their favorite time of the day—simple, quiet, and full of comfort. Sienna climbed up onto her usual spot on the psychologists lap as the woman gathered her prepared meal, puréed fruit. As she set the plate down, she noticed Sienna's eyes were already shining with excitement, her fingers twitching lightly as if urging the food to come faster.

"Patience, darling," Zareya teased lightly, her voice full of affection. She set a bottle of milk down in front of Sienna and grinned as the little girl immediately reached for it, taking a gulp with a contented sigh.

Once breakfast was finished, the pair settled onto the couch, a familiar routine of cuddles and closeness before playtime began. Zareya pulled Sienna close, her arms wrapping around the small frame. The quiet moments between them were always the most precious—no words were needed here, just the warmth of their bond.

Sienna nestled in, resting her head on Zareya's chest. Her hand lightly brushed Zareya's arm, tracing patterns across her skin, a silent language that spoke of trust and comfort. Zareya stroked her hair gently, feeling the weight of the day's responsibilities lift in these peaceful moments.

After a while, Sienna stirred, lifting her head and looking up at Zareya with those bright, expressive eyes. There was something different in her gaze today, something that Zareya couldn't quite place. Without hesitation, Sienna pulled away, dropping herself down onto the floor with some assistance and crawling over to the cabinet where the blocks were kept.

Zareya watched as Sienna pulled a small wooden box out and set it on the floor. The way her fingers moved with such care and intention made Zareya smile. She didn't need to ask what Sienna had in mind—Sienna was always clear when it came to playtime.

Zareya knelt beside her, picking up the first block and holding it out for Sienna to take. The little girl accepted it without a word, and the two began to build together once more. This time, though, the game felt different. It wasn't just about stacking blocks; there was a new sense of purpose in Sienna's movements, a new energy that Zareya couldn't ignore.

As the tower grew higher, Zareya noticed that Sienna was adding blocks in ways she hadn't before—layering them in a specific order, testing their balance with a precision Zareya hadn't seen in previous games. It was as if she was building something more than just a tower; it was as if she was creating a new world altogether.

After a few moments of careful stacking, Sienna paused, her hands resting lightly on the tower. She turned to Zareya, her eyes full of something unspoken—something that made Zareya's heart beat a little faster. There was a shift happening, something between them, something bigger than the blocks they were stacking.

"What are you thinking, little one?" Zareya asked softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Sienna's fingers brushed over the top of the tower, then she slowly turned her gaze toward Zareya. The moment lingered, and for a brief second, it felt as though time itself had paused, waiting for the next step.

With a soft smile, Sienna took Zareya's hand, guiding it gently toward the next block. Without a word, she was showing Zareya what she wanted—something more. Something beyond the tower, beyond their playtime. A future, perhaps, that they would build together.

And as the blocks clicked together, one by one, Zareya realized that, just like the tower they were building, their bond was growing stronger, taller, steadier.

They were creating something that wouldn't fall apart.

Each block added a layer of understanding and trust, a foundation that neither had to question.