TNN ONESHOTS

Can we call you mum? - AMR & CV

It had been a long day and Mia sat quietly on the couch as she let her thoughts run wild. Charlotte was just in the other room cleaning up after dinner but tonight Mia didn't have the energy to help her. The weight of the day settled heavily on her shoulders, a mixture of exhaustion, disappointment and a vague sense of unease. She replayed the events of the day in her mind, searching for the source of her weariness, but found only a jumbled mess of conversations, deadlines, and fleeting moments of joy.

As the minutes ticked by, Mia's thoughts drifted further, away from the specifics of her day and onto something deeper. She pondered the nature of time, the vastness of the universe, and the intricate dance of life that unfolded around her. The silence of the room only amplified her thoughts, and she found herself lost in a sea of contemplation. The rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to mock her, reminding her how long she was just sat there.

Suddenly, Charlotte emerged from the kitchen, her face slightly flushed from the steam of the hot water. She surveyed the living room, her eyes landing on Mia, who was still lost in thought. A gentle smile spread across Charlotte's face as she approached the couch, sensing her girlfriend's need for comfort and understanding. Without a word, Charlotte sat beside Mia, offering a silent presence that spoke volumes. In that moment, Mia felt a sense of peace wash over her, knowing that she wasn't alone.

Charlotte sat beside her girlfriend,  gently placing her hand on her knee. "Mia.... mia... Amelia!" Charlotte got louder and louder everytime as Mia didn't respond to her name. Charlotte soon gave up and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, quickly getting her attention. "Sorry" she mumbled while faking a smile. "Baby whats wrong?" Mia sighed before standing up.

She started pacing back and forth, her frustration bubbling over like a pot on a stove. "I can't believe it, Charlotte! Viv and Siobhan? Engaged? Before us?" She threw her hands up in the air, her voice laced with a mixture of disbelief and a hint of underlying jealousy. "It's not that I'm not happy for them, of course, but..."

Charlotte, perched on the edge of the couch, watched her Mia with a knowing smile. She'd seen this coming. Mia had been secretly comparing their relationship to Viv and Siobhan's for weeks. "Okay, spill it," Charlotte said, gesturing for Mia to sit down in the space next to her. "What's really bothering you?"

Mia finally conceded, collapsing onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. "It's just... they've only been together for, like, half a year! We've been together for like a year now, and we haven't even talked about, you know, the future." She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her eyes darting around the room. "I just feel like we're lagging behind, like we're not progressing at the same pace. But we both had to deal with that man, how can she be getting herself back so quickly after only just leaving? Char i have only just found ways of coping without running away. How is she thinking about settling down? I know im here with your girls but Jamie calls her moma bon bon. How? She hates kids, well she did at least.  What is wrong with me char? Why cant i let go like her?" Mia got out as her chest heaved. She done everything in her power to keep her sobs at bay but Charlotte could see right through her.

Mia zoned out as Charlotte lifted her onto her lap. "Sweetheart, im not worried about a ring. I know you love me and i love you. People move on and handle things differently but im so so proud of the progress you have made." Charlotte whispered before picking up the blanket and wrapping it around them.

"I know you are bothered about her relationship with Jamie aswell but Mia watch this." Charlotte whispered as she pressed the play button on a video that she took of her daughters. "Did she just ask when she can call me mum?" Mia questioned as she watched the video of Charlottes youngst daughter ask her older sister on advice and calling Mia mum.

"They do love you they really do. They are just like me and get nervous about asking big questions." Charlotte whispered as she held Mia on her lap. "I didnt meam to rant. Im sorry and I am really happy for them both, i really am. Everyone is healing and thats all that matters." Charlotte nodded along. "Maybe tonight you can tuck them into bed for story time and who know they might find the confidence to ask you." Charlotte whispered as she held Mia. "And as for us i will love you with or without a ring. i love what we have and a ring or a piece of paper wont change that." Charlotte hushed as she pulled Mia closer to her chest.

*

Bedtime rolled round quickly. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room as Mia gently closed the door, the faint scent of lavender and bedtime stories lingering in the air. The two little girls, were nestled under their covers, their eyes already drooping with sleep. Mia smiled, remembering the days when she herself was a little girl, the comfort of a tucking Autumn and being held in a warm embrace before drifting off to dreamland.

She tiptoed over to Olivia bed, smoothing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "Goodnight, my sweet girl," she whispered, kissing her gently on the forehead. Olivia mumbled a sleepy "Night, Mia," her eyes fluttering closed. Next, she turned to Lily, who was clutching a stuffed unicorn, its horn slightly bent from countless cuddles. "And goodnight to you, my little star," Mia said, giving her a hug. Daisy giggled, snuggling closer, her grip on the unicorn tightening. "Um mia can i call you moma please or something like that. I dont like calling you mia." She mumbled as she held onto Mia a little tighter, her fingers clutching her sweater in her little fingers.

Olivia shuffled in her bed slightly. "Lils i told you about this!" She scolded slightly as Mia moved to look at Charlottes eldest daughter. "Sweetheart its okay. Come here darling." She whispered while making room for Olivia to sit down.

Once they were all wrapped in eachothers arms Mia kissed the top of both their heads. "I love both of you and your mum so so much and if you want to call me something else instead of Mia then thats okay. No matter what as long as it makes you happy." Mia whispered as both the girls nodded slightly. "I'm going to love you all no matter what, okay. I will let you have a think of names but for now you both need to sleep okay." Mia hushed as she kissed both the girls before tucking them in.

As Mia made her way out of the room, she paused, looking back at the two sleeping girls. A feeling of warmth spread through her, a sense of peace that only came from witnessing such innocent slumber. She knew these were the moments that would be cherished forever, the simple acts of love and care that wove the fabric of family. With a final, silent glance, Mia turned and walked away, leaving the room to the quiet symphony of their breaths.

Mia entered the living room to find Charlotte, leaned in close to her, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and tenderness as she recounted the bedtime ritual to Charlotte. "So, I tucked them in, read them their stories, the usual," she began, taking a moment. Charlotte, leaned against mia, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"And then," Mia continued, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Lily, she looked up at me, all big-eyed and serious, and asked if they could call me 'Mum'." A wave of emotion washed over Mia's face, a mixture of surprise and a deep, heart-tugging affection. She paused, letting the weight of the moment settle.

Charlotte's expression softened. "Oh, Mia," she said softly, reaching up to squeeze her hand. "What did you say?" Mia chuckled, "Well, I told them that they could call me what they want and that I loved them very much and would always be there for them." A comfortable silence fell between them, a shared understanding of the bond that transcended words.

"It was the sweetest thing," Mia finally said, her voice filled with warmth. "It just reminded me how lucky I am to have them in my life, and to have you, sweetheart." Charlotte smiled, her eyes reflecting the depth of their relationship. They both knew that in that moment, the unspoken language of love and family had been beautifully and simply spoken.