Abandoned

39

Zareya brushed a thumb gently across Sienna's temple, smoothing back the wild wisps of her hair. "Good morning, baby," she whispered.

Sienna didn't answer with words, not at first. She just burrowed closer, small fingers curling into the fabric of Zareya's shirt. After a moment, she tilted her face upward, eyes still puffy from sleep, and let out a soft grunt that meant don't move yet.

Zareya smiled. "Alright. Just a little longer."

It was their quiet moment, one of many that had become the anchors of Sienna's day. And lately, the care team had been watching closely, surprised by how predictable those moments had become. Sienna, who used to float through the hours overwhelmed and detached, had begun forming patterns, tiny, delicate ones, but patterns nonetheless.

A knock sounded gently against the door.

Sienna stiffened instantly.

Zareya tightened her hold. "It's just Laila, I promise."

The door opened slowly, as if responding to the reassurance itself. Laila slipped inside, a warm smile spreading the moment she saw the pair. She carried a clipboard tucked under one arm and a soft pink blanket in the other, a new texture sample for Sienna's sensory comfort box.

"Morning," Laila said softly. "Is she awake?"

Zareya nodded. "Sort of."

Sienna peeked out, eyes narrowed with suspicion but not fear. Laila lowered herself to the floor, keeping a gentle distance.

"I won't take her from you," she murmured. "I'm just here to talk through some plans."

Plans. Routine. Predictability.
Words the team had been leaning into more and more, because Sienna wasn't just recovering physically now. She was building the scaffolding for her emotional life, piece by fragile piece.

Zareya adjusted her hold but didn't shift Sienna away. "What's on the agenda?"

Laila flipped through her notes. "After the outing to the pond... we realized something important. Sienna handles new things much better when her day has a strong foundation. Same start time, same transitions, same anchors."

"We already keep a routine," Zareya said, stroking Sienna's back.

"You do," Laila agreed, "and it's helped tremendously. But now we want to expand it into a structured plan that can follow her home someday."

The word home still hit Zareya like a soft blow to the chest. Beautiful. Terrifying. Real.

Sienna shifted, brow furrowing like she sensed something heavy in the air. Before she could work herself up, Zareya kissed the top of her head.

"It's alright, baby."

Laila cleared her throat gently. "I also think it's time we help her develop preferences on purpose, safe, healthy ones. Foods, textures, toys... even people."

Sienna made a small sound, lifting her head just enough to eye Laila with a look that could only be interpreted as I prefer Mama.

Zareya huffed a soft laugh. "Looks like she's already ahead of you there."

"She'll need more than one safe person eventually," Laila reminded carefully. "But we'll build up to that. One step at a time."

Sienna pulled herself more upright, still leaning on Zareya but studying Laila with slightly less suspicion. Her fingers reached for the pink blanket folded on Laila's lap.

"You want this?" Laila asked, offering it slowly.

Sienna hesitated, then nodded. A small, quiet nod. But a nod.