Chloe, Beca and Harper had Anna stay with them while Ben was on a business trip. It was her first time leaving the house, besides going to the doctor. "Aunt Anna!" Harper said, running up and clinging onto her leg.
"Hi, angel," Anna said, bending down to hug the little girl.
"Hey, Anna," Beca said. "Let me take your bags for you. You can have my room."
"Oh no it's ok. I was planning on taking the couch."
"You're still recovering, and I think it would be better for you to take the bed. Don't argue with me. You know I'm right."
"Ugh, fine."
"Chloe's out shopping. Me and Harper got to have a little mommy daughter time. We did manicures and fashion shows."
"Oh that's so fun."
"So how are you feeling?"
"You know, it's weird because I have my good and bad days. Most days, including today, I feel a lot better. I mean I'm still not very strong, and I'm light headed, but it's improving, and then other days, I can't even get out of bed. It's weird. I have chest pains and stomach aches and I feel like I can't even move, but I've been having less bad days lately, so I'm definitely improving. I'm still throwing up once in a while, though."
"You know what though, it's truly amazing. You almost died, I really thought it was the end, and a week later, you beat it, and that's amazing. You're still SO skinny."
"I feel fine, Becs. Today, I feel better than I have in the longest time. Oh, I've been meaning to mention, remember what I wanted for you?"
"You wanted me with Jesse."
"And I still do, Becs. You seem so lonely. And I know you loved him, and you still do."
"I do love him, and that's why I won't date anyone else."
"Harper wants you two together."
"I know she does, but it's not like I can get him back. He hasn't seen her in 2 years."
"Please think about it, Becs, I want you to be happy."
Harper ran up to Anna with colored pencils. "Aunt Anna wanna draw?!?"
"Of course I do!"
Anna and Beca got up and sat down at the table. Beca sat next to her daughter, and Anna sat on the other side. Anna was an amazing artist. Beca could only draw stick figures, but her two year old seemed to just draw rainbows. After an hour, Anna showed Beca what she had drawn. It was a picture of Beca and her daughter drawing together. Beca had one arm around Harper and the other drawing. Harper had one hand on her mother's arm and the other was also drawing. Beca smiled. "Is my hair that frizzy?"
"Considering you didn't do anything with it, yes, but it looks ok."
"It's amazing Anna. My face looks horrible, but it's still amazing."
"You look fine without makeup. I drew it to show you what an amazing mother you are, but you know what it's missing?"
"What? I think we're perfect."
"You are Becs, but it's missing Jesse and you know it."
"I know. You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"Nope."
"Ok fine. Christmas is coming. If I invite him, would that make you happy?"
"Yes. And I need you to talk to him. Now help me up. I want to play Candy Land with Harper."
Beca helped her friend up. "I thought you were doing better with that."
"I don't know. It's like my muscles get sore."
"No, I totally get it. Harper, why don't you go get the game for Aunt Anna."
After Harper left the room, Anna looked at Beca. "Let's go to magnolia instead. She's never been there."
"Are you up to it? I want you to feel ok."
"Becs, you were 8 months pregnant and Chloe dragged you to the mall. I think I can survive a cupcake shop for an hour."
"Ok. As long as you're ok. I'll text Chloe to meet us there.
Hey, can you meet us at Magnolia? Anna thinks she's up to it.
Is she sure?
Yeah.
Ok fine. See you.
"Hey Harper come here, we have a change of plans. We're going for cupcakes with Aunt Chloe and Aunt Anna."
"Ok, mama."
Beca gave her daughter a ride on her shoulders to the car. Anna laughed. "Hey, Becs. Next year, when she's taller than you, you won't be able to do that."
"Shut up. You're only 5' 3" I'm only one inch shorter than you."
"And how tall is Harper."
"2' 2" she's really tall."
"Who does she get that from, cause Jesse's not that much taller than you."
"It's cause I always wear heels when I'm with him. Chloe's seen me next to him without heels. He's 6 feet tall. I wear like 5 inch heels around him."
"Oh my god you're so self conscious."
"Actually it's cute...well it was cute being short and tiny around him because when I broke my ankle, he carried me around, and he picked me up to hug me and I loved it."
"And you'll love it again. I have faith in you two."
"And so does Chloe, but it's probably not going to happen."
"Ignore me now, but in 3 years, you'll be thanking me."
Beca pulled into the parking garage. "Will you be able to walk all this way? I can drop you off at the front."
"I'm ok. It's good physical therapy."
Harper walked between Beca and Anna. "Mommy, Auntie Anna, swing me!"
"Harper sweetie, I don't know if Anna can...."
"Beca, it won't hurt to try." Anna held hands with the little girl. "One two three!!!!"
Anna and Beca swung the little girl in the air. "Again again!!!"
Anna smiled. "I'm too tired, Angel."
"Yeah sweetie, Anna is still recovering. How about I give you a shoulder ride."
"Ok. Mommy."
Beca lifted her daughter up onto her shoulders and slowed down to let Anna catch up. "You doing ok?"
"Yeah. I just need to catch my breath."
"Ok. It's so cute how you call her Angel."
"She is an angel. I wish I had kids so much."
"You're 32. Jump on the opportunity."
"I'm still recovering, Becs."
"Ok. You can always come and hang out with your angel if you want to."
"Thanks Becs. Oh I think I see Chloe."
Harper hopped off of Beca's back and ran up to the tall ginger. "Aunt Chloe!!"
"Hi, sweetie!"
Chloe walked over and gave a hug to Anna. "I'm glad you're feeling better today."
"Thanks. I mean I'm tired, but, I needed to get out of the house."
"Good!"
After they ate cupcakes, they drove back home and watched a movie with Harper. She wanted to watch Into The Woods, so they said yes. It was a cute movie.
