Bad Desire: New Beginnings - Fast Forward

Chapter 71

"Are you going to try and get some sleep?" Sophie ran her thumb over Phoebe's cheek.

She had just put the two year old to bed in the room herself and Aaron would be having for the weekend and she had been expecting the whole thing to be a challenging task as Phoebe didn't take too well to new places. She had been moved around so much in her life that she just associated it with so much negativity and did not get on with the concept. So as the blonde looked up at her with pouted lips, Sophie decided to lie down beside her.

"It's okay, baby." She turned on her side so she was facing her daughter.

"Stay mummy." Phoebe quietly pleaded as she reached over to cling on the material of Sophie's top.

"I'll stay, you can go to sleep."

As Sophie tried to reassure her daughter, she pulled her into her arms and cuddled her close to her body. Moments like this when she saw the weakness and fear in Phoebe's eyes was when she felt an even more desperate need to protect her.

She never wanted to see her upset or scared. She never wanted to watch her go through anything that could make her feel lost or confused. Sophie wanted to make sure she was there for her every step of the way and protect her from that.

After experiencing a very different relationship with her own mother growing up, Sophie wanted to do things differently. Even though she loved her mum more than anything and would not replace her for anyone, their relationship had always be different from those she saw around her. Estee had been in and out of her life growing up due to work or the divorce with Arlo and she had also never given that emotional or soft side to their relationship. Estee had been the pushier parent and feeling as though her job as a mum was to urge Sophie into independence instead of relying on others, but what she didn't take into account was that every little girl still needed their mum.

"I love you, Phoebe." Sophie breathed with a smile on her face as she caught sight of her just staring back in admiration.

"Love you, mummy." Was Phoebe's immediate and genuine response causing nothing but love to consume her.

"Are you going to try and sleep now?

Sophie's next question earned a shake of the head from Phoebe, causing her to laugh.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Cause'-" She began, trying to think of the words she wanted to use. "Not tired."

"You're not tired?" Sophie's mouth formed in the shape of an 'o' as she faked a shocked expression. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Phoebe giggled as she covered her face, something she always did when she was trying to make a joke.

"I think you are. I think you might be telling fibs."

"Nooo!"

The teasing between the two was back and forth, causing Phoebe to erupt into fits of laughter. This was probably not the best way to try to soothe a two-year-old to sleep but Sophie was having too much fun seeing her smiling to stop.

She felt as though she had been through so much over the past few months and couldn't help but feel an intense amount of guilt. What with the tension and arguments between herself and Aaron, Phoebe had suffered from it and things were never meant to be that way.

Therefore, seeing her smile and knowing that she was okay sent a huge wave of relief through Sophie, knowing that even if she was screwing her relationship with Aaron up, she hadn't caused any harm to their daughter.