Raising Quinn

Chapter 4. Bex and Quinn's Day Off

Bex stretched out in bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was a beautiful morning, with sunshine streaming through the window. Bowie had left for work, and Andi for school, a long time ago, thoughtfully letting her sleep in. Bowie had made her morning coffee; she could smell the rich scent from the kitchen. And best of all, she had gotten another great night's sleep. Quinn had been sleeping on her own for almost a week. It was almost too good to be true. She smiled, proud of her little girl, who was growing up so fast.

She glanced at the clock, thinking of her daughter. It was getting late, and the little girl would be getting restless soon. Reluctantly, she forced herself out of bed.

Her daughter was curled up under the covers, her thumb in her mouth. Bex sighed. Luckily they had a good dental plan, because she could see braces in Quinn's future. But she didn't have the heart to wean her from something that gave her comfort.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, and smoothed Quinn's bangs back from her forehead. "Quinn?" She said softly. "Time to get up, baby."

Quinn yawned and stretched. "Mama?"

Bex smiled. "Good morning, peanut."

Quinn sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes, and looked toward her window. "How come it's daytime out?"

"It's ten o' clock," Bex told her. "I let you sleep in today."

"Ten o' clock!" Quinn shouted, suddenly wide awake. "Mama! You forgot to wake me up for work!" Her brown eyes were on the verge of angry tears. "Now we're gonna be late!" She climbed out of bed and started grabbing clothes from her dresser and began dressing herself, regardless of whether or not they matched.

"Quinnie, it's okay!" Bex quickly told her, a smile playing on her lips. "Today is our day off, remember? We don't have to go to work today." She held out her arms. "Come here."

Her daughter came over to her, and she took her in her arms and hugged her. "I know you love helping mommy at work, but everyone needs a day off sometimes. And today you and I are gonna spend the whole day together. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"Yes," Quinn admitted.

"That's my good girl," Bex said. "Now let's get you dressed. You've got your shirt on backwards." She pulled Quinn's pink t-shirt over her head, and put it back on the right way. Then, she helped her into a pair of jeans. "What do you want to do today?"

"Play!" Quinn told her.

"We can play anything you want," she promised, planting a kiss on top of her head.

"Mama, guess what?"

"What?" Bex picked up a hairbrush and began working it through her daughter's tangles.

"I love you to the moon and back, and back, and back!" Quinn told her, enthusiastically throwing her arms in the air.

Bex paused, her heart melting. "Awww!" She pulled the four-year-old up onto her lap. She loved this age, when her daughter's affection was so freely given. "Do you know how much mommy loves you?" she asked. "I love you to infinity and beyond."

Quinn giggled. "Mama, you're not Buzz Lightyear."

Bex laughed. "Gimme kissy."

Quinn wrapped her arms around Bex's neck. With her lips in an exaggerated pucker, she gave her mother a wet kiss, then clung to her tighter.

Bex held her baby close. She was relieved that Quinn didn't seem to be upset with her anymore, and was excited about their day.

"Mommy?" She lay her head on Bex's shoulder.