25

Angel woke to the soft weight of a blanket she didn't remember pulling over herself, her cheek pressed against the warmth of Jackie's shoulder. For a second, she just lay there, letting her eyes adjust to the dim morning light spilling through the blinds.

Then she glanced at the clock on her nightstand.

8:32 a.m.

Her stomach dipped. Usually by now, Arayah would've already burst into the room — climbing, chattering, asking if it was a "school day" or "home day." Silence at 8:30 meant one of two things: her baby was either still asleep... or getting into something.

Angel turned her head toward Jackie. She was still out cold, soft snores escaping every few breaths, curls a little wild from sleep. Angel smiled, brushing a stray one from Jackie's forehead before slipping out of bed as quietly as she could.

She found her robe draped over the armchair, tied it loosely, and padded down the hall barefoot.

When she peeked into Arayah's room, she blinked — surprised.

Her three-year-old was sitting cross-legged on her pink rug, every stuffed animal she owned lined up in two perfect rows. She was "reading" to them, holding one of her picture books upside down, whispering dramatically to her audience of plushies.

Angel's heart softened instantly.

"Hey, pumpkin," she said softly from the doorway.

Arayah looked up, eyes wide before a smile spread across her face. "Mommy! I bein' quiet today!" she said proudly.

Angel grinned, stepping inside and scooping her up for a kiss. "You sure are. I was about to think you were sneakin' cookies again."

"Nooo," Arayah giggled, shaking her head hard. "I Just playin'."

"Good," Angel said, carrying her into the kitchen. "Let's get you some breakfast then, Miss girl,"

She settled her on the counter stool and started making her usual — scrambled eggs, fruit, and a tiny pancake shaped like Mickey Mouse. Arayah hummed some cartoon theme song the whole time, feet kicking the stool legs.

When Angel set the plate down, Arayah clasped her hands like she'd been served a feast. "Thank you, Mommy!"

Angel smiled, sipping her coffee while watching her eat — syrup on her chin, curls wild, cheeks puffed. Moments like this grounded her. Made the rest of the noise in her life fade out.

Halfway through breakfast, Arayah looked up. "Mommy?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"We go to the park?"

Angel bit back a grin, pretending to think. "Hmm... I don't know. You might have to get dressed first. Because I might have a surprise for you."

Arayah gasped, fork dropping. "A 'prise?!"

"Mhm," Angel said, leaning in close. "But only if you finish your food and brush your teeth without me having to tell you twice."

Her daughter nodded seriously, like she'd just accepted an important mission. "Okay, Mommy. 'Rayah be good."

Angel chuckled, brushing her curls back. "That's my girl."

She didn't say it out loud, but she was already picturing Jackie's face when Arayah came running out to greet her. She hadn't told her baby yet, shit she hadn't told either of them, really, how much she liked the idea of them getting used to each other's presence.

And if this morning was any sign, maybe... that wasn't such a crazy thought after all. While she continue eating Angel brushed her hair into a curly puff.

"All done mama," she said as Angel nodded, kissing her little syrupy cheek.

"Okay let's wash your hands, please,"

Angel carried her to the bathroom sink and rinsed Arayah's syrupy hands and wiped her face clean, still smiling as she watched her baby hum her way through brushing those tiny teeth as she stared in the mirror.

"Alright, little angel," Angel said, scooping her up onto her hip. "Let's go upstairs and get you dressed. Can't have you meeting your surprise in pajamas."

"Is it toys?" Arayah asked, eyes lighting up as they started toward the staircase.

Angel smirked. "Nope."

"Candy?"

"Try again."

"Hmm..." Arayah tapped her chin dramatically. "A puppy?"

Angel laughed. "You already got a puppy at Grandma's house. And no, ma'am, I'm not chasing two."

They reached the top of the stairs, Angel still grinning to herself — but before she could even finish turning toward Arayah's room, a door creaked open.

Jackie stepped out, stretching with a sleepy yawn, wearing one of Angel's gray tees that hung just right and a pair of shorts that definitely weren't hers. Her curls were still damp from the night before, edges loose, and she looked effortlessly good in the kind of way that made Angel's breath catch.

But before Angel could even say good morning, a tiny gasp filled the hallway.

"JACKIEEE!"

Angel blinked, barely tightening her hold before Arayah wriggled down and sprinted forward on tiny feet.

Jackie froze mid-stretch, eyes widening just as Arayah collided with her legs, wrapping her little arms around them and squealing like she'd just found her favorite cartoon character in real life.

Angel's heart melted instantly.

Jackie blinked down in surprise before grinning, crouching to Arayah's level. "Well hey there, little mama," she said, voice still rough from sleep. "That's quite the good morning hug."

Arayah beamed up at her, curls bouncing. "Mommy said I got 'prise!" she declared proudly. "It's you!"

Angel couldn't help the laugh that slipped out from behind them.

Jackie turned her head, eyes catching Angel's and that soft, sleepy smile she gave in return felt like a quiet spark in Angel's chest.

"Well," Jackie said, glancing back at Arayah, "I guess your mommy's got good taste in surprises."

Arayah nodded solemnly, clutching Jackie's hand like she wasn't letting go anytime soon. "Wanna play?"

Jackie chuckled, rubbing her small hand gently. "Let me wake up first, okay? I need a lil' breakfast in me before I try to keep up with you."

"Okay," Arayah said easily, still glued to her side.

Angel crossed her arms, amused. "Shes obsessed, you know?"

Jackie shrugged, giving her that signature grin. "Same here. My favorite girl,"

Angel shook her head, biting back a smile. "C'mon, Ray. Let's get you ready before you rope Jackie into some none sense ."

Jackie smirked, looking at Angel over Arayah's head. "What can I say? She's got good company."

"Mmhm," Angel teased. "That she does."

As they all headed toward the bedroom, Angel caught herself glancing at the two of them. her baby's tiny hand still wrapped around Jackie's much larger one, laughter spilling down the hallway.

And just like that, the thought hit her again.Maybe this wasn't just a surprise for Arayah.

Maybe it was for her, too.

Excuse all errorsAjah