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The sheer curtains were starting to let the rays of the sun warm their bedroom. Heat began to radiate throughout the room, causing Caitlyn’s body temperature to slowly rise. Eventually the sensation became too annoying and she fluttered her sleep heavy eyes open, looking for the cause of the intrusion.
Her back was to the window but she could see the golden beams of light reflecting off the wall. No doubt the glass window was acting as a magnifying glass and she was the ant being roasted.
“Vi, can you close the blinds? I forgot last night before I laid down.” Her voice rasped, still somewhat paralyzed from the hard sleep. After receiving no answer, she beckoned once more. “Vi, darling, the blinds?”
When no response was given for a second time, Caitlyn assumed the other woman was still heavily asleep. After a few more moments of silent waiting, she stood to close the blinds herself.
Her eyes drifted to the side of the bed where Vi had fallen asleep the night before. Instead of being met with the sleeping body of the woman she loved with her entire being, she was met with the comforter pulled up.
“Odd,” Caitlyn pondered aloud.
Just as her hand lifted to close the blinds, her nose picked up the scent of cinnamon and bacon. It reminded her of her childhood, waking up on holidays and birthdays to her mother down in the kitchen cooking a special breakfast just for Caitlyn. The thought sent a warmth spreading throughout her chest that felt like home.
Caitlyn set out to discover the source of the mouthwatering aroma. Her body took her to the most obvious choice, her kitchen. It was there she discovered Vi, dawning red and black checkered pajama pants and a tight white tank top.
She was moving around the counter as though she were a chef who’d been cooking for years. Hands whisked what Caitlyn assumed were eggs while flipping bacon and some other food on the stove. As she worked, Vi hummed a tune that Caitlyn recognized as one of Vi’s favorites, As Time Goes By.
A crooked grin cocked Caitlyn’s lips upward on her right side as she stood for a few silent moments before speaking.
“Smells delectable,” she called out more of a way to announce her presence.
Vi spun around quickly, flashing her the warmest of smiles at the compliment. “Someone told me your favorite celebratory breakfast was cream cheese stuffed brioche French toast with bacon.”
Caitlyn hummed knowing Vi must have asked Cassandra for the suggestion. One eyebrow lifted, “What might we be celebrating?”
“Our first Mother’s Day.” Vi said the words with such joy and reverence that Caitlyn almost forgot she’d been planning something for Vi for weeks.
A touring musical Vi had been dying to see had opened up at the Grand Piltovian Theatre and Caitlyn used her Kiramman connection to snag evening tickets near the front of the theatre. Vi would never spend the money for the tickets herself, so Caitlyn thought it would be a lovely evening out to celebrate the woman who had made her a mother.
“Hmm, I suppose that is quite the momentous occasion. I didn’t realize I was getting a Michelin star meal as my gift. Guess I should have gotten you something better than front row seats tonight for Six.”
The spatula hit the floor before Caitlyn could lunge and grab it out of the air. “You’re lying!”
Proud of herself, Caitlyn felt her chest puff out slightly. “I would never. Perhaps I also arranged for you to meet the cast afterwards as well. I told them Catherine Parr is your favorite.”
Vi vaulted forward, wrapping Caitlyn into a tight hug as she peppered Cait’s face with kisses. “Oh my gods, Cait. That’s insane. How? Why?”
“I think you sometimes forget my family name carries great weight for more than politics. Also, why not? I know it’s not something as wonderful as cooking a homemade meal…”
“Yea we both know you’d burn the house down,” Vi interrupted to tease.
Rolling her eyes, Caitlyn continued. “Anyway, I wanted to do something nice to celebrate you because you’ve given me so much that I’ll never be able to thank you enough for.”
She saw Vi’s eyes start to become covered by budding tears. On the verge of letting her own emotions overwhelm her, Caitlyn once again tightened her grip around Vi’s neck.
“Oh, come on, Cait. Why are you making me want to cry and it’s not even 8 o’clock?” Vi whispered through sniffles.
“I will never stop telling you how blessed I am to have you two in my life,” Caitlyn choked out the reply through a soft cry.
When they pulled away, Vi lifted her hand to wipe a stray tear away. A gentle smile fell on her lips before she responded. “You aren’t the only one, Cait. Both that kiddo and I are beyond lucky to have you.”
Shaking her head to clear some of the tears and emotions, Caitlyn needed to find a way to divert the conversation before she fell completely apart. “Speaking of, where is my littlest love?”
“She’s over in Fort Cal Cal.” Vi pointed her spatula she’d just lifted from the floor in the direction of the living room where Caitlyn saw the familiar playpen set up.
“By the way, there’s fresh coffee in the pot or I just bought some more of that Earl Grey you like so I can put a kettle on.”
Caitlyn leaned in and pecked a small kiss on Vi’s cheek, pulling the tiniest of airy giggles from Vi. “I will never believe this is my life.”
Vi lifted her empty hand to Caitlyn’s cheek, “Well, get used to it, Cait. Now, get out of my kitchen and go spend time with your daughter.”
Letting out a laugh, Caitlyn could only obey.
When the play pen came into view, she saw something she wasn’t expecting. Callie’s tiny hands were reaching for the top of her fortress of fun. She’d been trying for two weeks to accomplish the goal, but hadn’t achieved it. Perhaps today would be the day.
Kneeling down in front of Callie, Caitlyn suddenly felt the need to cheer her on. “Come on, my little one. You’re so close.”
Callie’s face lit up into pure happiness at the sight and sound of her mother. Giggling at first, her little brows furrowed in determination as she attempted to muscle her way into a standing position while grasping on for dear life to the play pen.
During the first attempt Caitlyn witnessed, Callie got her body halfway standing before losing her balance and falling over. Her little face crumpled in annoyance and Caitlyn couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s quite alright my littlest love. You’ll get there.”
Almost as if she were spurred by the words, the little girl once again lifted her hands to the top of the wall. Grasping on harder this time, Caitlyn watched as her daughter started lifting her body off the ground until finally, with what Caitlyn swears was a grunt, Callie was standing upright.
“Violet! Get in here!” Caitlyn exclaimed in a frenzied breath.
Vi came bolting over, concern reflecting from her face until she saw the reason for Caitlyn’s excitement. “Huh. Well look who can pull themself up now!”
She leaned into the pen and snatched her daughter into her arms, tickling the girl's tummy as soon as she’d enveloped the childhood into her stronghold. Callie let out a bubbly giggle that got louder as Vi leaned in and blew on her belly.
Caitlyn stood in awe, watching the interaction between the two people who made her a mom. Once again tears threatened to spill from the corner of her eyes. She tried to fight it but a single rogue droplet snaked its way down her cheek.
Vi looked over just in time to see the tear spill over. Her look of bliss quickly turned to concern once more. “ Cait?”
“She’s just growing up so fast.”
Vi flashed her a comforting smile. “Cait, what are we celebrating?”
Caitlyn sucked in a deep breath to quell the emotions she was feeling. “Mother’s Day.”
“Exactly and not just any Mother’s Day, our first. How exciting it is that she gave us such an awesome gift today!” Vi looked at Callie and once again started tickling her to make her giggle knowing it would make Caitlyn smile. “She’s showing us what a big girl she is.”
Vi succeeded as a wet chuckle gurgled from Caitlyn’s chest. As she spoke, Vi made her way toward where Caitlyn stood. “It’s the first of many years we get to celebrate not just how amazing our baby girl is, but our relationship with her. Each year will look different because each year she’s going to be a year older. Still, each year we get to celebrate how much she loves us, we love her, and we love each other because that love is why we’re lucky enough to have her.”
When Vi handed Callie to Caitlyn, the latter immediately rubbed nose with her daughter as she did every morning before turning and resting her forehead against Vi’s. “Apparently naming our daughter Calliope after the Greek muse of poetry was the correct choice.”
She felt Vi’s muscles shift as her lips curled into a smile. “It’s like I knew what I was doing or something.”
Their eyes locked and all they could see was the pure, unfiltered love in the moment. Vi leaned forward and placed a gentle, chaste kiss on Caitlyn’s lips.
When they pulled apart, Caitlyn kept her eyes closed to hide the tears that had once again welled up. “Happy Mother’s Day, Violet.”
“Happy Mother’s Day, Cait.”