Work Text:
After a long, dreary day of meetings, Cassandra was finally home. Tobias was off visiting family for a few days, so it was just her and Caitlyn in the manor for the time being. It was dark out, her meetings ran a little late, and she was happy to finally be done with it all, to have some time for herself.
But when she arrived in the parlor, hoping to relax and read a book, she noticed that there were toys from the nursery strewn about the carpet, and Caitlyn’s favourite teddy left abandoned on one of the couches. She let out a little sigh at the sight. Caitlyn’s regression had been an interesting change in their lives, but not an unwelcome one. Cassandra was happy to look after her, to take care of her little girl again. She often felt guilty for being so hard on her when she was a child… this was like a do-over.
Of course, the toys could only mean one thing. Caitlyn must have regressed while she was away. The thought worried her, and she set out to find Caitlyn, hoping that everything was alright. After all, she knows just how easy it can be for her to get overwhelmed when she’s small, and the thought of her daughter sad and alone… it just broke her heart.
After some searching around the manor, Cassandra stopped by one of the large glass doors leading to the courtyard. There, just outside, sitting in the grass, was Caitlyn. She was sitting cross-legged, her eyes down, focusing on whatever it is she was doing out there. It was raining that evening, not too heavily but enough to get Cassandra worried about Caitlyn catching a cold out there.
She pushed open the glass door, and stepped outside, standing under the patio roof to avoid getting wet. “Darling?”, she called out, raising her voice just enough so that the girl would be able to hear her.
As soon as she did, Caitlyn’s head rose up, looking over at where Cassandra was standing. Her eyes lit up at the sight, and instantly she was up on her feet, rushing over to her mother.
“Mummy!”, she called out, and wrapped her arms around her. Cassandra let out a little chuckle at the action, stepping back a bit as she pat the girl’s back with one of her gloved hands. “Sweetheart, you’re drenched.”.
Caitlyn took a step back, and looked at her mother’s clothes, now wet from the hug. Her smile faded, and a small pout formed in it’s wake. “I’m sorry, mummy…”
“Oh no, my darling, hush, it’s alright.”, Cassandra soothed, cupping her daughter’s cheek with a gloved hand. “You must be *freezing*.”
Caitlyn’s smile returned just a little bit at the soothing gesture, leaning into her mother’s palm.
“Why don’t we get you inside, hmm? You desperately need a bath, dear.”.
Caitlyn’s eyes widened, and her little pout returned. “But… wan’ keep playing, mummy.”.
Cassandra’s eyes softened. “Oh, poppet, I know… but you’ve been playing all this time, haven’t you? While mummy was away.”.
Caitlyn looked down at her shoes.
“Mummy will run you a bath, alright…? And tomorrow morning, I’ll take you on a stroll through the gardens. How does that sound, my love?”
Caitlyn looked up at her, and her smile returned. She nodded her head enthusiastically.
Cassandra’s lips quirked up into a small, soft smile seeing her nod. “There we are, poppet. Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?”
***
After bath time was over, and both Caitlyn and Cassandra were changed and ready for bedtime, she took her daughter’s hand, guiding her to the parlor. Caitlyn always had trouble falling asleep, and she knew just the trick to help.
Cassandra took a seat in one of the armchairs, a cozy one with pillows. She patted her lap, and Caitlyn happily took a seat, nestling against her mother’s shoulder as she cradled her. “There we are… comfortable, darling?”.
Caitlyn nodded her head, already being soothed by her mother’s embrace and the sound of the fireplace crackling. It was warm and safe.
Cassandra smiled softly, rubbing her daughter’s back. “You were very brave, sweetheart… getting all small while mummy was away. But I’m here now, dear… Just let mummy hold you, okay?”.
Caitlyn nodded again, her eyes already starting to droop closed. Cassandra chuckled softly, and brought a hand up to cradle the back of her head, letting her rest her head on her shoulder. “Hush now, darling… mummy will be right here when you wake up.”.
She began to hum a little lullaby, gently rocking her back and forth, pressing the occasional kiss to the top of her head as she lulls her into sleep. Caitlyn might be taller than her now, but she’ll always, always be her lovely little girl.