There Is Enough To Go Around

Chapter 4

If Lena thought that dinner was a task to get through with the toddler, she should have known that bedtime would be worse. Because the high chair was out of the question, she sat on Lena's lap, whom both herself and Stef fed like an infant between them eating their own dinners. The other kids talked among themselves quietly, wary of the obviously terrified toddler. Stef encouraged them to interact and talk with Mila, but none of the kids looked interested in doing so, apart from Jude, who was the only reason Mila cooperated with anything. And now, two hours of rocking and singing to the little girl had passed, but she absolutely refused to fall asleep. She only gazed at Lena, not terrified or curious, but merely just to stare, the green pacifier never failing to leave her mouth, much to Lena's dismay. Two and a half were far too old still depend on a pacifier. But Lena allowed it, taking into consideration of the girl's distress and situation. Baby steps would require baby steps.

"It's okay to sleep sweetheart...you need to sleep. You need your beauty rest, so you can grow big and strong. Jude is going to sleep." Lena whispered to the girl, who only blinked slowly at her. Stef walked in with her pajamas and extended a cup of tea to her wife.

"Still not asleep yet?"

"Not even close...I don't know what else to do...Stef, can I do this? Maybe I wasn't meant to be a mother of a young child..."

Stef walked to her wife and placed her finger on her wife's lips to shush her.

"Hush my Love...You are doing great, she is just nervous and scared. She never has been around this many people before or has been apart from her mother for so long. Honestly, I am surprised she hasn't had a real meltdown, apart from the high chair incident. Maybe we should just lay her down in her crib, and she can fall asleep on her own. I am home all day tomorrow, so she can sleep in."

Lena sighed and handed Stef the girl. Her wife was probably right anyway...the girl needed some time, and Lena needed to go to bed. She and the kids had school tomorrow, and it was nearly ten. Lena followed her wife up the stairs, and Stef decided that Mila should be her helper in telling the kids good night. Of course, Mila didn't say anything but looked a little intrigued at the idea. Stef stopped by the girl's room first, where both mothers kissed their daughter's heads and told them good night.

"Good night Mila," Mariana whispered to the toddler, offering a little wave. Mila returned it with a hint of a smile. Callie only watched, making silent observations on the kid. It was definitely going to take some time getting used to a toddler being around the house, and this one, in particular, had looked like she had experienced only horror in the world. Not that Callie couldn't relate to that.

Next was the younger boy's room. Both boys were in bed, Jesus on his phone and Jude content with a video game.

"Alright, boys, time to hit the sack. Good night, I love you, my babies." Stef said as she provided the same ritual as she did with her girls, followed by Lena.

"Good night Milla, don't let the bedbugs bite!" Jude said as he too gave her a wave, who received a smile from little one, followed by her nose crinkling slightly and a little wave back. "She sure loves our Judicorn," Stef said, causing her youngest son to smile proudly. He liked being the big brother so far, and the only one Mila truly liked at the moment.

Lastly was Brandon, who already had fallen asleep, a book laid open on his stomach. Lena turned off his light and was handed Mila as Stef removed the book and tucked her oldest son in. The ladies return to their bedroom, where Lena placed a kiss on the young girl's head, before laying her down in the crib and tucking her in. The toddler laid still at first, unsure what was happening, before turning to her side, her eyes beginning to flutter sleepily.

"Good night Little Miss," Stef said standing over the crib, as she blew Mila a kiss, and wandered over to her own bed, Lena following behind.

"Are you sure she will be okay?" Lena asked, her nerves getting the best of her.

"She will be fine Love, and if she cries, we will be right here to comfort her. She looked like she was going to fall asleep, so just breathe. We got through the day." Stef answered in a whisper and kissed her wife tenderly.

"Okay, Hon...you're right. Good night." Lena ended, giving the blonde a final kiss before turning over, and attempted to get some sleep.

Whimpers. Lena heard whimpers.

She rubbed her tired eyes, and padded into Stef's side of the bed, but was suddenly surprised not to meet her wife's body, but a piece of paper. Lena grabbed her phone to shine the light on the paper, and read that Stef was called in, and not to worry. She would be home before Lena had to leave for work. Lena sighed. She hated when Stef had to be called in during the night, it usually indicates that there was a dangerous case going on, and the police station needed all the help they could get. But she had made peace with Stef's work,(or at least she thought she did) and she needed to relax. Suddenly, a tiny voice calling out the words 'Mama' reached Lena's ears. It must be Mila.

Lena slowly reached to turn the lamp on, and tiptoed to the crib. She knew that the toddler's words weren't directed at her, but they excited her and broke her heart all at the same time. The good thing was the child had finally spoken, the bad thing being she cried out for her mother. The one at the hospital. The one that might not ever wake up. The one who had taught this young girl to fear everyone else.

Mila sat up in the crib, her little lip quivering, and small tears hitting her hand. She looked so tiny and helpless. Like she had been kicked to the curb, her whole world being taken away

from her, which in reality, it had. And yet she didn't express her emotion through a tantrum as most frustrated toddlers would. Which is what scared Lena the most.

"Hi, Sweetheart...are you feeling sad?" Lena asked gently, as she knelt on the floor, her hand peeking over the crib, to pose less of a threat. Mila looked up, as her lip continued to quiver, her body soon following behind. It nearly broke Lena's heart. "Why are you so sad?" Mila didn't answer right away, but when she did, she couldn't meet Lena's eyes. "Mama." She replied, the tears beginning to swell in her eyes again.

Lena wanted nothing more than to grab the girl and hold her close and tell her that she had her, and wasn't alone. But the girl was so vulnerable now, and being so bold might backfire and wake the whole house.

"Can I give you a hug? I really think Mila could use a hug. They always make me feel better." Lena said, feeling her whole tears begin to surface. Mila thought a moment, but as soon as she saw one of Lena's tears race down her cheek, Mila stood up and reached for Lena, to whom Lena picked up readily. The brunette wrapped Mila's blanket around her, and held the girl close to her breast, as she took the girl to her bed. She laid down, and laid the little one to her side, crooked comfortably in Lena's arm. Lena did some casual comforting touches, like combing through the girl's dark hair and making thumb circles on her back. Once the tears subdued and Mila's tense body seemed to relax, Lena spoke.

"I know you miss your mommy honey...she just got really hurt, and she needs to get better. She wanted us to take care of you until she got back. We want to make sure you are happy and healthy when she gets all better. Maybe in a couple of days we could visit her, would you like that?" Mila nodded her head slowly, before sleepily laying her head on Lena's arm. The nice lady reminded her of her mommy so much.

"Could you use your voice Mila honey? You have such a beautiful voice." Lena asked hopefully.

"...yes," Mila responded.

"I and Stef and all our kids are here to make you feel safe until you can be returned to your mommy," Lena said, she placed a kiss on the girl's forehead, who to Lena's surprise, made the little one's body relax even more. Lena peeked at the clock, it reading to be nearly three-thirty.

"Alright Love Bucket, let's go back to your own bed..."But when Lena tried to stand up, Mila clung onto Lena and made no notion to want to be let go. Lena smiled, her heart-melting. Mila was beginning to open up to her. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

"You wanna sleep in my bed tonight?" Mila nodded into Lena's arm, too tired now to speak now. Lena went back to grab Mila's binky, which the girl grabbed quickly and put in her mouth.

"Alright kiddo. Let's go to sleep."