Lost and Found

nineteen

I think Lindsey was a bit disheartened when we picked Scarlett up from her daycare and my daughter failed to so much as look in her direction. Knowing how I felt when Scarlett had become all reluctant and cautious when meeting Alex for the first time, I continuously reassured Lindsey that she was just shy and reminded her how little she really was. The chances were that once we were home in her usual, safe environment, she would open up and be a bit more willing to interact with Lindsey like she had done before.

Friday afternoons were pretty quiet for us. Being a teen mom meant I didn't have wild parties, go on adventures at the weekend with friends or have time to date new people so weekends were spent sat on the floor playing with baby toys and watching DVDs I had seen a hundred times. With Lindsey here though, it all felt exciting as if at any moment the unusual might happen.

As predicted, once we were back in the apartment, Scarlett suddenly realized she had her 'Lindy' back and was happy to play with her as I watched on. Lindsey was sat on the floor with Scarlett while I was curled up on the couch and every now and then Lindsey would turn around to check in on me and smile. I knew we hadn't spoken through everything we needed to but just having Lindsey here with us made me want to forget all the previous problems we'd had and pretend this was my everyday life. I knew we had so much to sort out but if Alex and Kelley, the two people who were the most protective of me in this world, didn't seem to have a problem with the fact I wanted to try and build back my relationship or friendship or whatever it was that Lindsey and I had, then surely it would all be okay.

It was getting later and it could see Scarlett starting to become frustrated over nothing, a simple way to tell she was tired. Daycare really exhausted her which did sometimes leave me with mom guilt but I knew at the end of the day, her being more tired in the evenings was a small price to pay if it allowed me to graduate school and still allow her to interact with other children. I quickly made something for her to eat for dinner while I discussed with Lindsey what we wanted to eat with both of us being in the mood for takeout of some kind or another. Lindsey was overseeing my messy child's eating while I was searching menus for us when Alex phoned right at her usual time- she didn't even say 'hi' before bursting into conversation.

"Okay Addie I'm sorry but I may have forwarded that text from earlier to Kelley and she may or may not have some opinions about it." She said as her smile crept onto her face with the next thing I knew, Kelley was being added to the facetime call.

"Before you go off Kelley, can I just remind you that your niece is sat here with Lindsey so you better watch your language." I warned knowing that Kelley's colorful language was often not child friendly.

"Hang on, my niece?" She questioned and I quickly mirrored the confused look on her face. I glanced at Lindsey had even she seemed confused at Kelley's reaction.

"You know your niece? My daughter? Scarlett?" I explained though I hadn't initially thought my comment would have needed explaining.

"Gee Kel, did you hit your head in training on something today?" Alex chimed in making me laugh slightly.

"No, no. Like obviously you're talking about Scarlett and know I'm her auntie and that but she has a load of soccer aunties. I just had never thought niece before- like a real Aunt to her." Kelley said and I could see the wheels turning in her head but the small smile on her face told me I didn't need to worry about her sudden realization- it was just Kelley being Kelley.

"First off, my soccer family is my real family, of course you are her real Aunt and secondly, Alex is her Auntie by blood but you love my sister, don't you?" I asked expecting the obvious answer.

"Of course I love her."

"She better." Murmured my sister who was listening intently.

"Then even if you weren't a 'soccer auntie' as you put it, you'd be her real Auntie because you love my sister and you plan on marrying her so obviously Scarlett is your niece."