Maggie held the t-shirt in her hand. It was Hayden's favourite. Sky blue in colour with a green dinosaur on it, the dinosaur saying 'rawr-some'. She watched as her daughter was lying on the floor in her bedroom, Hayden screaming as she was kicking legs and waving her arms in protest. Apparently getting dressed out of her pyjamas was just too much of an ask. Maggie was taking deep breaths, trying to keep herself calm and composed. She thought they were over with the terrible twos tantrums but recently, they'd come back full force. "Hayden, sweetie, c'mon we are going to go see Auntie Kara," Maggie spoke softly, bending down closer to Hayden's level. "We are going to try on some dresses for her wedding."
"No." Hayden gave an ear-piercing squeal.
Maggie took another deep breath, hating that her almost 3-year-old was definitely ruling her right now. "C'mon, we are going to go see Auntie Rachel later too. You can get a cupcake at the coffee shop." Maggie told her. She knew bribery wasn't really the best idea, but they were going to be late if Hayden didn't change out of her pyjamas, a fight Maggie had been having with her most of the morning. It hadn't really mattered so much so when they were just hanging around the house, but now they were going out she needed to change.
"Mama," Maggie turned her head as Emmi walked into the room. "Can you put my hair in a French plait?" Emmi questioned. "And do you know where my converse are?"
"Uh," Maggie rubbed the side of her head. "I'm a bit busy trying to get your sister dressed," Maggie answered. "Can you go ask Ava?" Ava was away for uni most of the time, but she was home right now for spring break to help out with the kids.
Emmi frowned. "Ava," Emmi yelled rather loudly, the sounds of both Emmi's shout and Hayden's tantrum causing Maggie to scrunch her face up."Well she won't know where my converse are. So, where are they?"
"I don't know," Maggie answered. "What ones are you on about? You have about 5 pairs." Maggie muttered, Emmi having a bit of a love for the shoes.
"My new ones," Emmi answered. "They are purple high-tops."
"If they are not in your wardrobe where they should be then I don't know," Maggie was getting frustrated by Hayden's constant screaming and it was taking a lot of strength for her not to raise her voice. "Maybe by the front door?"
"No," Emmi said. "I checked. My red ones are there but not the purple ones."
"I don't know then," Maggie snapped, causing Emmi to jump, startled. "Sorry Emmi, I'm trying to deal with Hayden. I'm a bit busy right now."
"You are always busy with Hayden right now." Emmi muttered as Ava appeared in Hayden's room.
"Oh Jelly girl what's all that racket for?" Ava questioned.
Hayden stopped screaming and looked up to Ava, tears rolling down her little cheeks. "I wear my jamas." Hayden said. Ava glanced at Hayden's Peppa Pig pyjamas before looking to Maggie, seeing the t-shirt in her hand and the pair of shorts on the floor, the little blue converse sitting there too.
"Ah but look at the t-shirt Mama has for you," Ava said. "It's your favourite dino one," Ava noted. "How about I count and see how long it takes you to get changed?" Ava suggested.
"No," Hayden shook her head. "I want my jamas." Hayden squealed as she started kicking her feet against the floor again.
Maggie looked to Ava. "It worked yesterday." Ava shrugged.
Maggie gave her a 'thanks for trying' look. "Right c'mon. Stop being silly," Maggie said, looking back to Hayden. "Let's get dressed. We are going to be late for Auntie Kara and it's a special time for her. We are going to look at dresses for her wedding with Uncle Neil." Hayden frowned as she shook her head, clearly not bothered about anything.
"Just take her out in her pyjamas," Ava suggested. Maggie screwed her face up as she looked her sister. "What's that look for?" Ava held her hands out. "She won't get dressed, we are running late, she won't let you change her. Let's just go."
"Ava, can you do a French plait in my hair?" Emmi questioned, looking up at her. "And do you know where my new converse are?"
"Uh, there isn't really time now," Ava said, Emmi giving a little frown. "And I have no idea where your shoes will be," Ava told her. "Can't you just wear another pair for today?" Ava questioned. Emmi gave a sigh of frustration before she walked out of Hayden's room.
"Hey, Hayden," Ava walked over and sat down next to her. "Let's make a deal, yeah," Ava said, Hayden turning her head and looking up at her intriguingly. "You can keep your jammies on but you gotta put on socks and your converse."
Hayden looked like she was considering this. She sat herself up and wiped her little hand across her eyes, removing tears. "I want Mummy." Hayden pouted as she folded her arms across her chest.
Ava pursed her lips as she looked to Maggie. Maggie looked down to Hayden as she cleared her throat. "Mummy's not here."
Hayden frowned, scrunching her big, brown eyes up. "Get her."
"We can't get her," Maggie answered, reaching for Hayden's socks. "Me or Auntie Ava can help you with your socks and shoes. Who do you want?"
"Ava." Hayden said, shuffling herself closer to her.
"Right, get her socks and shoes on then get her out to the car," Maggie said as she stood to her feet. "Please tell me you are ready to go?" Maggie questioned as she handed the little socks down to her sister.
"I'm ready." Ava nodded, and Maggie gave a sigh of relief before she walked out of Hayden's room and down to Emmi's, finding Emmi trying to do her own French plait.
"Emmi, c'mon there's no time for that," Maggie told her. Emmi looked into her mirror, giving Maggie a scowl. "Your hair is lovely when its just left down." Maggie said, Emmi's brown locks flowing down in loose waves.
Emmi gave up trying, brushing out the attempt she'd started before getting off her stool at her dresser. "I still can't find my new converse."
"They'll be here somewhere. We'll have a look later. Just get another pair on and get out to the car." Maggie told her. She sounded a bit frustrated with how the morning had gone.
"I'm going to wear my red ones. They are down the stairs," Emmi said as she walked across the room to the door where Maggie was standing. "Don't stress at me." Emmi told her before walking off down the hall and thumping down the stairs.
Maggie took yet another deep breath as she ran her hand over her forehead, walking out into the hall. She saw Hayden running out of her bedroom, in her pink Peppa Pig pyjamas and soft blue converse. She shook her head lightly at having to take Hayden out in her pyjamas, but she couldn't wait any longer for her to change her mind and get dressed. "Ready?" Ava questioned as she appeared out of Hayden's room as Hayden had started going down the stairs, jumping rather than walking normally down.
"Hayden be careful." Maggie said, quickly walking over to the stairs to get Hayden before she fell and hurt herself. Ava followed after them, hoping they weren't going to be too late to the first dress shop.
Much to Maggie's surprise, Hayden had changed into the flower girl dress that Kara wanted her to try on. In fact, she didn't want to take it off, so she was currently still in the dress. Emmi had tried on a red dress and a soft pink dress, but Kara wasn't keen on any in the end, so she'd changed back into her clothes, the shop not having many bridesmaid's dresses in Emmi's size. Once Kara had found the dresses for Alex and Emmi, they'd get a ribbon of the same colour for Hayden's, which was just the traditional white flower girls dress right now. Maggie was sitting on the couch with Eliza and Ava next to her, waiting on Kara to come out with the first wedding dress she'd picked to try on. Emmi was sitting on the floor by the couch, there not enough room for her to be able to sit down. Hayden was currently climbing on the box that people would stand on to get their dress fitted. "Hayden, careful in that dress," Maggie told her. Hayden glared at her mother. She jumped down from the box and ran over to her, climbing up onto her knee. She leaned up and placed a kiss on Maggie's cheek before she cuddled into her, Maggie wrapping her arms around her. "Aww that's nice."
"Love you Mama," Hayden said, Maggie melting a little at her daughter's declaration. Maggie wondered if Hayden was just being sweet or if it was maybe a bit of an apology for her behaviour that morning. "You sing the song?"
"Here?" Maggie questioned, and Hayden nodded. Maggie took a deep breath before doing as her daughter requested. "Come stop your crying, it will be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight," Hayden put her hand in Maggie's as she sang to her. "I will protect you, from all around you. I will be here, don't you cry," Maggie sang softly in Hayden's ear, Eliza and Ava looking to her with a smile on their faces. "For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm." Maggie paused for a moment as she heard the curtain opening, the shop assistant walking out as Kara followed behind her in the first wedding dress. It had a sweetheart neckline with little diamante detail on the chest. It was ivory in colour and flowed loosely down to the ground.
"Awwe," Eliza and Ava both gushed, Eliza putting her hand on her chest as she welled up at seeing Kara in a wedding dress. "Darling, you look lovely."
Kara smiled softly as she saw herself in the full-length mirror. "It doesn't feel right." Kara shook her head.
"Well if it's not the dress for you I am sure you'll be able to find the right one," Ava told her. "That's just the first one you've tried on."
"No," Kara shook her head. "I'm not talking about the dress," Kara murmured. "This is lovely. I love it." Kara said, looking down on herself.
"You look very pretty Auntie K." Emmi smiled up at her.
"Like a Princess." Hayden grinned.
"Thanks girls," Kara smiled at her nieces before glancing at Maggie then looking back to her mother. "Someone is missing. It just doesn't feel right doing this without her here to help."
"She'll be back, and will can help. You have plenty time before needing to pick anything out." Eliza reminded her.
Emmi looked to Eliza before looking to Kara then she looked up to Maggie. Maggie knew Emmi knew who they were talking about. "Uh, c'mon Emmi you come help me get Hayden out of this dress." Maggie said as she stood up from the chair. Emmi did as Maggie had told her and stood up from the floor.
"Mama no," Hayden frowned, trying to break free from Maggie's hold on her. "I keep the dress on for K." Hayden gave a moan, not wanting to change.
"You can't keep the dress on." Maggie told her as she disappeared down to the changing room at the back of the shop where Hayden's pyjamas were still sitting.
"Not talking about it isn't going to help when it actually come to them having to talk," Kara said, looking back in the direction of the changing room where Hayden's protests could still be heard. "I don't understand how she can be so cold towards her anyways."
"You don't?" Ava questioned. "You know fine well what happened. Is Maggie supposed to just ignore that?" Ava said. She knew it wasn't so black and white and there was a lot more to the story, but she didn't want Kara putting blame on Maggie, when it wasn't her fault.
"Under the circumstances," Kara nodded her head. "She lost -"
"Well she isn't one to open up easily but let's not do this here," Eliza said, trying to keep the peace. "It's not the time or the place, okay?" Ava and Kara glanced at each other. "And as much as we want them to sort through this, it's not our call." Eliza added.
"Yeah well I can't believe Maggie won't -"
"Kara," Eliza spoke with more authority in her voice. "C'mon this is your day to try on dresses," Eliza told her. "Don't feel guilty for enjoying your day. Alex is where she needs to be right now."
Kara pursed her lips as she gave a little nod. "I uh, I'll go put the next dress on." Kara said, turning to go back to the big changing room for the brides to be, where the shop assistant was waiting for her to help her into the next dress.
Maggie, Emmi and Hayden met Rachel at the coffee shop downtown. "Sorry we are late." Maggie looked stressed out as she sat down on the seat, Hayden climbing up and sitting on the chair next to her as Emmi sat down next to Rachel. Rachel had moved to National City from Gotham about a year earlier after her girlfriend had been promoted and transferred to her company's National City office. Rachel figured she could open up her business anywhere, given she was self-employed and ran a flower shop. Someone always needed flowers.
"That's okay," Rachel smiled, showing it wasn't a problem. "How are we all today?" Rachel looked across to Hayden. "Love the pyjamas, Jelly."
"She wouldn't get changed," Emmi told her. "She is always so naughty right now."
"Me's not," Hayden scowled at Emmi. Emmi nodded her head. "No, no, no." Hayden squealed as she banged her hand off the table.
"Hayden," Maggie glared down at her daughter before looking to Emmi. "Don't get her going again." Maggie scolded.
Emmi sighed as she looked over to the counter where the cakes were on display. "Can I go pick a cupcake?" Emmi questioned, and Maggie nodded. Emmi stood up from the chair and walked across the coffee shop to pick out a cupcake.
"I wanna cupcake," Hayden jumped down from the chair. "Emmi wait." Hayden squealed as she ran off after her sister. Maggie watched them for a moment before looking back to Rachel.
"How's things going?" Rachel questioned. She thought she'd ask when the kids were out of ear shot, or more specifically, Emmi, as she was older and understood what was going on.
"Ugh," Maggie rubbed her hand over her forehead. "Hayden is difficult. She just misses her mummy but she uh….it's testing." Maggie murmured, looking over to her daughter as she was choosing a cupcake, Emmi lifting her up, so she could see them better.
"Have you been to see her yet?" Rachel questioned.
Maggie sucked in her bottom lip as she shook her head. "The first week they don't want you there. You know, it's best to let them settle in and get into their treatment, but uhm, week two is open for visits but I…." Maggie trailed off, shaking her head. "I guess she's almost into week 3," Maggie rolled her wedding ring around her finger. "I dunno, I can't seem to make myself go. I know I need to take the girls. They deserve that but I…" Maggie stopped talking, looking downwards slightly.
"It's difficult," Rachel spoke softly, and Maggie nodded. She missed Alex, but a lot had happened, and she had mixed feelings at the thought of going to visit her. "Could Eliza not take the girls to see her?"
"Mmm," Maggie nodded. "But can I really just not go?"
"Uhm," Rachel shrugged. "I don't know. I know she hurt you but there were circumstances," Rachel bit her lip. "I'm not trying to make excuses for her but I just….maybe it's not clear cut," Rachel suggested. "And this is you and Alex. You are going to be okay, aren't you?" Rachel questioned.
Maggie exhaled lightly, before going to respond. "I -"
"Mama," Maggie turned her head as Hayden came thumping across to her, looking rather mad. "I no gets a cupcake." Hayden pouted sadly.
"Did you tell the waitress what ones you two wanted?" Maggie said as she looked to Emmi as she sat back down on the seat. Emmi nodded in response. "Then the waitress will bring it across for you," Maggie told Hayden. Hayden frowned as she climbed back up onto the chair. "Sometimes you gotta wait for things, sweetie." Maggie ran her hand through Hayden's soft brown locks as Hayden pouted, clearly not liking that she needed to wait on the cupcake.
"I got peanut butter flavour," Emmi said. "And Hayden picked the vanilla one because it had a marshmallow on the top."
"Well they both sound yummy, huh?" Rachel answered, and Emmi nodded, a smile on her face.
"Do you not want a cupcake?" Emmi questioned as she looked around to Rachel.
"Oh no, I'll just be happy when I get a coffee." Rachel answered, just as waitress came over with he cupcakes for the girls. She put them down on the table, Hayden's eyes lighting up and she grabbed it and brought it up to her mouth.
"Wait," Maggie took it from her, causing Hayden to squeal rather loudly. "You gotta take the paper case off, sweetie," Maggie said, taking it off for her before giving her it back, Hayden taking a big bite out of it.
"Can I get you any drinks?" The waitress questioned.
"These two will have apple juice," Maggie answered. "And an americano for me, please." Maggie ordered. The waitress gave a little nod, before looking to Rachel. She ordered a vanilla latte and waitress went off to get them ready.
"So how was your morning Em's?" Rachel questioned.
"Fine," Emmi gave a little smile. "We tried on some dresses for Auntie Kara's wedding," Emmi informed her. "Hayden is the flower girl, but I'm almost 10 so I'm not going to be a flower girl," Emmi shook her head. "I'm her mini maid of honour," Emmi sounded rather pleased with her title at the wedding. "So, I'll be wearing the same colour dress as Mum because she is her maid of honour but she's not here to look at dresses yet," Emmi sighed sadly. "Will she even be home for the wedding?" Emmi questioned, looking to Maggie.
"Of course she will, sweetie," Maggie told her. "The wedding isn't for a while yet." Maggie said, looking down to Hayden who was ramming the cupcake into her mouth like she hadn't eaten for weeks.
"She's enjoying that," Rachel noticed, watching Hayden eat the cupcake. She'd taken the marshmallow off the top and had put it on the plate, obviously going to save it for last.
"Hmm," Maggie ran her hand through Hayden's hair. "So, how's Sadie? It's been a while since I've seen her."
"She is in Hong Kong right now for work," Rachel replied. "But she's fine."
"Rachel," Emmi said, causing Rachel to look around to her. "Will you and Sadie ever get married?"
"Uhm," Rachel rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not sure. Maybe one day." Rachel answered.
"Will you have babies?" Emmi wondered.
"Again, maybe one day," Rachel said, smiling down at Emmi. Emmi smiled back before she looked down to her cupcake. She hadn't touched it yet, Maggie seeing she was clearly waiting for her juice to enjoy it with. "You should have a sneaky little lick of the frosting." Rachel suggested, Emmi shaking her head as she kept looking at the cupcake.
"Peanut butter is my Mum's favourite flavour." Emmi told her.
"Oh yeah?" Rachel questioned. "It's a good one isn't it?" Rachel said, and Emmi nodded, looking up as the waitress brought their drink over. "Hey," Rachel looked over to Maggie. "You busy tomorrow night?"
Maggie let a puff of air escape between her lips as she shook her head. "I'll just be at home with the girls."
"Well how about you get yourself a sitter and come out with me," Rachel suggested. "Just a couple of drinks. Or we don't have to go out, you can come over to the apartment for a few drinks," Rachel said. "You can watch the ice-hockey," Rachel added. She knew there was a game on and that National City were playing. "We could eh...really talk." Rachel knew that Maggie wasn't talking about her feelings right now. She knew it was hard for Maggie to open up and she wanted to be there to help her.
"Uhm," Maggie bit her lip. "I'll let you know." Maggie murmured. She knew it wouldn't be any problems getting someone to watch the kids, but she also knew Rachel was going to make her talk and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face that conversation just yet.
Maggie was sitting on the bed, looking at a case file from work, trying to piece things together. "Mama." Maggie looked up as she heard her voice.
"Hey sweetie you okay?" Maggie questioned, closing the file and putting it on the bed side table as Emmi walked across the room.
"I threw up." Emmi spoke quietly as she climbed up onto the bed. Unlike Kryptonians who couldn't really get sick on Earth, Emmi still could, although they thought maybe it was because she was still young and growing so hadn't reached full maturity yet or have her powers come in at full potential.
"Did you make the toilet?" Maggie questioned, wrapping her arm around her daughter.
Emmi nodded. "I hate being sick," Emmi sounded like she was going to cry as she cuddled into Maggie. "It's horrible."
"I know it is, sweetie," Maggie kissed the top of her head. "You still feel like you are going to throw up?" Maggie asked, her hand going onto Emmi's forehead, feeling for a temperature. She was a little warmer than usual but nothing that was worrying Maggie.
"Little bit," Emmi answered. "Mum always helps me when I don't feel well," Emmi squeaked. "I wish that she was better, so she could come home." Emmi said, snuggling herself further against Maggie.
"I know you must miss her, sweetie." Maggie told her.
"So we can visit her?" Emmi's voice was muffled against Maggie's chest.
"Yeah, of course. I think Grandma is going to see her tomorrow, so you and Hayden can go out with her, how does that sound?" Maggie questioned, her fingers running through Emmi's hair as she spoke.
"Why don't you want to come?" Emmi questioned. "I know you miss her because I've heard you cry and its making you angry. You shout more at me now and I don't do anything wrong. It's Hayden who is being naughty." Emmi sounded almost scared to speak her mind. Maggie felt her heart breaking at Emmi's words. She hated that she'd made her daughter feel like she was always getting the blame.
"I'm sorry," Maggie apologised. "I have been harder on you and it's not fair."
Emmi pulled herself away from Maggie, sitting up on her bed. "You don't mean it," Emmi said. "It's just because you are stressed with everything and have to let it out somehow."
"When did you get so wise?" Maggie questioned.
"I've always been wise." Emmi said, and Maggie gave a little chuckle.
"Yeah," Maggie nodded as she rubbed Emmi's cheek. "You sure have my sweet girl." Maggie spoke softly, giving Emmi a smile.
"It's going to be okay, Mama." Emmi said, and Maggie gave a nod, feeling herself getting teary eyed. She wanted so much for everything to be okay and not just for the girls but for her and Alex. She loved her so much and she hoped there was a way they could get through everything.
Thoughts on the opener? I hope it wasn't too confusing. All will be revealed soon!