Victoria lays awake in bed, eyes wide open. She hated it when Joy was away, because it made her cry just thinking about her. Joy was away in London, attending an awards show on Victoria's behalf. Victoria stayed home, because, she had two children to watch, one who was still just a baby. She hears Alexandra cry, and gets up, exhausted, her eyes red and watery from crying because she missed Joy.
She picks up the baby, holding her close. It seemed not too long ago that Joy had given birth to this beautiful child. Alexandra was six months old, and reminded her a lot of Joy. She had Joy's features, even the smile. Victoria lays there with Alexandria, holding her close. She knew Alexandra needed not a diaper; she was simply upset because Joy wasn't there.
Victoria sighed, "It's okay Alexie, I miss Mommy too.'
The baby stops crying and coos a little, her eyes meet Victoria's and she erupts into a fit of giggles.
Victoria smiles. "Would you feel better if I let you lay on my chest, like Mommy does?"
She then lays there on her back and rests Alexandra on her stomach. The baby happily crawls up towards Victoria's chest, as if she understood what Victoria suggested.
"Oh my god, I think she understood me. I'm like the baby whisperer.''
She hears Alexandra coo and babble, as if it was her own language. Victoria thought she was being cute, and gently moved her up closer.
"There you go baby girl. Victoria moved you closer. Now where are you going to go?"
Alexandra looks at her, giggling.
"You're not moving from my chest, are you?"
She continues to giggle. Victoria picks her up, and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"Silly baby..."
Just as she spoke, Victoria heard the phone ring. It was probably Joy.
Gently, she picks up the baby, and rushes to the phone. Sadie was still sleeping. It was much too early for her; she had a big day at school. Victoria had taken off from work, so she could take care of Alexandra.
Picking up the phone, she smiles as she says hello, and a familiar accented voice came on the line. She puts the phone to Alexandra's ear, and Victoria smiles as she hears Alexandra babble and coo excitedly at the sound of Joy's voice. Taking the phone from their daughter's ear, she smiled.
Speaking on the phone, she said,"Alexie missed you Joy. She's been sleeping with me for three nights because she can't stay in bed without crying for you. Sadie tried sleeping with her one night, and she still couldn't get Alexie to stop crying for you.''
Joy sounded a little sad, she could tell. She knew Joy hated leaving; it took Victoria a lot of convincing to get her to go to London.
"Aw, you know what to do. She likes lying against my chest. Did you try that?''
Victoria laughs. "Of course, but you know our little sweetheart, she likes to fidget, and the night before she grabbed my boob."
Joy couldn't help laughing. "Dear, you know how she is...she likes to grab things."
Victoria looks at Alexandra, and the baby giggles.
"I love you, Joy...I miss you. When are you coming home?"
Joy sighs, laying against the pillow in her hotel room in London. She looks at her phone as she talks to Victoria on her work phone. Her other phone, she looked through pictures of her and Victoria, her and the baby, and her and Sadie and the baby, and the whole family. She smiles sadly, and responds to Victoria's question.
"Baby, I'll be home soon enough. I can't wait to hold you and give you as many hugs and kisses as humanely possible."
This satisfies Victoria, and the two of them say their goodbyes, and Victoria returns to her bedroom, but not before putting Alexandra in the crib. She gives her the blanket, and the baby falls asleep fast, satisfied she heard her mother's voice.
Victoria walks out of the nursery, but stops, and turns to say, "Good night, baby girl...sweet dreams."