Five Years Later
"Are we sure she's ready?" Anna asked, biting down on her lower lip. Mary rubbed her back and kissed her cheek.
"Darling, she's been to school before," Mary said.
"But not full day, big kid school."
Anna brought her hands together in front of her, tugging on each finger. She looked into her daughter's room where Zoey was still asleep in her bed.
"Our little girl is growing up."
"She is," Anna agreed. Anna stepped into the room, sitting down on the edge of Zoey's bed. She ran her finger over her cheek and whispered, "Wake up, sleepyhead. It's time for school."
Immediately, Zoey's eyes opened. She brightly smiled, sitting up.
"School!" She reached up her arms. "Mama! I get to start school!" Zoey said, turning to face Mary who was walking into her room.
"I know, darling!"
"You'll make sure Mummy doesn't cry?"
Mary laughed.
"I'll do my best," Mary teased.
Anna glanced between her wife and their daughter, seeing them both grinning at one another.
"You two like to tease me," Anna said. She tickled Zoey, causing her to fall back. Her giggles filled the air.
"Mummy! Mummy!" Zoey gasped between giggles. "Stop!"
Anna stopped and lifted Zoey into her lap. She brought her close, holding her tightly. Sometimes, in these moments, a wave of sadness would sweep over her, reminding her that her baby was no longer a baby. They'd decided a long time ago not to have more children because the risk was too high. Most days she accepted that, happy with their life. But there were times she wished she could have one more.
-X-X-X-X-
"Uncle John!" Zoey screeched.
They'd just gotten out of the car when Zoey spotted John standing across the street. Mary grabbed Zoey's hand, afraid she'd run right across to see him. She looked both ways before leading Zoey to John, letting go when they were safely off the street.
"Uncle John!" Zoey said again. She reached her arms up, asking to be held. John obliged, as he always did.
"Ah, you made it before we did," Mary commented. She looked back over to their car where Anna was getting Zoey's bag out of the back.
"I left a little early," John said. "Now, Zoey, how excited are you for your first day of school?"
"So excited! Mummy said she's making cake for me to have after school!"
"Oh is she?"
"Yes, I'm afraid Anna is having a bit of a hard time with our girl's first day."
Mary patted Zoey's back.
"I'm doing fine, thank you very much," Anna said, shuffling across to them. She handed Mary the bag and took Zoey from John's hands.
The three of them stood there for a moment, taking in the fact this was Zoey's big day and how time was moving quicker than they could have imagined it to.
A moment later they turned and began to walk to the school. There they saw Matthew, Lavinia, and their son, Miles. They waved to them and said hello. Miles and Zoey would be in the same class.
"Here," Mary said, giving Zoey her lunch.
For her first day of school, they were able to take her into her classroom. Zoey gave them each a quick kiss on the cheek and walked right in. Mary and Anna followed after her, but Zoey paused and put her hand up.
"I can do it myself," she said.
"Don't you want us to help you to your seat?" Mary asked.
"Nope. Bye Mummy! Bye Mama! Bye Uncle John!" She skipped away, leaving both Mary and Anna stunned.
"Bye Zoey!" John called out.
Mary felt a rush of sadness.
"Come on," Anna said.
They walked outside, and a tear slid down Mary's cheek.
"You're crying?" Anna asked, her lips twitching slightly. "Mary Smith-Crawley, are you crying? I thought you promised our daughter you wouldn't let me cry, now you are?"
"Oh stop it," Mary said, wiping the tear away.
Anna laughed.
"I just didn't expect her to be so independent."
"Oh my love," Anna said softly. She walked to her, cupping her cheeks. "She gets that from you. We should be proud."
"Oh, I am. It just happened so quickly."
"It really did."
They said their goodbyes to John and then headed to breakfast.
When they sat down, Mary decided to speak with Anna about something that had been on her mind for a little while. She took in a deep breath before speaking.
"I know you want another baby," Mary started.
Anna glanced up.
"We can't," Anna said. "We spoke with the doctor and all of us decided it wouldn't be worth the risk for me to carry again. It's okay. I love our family."
"I love our family too," Mary agreed. She reached across, taking Anna's hand. "But what if I carried the next one? Doesn't two sound just right?"
"You?"
Anna twisted her lips.
"Yes, me."
"But you said you never wanted to be pregnant."
"I didn't, but I want another baby too. I think I'm ready."
Anna's eyes brightened.
"Truly?"
"Truly, darling. Let's have another baby."
The End...Kind of
The story will continue with part 2, coming soon! It will also continue within this same story thread.
