It was the following week and Maria was glad that she had the week off work. She had spent a lot of time with the children and their bond was going from strength to strength. They had gone on various trips around the area such as to the football stadium, a couple of museums and a day trip to the seaside. Marcus had even been involved in a couple of the times and slowly Grace was starting to relax around him. It was a big relieve to Maria.
Today they had decided to go on a shopping trip. Liam was getting to spend the day with his Uncle Kirky and Maria decided to use this as the key opportunity to spend some quality time with Grace as mother and daughter.
They were travelling to the Trafford Centre and Grace was ecstatic. Maria had to calm her down in the car as the girl was acting like she was going to burst. They arrived in the car park and quickly walked into the centre.
"So I can get new clothes and things for my room?" Grace asked and Maria nodded. Grace smiled. She was so excited. Maria barely even had her bearings and Grace was already dragging her off to a shop. Maria enjoyed spending the time with Grace and listening as the girl showcased her views and opinions. She felt that now she was really getting to know the girl and her likes and dislikes. She felt more able to tell Grace's thoughts on things without having to ask her. She felt like her mother.
They looked around Abercrombie and Fitch and then moved to Hollister. Maria was brought as to how thoughtful the girl was being about asking her mother for too much. She noticed the girl looking at prices and making decisions between two pieces of clothing rather than asking for both. This made Maria proud with how considerate Grace was. She made sure to remember the objects and when she busied the girl with something else, she bought both outfits for the girl. She couldn't wait to see Grace's face when she saw this when she arrived home.
They headed for lunch before talking about the next few places they wanted to go to. Maria mentioned a home store so that Grace could get a few new things for her room. This led onto a conversation as to what Grace wanted her room to look like. Maria laughed as she noticed just how imaginative her daughter became. She might be 14 but Maria quickly realised that she was still just a child.
"So I want white and teal, or maybe duck blue. Oh I don't know any other types of blue. I can get the blue duvet cover and then some items in blue and the rest can be white. That means you don't have to paint the walls" Grace went on and Maria smiled.
"Anything for my darling" Maria said as she stroked the girl's face.
"Right well, we best getting looking for this blue duvet then" Maria said as she picked up all the bags 10 minutes later. Grace nodded and took all the rubbish to the bin. She returned to beside her mother and they walked to Debenhams.
"Remember you have a double bed" Maria said as she helped her daughter look through the range of bed covers available. Maria sorted out the bedsheets and extra pillowcases.
"I like this" Grace said showing her mother a lovely quilted teal duvet cover. Maria smiled. It was very nice. She agreed and they looked at different items that could go in Grace's room. They found a couple of ornaments and then a lovely teal lamp. Grace was happy with their purchases.
"Are we ready to go?" Maria asked and Grace nodded but Maria could tell something was keeping her back.
"Is there something else you want?" Maria asked.
"You know you can talk to me, right?" Maria asked and Grace nodded.
"It's embarrassing" Grace said hugging herself for security.
"I'm your mum, nothing is embarrassing" Maria asked.
"I think I ned some new underwear" Grace said nervously.
"No problem, I know that's the only thing I haven't bought you and it was because I didn't know what size you were" Maria explained and Grace's apprehensive dissolved and she smiled to her mother.
"Well, we are in the right shop anyway" Maria said as she pulled the girl over to the underwear section. Grace blushed as her mother started speaking to her in code about what type of pants she wanted. Grace couldn't even understand her.
"I don't understand just normal ones" Grace said, and Maria laughed.
"Keep your hair on, now what size bra are you? Is it the right size?" Maria asked as she pulled up the back of Grace's top and found the label.
"Omg mum you are so embarrassing" Grace said blushing. She could have easily told her mother the size without the woman having to look. Maria shrugged and grabbed some bras the same size as the one she was wearing and a couple above that size. They headed to the changing room.
"Let me come in too so I can check they fit. I promise not to look" Maria said, and Grace knew that she wouldn't be able to convince her mother otherwise. She allowed Maria into the room and it wasn't as bad as she thought. Maria was honest with her and made sure to allow the girl privacy. Maria understood that she was still new to the girl's life and hoped in time the girl would learn to trust her more.
Once they had bought the underwear, they decided it was time to head home.
"Was that okay?" Maria asked "I wasn't too embarrassing was I?"
Grace shook her head.
"I'm sorry I said that. I'm just not used to having a mum" Grace admitted.
"It will take us both a bit of getting used to. I just want you to know that you can come to me, I don't want you to be embarrassed about speaking to me about anything" Maria said and Grace smiled.
"I know mum, it just takes me a bit of time" Grace said before putting her arm around her mother's shoulders. Maria smiled and the two of them walked back to the car.
Need some new ideas please :) I have no idea where to go next
