We got home a few hours ago- Callie dropped us off from the airport. I wasn't too worried about getting to bed early, since tomorrow was Sunday and I could sleep in.

But, Mom and I both went right to our rooms. Traveling is tiring.

I figured Mom had just gone to sleep, as I didn't hear anything. The house was quiet.

Around 12 in the morning, though, I heard crying. Mom crying.

I was quick to get up and go in her room. I needed to be there for her, whatever it was. I didn't want her to be alone.

"Mom?" I whispered, cracking open her door.

She sniffed. "Yeah, Olive?

I came in, closing the door behind me. "You're crying." I stated, climbing into her bed. It was dark, but I could see her figure sat up in the bed, and I hugged her torso.

"I'm alright..." Mom whispered.

"But you're crying."

"It was just a dream," She told me.

"A nightmare?" I looked up at her. "Mom... I thought you said it was better." I didn't let go. I just wanted to hug and comfort her.

"It was-it is better." Mom reassured.

"Then why'd you have a nightmare?"

"I don't know. That's the first one in a while..." Mom finally hugged me back.

I stayed quiet.

"I just think I got so distracted while we were away, I didn't have time to think about anything. Now that we're home. And I'm alone... I can think about it. I fell asleep thinking about it." Mom finished.

"Are you ok?"

"I'll be ok."

"That's not what I asked."

Mom sighed, "I'm alright. Just need to calm down."

I noticed she was breathing heavy. I didn't say anything. I just kept my arms around her.

"Do you need someone to talk to?" I asked after some time. I wanted Mom to know I was there for her. Even if that broke the stereotypical Mom-Daughter relationship she wanted to have with me.

Mom just took a deep breath. She didn't say anything.

"Mom, I'm here for you. I know you think you can't tell me certain stuff. But, I just want you to be okay. I want to help you." I said quietly, getting a little teary eyed. I was worried about Mom.

"You have the biggest heart." Mom said.

I stayed quiet. What do you say to that?

"I guess I'm just a little worried about the news about your father. I feel like I should have known, it's crazy that I didn't. I just hope that you were never in danger. I don't want to scare you, though. I will never let anything happen to you, I hope you know that." Mom played with my hair, leaning back a little in bed. I came back with her, still holding on to her. Partly comforting myself, partly comforting her.

"I know you wouldn't. I never doubted that." I said quietly. "It's not your fault. There's no way you could have known, Mom."

"That's the thing. But, I just wonder if maybe there was a way. Maybe I missed a super obvious give-away." She squeezed me a little bit.

"You did everything you could. And. I'm safe. We both are, isn't that all that matters?"

Mom nodded. "You're right, Olive. I'm so happy we are safe."

"Me too, Mom."

She played with my hair a bit, and I just laid there, perfectly content with the comfort of being with my mom.

"What about you? Is there anything bothering you? How do you feel about it?" Mom asked quietly.

"I'm okay..." I didn't really know what to say.

"I need more than that."

"I guess I didn't think about all the stuff you told Callie before I heard you say it. But, I know we're safe." I knew my mom would keep me safe. Deep in my soul, I knew that. She would never let anything bad happen to me. "I'm a little mad. That he did something so dumb. And everyone knows about it."

Mom nodded slowly.

"I guess I did the same as you. I didn't really think about it while we were away. And it was nice." I shrugged.

"Yeah, it was nice." Mom agreed.

There was a pause.

"I'm a little mad, too." She whispered. "Actually, I'm really mad. He risked putting you in danger. I wish I could just yell at him. Cause I would," She laughed. That laugh just to get rid of the slight awkwardness of her statement. It wasn't actually funny.

"I could yell, too. Maybe not at him. But I could yell." I understood what she meant. How she was feeling.

There was another pause, then I felt Mom kiss my forehead.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." She said quietly, her voice emotional.

"Be sad." I joked.

Mom giggled. "I would." She agreed. "Seriously, Olive. You mean the world to me. I hope you know that."

I squeezed Mom a little tighter. "I don't know what I'd do without you either." I said quietly. It was true. I didn't. My mom was the most important person in my life. She was always by my side. We had been through a lot together.

"I love you." Mom whispered.

"I love you too." I smiled a little.

We laid there, Mom still twisting my hair between her fingers. My arms still holding onto her tightly. As if she would drift away if I let go.

"Mom?" I whispered after some time. My eyes were closed. I was half asleep.

"Hm?" Mom hummed. Her voice was soft and soothing. Like always.

"Can I stay in here tonight?" I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to leave her. Tonight, I just needed the extra comfort. And, I think she did too.

"Of course." I felt Mom nod a little.