Chapter 8

"Wow, so she finally gave in, huh?"

It was a brisk November morning around 6:30am. While Harlyn was slowly getting up and getting ready for school, Aubrey was on the phone having her monthly conversation with the girl's social worker, Cassidy.

"Yeah, she did. Every worry she had just came out."

Cassi smiled a little when she heard this.

"I'm impressed. My hat's off to you, Aubrey. You're the first adult to ever get through to her. How has she been doing since then?"

"She's been ok. Still a little bit hesitant about some things, but ok."

"Hesitant how?"

"Well…all right. It's like this. When it comes to me giving her a hug or pulling her into snuggle, she's fine. She'll hug and snuggle right back. However, when it comes to actually initiating any affection herself, she tends to kind of freeze up."

"Oh really?"

"Mhm. I didn't notice it at first, but then I caught it one day. There was a night a few weeks back when she was sitting with me on my bed. We were just chatting about her day and stuff when she started to ask a question, but then stopped. When I asked what she was about to say, she got all shy about it. I did eventually coax it out of her though, and she said she was going to ask if I was too busy for a snuggle. I of course told her no and that if she ever wanted one in the future that I would never be too busy for it nor did she ever have to ask. That's when she admitted that she was afraid she would get in the way or start doing it too much if she did it when she pleased. I told her that would never happen and she understood, but she still kind of hesitates."

"Aww…that goober. It's probably going to take a bit of time for her to get all comfy with that. That's a big change right there. Usually she is worried about how terrible her stay is going to be and not worried about whether or not she is loving too much."

"It is a change, and it's a change I will happily help her through. I know it will take a bit for that, but I don't mind it. I'm just proud of how far she has gotten already."

"I am as well. She has been with me for a very long time, so it makes me very happy to see her opening up like that for once. It killed me to see her shut down the way she did, and then you finally came along and pulled her out of that. Really, Aubrey, thank you. Thank you for being so good and patient with her."

"No thanks needed." Aubrey replied softly, a warm smile on her face. "She is one special kid, and I love her a lot. I really do."

"I can tell." Cassi said back, her smile warm as well. "It's touching to learn what goes on between you two."

"Well, I can't help but love her. It's just…she's such a sweet and beautiful girl. How can anyone not love her? Everyone's been talking about how I am changing her life, but really, she is changing mine. And Cassi? I meant it…I meant what I said in the beginning when we first met. I want her. I want to keep her. I want her to be my little girl."

Aubrey had started to tear up when she spoke this, and she wasn't the only one. Cassi was tearing up, too. To see a girl of hers who fought so long against the idea of family finally see what good could come from it just made her heart leap. To finally hear that the little girl was wanted…

"She's my whole world…and I want her to be forever."

Cassi's smile grew as she wiped away a few stray tears.

"I think she would like that very much. Do you have in mind a time when you wanted this done?"

"Soon, but not quite yet. I want her to get a little more comfortable. Like I said, she is still a little hesitant about some things, so I want to give her a little more time, but in the end, I definitely want to keep her."

"And that is a wonderful thing to hear. I am happy for the both of you. I am sure that when the time comes to tell her, she will be just as happy, too. Would you at least like me to start getting the paper work going so that when you do tell her, we'll have all that done?"

"Yes, please, I'd like that very much."

It would drive her crazy not telling Harlyn of her plans, but she wanted to wait a little longer. She didn't mind it. That girl was her life, and if a little waiting meant Harlyn would feel completely comfortable in her surroundings, she'd do it. She's do anything for her little girl.

"My soon to be little girl…soon…"

"I so don't want to move…"

Although fully dressed and ready to go, Harlyn was flopped on her bed, her eyes closed as she buried her face in the blankets. She was usually all up and ready to start the day at this point, but the turning of her stomach and the pounding of her head killed any motivation she had.

"I feel like I've been hit by a truck…but I can't be sick today…"

She didn't want to be. Today was the day her hero paper came back, and being that she wrote it about Aubrey, she wanted it back as soon as she could. She wanted to read it to her. When she would build up enough courage to do so was beyond her, but she would…eventually.

"And not only that, but staying home would also mean Aubrey would try and take care of me, and I don't want to get in her way…"

She wouldn't of course, but Harlyn still liked to worry.

"Harlybear? You almost ready?"

Harlyn shot out of bed when she heard this. Her head was spinning a little due to how fast she rose, but she shook it off. She had to play it off that she was ok.

"Coming!"

After fixing her hair and fighting back the urge to flop again, she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs.

"Good morning, beautiful!" Aubrey greeted with open arms.

"Morning." She said back, wasting no time in melting into the woman's embrace. Ever since she gave in to everything, she welcomed the hugs more freely, and not only hugs, but little nuzzles and kisses and snuggles, too. Every chance she had she'd love on the girl, and Harlyn no longer fought it. She reveled in it. Granted, she was still a little shy on initiating the affection herself, but that was a work in progress.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah…"

Harlyn nuzzled her face into the warmth.

"I wish I could stay here today." she thought, letting out a small sigh. With how she was feeling, she wanted to so badly. "But I really want that paper back, and I don't want to get in her way either, especially if she might have other things to do today."

"You hungry?"

Her stomach turned at the thought and she hugged the woman a little tighter.

"Not really…"

Aubrey smiled when she felt that extra squeeze, squeezing right back and kissing her on the head.

"Not hungry? You all right?"

"I'm ok." She lied, pulling back now.

"Promise? Normally you're always hungry in the morning."

"Dammit…I can't just not eat. If I don't, she might think something in weird…"

"You know what, yeah, I think I will have a little breakfast before I go."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'll eat something."

"Well, I've got some scrambled eggs cooked up if you want some with toast."

"Sure…sounds good."

Placing her bag on the nearby chair, she sat down at the table while Aubrey went and plated her food up.

"Oh god…not good, not good."

Her stomach was starting to turn even more, her head still pounding and her body still aching with every move she made.

"Here you go love. That enough?"

"Yeah, no. This isn't going to work…"

"Hey…are you sure you're ok?"

Aubrey could tell something funny was going on with the child.

"Honey…you look pale. Look at me."

As Harlyn turned, Aubrey placed her hand on the girl's forehead, a look of worry immediately growing on her face.

"Holy jeeze, Harlyn, you're burning up!"

"Aubrey?"

She wasn't entirely sure what she was going to say, but before a word could even come out, she shot from the table and jetted towards the bathroom.

"Harlyn!"

…

Well…needless to say that, with her getting sick, Harlyn was not going to school that day. While there was a part of her that still really wanted to go, the other part seemed quite relieved to be back in the bed again.

"I already called Beca and Chloe and they are going to tell Piper to go on ahead." Aubrey told her, the girl already back in her pajamas and curled up in bed. "They both said they hope you get better soon, but Harly…why didn't you tell me you didn't feel good?"

The girl rolled onto her side, facing the other and shyly fiddled with her blanket.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to worry or anything…and I really wanted to go today."

"But if you went to school sick, it could have gotten worst, and then I would have really, really worried. Scoot over you."

Harlyn did as she was told, Aubrey climbing into bed with her and sitting back against the headboard.

"I know, I just…I knew that if I was this sick I'd have to stay home, which meant I'd get in your way."

"What? Really? Do you get in my way being here any other day?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Then what makes you think you'd get in my way today?"

"Because I'm sick and I knew you'd want to take care of me or something and I didn't want that to get in the way of the other things you may have had to do today."

"Harlyn Locklear…I'm going to kick your butt."

The girl hid her face in the pillow. She could see and hear the jokingness in the woman's voice and looks, but she could also see and hear the seriousness, too.

"Come on. Get in these arms you."

Harlyn peeked back out.

"But I don't want you to get sick."

"That's a good try, a really good one, but it's not enough to get you out of a snuggle. Get over here."

Harlyn snickered a little at this and crawled over, resting her head in Aubrey's lap, the woman's hands coming down to play with her hair.

"You are seriously such a goob. Do you really think you'd be getting in my way by being sick? Or that taking care of you would get in my way, too?"

"Well…I mean, I just figured I would be in the way if you had other things you needed to do today. Like, if you do, I would be ok by myself. You don't-"

"Harly you nerd. I don't have anything to do today, and even if I did, I wouldn't hesitate to put it off just so I could take care of you. Do you know why?"

Harlyn lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know…because adults are supposed to take care of kids?"

"Well, yes, they are." Aubrey replied, still playing with her hair. "But I don't take care of you because I have to. I take care of you because I want to. I really want to. You're my Harlybear. Of course I would want to take care of you if you were sick."

The eleven year old loved hearing "my Harly" or "my Harlybear", the girl now smiling and nuzzling into her stomach a little bit.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't be sorry, love, but you need to know that if I ever do something for you or try to take care of you that I do it because I want to and love to, not because I have to or because I feel obligated to or anything, okay?"

"If? You already do a lot for me…every day." She said shyly. "You're always taking care of me. It makes me happy…"

She wasn't good at saying these types of things, but she felt bad that she made Aubrey worry about that and for thinking the way she did.

Aubrey smiled when she heard this, leaning in to kiss her head.

"Good. I'm glad you're happy. Your happiness is very important to me. I always want to and will never hesitate to take care of you. Understood?"

Harlyn nodded her head.

"I do…and you taking care of me…it will never be an inconvenience?"

"Never." She said softly, eyeing the girl lovingly as she gently stroked her cheek. "You never are and never will be an inconvenience to me. I love you."

A whole slew of warm, melty feelings swam through Harlyn's chest at this moment, the young one smiling and wrapping her arms around the other to hug her tight. Aubrey huggled her right back, kissing her head yet again as she did. Harlyn couldn't quite say that she loved the woman back yet, even though she did with all her heart. She just wasn't ready yet. Saying it still made her nervous, and Aubrey knew that. She would never rush it though. Even if she couldn't hear it yet, she could tell that she was loved back just as much.

"Now…" she continued. "You should go on and try to get some more sleep. You've got some medicine in your system to help with that fever, so hopefully that will go down soon. Rest though. You need lots of rest. Sleep is important when you're sick. Try and get some love. I'll stay right here while you do."

Sleep did sound very good at the moment, but when she heard the last part, she became a little confused and looked up.

"You'll stay while I sleep? But, what if I sleep for a while? What if you have to do some-"

She immediately quieted and giggled a bit when she saw the look Aubrey gave, that playful "if you finish that sentence I'm going to kick you in the butt" kind of look.

"Ok, ok, ok! I'm sorry. You're the best. I was totally just…kidding."

"Uh huh." Aubrey replied with a giggle, tapping the girl's nose. "That's what I thought! Now sleep little one. I'll be right by your side."

Feeling comfortable, Harlyn smiled and closed her eyes, snuggling up even closer. Now she was really glad that she didn't go to school today. She felt like complete crap, but now that she was in Aubrey's arms, it didn't seem so bad. In Aubrey's arms, she could fully relax.

"Aubrey…" she thought as sleep slowly began to take over her aching body. "In her arms, I'm safe. I'm safe…she takes care of me just like a…"

Mother. The one word she was never able to associate to anybody.

"Mother….mom…I wish…I wish…"

-Knock knock-

Harlyn jumped at the sudden sound that came from downstairs, gasping slightly when she did. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes a little, squeaking as she let out a stretch.

"Holy jeeze…" she thought as her eyes fell upon the clock. "I guess I was more tired than I thought."

Last time she was up, it had been around 7:30am. Now it was almost 12:00pm, the afternoon sun shining bright on that Autumn day.

"And I feel like I could sleep even more. I want to…I feel so tired. Least my stomach has eased up a bit. My head and my body though…"

Yeah, no. Her head still pounded and her body still ached like crazy.

"This can so go away now. Hey…wait a minute…"

Looking by her side, she found that she was alone, the spot that Aubrey recently resided is empty.

"Murr…Aubrey?" she mumbled. "Where did you go?"

Whatever worries she had before about getting in the way were definitely long gone now, the little girl wanting to be back in the woman's arms.

"Aubrey…" she said again, crawling onto her knees as she rubbed her eyes a bit more. Where was "Aubrey….I want more snuggles…"

Just because she couldn't quite ask for them yet didn't mean she didn't crave these moments like crazy.

"Harly?"

From the doorway came the voice of the golden haired female, Harlyn looking up to find her there. Her heart eased at the sight, the girl flopping onto the pillows once she had been spotted, a sleepy gaze still on her face.

"You all right?"

"Mmm…" Harlyn grumbled.

Aubrey giggled at this, finding the eleven year olds sleep fluffy moments too adorable.

"You were out for a good while there. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah…"

"That's good. With you being sick, rest is one of the best things for you. I am glad you are awake now, though. You, my dear, have a visitor."

"I do?" Harlyn asked, a little confused. "Who?"

"Hey little girl!"

"Chloe…" she said, her confused gaze turning into a happy one at the sight of the red head. Not only did her relationship with Aubrey grow after she gave in, but the relationship she had with Beca and Chloe grew, too. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you silly. Everyone was worried when they heard you were sick today."

"But it's Friday? Don't you teach?"

"Mhm, but it's my lunch break right now, so I thought I would swing by here real quick. I wanted to bring you some soup."

It was then Harlyn noticed a small blue covered container in the woman's hands.

"Soup?"

"Mhm! Chicken noodle soup. It's homemade. I cooked it up last night for the crew at home, and after hearing you were sick, I thought you could use some, too."

"For me? Really?"

"Yes for you, darling." She said as her and Aubrey walked to the bed now. "Don't be so surprised goober. You're family, too, you know."

Harlyn shifted a little, her smile shy as warmth flooded through her chest. She was slowly becoming accustomed to that "family" word and was slowly realizing that she was indeed part of it.

"Now, if you don't want to eat it right now because of your stomach, you can always have it later."

"Actually…can I try some right now?"

"Your stomach feel ok enough to do that?" Aubrey asked.

Harlyn nodded. It was a lot calmer than it had been that morning. It still felt icky, yes, but definitely a lot calmer.

"All right, love, go on. Bit don't push it, ok?"

Harlyn nodded again, Chloe now sitting down next to her.

"Here you go." She said, uncovering it and handing the bowl, along with a fork, to the child. "I hope you like it!"

"Chloe, I don't think there is anyone out there who hates your cooking." Aubrey told her.

"Well, still." Chloe said back meekly. "She might not like it."

Not wanting to wait any longer, she took her fork and took a few bites, the sudden warmth of the sweet tasting broth down her throat feeling good.

"Wow…this is really good!"

"You think so?" Chloe asked, her face lighting up.

"Yeah…" Harlyn replied back with a smile, taking a few more bites. "I love it."

"And Chloe wins with her cooking again!" Aubrey piped in.

"Well, it's nothing overly special." The woman replied a bit shyly. "Just some chicken, vegetables, and a few spices really."

"But it's still good though." Harlyn told her. "Really. Thank you for bringing it."

"You're welcome." She replied warmly. "I am glad you are feeling well enough to eat. Definitely better than this morning?"

"A little, yeah. My head still hurts though and my whole body feels achy."

"And you still have a fever, too." Chloe added, lifting her hand to feel her head. "You definitely need to rest up."

"I have been. I promise."

"Good. Just keep taking it easy and you will be better before you know it."

For a little while, the three just chatted, and about half way through her soup, Harlyn called it quite, her stomach telling her it was time for a break.

"All right, I think I'm done for now."

"And that is perfectly fine." Chloe told her, taking the bowl and fork back. "You don't want to eat more than your stomach can handle right now. Aubrey's right, don't push it."

"What I ate was definitely enough for now. I really did like it though."

"Well good. It makes me happy to know you enjoyed it. Anyways, I do have to run back to work. I'll just put the rest of it in the fridge downstairs and you can have it when you get hungry again."

"Thank you." Harlyn told her.

"Yes, thank you." Aubrey added. "Really. We appreciate it."

"Anytime." Chloe said back, sneaking a hug to both Aubrey and the girl. "I'll see you two later."

"Wait, Chloe?"

"Hmm?"

"Um…" she felt a little shy for asking this, but it was something she really wanted. "Do you think that…when Beca comes home…that she can come and visit, too?"

Chloe smiled and nodded her head.

"She'd love to."

"Really?"

"Of course. I'll let her know when she comes back."

"All right…thank you."

"No problem honey. Bye, you two."

"Bye." They said back in unison.

Once they were alone again, Aubrey crawled back into the bed, opening her arms for the child beside her.

"Come on over, Harlybear."

Harlyn smiled and snuggled up, nuzzling the woman's cheek shyly as she wrapped her arms around her.

"That was nice of her to do that."

"It was." Aubrey said back, kissing the girl's head. "Chloe is well known for her cooking skills. She is definitely a lot better than me."

"But I like your cooking, too."

Aubrey giggled and snuggled her tighter.

"You are a sweet little thing love bug."

"Do you…do you think it would be weird if I did something back for them when I felt better?"

"Not at all."

"You sure?"

"Mhm. I actually think that is a great idea. They'd love it."

Harlyn smiled and rested her head on the woman's shoulder. It really was a wonder how calm she felt when Aubrey was with her. She wanted to kick herself in the butt for waiting this long to give into everything.

"Murr…I can't wait to get better. I hate being sick."

"I know, boo. It's no fun. You will get better soon though, I promise."

"Good, because as much as I love my bed, I hate being in it all day."

"Well…" Aubrey said, an idea coming to her mind. "If you want, you can come and stay in my bedroom."

"Yours?"

"Mhm. You can come lay down in my bed. I'll stay with you and we can just sit there and watch what is on television or pick a movie…anything."

Harlyn smiled at the thought.

"Really?"

"Yep! And if you wanted, you could sleep there tonight, too."

Harlyn pulled back to look at the other with a little confusion.

"Sleep in your bed tonight? You mean I am not too old for that?"

Aubrey giggled, shaking her head.

"Honey, please, you will never be too old for that. In fact, I welcome it any time you want. Would you like to?"

Harlyn's smile grew the more she thought about it, her heart beating happily. It may not have been that big of a deal to many, but it was for her. Little things like hugs and snuggles and sleeping in a mother's bed was something she had lived without her entire life.

"Mother…"

There was that word again.

"Aubrey…Aubrey's kind of like my…"

"I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to, but-"

"No!" Harlyn said quickly. "No, I want to. Actually, I'd really love it if I could. It'd make me feel a little better."

Again, more words about how she felt came out, shyness taking over after as it still felt hard and awkward to just say things like that. Aubrey could see the girl's shyness, but wouldn't point it out. The little one was trying, and it was so sweet to see her slowly coming out on her own.

"All right then." She said warmly. "It will be some good old you and me time. Come on, love, let's go."

And with one last little hug, the two got up and left the room.

For the next few hours, the two stayed snuggled up in Aubrey's bed. If they weren't lying there watching movies, then they were giggling over random conversations and just taking pleasure in each other's company. At this moment, however, Aubrey had her all snuggled up. She was in mommy mode and wanted to do nothing but love on the girl till she melted, whispering sweet little words that left the child all sorts of shy and embarrassed.

"Harlybeaaaar."

"Rawr…"

Harlyn, who had her face hidden in Aubrey's chest, was too shy to look up and answer.

"What's the matter lovebug? All I did was say how much I loved you and how amazing you were." She said teasingly. "You're the best thing in my life!"

"Nu uh…"

"Yes you are, silly!" she said back, snuggling her tighter. "You're my baby. I love you more than anything in the world. Even more than cookies!"

Harlyn couldn't help but giggle at this, her baby blues finally looking up to meet the others.

"Even more than Oreo cookies?"

"Well…those are kind of my favorite so…"

"Aubrey!"

The woman laughed and kissed the girl on the cheek.

"Of course more than Oreo cookies! I love you more than life itself!"

Harlyn smiled when she heard this, nuzzling right back up against Aubrey's chest as the woman hugged her once more.

"I love you, too." She thought, hoping one day she would be brave enough to speak them. "I love you, too."

In the beginning, she didn't believe this. Not in the slightest. Now, however, she knew just how loved she was, and not just by Aubrey, but by Beca, Chloe, and the kids, too. It was an overwhelming feeling to finally be so loved in her life.

"Aubrey really is starting to feel more and more like a mother to me. She takes care of me like a mom. I wonder though, is it ok to look at her like that? I mean, I'm not really hers after all…but…I want to be…"

She snuggled in tighter at the thought, feeling a little guilty for even having it. Why guilty? Well, to her, that was asking a lot. Aubrey was already the most amazing person she had ever met and loved her very much. This woman was giving her everything, leaving her to feel like her wish for wanting the woman to be her mother too much to ask.

"That there is just way too good…"

Aubrey really did do a lot for her, so much that it she almost felt it would be selfish to want her to become her, too.

"And anyways, I know she loves me, but would she even want to keep me?"

The idea of being adopted period was just so far-fetched that even if all the signs were there, (which, let's be honest, they are) that she wouldn't even notice.

-Knock knock-

The sudden sound took both the females off guard.

"That's odd." Aubrey said. "I wonder who that is. I'll be right back love."

"Okay." Harlyn replied, pulling away and sitting up. She wondered who it was as well. She knew she asked for Beca to visit, but it was only 3:00pm, so she knew the woman wasn't home yet.

"Then who?"

"Oh Harlyyyy!" Aubrey called a few moments later as she made her way back upstairs. "You habe another visitor!"

Harlyn's brows furrowed as she wondered who it was, but instantly smiled when the person entered the room.

"Hey slacker. Still pretending to be sick?"

Harlyn scoffed and rolled her eyes at her best friend.

"Totally, Piper. I so love pretending to be achy and nauseous all day."

The two of them giggled, the older brunette walking over to her and sitting next to her on the bed."

"Well it's nice of you to visit." Aubrey told her. "How was school?"

"It was fine, thank you." She replied. "Has this one been much trouble today?"

"Oh yes, very much so. I am running out of options on how to handle her."

"You poor thing. I apologize for the mayhem she has caused you."

"Really, you two?"

Both Piper and Aubrey laughed, Harlyn sticking her tongue out at the both of them.

"Oh you know we love you." Aubrey said. "Anyways, I will leave you two alone for a bit. I need to go change out some laundry, then after, some more you and me time my Harly."

The woman then winked at her, the girl getting a little shy again. She could never have too much Aubrey time and it felt good to know that Aubrey really wanted to be with her.

"All right…"

"Be right back."

And with that, she took off, leaving Piper and Harlyn to themselves.

"Why must you two always tag team me?"

"Cause it's fun." Piper joked. "Anyways, how are you feeling?"

"Better than this morning." She replied after lightly punching the girl in her arm. "My stomach doesn't feel as sick, but I am still not up for eating either. Fever has gone down though and my head isn't pounding like it was."

"Well that's good. It was weird not having you in school today."

"It was weird not being there."

"Oh! Speaking of, I grabbed a little something for you."

Opening her back, she pulled out a single piece of paper.

"I remember how much you kept talking about wanting this back so…"

"My hero essay!"

She quickly grabbed it from the other and glanced it over.

"You got an A! Nicely done!"

"Thanks." She replied, smiling. The A was nice to see, but she was smiling more because she finally had it back, meaning she could eventually read it to a certain someone."

"What did you get on yours?"

"I got an A, too."

"Sweet. When are you going to read it to your parents?"

"Tonight after dinner. I hope they like it."

"Oh they will, and you know that."

"You going to read yours to Aubrey today?"

Harlyn shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know. Probably not. I want to wait a little longer."

"Why? She'd love hearing it now."

"I know, but…it just has things in it that I'm a little scared to say right now."

"You mean the 'L' word and the 'M' word?" she teased.

"Piper…" Harlyn grumbled.

"Oh I'm kidding." She replied playfully. "Really though, those aren't bad words to say."

"I know…" she said back, but she just couldn't do it. Thinking about the words in relation to Aubrey was one thing, but actually saying them to her? That was a whole other story. "It's just a little hard for me is all. I've never had anyone I could say them to before."

The words were foreign on her lips. Yes, she loved Aubrey and looked at her like a mother, but there was something in her that kept the words inside. That was part of the reason why she wrote the essay about Aubrey in the first place. Not only was it because Aubrey was indeed her hero, but because she figured that if she actually wrote her feelings down that she would eventually be able to share them one day.

"Piper?"

"Yeah?"

Harlyn shifted a little shyly.

"Everything I said in my essay…I really meant it."

"I know." She said softly. "It was beautiful what you wrote."

"You think she will really like it when it comes time for her to hear it?"

"I know she will."

"You don't think she'll find it weird, especially mentioning the "M" word an all?"

"Not at all." She replied with a smile. "I think she will find it very touching."

"Really?"

Piper nodded her head. She, just like her parents, was very aware of Aubrey's intentions. Harlyn was the only one who had no clue what was going on.

"Really. Personally, I really think you should tell her today."

"I want to but…not yet…just not yet."

For a few more minutes the two of them spoke about other things, the conversation coming to an end when Aubrey returned.

"Back girls! Were you talking about any cute boys?"

Both kids giggled at this, Piper and Harlyn shaking their heads.

"Yeah, no." Piper replied. "Gross. Anyways, I should head back home. Get better this weekend, Harlyn, because on Monday you are coming to school whether you like it or not."

"Thanks." Harlyn replied with a smile, rolling her eyes. "Later weirdo."

"Later dork. Bye Aubrey!"

"Bye honey!"

After she left, Aubrey crawled back onto the bed, instantly pulling the eleven year old in her arms.

"Not yet…." She thought, knowing that she was safe for now and that Piper was going to hide the paper safely in her room on the way out. "Not yet."

"See lovebug? People want to see you get better!"

"I want to see me get better." She replied, letting out a yawn.

"Tired?"

"Yeah, but I shouldn't be. I slept a lot already."

"Yes, but you're sick. You need all the sleep you can get. Why don't you take a nap?"

"Yeah…" she was feeling really tired, her body telling her to pass out for a little. "I think I will."

She shifted so her head was on Aubrey's lap, the woman instantly beginning to scratch her back once she was comfortable. As usual, she melted, that familiar happy little warmth in her chest.

"Mother…"

That thought couldn't help but cross her mind every time she was with the other. The word, the feelings, it all just came naturally.

"But can I ever actually say that? Is it ok to look at her that way?"

She wasn't sure. Most people would just say yes and do it, but Harlyn, who had never experienced a mother's love before, just had no clue. Her paper said everything she desperately wanted to think, feel, and say, but uncertainty left her wondering if that was all okay.

"I can't help but want her though…I want her hugs, her kisses, her loving…I just want her…"

She just couldn't get enough.

"Aubrey?"

"Hmm?"

"You'll stay with me, right? While I sleep?"

The woman smiled, a little surprised the girl was asking something like this.

"Of course baby. I'll be right here."

"And when I wake up?"

"Mhm. I won't leave your side."

Harlyn smiled at this, letting out another little yawn and she closed her eyes.

"Sleep my love. I'll keep you safe."

This made the girl smile even more.

"Can I ask one more thing?"

"Of course."

"Could you just talk?"

"Talk?"

"Yeah, about anything."

"Why's that?"

"I just wanna hear your voice…until I sleep."

Aubrey's own smile grew when she heard this, her heart bursting with all sorts of warm and loving feelings.

"I don't mind at all." She replied. "Let's see then…"

For a good while, Aubrey spoke, talking about anything and everything until the girl was fast asleep. And even after that, she kept talking, saying little things she knew the little girl would get all shy over if she were away or occasionally humming a little tune.

"My angel…" she whispered, leaning down to kiss her head.

Nothing made her happier than to sit there and be with the child while she slept. To be able to comfort her warmed her heart, and for Harlyn, she wanted to comfort her…always…

"Aww, the little punk. How long has she been out?"

It was around 4:30pm now, Harlyn still passed out on Aubrey's lap. However, it was no longer just the two of them occupying the room. Beca had joined them, having no issues swinging by upon hearing that the eleven year old had asked for her.

"About an hour and a half." Aubrey replied as she stroked Harlyn's hair. "Poor thing has been in bed all day."

"Well don't wake her or anything. I can always call a little later. She should sleep while she can. Is she feeling any better?"

"She says she is. She told me that her stomach no longer felt sick, but she wasn't up for eating either. Her fever has also gone down, thank god. She mostly just feels tired and achy. "

"Well it's good she's starting to feel a little better."

"Yes, definitely. I know she isn't a fan of staying in bed though. I've been sitting with her all day to keep her company so she wouldn't get bored."

"Aww, that's sweet. And she didn't fight it?"

"Nope! She's gotten better at just taking the loving and enjoying it. I did have to have a little talk with her this morning though because she initially didn't tell me she wasn't feeling good and tried to go to school. She said she didn't tell me at first because she was worried she was going to get in the way, so I told her to always tell me when she doesn't feel well and that she would never get in the way of anything."

"Had to get a little mommy on her, huh? That nerd. I'm not surprised she would try leaving sick."

"Yeah, the goober. Oh…I also spoke to Cassi this morning."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm…we spoke about a few things and well…she is going to get the adoption paper work started for Harlyn."

Beca's eyes widened all happy like as a huge smile grew on her face.

"No way! Really? That's great, Aubrey!"

"I know…I'm really excited for it."

"Does Harlyn know yet?"

"No. Cassi is gonna get the paperwork started but not put it through yet because I am going to wait a little longer before telling her. She still gets a little nervous about some things so I want to wait just a little bit."

"Understandable. That is so awesome, though. I'm so happy for you!"

"I'm happy, too. I love her to death. I can't wait to make her mine."

"What do you mean you can't wait? She already is yours you dork."

"Well, you know what I mean. I can't wait until it's official."

"No, no, no. Let's get one thing straight. Paperwork or no paperwork she is yours. I mean come on. Look at her right now. Five months ago she couldn't even hug, and now she's all over you. You already treat her like she is her own, and even though she doesn't say it yet, she loves you just as much as you love her and I bet she looks at you like a mother, too."

"You think so?"

"Dude…please. Don't let Harlyn's uncertainty over everything rub off on you."

Aubrey snickered, looking back down again at the sleeping child, her gaze softening dramatically as she gently stroked her cheek.

"Beca…I really love her."

"And she really loves you."

"Do you think I'll be a good mom?"

"Aubrey, you're already a good mom. Hell, you're a great one."

"But there is still a lot I don't know about being a parent."

"So? No one does in the beginning, and even through their child's life a parent is still learning. I mean, Chloe and I are still learning something new every day. It's normal. Trust me, you're already great with her and life is only going to get better. You two were made for each other."

The woman smiled, sniffling a little as her eyes glazed up.

"Life has already been better with her in it. I knew from the beginning that she was going to be it. I could feel it and I knew I was going to want to keep her. What I didn't anticipate was just how much I was going to fall in love with this beautiful little girl."

A few stray tears now escaped, the extreme motherly love she had for Harlyn so over whelming that it was hard to keep them back. She just loved her so much.

"She's…mine?" she asked, her watery eyes looking up to meet the brunette's.

"Yours." Beca said with a warm smile. "All yours."

She pulled Harlyn closer into her arms, leaning down to gently kiss her on the head.

"All mine…I promise I will take care of you. You are my whole world, and I will do everything I can to take all your fears away. You'll never have to be afraid of family or love again. You'll be safe and oh so loved…forever…with me. You'll have a real home. My Harlyn…my little Harlyn…I love you…"

A/N: Muuuuuurrrr thanks so much for the reviews so far! I love them and love your support! This is more of a flufficated chapter, but...wait...-sniffs the air-...what's this? Do I smell future trouble? -Sniffs the air again- What could it be? -Sniff sniff- No...not death...no...not aliens...but what? ;)