TEN
"How do you do it?" She's been wanting to ask for a while, and right now, while they're just on standby, is the perfect opportunity.
"Do what?" Unfortunately, it appears Hibiki is kind of grumbly today, since she's slouched in her seat and staring blankly at the ceiling, not bothering to face Maria. From the moment she clocked in this morning to now, Hibiki has been morose and pensive.
So, it's with caution that she ventures further, "Raise an older child. One that's already a person, unlike babies and toddlers, who are the quickest to adapt and don't have clear expectations beyond instincts."
Hibiki only runs her hand through her bangs in response, sighing.
Maybe that hit a little too close to home.
Maria wonders what Carol did this time—the girl is pretty much the only person able to upset Hibiki so much.
But this question itches at her nonetheless.
"All kids are different," Hibiki replies at last.
That doesn't tell her much, though. After all, she took care of Kirika and Shirabe pretty much their entire childhoods, and they were as different as night and day. So, she knows she's not completely in the dark, but whoever she will adopt will have a history entirely unknown to her and Tsubasa, and she doesn't have the constant safety-net of her mom any more.
Scattered throughout the house are ten different parenting guides, but those are for infants. Of course, as soon as they know who they'll be bringing home, she's certain Tsubasa will go out and buy a lot more than that.
For the bathroom, several in the bedroom, the kitchen, even the backyard—"helpful advice" within arm's reach at any given time… that may or may not actually be helpful.
Honestly? She really, really doesn't want to mess up her child. That's all it comes down to—all her worries boil down to this.
"Don't worry about it."
Turning back to Hibiki, Maria wonders at the much more cheerful demeanor, but she says, "How can I not? There are so many things that could go wrong."
"It's hard," Hibiki tells her, waving a hand carelessly, "just look at us and Carol!
"But we want the best for her, and we talk with her. We communicate, and a lot of times we either push too much or we push too little, even with our best intentions. And that's why it's frustrating, because it's not easy to fit together even a year later."
Even a year later? Oh god, she hopes she is up to the task.
"Still, we don't give up. Not on us, and definitely not on Carol," Hibiki explains. Leaning forward, she gazes at her with uncommon sternness. "Maria. You're going to mess up, you're going to have bad days, but don't forget how much you love them."
"Oh." She blinks.
That's—it's not really a solution.
But.
"You're right. I love them already."
a/n: To the guest who asked whether Maria and Tsubasa had a science baby - no, they were actually planning on adopting a baby/infant/toddler. Maria went on a shopping spree sometime before the events of this fic and bought a lot of baby stuff, which is superfluous now that she's decided to adopt an older kid. I hope that clears that up; thank you for your question!