Mommy, Baby, Belly

Skye won't lie – she loves her little naptime with her daughter. The cuddles, the kisses, the sweet baby smell and the soft baby locks in her face as Haylie dozes on her chest, her little head nuzzling against her neck. Now, if only Haylie would sleep as long as she does – that would be absolutely perfect.

But no – it seems like at almost two and a half years old, her daughter needs less sleep (at least less naptime) than her dear mommy at nine months pregnant.

But at least she is being absolutely adorable about it.

The first thing that pulls Skye from her light slumber is the absence of Haylie's warm weight from her chest; the second is the feel of tiny hands on her belly. Smiling to herself, and unable to miss this scene, she cracks an eye open, but doesn't say a word.

Haylie is sitting next to her on the bed, pillow marks still on her face and her curls in an absolute mess, but her eyes are alert as she watches Skye's bump. Tilting her head to one side, she leans a little closer, inspecting curiously, then places her hands on Skye's belly again, pushing her shirt up and exposing the taut skin.

Humming something under her breath, Haylie runs her tiny palms along the curve of Skye's baby bump, seemingly absolutely fascinated, a little smile slowly blossoming on her face; it's a lovely sight, and Skye just can't keep herself from grinning. Then the next moment Ada feels like it's time to make herself know, and kicks – right against Haylie's hand, as if she wanted to greet her big sister. Haylie, not having expected it, is of course startled – she lets out a little yelp and jerks away from her mother's belly, with such an adorable look on her face that Skye just can't help it, and lets out a laugh.

Haylie, having realized that her mother is, in fact, awake, looks at her reproachfully for a fraction of a second, then her trauma forgotten she climbs over to her and cuddles against Skye.

"That baby?" Haylie asks once she is settled comfortable, gesturing towards Skye's bump. Skye grins and leans down, kissing the top of Haylie's head.

"Yeah, there's a baby inside."

Haylie looks up at her, slight doubt in her wide, brown eyes.

"You sure?" she asks, making Skye laugh again.

"Yeah, I'm sure," she answers, trying to somewhat tame Haylie's locks with her fingers. "We have seen pictures of her, remember?"

Haylie wrinkles her nose.

"Funny pictures."

"Yeah, those pictures are really funny," Skye chuckles, thinking of the black-and-white ultrasound photos they have shown Haylie. "And you just felt her move, didn't you?"

Haylie turns towards her once again, looking slightly offended.

"Baby hurt me," she says with trembling lips.

Skye gathers her into her arms, holding her close and kissing her cheek before Haylie could start crying.

"Oh, no, princess, she didn't," she reassures her firstborn. "She was just saying hello, okay? You know, as long as she is in mommy's belly, she can't say hello any other way."

Haylie looks at her, wide eyed.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Does she say hello to you too?"

"All the time," Skye nods. Oh, if only Haylie knew!

"Daddy too?"

"Of course."

Having concluded that the kick was not an attack on her person, Haylie detaches herself from Skye's arms, and crawls over to her bump once again, splaying her tiny hands on it.

"Hi, baby," she says, leaning so close that her lips are almost touching Skye's skin. There's a moment of silence and stillness, then Ada kicks again, softer this time, but hitting Haylie's palm again. Only this time expecting it, Haylie squeals in delight.

"Mommy!" she all but shouts (Skye is sure that if Grant is back at home, he's heard it), clapping her hands together. "Baby say hello!"

"That she did," Skye grins, placing her own hand on her bump.

Encouraged by the exchange, this time Haylie actually lays her head on Skye's belly. She closes her eyes, listening in complete stillness for a moment, then opens them again, and looks at Skye.

"When baby here?"

Skye lets out a soft grunt as she sits up.

"Soon, princess." She still has a week until her due date, but if the soft tightening she's just felt is any indicator, Ada will be here a little sooner. "Really soon."

"Oh," Haylie sighs, caressing Skye's belly lovingly. "Good. I wanna play with her."

Skye chuckles at that, then raises a hand to smooth back Haylie's hair.

"Oh, you'll get to play with her a lot," she assures her daughter.

"Great," Haylie grins, then turns her head slightly, and presses a kiss against Skye's belly. "I love you, baby."

It might be just the hormones messing with her, but Skye can barely keep herself from crying (okay, so she might shed a couple of tears); she is just so blessed with her family.