Mothers

A/N: Written for Mother's Day. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Maggie

After an exhausting work day, Maggie sighed as she looked out from the passenger seat window. She heard her partner spoke. "Is there a problem?"

"No, it's nothing. Thanks for dropping me off." She turned to open the door but OA stopped her.

"Maggie... You know you can talk to me, right?"

She closed the door and leaned back in her seat. "Yes, I know, OA."

He quirked his eyebrow. "So?"

"I don't know what else to tell you, it's still the same."

"Ella." She nodded. "Do you think maybe she needs professional help?"

Maggie glared at him. "You think I can't take care of her..."

"That is not what I meant, Maggie! Maggie!" He tried to call after her but she grabbed her backpack and was already out of the car.

Once she was inside the house, she was enveloped with small arms around her waist. "Ella!"

"I'm so happy you're back!" The little girl's words muffled by her tight hug on Maggie.

The babysitter approached them. "She was already looking out the window, waiting for you."

"Yeah, I figured. Thanks for staying with her."

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow, Ella." The little girl looked up and waved goodbye.

After the sitter left, Maggie kneeled to take a good look at Ella. She wiped the tears on her cheeks and gave her an encouraging smile. "Tell you what, you can wash your face while I make dinner, okay?" Ella nodded and went to the bathroom. She was about to go to her room when her phone rang. Hoping it wasn't a case, she was relieved to see that the call was from her mom. She went to her bedroom, dropped her backpack on her bed and took the call.

"Hi mom! How are you doing?"

"We're alright." She missed hearing her mother's voice. "Just wanted to see how you're doing, we haven't talked for so long. The last time was..."

"Maggie?" Ella's concerned voice could be heard through the door.

"Who was that?" Guess her mom's hearing still sharp than ever.

"Just a minute, I'm just changing my clothes. I'll be right there," she told Ella.

Maggie just realized that because of everything that has happened and how fast it all unfolded, she wasn't able to update her own family about the recent changes in her life.

"You remember Jessica Blake?" Her mom remained quiet on the other end. "You know, my friend in Quantico," Maggie prompted.

"The spunky blonde."

Maggie chuckled. "Yeah." Her mom has a way of describing people which never ceased to amuse her. "Well, that's her daughter Ella..." and she went on to tell her what happened.

"My goodness, I don't even know what to say," her mom muttered after hearing everything.

"Yeah, I know."

Her mom cleared her throat. "Well, how are you feeling?"

"Overwhelmed, anxious..." Her voice started to crack. "I don't know how to do this, mom." The tears she's been holding back now freely flowed from her eyes.

"Oh, sweetheart, no one is expecting you to." Maggie could feel the warmth and comfort that her mom wanted to give through her voice. "There's just some things that you learn as you do it, that's life."

She was grabbing tissues from her bedside table when she heard her mom's words. "Huh, that's what Jess said."

"Well, she's right." Her mom sighed. "I wish I could be there and give you a warm hug."

"It's alright, mom," she sniffed, wiping away her tears. She then remembered something. "I should apologize to OA."

"Your tall and handsome partner."

Recalling a previous conversation, Maggie smiled. "OA's gonna be happy to know that that's how you describe him."

Her mom laughed. "Because that's what he is. He's also considerate and he cares about you."

"I may have screamed at him when he tried to offer help," she confessed.

"I'm sure he understood. And as you said, he's just trying to help." Although her mom couldn't see her, Maggie nodded. "I'll see if we can visit you soon. I'd really like to meet Ella. In the meantime, you can call me anytime, sweetheart. We love you very much."

"Love you too, mom." She ended the call. When she went out of her room, Maggie saw Ella on the couch. She sat beside her and hugged her.

"Who were you talking to?" asked Ella.

She smiled while she stroked the little girl's hair. "My mom. And she said she wants to meet you." The little girl shyly smiled. "Oh, I forgot, we need to make dinner."

After eating and putting away the dishes, Maggie and Ella prepared for sleep. The little girl at first slept in the guest bedroom but would wake up in the middle of the night, crying for her mom. So she's now staying with Maggie.

She took out her phone and typed a quick text before cuddling up with Ella. She was stroking her hair when she said, "Maybe talking to someone might help."

Ella looked up. "I talk to you."

Maggie softly laughed. "I know, but maybe someone besides me."

"Do you not want to talk to me anymore..." Her voice sounded on the verge of tears.

"No, that's not true," Maggie protested. She lifted the child's chin so she could look at her. "I would be there with you, okay?" When Ella nodded, she hugged her tighter. Soon, they both fell asleep.

Notes:

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