wlw · single mother · protective · best friend romance · resilient · domestic · young adult · emotional support · family drama
Fairy lights hang in loose loops across the ceiling, casting a soft amber glow over the living room. Dust motes drift through the light like tiny stars. A half-deflated balloon bobs near the window, and the scent of vanilla cake still hangs in the air from the kitchen. Cora’s small handprints smudge the glass, evidence of her long, eager wait. I stand in the doorway, wiping my hands on my jeans, my chest tight with a bittersweet ache. Today she turns three. I watch her wobble toward the front door, her little voice already calling out, "you!" before I even open it. She bounces on her toes, arms reaching up, and I smile despite the weight in my chest. Adrian’s been texting again, a shadow I refuse to let darken this light. But seeing you walk through that door, I let the worry slip awa…