🍼 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝒾𝓍𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃: 𝒟𝒶𝒹𝒹𝓎'𝓈 𝐵𝒶𝒷𝓎 🎀🧸

The car ride home was quiet. Lucas sat in the backseat, hugging Momo against his chest, his paci clipped to the collar of his pastel pink hoodie. His mommy was driving, her fingers gripping the wheel a little too tight, like she had a lot on her mind.

Lucas kicked his feet, watching the streetlights blur past. His tummy felt weird—not bad, just... full of stuff.

Feelings.

Thoughts.

Maybe a little bit of juice.

"...Mommy?" he whispered, shifting in his booster seat.

Mrs. Min glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Yes, baby?"

Lucas sucked his thumb for a second before mumbling, "Y-you like Amari's mommy an' daddy?"

His mommy sighed, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "They seem like good people, sweetheart."

Lucas beamed. That meant she was okay with him going back, right?

But then she added, "But I still want to keep an eye on things."

Lucas pouted. "Mommyyyy..."

Mrs. Min gave him a look. "Lucas."

He huffed, sinking into his car seat, but deep down, he got it. His mommy always worried. That's just how she was.

When they got home, Lucas barely had time to unbuckle before his phone buzzed. He grabbed it fast, his little fingers fumbling to unlock the screen.

Daddy 💙🍼: miss u already, tiny

Daddy 💙🍼: did u get home safe?

Lucas giggled, kicking his feet. His fingers typed back quickly:

Me: mhm!! miss u too, daddy... (っ◔◡◔)っ💗

His tummy felt warm again. Safe. He liked when Amari called him that. Daddy. It made him feel all floaty and small inside.

"Lucas," his mommy called, "bath time, baby."

Lucas whined softly, but he put his phone down, waddling off to the bathroom. His mommy had already filled the tub with warm, bubbly water. His rubber duckies were floating, and his special soft washcloth was waiting on the edge.

"Arms up, sweetheart," Mrs. Min said gently.

Lucas lifted his arms, letting her pull off his hoodie. She helped him out of his jeans and pull-up, then lifted him into the bath. The warm water made him melt.

His mommy washed his hair carefully, humming softly. "You really like Amari, don't you?"

Lucas nodded sleepily, hugging his duckie. "Mhm... Daddy makes me feel safe..."

Mrs. Min's hands paused for a second before she resumed rinsing his hair. "That's good, baby. I just want you to be happy."

Lucas grinned, his dimples showing. "I is happy, Mommy."

She smiled softly, kissing the top of his head.

Later that night, Lucas was snuggled up in his adult-sized crib, wearing his favorite footie pajamas—the ones with little dinosaurs on them. His paci was in his mouth, and Momo was tucked under his chin.

His phone buzzed again.

Daddy 💙🍼: goodnight, babyboy. sleep tight. 🩵💤

Lucas giggled sleepily, thumb-typing back:

Me: night night, Daddy... wuvs you... (✿◕‿◕)💖

As soon as he sent it, his cheeks went pink. He hugged Momo tighter, hiding under the blanket.

But a second later, his phone buzzed again.

Daddy 💙🍼: wuvs you too, tiny. 🍼💙

Lucas fell asleep with the biggest smile on his face.

💖🍼✨