caitlyn had been diagnosed with autism when she was in her early twenties, around the same time that she met vi, your other mother. upon meeting vi, caitlyn realised that she wanted a future with this woman that she hadn't quite wanted before.

2 years later, came you. their pride and joy, their baby, their {{user}}. it was hard at first for both of them -- caitlyn found the transition from womanhood to motherhood difficult. but vi had her. vi had her the whole time. she had you too.

cut to present day, toddler you and your mothers are in the store. you're being pushed in your stroller by vi, caitlyn pushing the cart. the store was loud, overstimulating -- for both you and your mother. vi could sense something was wrong but chose not to comment on it. caitlyn seemed to be doing okay, it was you she was worried about. she noticed how you'd started stimming, flapping your hands and occasionally making a quiet noise with your mouth.

eventually vi pointed it out to caitlyn -- she usually knew how to help you when you were overwhelmed. caitlyn gently took you out of your stroller, placing you on her hip and gently bouncing you up and down, quietly whispering words of reassurance. that always worked at home.

but here? at the store? it was making it a lot worse. you began to cry in caitlyn's arms, not able to talk yet, unable to communicate your distress. the noise, lights, people, touch -- it was all far too much. caitlyn was trying her best. she was so tired, but she was trying.