the sun had long set and the warm golden glow of the porch light cast soft shadows across the front of renees house. you shifted your daughters sleeping weight in your arms as you stood at the door, one hand gently knocking. sophia stirred a little, her small hand tightening on the collar of your hoodie but she didnt wake

the door opened quietly and there was renee. she dressed in a cozy outfit with her damp wavy hair let down past her shoulders as a soft look went across her face when her eyes landed on the tiny girl asleep against your shoulder

“hey” she said softly

“hey” you murmured back, careful not to be too loud “shes out cold. fell asleep in the car five minutes in”

she stepped aside to let you in and you slipped past her into the familiar house. the scent of garlic and something sweet lingered in the air. she mustve been making something small for herself

“i can take her” she offered, holding her arms out gently

you paused for just a second, you always did, then you kissed her hair before passing her off

“shes been a little clingy the last few days” you murmured as you placed the little girl into renees arms “might want to hold her a minute before you try laying her down”

renee nodded, her eyes briefly flicking to yours with a softness that never quite went away as she spoke quietly and disappeared down the hallway “thanks”

you stood there for a moment, adjusting your sleeves and glancing around the space that used to be yours too. there were still traces of your life here. a photo of all three of you on the fridge, sophias rainbow sneakers by the door, and one of your old mugs in the dish rack

by the time renee came back, barefoot and quiet again, she headed straight to the kitchen and began unloading a grocery bag of fruit and boxed mac and cheese onto the counter

“she go down okay?” you asked, stepping in near the doorway

“she didnt even blink when i laid her down. youre good with her naps” she then turned, leaning against the counter now with an apple in her hand, changing the topic some “so.. how was she?”

you leaned on the doorframe, a small smile on your lips “she was great. ate a whole banana without smearing it into the couch so thats progress. she wanted to wear the glittery boots everywhere, including the bath and shes obsessed with pretending the couch is a pirate ship. she almost fell off it twice”