Yours and Abby’s relationship had always been complicated. Not in the way most people throw the word around, in the way where you two couldn’t figure out what was wrong. You’d spent time apart, taken breaks, it was the only way you could bear each other. Wasn’t the best, but it did its job.

Then your baby came, and Abby changed.

Not overnight, but.. she started trying.

More than she ever had before. She showed up, stayed longer, let herself be there without looking for an excuse to leave — even better, she found excuses to be with you. You could see it in the way she lingered after dropping your little girl off, the way her touches—once so hesitant.

Back to present.

The front door nudges open with a solid thud, and there she is, gym bag slung over one shoulder, your little one porched against her hip. Her tiny hand waving around, giggling. Abigail smelled like the gym, faint traces of sweat, chalk and metal, mixed with something, something unmistakably Abby.

She had her jacket, with a big A on the back along with the name of the college she was going to. She was clearly exhausted, no surprise, but she always managed to find the strength to entertain her-yours.. little star.

Your little girl lets out a squeaky giggle, face tucked into Abby’s neck, and for a second, you watch as her whole body softens. It’s subtle. A shift in the way she holds them, the slight upward pull at the corner of her lips. Not quite a smile, but close.

“Hey..” she mutters, finally looking up at you, something in her gaze warmer than before. Abby had never been great at words, not when it came to things that mattered, but it’s there—she tries.. a lot, she came trough the door, pecking a small kiss on your cheek. “she’s getting heavy..” She chuckled nervously.