Chapter Text
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“Will there be snow, Mommy?”
“Yes, little darling.”
“Can we have hot cocoa?”
“We sure can. With marshmallows, too.” Caitlyn’s voice is patient as she methodically works a brush through your hair, gently detangling any knots as she goes.
“Will we see a moose?”
Caitlyn laughs softly, pausing mid-brushstroke. “A moose, love? What made you think of that?”
“Mama said mooses…meese…? Live in cold places. And that they’re as big as a house!”
“Moose, sweetie. And I think Mama was telling tall tales again,” Caitlyn chuckles under her breath, turning to shoot an amused glance at Vi.
Vi just shrugs, grinning. “We were reading ‘If You Give a Moose a Muffin’ the other night. I may have exaggerated a tiny bit but they are fu– freaking huge. We could totally see one, you never know what you’ll run into in the mountains.” She wiggles her eyebrows in a mysterious way.
You gulp, suddenly feeling nervous. “Are there bears in the mountains?” you ask, chewing on your lip.
Caitlyn sets down the hairbrush and kisses your temple. “There are a few bears but you won’t see any. Your mommies will keep you plenty safe.”
Vi scoots across the bed so that she’s closer to you and starts rubbing your back. “I was just joking, sweet girl,” she murmurs, her voice soft now. “You don’t need to be scared. You’re going to have so much fun, promise.”
As always, your mommies have a way of calming you down right away. You let your head fall to rest on Vi’s shoulder, and she presses a gentle kiss to your hair.
Your worries disappear almost as quickly as they came, instead replaced by the budding excitement you’ve been feeling all day. You have no idea how you’re going to be able to fall asleep tonight, what with how excited you are for tomorrow. Not only will you be getting on a plane for the very first time, you’re also going to see snow!
The three of you are taking a two-week long vacation to the Kiramman’s cabin up in the mountains of Colorado. Caitlyn and Vi have been describing the rolling hills and acres of white snow to you all week, and you can’t wait to see it all in person.
You also know the vacation is very much needed. Caitlyn seems to have developed near-permanent circles under her eyes in recent weeks, working late almost every night to meet some important deadline for work. Vi’s been doing her best to get her to slow down and rest, but not much can keep Caitlyn from her work.
And you’ve been dealing with something yourself, although you haven’t mentioned it to your mommies.
A certain green-eyed monster has started rearing its head every time you see your mommies together. You’re not sure why you’re feeling jealous now, of all times. It’s never been a problem in the three months that you’ve been with Vi and Caitlyn officially. Until now.
Maybe it’s because you’ve noticed Vi paying extra attention to Caitlyn and being even more soft with her than usual, trying to help her through the work stress. Or maybe it’s just that you’re starting to realize how well the married women truly know each other, as evidenced by their inside jokes and the way they sometimes finish each other's sentences. A small, bitter part of you can’t help but feel left out when you see them exchange soft looks or tender touches.
You know they both love you. You know they want you. But what if that changes? What if they decide they don’t need you after all, that what they have between themselves is enough?
The thought has been keeping you up at night, tossing and turning. You’ve been trying to ignore the jealousy, mentally pleading for it to go away, but nothing seems to work to get rid of it. You definitely don’t want to bring it up with Vi or Caitlyn. The last thing you want to do is seem insecure, or like you think that the two of them can’t spend time together.
All in all, you’re just hoping this trip can serve as a giant reset button for all three of you. There’s been too much stress in your lives lately, and you just want to spend some quality time with the women you love more than anything. You plan to forget all about the silly little jealousy you’ve been feeling, and just focus instead on having fun.
“Okay, little love,” Caitlyn says, interrupting your thoughts. She taps your hair gently, and you reach up to feel that she’s put it in two braids for you. “You’re all set. Now, do you want Mommy or Mama to read you a story tonight?”
“But Mommy it’s too early,” you complain, pouting slightly. The sun barely set thirty minutes ago, and you’re not remotely sleepy.
“We have to get up very, very early tomorrow to catch our flight, darling girl. So you need to go to bed early to get enough sleep.”
“I don’t wanna,” you whine, knowing that you’re misbehaving, but you’re also feeling cranky. Neither Vi or Caitlyn is dressed for bed, so you know they’re going to be staying up later while you’re asleep.
Caitlyn sighs deeply and runs a hand over her face, looking exhausted. You feel a curl of guilt in your stomach. Is it your fault your Mommy looks so tired? Why can’t you just behave?
Vi kisses Caitlyn’s cheek, and you hear her murmur in her ear. “I’ve got this, cupcake. Why don’t you go make yourself some tea?”
You scowl down at the bedsheets, torn between guilt and jealousy. Caitlyn gives you a quick kiss, then heads out of the room. Vi cups your chin and gently forces your eyes to meet hers.
“Hey, hey,” Vi soothes, her eyebrows knitting together when she sees your pout. “What’s with the sour face, sweetheart? Aren’t you excited for our trip?”
“I am, Mama,” you murmur. “Sorry.”
Vi rubs her thumb over your cheekbone, her face tender as she frowns at you. “Is something bothering you, little one?”
You shake your head no vigorously, but you can see the disbelief in Vi’s eyes.
“You know you can tell us anything, right?” Vi laces your fingers together, studying you intently. “We love you so much.”
“I know,” you let out a heavy breath, blinking away the tears that are threatening to form in your eyes. “I’m okay.”
“Things have been stressful lately,” Vi hums, squeezing your hand. “This trip is going to be good for all of us, ‘kay? We’re all gonna have an amazing time.”
“Okay, Mama,” you agree, nodding. “Sorry for whining.”
“It’s alright, you’re still our sweet girl.” Vi smiles gently at you, and then motions for you to get under the covers. She tucks you in, then retrieves a book from the shelf across from the bed. “How about we read ‘Goodnight Moon’?”
You nod, cozying up next to her. She wraps an arm around your shoulders, and starts reading. You let the soft, familiar timbre of her voice wash over you like a cool ocean wave. Everything is going to be okay. There’s no reason to stress.
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You whine sleepily when a blaring alarm jars you out of sleep. It’s dark, and you can feel both your mommies cuddled up warmly next to you, sandwiching you between them.
“Time to wake up, my loves,” Caitlyn murmurs, and you feel her stroke your face. Vi makes a disgruntled, sleepy sort of noise and rolls over.
“Come on, sleepyheads,” Caitlyn chuckles quietly, shifting so that she’s kneeling in bed over you. She leans down and starts peppering your face with soft kisses. “Time for our vacation, little girl. Aren’t you excited?”
“‘m sleepy, Mommy,” you mumble, burying your face in the pillow.
“I know, darling, you can sleep in the car. I just need you to brush your teeth and get dressed, then Mama will carry you to the car.”
“Hey,” Vi objects croakily, turning back over. “Mama’s sleepy too.”
“Well Mama promised to drive, so she better wake up,” Caitlyn huffs, but she leans over and gives Vi a gentle kiss nonetheless.
It takes some cajoling, but eventually Caitlyn manages to get both of you up. You sleepily brush your teeth and put on a pair of leggings and a soft oversized hoodie. You already packed your suitcase the previous night, but your mommies let you take your favorite comfort stuffie, Candy, in your backpack to have with you on the flight. You’re a little nervous about going to an airport and flying for the first time, not to mention all the people you’ll be around.
Vi carries you out to the car and settles you in the backseat, doing up your seatbelt for you. She hands you a pillow, and helps you get cozy.
“Okay, sweet pea. You can take a little nap and we’ll wake you when we’re there, okay?” She presses her lips to your forehead.
You nod sleepily, already curling up into your pillow with your eyes drifting shut.
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The airport is even bigger than you expected. You’ve never been in one before, and you’re immediately overwhelmed by the crowds of people and the cacophony of noises.
You’re standing with Caitlyn, your hand warmly clasped in hers, while the two of you wait for Vi to get your luggage checked in and your boarding passes printed. You can feel your heart rate start to tick up and your chest tighten, as your anxiety swells at being in such a new and chaotic place.
Caitlyn, who always seems to be attuned to how you’re feeling, notices and squeezes your hand gently, prompting you to look up at her.
Her azure eyes are gentle as she frowns slightly at you, concern in her face. “Are you alright, little love?”
“I’m a little scared, Mommy,” you admit quietly, moving in closer to her side. “It’s a lot of people.”
“It is,” Caitlyn agrees, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and pulling you in for a soft hug. “But you have nothing to worry about, darling. Mama and I will be with you the whole time, alright? I’ve been to lots and lots of airports so I know what to do. Do you trust your Mommy?”
“Yes, Mommy,” you nod, and Caitlyn smiles warmly, kissing the top of your head.
“Good. Why don’t you get Candy out of your backpack? You can hold her while we wait in line. She might help you feel better.”
“But Mommy…” you glance around nervously. There’s no one looking at you or paying the two of you the slightest amount of attention, but you feel self-conscious anyway. “I’m too big to have a stuffie. People will think it’s weird.”
“Nonsense.” Caitlyn shakes her head. She turns you around by the shoulders and you hear her unzipping your backpack and pulling the stuffed rabbit out. She zips it back up and hands Candy to you, giving you another kiss to the forehead. “You’re never too old for a stuffie. If anyone says anything, we’ll stick Mama on them. She’ll take care of them.” Caitlyn gives you a mischievous grin, and you giggle quietly.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” You do feel soothed already having the soft rabbit in your arms, and you bury your nose into her fur and breathe in her familiar smell.
“Absolutely one hundred and twenty percent sure.” Caitlyn smiles at you, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “Whatever helps my little girl feel better is exactly what we are going to do, and everyone else can hold their tongue.”
Vi returns shortly with the tickets, grinning when she sees you holding Candy. “Looks like someone wanted to come out and play, huh?” she asks, ruffling the top of Candy’s head. “She didn’t want to miss any action.”
“Mommy said it was ok for me to hold her,” you explain, a little unsure as you look up at your Mama. You don’t want her to be embarrassed by you either.
“Of course it’s okay, sweet girl.” Vi sweeps down and gives you a big forehead kiss. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Don’t want people to think I’m weird,” you mumble shyly, looking down at your feet.
“Anyone says anything, I’ll punch ‘em,” Vi says with a firm look, and you giggle.
“Mommy said we should send you after the meanies.”
“That’s right,” Vi laughs as she shares a fond look with Caitlyn. “No one is mean to my girls on my watch.”
The three of you make your way to the security checkpoint, Caitlyn protectively holding your hand the whole way. You hold Candy close with your other arm, cradling her to your chest. You still feel overwhelmed by the number of people around, and you anxiously worry about what they must think of you, holding a stuffed rabbit. But your mommies don’t seem phased in the slightest, and they stay close to you as you all make your way through the line.
You’re relieved when you’re able to skip the longer line, Caitlyn guiding you toward the much shorter TSA PreCheck line instead. You aren’t exactly sure what to do, but you let your mommy gently tug you forward. A stern-looking man in a bright blue shirt examines your license and boarding pass, then waves you onward. Caitlyn lets go of your hand so that she can pull out her own identification, and Vi is still waiting to go through as well. You hesitate by the security desk, wanting to wait for them, but the guard turns and gives you an annoyed look.
“Start putting your things through the scanner,” he barks at you, looking down at the stuffie in your arms. He raises his eyebrows, and you feel your cheeks heat in embarrassment.
“Go on, love, we’ll be right there,” Caitlyn puts a hand on your back, murmuring in your ear. She nods toward the area up ahead, where people are putting their carry-on items onto a conveyor belt to be x-rayed, and then walking through what looks like a body scanner.
You nod, taking a fortifying breath. Right. You can do this.
Hesitantly, you walk forward to the scanning area, your heart pounding. There are several more TSA agents in this area, some sitting behind computers, some watching people put their items through the machines. Your pulse is thrumming hard in your veins and you suddenly feel frozen with fear, your feet rooted to the spot.
Someone bumps into you, making you stumble. “Watch it,” mutters a man in a dark suit, glaring at you before hurrying past.
“Sorry,” you mumble, feeling tears prickle at the corner of your eyes. You look behind you for Caitlyn or Vi, but they’re still held up at the ID check. You feel like you can barely breathe and you don’t know what to do.
“Hey, you! Put your things on the belt.” A TSA agent waves a hand to catch your attention, then points at the conveyor belt. He’s scowling at you and looks highly irritated.
“Sorry,” you repeat, your voice barely audible as you try to swallow down the tears that are threatening to spill out. You clutch Candy tightly to your chest, wishing you could just run away and hide.
You step toward the conveyer belt and take off your backpack with shaky hands. You put it into a gray bin and then put it on the moving conveyor belt. Then you move to get in line to go through the body scanner.
When it’s your turn, you step forward toward the scanner, but another TSA agent stops you with a raised hand. “You can’t bring the stuffed animal,” the agent says, rolling her eyes. “Go put it through the scanner and get back in line. Next!”
You stumble to the side, mumbling another apology. You stand in front of the conveyor belt but you can’t seem to get your fingers to unclasp from Candy. Your eyes sting, and a tear rolls down your cheek. You’re frozen, unable to speak or move, and feeling totally lost.
“Hey, hey, we’re here.” You turn to a familiar voice, and a wave of relief washes over you when you see Vi hurrying over to you, Caitlyn following close on her heels.
“I’m so sorry, darling, they had to do some extra checks on my passport,” Caitlyn explains, frowning as she comes over to you and cups your cheeks. “Oh, little love, why are you crying?”
You shake your head, too choked up to speak.
“This is a security checkpoint, not a waiting area!” The TSA agent from earlier comes up to you, a deep scowl on his face. “Put your things through the scanner, now!”
Caitlyn, who had been dabbing at your teary face with a handkerchief, stiffens. You see something cold and angry flash in her eyes.
“Excuse me?” Caitlyn straightens up, towering over the agent in her heeled boots and six feet of height. Her voice is deadly calm.
“You heard me,” the agent repeats, although he shrinks back from Caitlyn a little, his voice wavering. “She’s holding up the line.”
“And if you had simply taken a moment to look, you would realize she is clearly upset and doing her best.” Caitlyn crosses her arms, and her voice is sharp as daggers. It’s a complete opposite to the tender, caring tone she uses with you. “We will proceed through the line, we simply require a moment first.” She gives the officer a steady, cold, glare.
“I – uh –” the agent’s cheeks turn red and he takes a step back. “Fine, just hurry up,” he mutters, waving a hand and moving away to talk to someone else.
“Thank you, officer,” Caitlyn says politely, but her eyes are nothing but sharp.
She takes your hand and leads you over to the conveyor belt, and Vi follows.
“Damn, cupcake, I think you might have made him wet his pants,” Vi chuckles under her breath, taking off her own backpack and putting it in a bin. She shoots you an amused look. “Mommy can be pretty scary when she wants to, huh?”
You give a little laugh, but you’re still fighting the wave of anxiety. You wipe at your wet cheeks with the cuffs of your sleeves. “Sorry for making problems,” you mutter, looking down at your feet.
“Hey, sweet girl, look at me.” Vi puts her thumb under your chin and tips your face up so that you meet her eyes. “You are not causing problems. That guy was out of line, okay? This is your first time in an airport, it’s normal to be overwhelmed. I’m so sorry we got separated, but you’re gonna be with us the rest of the way.” She gives you a quick, but comforting hug.
“You’re absolutely fine,” Caitlyn adds, her voice back to the soothing, warm one she uses with you. She presses a kiss to your temple. “You are doing so well, and we are so proud of you. Now, Candy needs to take a little ride through the machine and then you can have her right back, alright darling?”
You nod, letting Caitlyn gently take the stuffie out of your arms and put it in a bin next to her tote purse.
“Good girl,” Vi praises, threading your fingers together, and you immediately feel relaxed to have your hand in hers. “Now we’re going to go through the scanner, and then we can get our things, and we’re all done with the hard part.”
“Okay, Mama,” you murmur, letting Vi lead you over toward the body scanner. This time you make it through without incident. After the three of you get scanned, you collect your things, and you clutch Candy happily, squeezing her tight.
“You did such a good job, and we are so proud of you, sweetheart,” Caitlyn smiles at you, and Vi makes a noise of agreement, rubbing your back. “How about we go find a treat to eat before our flight?”
“Pizza?” You ask hopefully, looking up with wide eyes.
“I think we can definitely find some pizza, little one,” Vi grins, leading you forward.
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