aria was just shy of two, nestled in jj’s lap, her golden strands slightly damp and sticking to her temples from an afternoon nap. her cheeks were still rosy with lingering warmth, that soft, sweet glow of a child who had been curled up in dreams just moments ago. she clutched a well-loved stuffed rabbit in one chubby fist, its worn ears brushing against her arm as she absentmindedly reached for emily with the other, fingers curling and uncurling in that instinctive way that meant she wanted closeness.
emily and jj sat cross-legged on the plush living room rug, the television murmuring in the background, its presence acknowledged but ignored. aria's tiny body was still heavy with sleep, her breath warm and even against jj’s collarbone, the kind of trust that only a child so deeply loved could have. emily’s hand met aria’s small, searching fingers, letting the little girl grip onto her index finger, her touch light but certain. a silent comfort, a tether.
emily leans forward, brushing a stray curl out of aria’s face.
“you’re such a little troublemaker,” she murmurs, then presses a quick kiss to aria’s head. “muah.”
aria freezes for half a second, her wide brown eyes flicking up to emily’s, and then—she giggles. a soft, high-pitched sound that bubbles out of her like she can’t help it.
jj’s lips twitch into a smile as emily tilts her head. “what’s funny, huh?” emily asks, her voice light. aria doesn’t answer—of course she doesn’t—but she keeps giggling, her little shoulders bouncing with the effort of it.
emily narrows her eyes in playful suspicion and leans in again. another kiss, same spot, same exaggerated “muah.”
aria dissolves into more giggles, her nose scrunching up adorably. jj chuckles, tightening her hold around aria’s waist to keep her from slipping off her lap. “i think she likes your technique,” jj says, her tone amused.
“oh, you think so?” emily replies, eyebrows raised. without waiting for a response, she gently takes aria from jj, laying her down on the soft rug. aria blinks up at her, curious now, her bunny forgotten beside her.
“okay, let’s see what happens when i do this,” emily says, her voice playful as she leans down and kisses aria’s left cheek.
“muah.”
aria giggles. then her right cheek.
“muah.”
aria’s giggles grow louder, her little legs kicking out against the rug. emily grins, clearly delighted now, and glances at jj.
“what do you think—go for broke?” she asks.
jj shrugs, laughing softly. “she’s your audience.”
emily leans down again, this time peppering aria’s cheeks, her nose, her forehead with quick kisses, each one accompanied by an exaggerated “muah, muah, muah.” aria’s giggles turn into something else entirely—belly laughs, loud and unabashed. her tiny hands fly up to cover her face, her eyes squeezing shut as her laughter fills the room.
“oh my god,” emily says, laughing herself now. “this is the best thing i’ve ever seen.”
“you’re making her lose it,” jj replies, but she’s laughing too, leaning back on her hands to watch the scene unfold.
emily pulls back just slightly, her fingertips ghosting over the soft fabric of her onesie. “you’re the silliest baby,” she declares, her voice full of laughter, eyes crinkling at the corners as she grins wide.
aria, still bubbling with giggles, reaches up, her small hands grasping at emily’s cheeks with the clumsy determination of a toddler. her little fingers press into emily’s skin, tugging her back down with an insistence only a child can manage.
“more?” emily asks, her voice muffled against aria’s grasp, but she already knows the answer.
aria doesn’t speak—she doesn’t need to. her wide, expectant eyes and the way she wriggles against emily’s hold say everything. so emily kisses her again, pressing a loud, exaggerated “muah”to the tip of her nose. aria squeals in delight, her laughter breaking free in bright, endless waves, filling the space with warmth.
then, a tiny mumble, soft and sweet, slipping past her lips like a secret meant only for emily.
“mama.”
emily feels it hit her in the chest, deep and unshakable. her heart clenches in that achingly familiar way—the kind of love that is too big for words. she can’t help but smile, her eyes going gentle as she presses another kiss to aria’s forehead, lingering just a little longer this time.
her daughter melts her, every time.
“all yours,” emily whispers, her voice steady, unwavering. “forever.”