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“I know you’re not Mommy,” she explained, deeming me speechless. “But, you’re part of Mommy. She told me she was coming.”
“Oh, Aussie, did she?” My heart imploded. Anna was an angel, one who looked over and took good care of the people she’d left behind.
“Yes. Do you love me, too, like Mommy did?”
“Aussie, I do. I just have one question, baby girl.”
“Okay.”
“How old are you, really?”
“Two and a half.”
“I find that so hard to believe.” I laughed through the tears. “But, yes, Mommy sent so much love for you right through me and it’s right here.”
I pointed at my heart.
“Okay.”
“Okaaay, baby.”
I lifted us both from the floor with renewed strength. Aussie’s miniature frame was still tucked in my arms as I pushed forward, ending up in the kitchen.
“Alright, I have everything right here on the counter. Are you tall enough to help me carry it over to the biggest counter in here? Do you know which counter is the biggest?”
“That one!” She pointed at the counter next to the wall.
“You’re right. Good job, baby. Now, our first order of business is to get everything on that side so you can sit right there while we make our ice cream.”
“Okay. I can help.”
“Yeah? You think you can reach it?”
“Daddy has a ladder for me.”
“Yeah? That would be perfect.”
“Can you tell me where it is?”
She wiggled out of my arms, walked over toward the pantry, opened the door, and disappeared inside. Seconds later, she was dragging a small step ladder behind her. Without my help, she was able to get it unfolded and up against the counter where we’d be working.
“Oh wow. Such a big girl.”
Together, we transferred the ingredients over and got started.
“First, I need you to fill this bucket with ice. I need to step out for a second. Once the bucket is half full, you can stop, okay?”
“Okay.”
I handed the bucket off and watched as she headed toward the fridge. It was like watching a little lady. She was the most independent two-year-old I’d ever encountered. Once I was confident she could handle the task, I left her alone to finish up.
Finally getting Aussie settled left me with a second to spare. I traveled the distance of the flat, ending at the bedroom at the very end of the house where I found Malachi stretched out across the bed with his head stuffed in a pillow. Achiness covered me as his wailing stopped me in my tracks.
“Malachi,” I called out, unable to deepen my presence, knowing that he needed time to process everything. “Are you okay, baby?”
“I-I’m good, baby.”
“Can I hug you?”
