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Indoor, living-room couch in midday sunlight streaming through the window. Momma Dorian sits smiling on the sofa, gently holding Maya's small hand, while Maya sits beside her with wide astonished eyes.
Momma Dorian sat on the couch with a big smile. "I have special news," she said. Her daughter Maya bounced excitedly. "What is it, Momma?" Momma Dorian took Maya's hand gently. "You're going to be a big sister soon!" Maya's eyes grew wide. "Really? When?" she asked. "In a few months," Momma replied. Maya wasn't sure how to feel. A baby? What would that mean?
Bright morning light fills the kitchen as Momma Dorian hugs Maya beside a cereal bowl on the cluttered breakfast table. Maya looks up anxiously while Momma smiles reassuringly.
Maya had lots of questions at breakfast. "Will the baby cry all the time?" she asked. Momma Dorian laughed softly. "Sometimes, but we'll help calm the baby." Maya stirred her cereal slowly. "Will you still have time for me?" Momma hugged her tight. "Always, sweetie. You'll always be my special girl." Maya smiled a little. Maybe having a sibling wouldn't be so bad after all.
Inside a brightly lit baby boutique aisle, Maya proudly holds up a tiny yellow onesie toward Momma Dorian. Momma stands beside a rack of soft blankets, nodding with an encouraging smile.
Momma Dorian asked Maya to help pick out baby clothes. They looked at tiny shirts and soft blankets together. "These are so small!" Maya giggled. She held up a yellow onesie. "This one is cute, Momma." Momma nodded happily. "Perfect choice!" Maya started feeling excited. She picked out a teddy bear too. "The baby will love this," she said proudly. Helping made Maya feel important.
Soft lamplight glows in Momma Dorian's bedroom at night as she sits up in bed, cradling Maya close under the quilt. Maya rests her head against Momma's shoulder, worried eyes reflecting the warm light.
That night, Maya couldn't sleep. She worried about sharing her room and toys. What if Momma forgot about her? She tiptoed to Momma's room. "Momma, are you awake?" she whispered. Momma Dorian sat up and patted the bed. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" Maya climbed up. "I'm scared things will change." Momma held her close. "Change can be good. I promise you'll always be loved."
Daylight streams through the nursery window as Momma Dorian rolls pale green paint on the wall while Maya crouches with a small brush beside a crib. A teddy bear waits on a shelf amid hanging star pictures.
Momma Dorian and Maya painted the nursery light green together. Maya carefully used a small brush on the walls. "You're doing great!" Momma encouraged. They hung pictures of animals and stars. Maya arranged stuffed toys on the shelf. "Where should the teddy bear go?" she asked. Momma pointed to the crib. "Right there, so the baby sees it first." Maya placed it carefully, feeling proud of their work.
In the dawn-blue hallway by the front door, Momma Dorian kneels to hug Maya tightly while Momma Dorian's sister waits holding car keys. Maya clutches her backpack, eyes determined yet anxious.
Momma Dorian's sister arrived early one morning. "It's time to go to the hospital," she said. Maya felt butterflies in her stomach. She hugged Momma tight. "I'll be brave," Maya promised. Momma kissed her forehead. "I know you will. I'll see you soon with your new brother." Maya waved goodbye. Her aunt made lunch and they played games, but Maya kept watching the clock.
Soft hospital room lighting bathes Momma Dorian sitting up in a white bed, cradling newborn Marcus. Beside her, Maya carefully holds the baby’s tiny hand, awe brightening her face.
At the hospital, Maya walked quietly into the room. Momma Dorian smiled from the bed, holding a tiny bundle. "Maya, meet your brother Marcus." Maya stepped closer, eyes wide with wonder. The baby had the smallest fingers she'd ever seen. "He's so little," she whispered. Momma let Maya sit beside her. "Would you like to hold him?" Maya nodded nervously. She held Marcus carefully, her heart filling with love.
Afternoon light filters into the living-room; Maya sits alone on the carpet beside scattered blocks, glancing sadly toward the nursery doorway where Momma Dorian rocks crying Marcus in her arms.
Back home, everything felt different with baby Marcus. He cried often, and Momma looked tired. Maya tried to play quietly with her blocks. Marcus wailed from the nursery. Momma Dorian rushed to feed him. Maya felt lonely sitting by herself. She missed having Momma's full attention. Later, Momma found Maya looking sad. "This is hard, isn't it?" Momma asked gently. Maya nodded, fighting tears.
In the warmly lit nursery, Maya stands next to the changing table, softly singing to Marcus swaddled on the pad while Momma Dorian watches, holding a fresh diaper with a grateful smile.
Momma Dorian had an idea. "Maya, I need your help. You're the big sister now." Maya perked up. "What can I do?" she asked eagerly. "Can you bring me a clean diaper?" Maya ran to get one. She helped by fetching things and singing to Marcus. When he stopped crying at her song, Maya beamed. "You're a wonderful big sister," Momma said. Maya felt proud and useful again.
Sunny afternoon rays fall across the living-room couch where Momma Dorian and Maya snuggle beneath a light blanket, reading an open picture book together while a baby monitor rests silent on the side table.
Momma Dorian made sure to have special time with Maya each day. While Marcus napped, they read stories together on the couch. "This is our time," Momma whispered. Maya snuggled close, feeling happy. They worked on puzzles and drew pictures. "I still love these moments with you," Momma said. Maya smiled brightly. "Me too, Momma." She realized she could love Marcus and still have Momma's love too.
Morning light fills the playroom as Maya kneels beside a colorful play mat, crossing her eyes with a goofy grin that makes sitting-up Marcus squeal with laughter. Momma Dorian watches from a nearby chair, amused.
Maya became good at being a big sister. She made funny faces to make Marcus laugh. She brought toys when he seemed bored. "You're such a good helper," Momma praised. Maya taught Marcus pat-a-cake when he got bigger. She shared her favorite stuffed animal with him. Sometimes he drooled on her toys, but Maya didn't mind much. Watching Marcus smile at her made everything worthwhile. She loved being a big sister.
In the softly lit living room, crawling Marcus reaches up toward Maya, giggling; Maya kneels, arms open and delighted. Behind them, Momma Dorian kneels, embracing both children in a warm group hug.
Months passed, and Maya couldn't imagine life without Marcus. One day, he reached for her and giggled. "Momma, he loves me!" Maya exclaimed happily. Momma Dorian hugged them both. "Of course he does. You're the best big sister." Maya kissed Marcus's head gently. Being a big sister was hard sometimes, but it was also wonderful. She had someone who looked up to her. That made her heart feel full of joy.