From the other side

Chapter 10

"Oh mummy" she twisted to face Kamala. "I have a feeling that it is harder for you than it is for me."

She met her daughter's gaze, her expression pained. "It is hard for me, sweetheart," she admitted softly. "I keep reliving that moment, every night in my dreams. I can still feel the fear, the helplessness. And knowing that you were willing to take a bullet for me...it breaks my heart."

She ran her fingers through her daughter's hair, her eyes misting with unshed tears. "How can you be so calm about it?" she asked, her voice quavering slightly. "I can't seem to forget it, to move on. And yet you...you just seem so accepting of it."

Lizzy hugged her to her body, this time she was comforting her mother not another way around. "It isn't easy, but I am alive, and if I didn't make that step back then you wouldn't be."

She buried her face in her daughter's shoulder, tears now flowing freely. "I know, I know," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. "But it's still hard, sweetheart. It still hurts, knowing that you put yourself in that kind of danger for me."

"You knew I would, and I would do it again." Lizzy tightened her embrace over her crying mother.

She let out a shuddering sob, clinging to her daughter like a lifeline. "I wish you wouldn't," she murmured, her voice thick with pain. "I don't want you to put yourself in harm's way for me. I can't bear the thought of losing you, sweetheart. I can't."

"But i will, i was raised that way and you're the most important person in my life, you are my mother. I know it hunts you but you can't let fear lead you."

She closed her eyes, her daughter's words piercing through her like a knife. She knew they were true, she knew she couldn't let fear rule her life. But the image of her daughter in danger kept haunting her, a constant reminder of the danger she faced.
"I can't help it," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I can't help but worry about you, sweetheart. It's a mother's job to protect her child."

Lizzy started humming. The same lullaby that Kamala singed to her when she was scared to fall asleep as a kid.

Her heart ached and her tears flowed freely as she recognized the lullaby, the familiar notes wrapping around her like a soothing blanket. She closed her eyes and let herself be soothed by the sound, by the gentle touch of her daughter's hand stroking her hair.
"I used to sing that to you when you were a baby," she murmured softly, her voice catching with emotion.

Lizzy just smiled and went from humming to singing.

She let out a soft sob, the familiar tune stirring up a flood of memories. Images of her young daughter, safe and sound in her arms, came rushing back and she felt her heart clench with pain and love.
"You used to fall asleep to that song," she murmured, her voice quavering. "I can't believe you remember it."

"Cry Kammy, it will help you."

The dam broke, and she let out a wrenching sob, the tears streaming down her face. She clutched her daughter tightly, feeling the release of all the pent up emotions she had been holding inside.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice shaky with emotion. "I'm sorry for being a mess."

Lizzy just kept singing.

Her daughter's voice was a balm for her soul, soothing the ragged edges of her emotions. She closed her eyes, letting the lullaby wash over her, feeling the years of worry and fear slowly ebbing away.
"Thank you, sweetheart," she murmured softly, her voice finally steady. "I needed that."

She took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. She had been carrying this burden for so long, trying to be strong for everyone else but herself. But here, in her daughter's arms, she could finally let go.
"You always know how to comfort me," she said, her voice soft and almost child-like. "It's a gift."

"Your turn sing to me please."

She smiled through her tears, the request a simple one but deeply meaningful to her. "Of course, sweetheart," she murmured, her voice still a little shaky.
She took a deep breath and started singing, her voice starting low and soft but soon getting stronger. The words came back to her easily, the melody familiar and comforting.

She sang, her voice filling the room with a warm, soothing sound. Her eyes stayed on her daughter, watching as her face relaxed and a small smile graced her lips. She felt their bond, the deep connection between them strengthening with every note that left her mouth.

"I love you mum"

"I love you more, sweetheart," she murmured, the words coming from the depths of her heart. She reached out and gently traced her daughter's face with her fingertips, feeling the soft, smooth skin beneath her touch.

"You should go to bed, you look exhausted."

She sighed, knowing her daughter was right. She did feel exhausted, both physically and emotionally. "You're probably right," she admitted, her voice weary. "I haven't been sleeping very well lately."

"You want to sleep with me?"

She laughed softly at the question, touched by her daughter's offer. "Are you sure you're not too old for that?" she teased, her voice light and affectionate.

"You need a good night of sleep"

She couldn't argue with that. She was in desperate need of a good night's sleep, and the thought of cuddling up with her daughter sounded incredibly appealing. "Alright," she conceded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I could use some cuddles."

"You always could use cuddles."

She chuckled, unable to deny the truth in her daughter's words. "You're right," she admitted, her voice softened with affection. "I do love cuddling you. It helps me relax."

She stood up, offering her hand to her daughter. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's go to bed."

Lizzy followed, she changed into one of Kamala's pyjamas.

She watched her daughter change, a small smile on her face. Seeing her in her clothes gave her a sense of comfort, as if she was protecting her daughter from the world. She changed into a nightgown and then climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.
"C'mere, sweetheart," she murmured, holding her arms open.

She had always been an affectionate mother, but since the incident she felt a new, almost desperate, need to hold her daughter close. To feel her heartbeat and know that she was safe and alive.

Lizzy snuggled into bed and into her mother's arms, her body fitting perfectly against hers. She let out a contented sigh, her head resting on her mother's chest.