Even very great things, he meant, can't last forever. Or beautiful things, I suppose. Those too. Things that don't really need replacing except because they fall apart.

Emma Richler

"Ms.Morrison? You may see her now." I nod, the door opening with a slight creak after I smile at the sweet nurse. I feel a warm hand in mine but my eyes are reluctantly stuck to the figure in the room.

She doesn't turn. Her eyes look at the white wall in front of her, her face blank and her cheeks much healthier than before. Mama's hair is cut short to just below her ears. It's healthier. My mama's getting better- at least physically.

"H-Hi Mama ! It's me- Maya." The hand in mine tightens, and I feel brave enough to walk forward. She still remains seated on the edge of the white bed, not moving enough to make me feel noticed.

Maybe she's just distracted. I walk, each step laced with uncertainty and determination; both contrasting feelings. Uncertainty, because I don't know how this will end. Determination, because of the hand in mine and the motive to get my mama back. She's in there somewhere.

"How are you, mama ?" My voice is soft and wary. I keep it to a low whisper so it doesn't startle her, just in case she doesn't like noise. My voice can be annoying sometimes.

She doesn't answer. The hand in mine turns warmer, and my heart feels lighter and braver.

Be patient, Maya.

"Mama ? I want you to meet someone." I grin, my eyes stuck to her form as I pull on the soft, encouraging hand that is clasped in mine. My grin expands when her head turns, but falters when I see the emotionless look- full of emptiness and a glint of detest.

Be patient, Maya.

Her eyes travel to my right, and a bit higher than my head. She doesn't speak or smile, nor does she frown, leaving me in an even larger bubble of uncertainty that doesn't seem to pop. Maybe she doesn't like speaking anymore.

"It must be nice..." She starts off, her voice soft and quiet as my heart races with hope at her words. She's back, she's finally back. Just hearing her voice without any disappointment or dislike is soothing to me. I can feel her in that body. My mama.

"Yes, Mama ?" I ask, inching closer towards her and letting go of the hand in mine, just so I can touch my Mama's stronger ones. Her hands her cold as I take a hold of them, crouching by her side with eager ears.

"It must be nice to think that-" She lets out a sigh, turning her head to face mine completely. My brows furrow when her eyes harden, almost like clay as it dries on a hot day. Her face transforms into a scowl and I cower back, my hand instinctively trying to find the warm one that I held before.

"-that I'll ever consider you my daughter."

"Mayella."

"Mayella, you need to breathe. Baby, breathe for me. Hey.."

My throat cages me, restricting me from taking the heaps of air I desperately need. There's a hand rubbing my back as my mind races- the face of my mother imprinted into my head. I shake my head, my neck coated in sweat and probable tears.

She hates me.

"Mayella." Dalaric positions my face into the crook of his neck as I sob uncontrollably, my chest hurting with each cry. I miss her so much. I just miss my mother.

"Hey, look at me. Mayella." I rub my almost swollen eyes, trying to adjust to the sun rays that illuminate his face.

"It wasn't real. Say it with me, come on baby." I shake my head, not wanting to get my hopes high like I always do. She hates me.

"Mayella." His voice gets stricter and my mind tries to rationalize what I just saw- who I just saw. Would Mama say that ? Even after getting help?

What if this is how it'll be when I meet her ? My heart hurts at the thought of never talking to her again- as daughter and mother. It hurts. Even after so long of her being gone, mentally, I still want her back.

"It wasn't real." He sighs at my response and I sniffle into his neck, hugging him tighter. Great, I've ruined both our mornings now. Dalaric continues rubbing my back as I try to wipe the tears that dropped on his grey shirt.

He takes both my hands and stops my attempt, setting me sideways on his lap instead and cradling my face with his hands.

"Your mother ?" I nod, a tear dropping again. He clenches his eyes, as if holding himself back from saying something.

"She doesn't hate you." My head immediately shakes, denying his claims. Of course, she does. She can't stand seeing me. I try to hold in the new wave of tears at the thought of her not talking to me when we go see her in a few days.

Dalaric lets me sniffle away some of the sadness in his arms, my body not having the energy nor the will to get up. He shifts, and I shake my head, fixing my position in between his legs before he can unwrap the burrito blanket. He kisses the side of my head before grabbing a tissue and gently wiping my mouth and my eyes.

I'm so in love with him and he won't ever get the chance to have a family dinner. My frown returns and his brows crease. Dalaric picks me up forcefully and walks towards the washroom, setting me on the marble counter. I stay frowning, my mind jumbled with thoughts of how much he's going to miss out on because of me. Thanksgiving, Christmas and meet the family dinners. My frown deepens.

I feel two fingers poke the edge of my mouth and pull upwards. He's trying to turn my frown upside down. Aw. Dalaric sighs when I still frown, before taking a deep breath and whispering a faint,

"Fuck it.." I furrow my brows when he lifts a finger, only to let out a gasp when he does something that makes me love him even more.

Boop.

Dalaric groans when I jump on him, his hands coming forward to hold me before I hurt my bahookie again. I attack his face with as many kisses as maximally possible, kissing his cute lil' nose too.

He just booped my nose.

"I love you." Kiss. "I love you." Kiss. "I love you." Bite. Yummy.

His lips turn upwards when I smile genuinely, my morning mood disappearing as if it was never there. Love does that. His love does that.

After ravishing my man, I push him out of the toilet so I can pee. I could've sworn I saw him pout angrily. So greedy. I freshen up and put on some moisturizer before applying a thin layer of clear browgel, I saunter my way into a very lovely smelling kitchen.

Dalaric grumbles, probably because he had to use the guest washroom since I take a lot of time. Oops, I'm just like other girls.

"Smells good.." I mutter, my arms wrapped around his waist and my face mushed on his back. I think he thinks that I'm talking about the pancakes. He finishes plating the food and I run to the pantry to get his favorite maple syrup. Dalaric looks at me blankly when I try to reach the top shelf.

My leg hits something and I flinch, both our gazes directing to the object on the floor.

The pantry lock.

"Oh my God." My tummy literally hurts as I laugh, Dalaric pursing his lips to stifle his laugh as he picks up the object with amused eyes. Clancy left after the hefty dinner, apologizing countless times. Dalaric let him take the rest of the peanut butter jars with him, showing some sympathy. My man's just really kind. I only gave Clancy a hug.

After we're both done shaking our head at Clancy's laughable actions, we start our breakfast. The pancakes are done in no time and I lay my head on Dalaric's shoulder, squinting my eyes at his un-bloated stomach. Stupid seven-pack.

"Can we have a Malaric day today, please ?" I mutter, worried that he might have better things to do. I started doing it when we started claiming each other. A day just for him and I, once every week. I'd say my idea has been successful so far, aside from the fact that we do it more than twice a week. He's just too yummy not to spend the day with, which is why I don't like it when he has missions or I have essays to write. I know it's unhealthy to spend all our time together, though. One can only give so many Maya-marks.

Dalaric studies my face before taking out his phone and dialing a number.

"I'm not in today, Dan. Text Raf." He hangs up and my heart does this skip-a-beat thing at how unhesitant he is to prioritize me. Love does that. It also might be because he's the boss of his team.

"Hungry ?" He asks, as he picks out a band tee for me, his nose scrunches when he sees a 'Slipknot' tee. Dalaric doesn't like music a lot but I force him to listen to punk rock songs. One of them was about break ups and he now does not let me use the speaker. "We just had six pancakes, babycakes." Dalaric raises a brow, handing me the cropped shirt with some blue jeans. His brow stays raised and I look anywhere but him, picking out of our hoodies for him to wear.

"Okay, maybe just a lil' hungry." He smirks when I cave in and I hit him with the sleeve before jumping on him so he can carry me to the car. It's too much of a long walk. He's wearing a black hoodie with a gray turtleneck underneath, along with black jeans and black sneakers. So, so yummy.

After I'm buckled up, a warm hand clutches my thigh as the car starts moving. I, obviously, gasp at the very heated action. Dalaric licks his lip as he takes in my body and I resist the urge to bite him. "Stop doing that."

"No." Hmph.

My eyes zero in on the GPS and I pout, "Where are we going ? I can't even pronounce that." It looks french- why is he taking me to a french restaurant ? I want wendys. Be grateful, Maya.

We stop in front of a radiant building that's surrounded by some small cafes and trees. The supposed french restaurant has a golden, mordern edge to it which adds a futuristic touch. It looks more like a glass museum if anything. It's also built in a way that you can see both floors, people dining and laughing and wearing expensive things. Sometimes I forget that I'm in love with a millionaire. I've decided to not acknowledge that until he buys me two real baby penguins. Only that would decide whether he's rich or not.

He grabs my hand as we get out of the car and I smile, looking down at our entwined hands. It's probably my favorite thing since he always does it instinctively. Even when we walk from the bedroom to the living room, he holds my hand. And it feels so darn good. I want to bite him.

We enter the- you guessed it- glass doors, and are greeted by a very cheerful brunette. My mind tries to ignore how underdressed I am. Dalaric is too, but he's richer so it doesn't matter. He wouldn't like that joke, considering how adamant he is on telling me 'What's mine is yours.' I inch closer to my man as her eyes drink him in, standing in front of him in the process. Dalaric pushes me behind him, letting the woman lead us to the booking reception thingy. Why can't we just get take out ? Hmph.

"Table for two ?" He nods, leaning in to say something to her. I furrow my brows, trying to avoid any glaring. He better not be telling her my pancake recipe.

"Understood," The pretty brunette, who has her hair tied up in a suffocating bun, answers as she nods towards my person, "Thank you and enjoy your meal, Mr. and Mrs. Mikael."

I can't tell whether it's my heart that skips a much needed beat or my wide-as-heck eyes but the lady notices my shock expression and grows nervous. "W-We-"

"Thank you." Dalaric nods at her, using his manners. Now is not the time, babycakes. I try to smile at her, even with my mouth wide open.

We walk upstairs, where it's more secluded. The waiters and waitresses weirdly leave as we enter, isn't that the opposite of their job ? Fatima and I don't like the French president so I'm not very keen on eating any of their food.

"I like my last name, y'know." I mumble, as Dalaric picks up a fallen eyelash from my cheek. He quirks a brow and then nods, muttering smugly, "I'll keep that in mind."

This man will not let me function. I push out every thought of being marr- nope, don't think about it, Maya. Don't think about it. He gets up, walking towards a bar that is placed at the end of the empty dining room. Only our table has golden lights. What's so special about this table ? Better yet, why am I so confused all the time ?

Dalaric opens one of the fridges in the bar and my eyes widen. "Babycakes...I don't think we're allowed to do that." Dalaric pays no heed, pouring a glass of what looks like some very expensive cocktail before walking back to the table.

"You're going to pay for that, right ? Y'know, since it-um costs money." I'm in love with a rebel. Oh, the things the heart desires.

"I own it." He says, popping a strawberry in my cocktail, nonchalantly.

"The cocktail ?" I ask, squinting my eyes at the rebellious penguin. He's enjoying the stolen drink too much for my liking.

"The restaurant." Oh. Oh. Right. Well, I don't see any baby penguins yet so it's not my fault I didn't think of that possibility. You can't be a millionaire without baby penguins.

"Couldn't you have made the interior design a bit better ?" Dalaric raises his brows at my comment, before the same waitress drops some appetizers on our table. I thank her and she looks at me as if I told her I ate her son. Her eyes trail to Dalaric, before she speaks in a different language.

"Elle est si gentille. Comment diable avez-vous marqué celui-ci? Tu as de la chance que je sois hétéro."

My mouth gapes open at how fast she speaks, and my jaw practically drops when Dalaric replies, his eyes stuck on me. Is he telling her my pancake recipe ?

"Je sais, je suis l'homme le plus chanceux du monde."

I should ask him to speak French in the bedroom. That's kinda yummy.

The brunette looks at me one more time and smirks. She only leaves after scoffing, murmuring something in the same language.

"You can speak baguett-french ?" My boyfriend nods, digging into a wierd appetizer. I pick up a smoked salmon looking thing and plop it into my mouth, munching on it with a skeptic look.

Oh, this doesn't taste very good. His eyes stay on me as I chew, sending him a thumbs up while trying not to throw up the contents in my mouth. This really doesn't taste good.

Dalaric stays staring at me, with a smug look on his beautiful face- contrasting to my constipated one. He shakes his head before bringing a napkin to my mouth and letting the torture end. I gulp down a glass of water before smiling sheepishly.

"It wasn't bad..I just don't like fish, I gue-"

"You want Wendy's, don't you ?" He asks, almost rolling his eyes.

"Yes please." I nod like a bobble head. Anything but these fishie demons. Why would anyone spend so much money on this ?

Dalaric and I make our way out of the 'private' dining area, which is just my boyfriend's fancy wording for 'I told everyone to get out." The brunette is arranging some files at the reception when Dalaric plops a lot of dollars on the desk. Only he would pay at his own restaurant.

Her eyes are wide and her face is nervous when she speaks, "You're already leaving ? I-Is something wrong, Mr.Mikael ?"

"No," He grabs my hand, before shoving both of our enclosed hands into his hoodie pocket. It's warm in there. Dalaric's lips turn when he continues, ",ma fille préfère les cheeseburgers plutôt que les apéritifs à cent dollars." That was very sexy. Bite-worthy sexy. All I understood was cheeseburgers. That might be code word for my pancake recipe...Hmm.

She smiles at me, her eyes trailing my body before Dalaric hugs me to his side, leading us to the exit. I wave goodbye to the waitress, and one of the customers with blue and pink hair. Dalaric pulls my hand down when one of them scowls at me.

"Did you tell her about my pancake recipe ?"

☁︎︎☁︎︎☁︎︎

"Babycakes."

"Babycakes."

"Babycakes."

"Babycakes."

"The fuck you want ?"

I glare at him, squinting my eyes until I can't see anything. Dalaric sighs before rubbing my back. Much better. We're sleeping in the backseat of the car. I ate too much so I wanted a nap, which brings us to this very moment; Dalaric with his head on my bare tummy-he wanted the whole shirt off at first- and my hands squishing his cheeks.

"You're so adowable." I murmur, pinching his sculpted cheeks. He pulls my shirt higher up, resting his head on his 'favorite place to be'. Thank God for tinted windows.

"I thought you were tired." He mumbles, kissing my skin. "I was, but I don't want Malaric day to end just yet." Dalaric nods, pulling my body so he can give me a quick kiss before we get back to our seats. His car is so warm. Like him. Which is why he now has six maya-marks that are very visible.

"Benny's ?" He nods after I ask, grabbing his hand and playing with it, making sure to give him a lil' massage therapy. I saw him lifting a whole lot of weights the other day, in one of the spare rooms. Then, I scolded him, because it's very dangerous and could injure his hands, and I also made sure to gave him a punishment of three bites. He chased me and did the same to me but that's not the point.

The bar is very lively as we enter hand in hand, my eyes immediately finding Ale, T, Jan, Dean and Raf. There's also a girl next to Dean who is nervously clinging to his arm, inching closer to him every second.

"Uncle Ricky! Uncle Ricky!" A soft, chirpy voice sounds out as Dalaric stops walking.

Oh. Em. Gee.

My eyes widen at the blonde haired girl who's clinging on to my boyfriend's legs, dressed in a yellow tracksuit. She must be around four or five. She has the cutest pair of brown eyes and is looking at the man next to me with such admiration.

Dalaric's eyes go soft as he crouches down and picks her up, setting her on his shoulders, her yellow clothes contrasting to his black hoodie. "Ows my fawoite uncle?" She tries to ask, as I sneakily take out my phone. Dalaric sends me a knowing look as we walk towards the bar. He then gazes at me with a thoughtful face, before answering.

"Never been better. And you, kind lady ?" His voice, which is normally deep and a teensy bit rough, is now so gentle and sweet, and suddenly I'm ready to internally combust. I smile at their interaction, not willing to let myself get distracted by the fantasies in my head. She pulls at her pigtails, pouting before pouting to where Dean sits. "Bubba is not letting me sit with him." The little girl crosses her arms, placing them on Dalaric's head. She turns, only noticing me then. Gulp.

I've never been good with kids.

"Ou are you ?" She asks, struggling to say 'who'. I wave at her, smiling. She is so adorable.