Chapter 33 - Are you my new maman?

Lily leaned Adrien's little head slightly back. The scent of chamomile rose in her nose. Carefully, she massaged the child's shampoo into the dark hair of the boy, who sat in front of her in the bathtub. The water was warm. Only the sounds of rippling water were heard in the room.

"Lily?" Asked Adrien sleepily and fiddled with his action figure. The little red-and-blue figure was one of the superheroes that the toddler admired so much. Lily did not know exactly which of the many superheroes it was. Adrien had many of them and Lily was almost certain that Alexandre had bought the toddler all the superheroes and the right villains. Alexandre. Anger still rose in her as she thought about this morning. This man was crazy. Not only did he not let her finish. No, he also smashed her down with words. He did not care what she thought, but wanted her to tell him. But in the end he did not listen to her. This man was a single paradox for her. She did not understand him.

"Yes." The girl looked down at the toddler. Love lay in her gaze.

"Lily are you my new maman now." Lily's heart got heavy. Her hands stopped in her motion. She was afraid to hurt him. What should she tell him? "Do you miss your maman?"

Adrien nodded. Foam dripped into his face. Hastily, Lily wiped it from his face. She was afraid there would be foam in his eyes. Before she reached for the shower head.

"Your maman isn't here, but your parents told me to send you their love." Adrien smiled, seemingly satisfied with her answer.

Warm water ran out of the iron shower head. Carefully, Lilly ran the water over Adrien's hair. Slowly the water washed the white foam from the boy's chocolate brown hair.

"Lily?" Adrien stifled a yawn.

"Yes, Adrien?" Lily asked carefully. She knew Adrien was getting very tired after a bath.

"Lily. Alec said that you are my maman." His big round eyes looked at her innocently. Slowly, the girl put the shower head back to the side. Her heartbeat struck louder. She wanted to protect him. But she knew words could be painful. Words that were said without a thought. She was afraid to hurt him with her words, although she wanted to keep him from all the pain. Somehow she was speechless. For seconds, she lost herself in his innocent eyes. Worry drew herself on her face.

She gently put a kiss on the wet hair of the toddler. "Do you want me to be your maman?"

Adrien turned to her. The water sloshed along the white tub walls. Small foam floated on the waves. "Maman is gone. But Lily stays with me." Adrien put his little head in her hands and rubbed his soft cheeks against her palm. His little fingers gripped her hands tightly.

"I'll always stay with you." Lily promised. Adrien looked up at her again. The dark brown hair clung to his round face. His chubby cheeks were slightly flushed. Lily saw relief in his eyes. The toddler's innocent smile broke every wall in Lily. "I am who you want me to be."

"Alec will stay with me, too?"

A bell-like laugh danced from her lips. "Alec and I are always with you." Carefully she stroked a wet strand from his face. Satisfied, Adrien nodded. "Alec did not lie." Shy, he looked at his small hands, which still clutched Lily's hands tightly. He felt safe if he could hold her hand. He felt safe as she hugged him and held him like his mother. Lily was very similar to his maman. She loved him. Unconditionally. He could feel it.

"Lily is my new maman." Boundless joy resonated in his words. It almost seemed like a heavy load had fallen from the little guy's shoulders. He seemed genuinely relieved. "Alec is my new papa."

Lily looked at the toddler with a heavy heart. She did not want to force herself into Elodie's position. She wanted Adrien to remind his wonderful mother.

But at the same time she understood that Adrien was looking for a secure bond. He needed a secure hold now. More than that. So he could build trust, make new relationships and confidently explore his new world. Lily wanted Adrien to have everything he needed. "If you want me to be your new maman, then I like to be your maman." She stroked the toddler's round cheek lovingly. Adrien chuckled. "And Alec is your new papa. If you want it. We will always be there for you."

Adrien looked in delight at his new maman. "Are you going to sleep with me today?" The little guy asked expectantly.