Happy Mother's Day!

Char was too afraid to be happy these days. Hearing horrific news every day of the death count from the virus almost sent her over the edge. All the while, she felt herself wanting to hold her stomach more, hoping to protect her unborn child.

Oh, there was a time or two when Diago would make her smile or they would be so involved in getting food ready to take somewhere that she might forget for a little while of the circumstances. And yet, she knew she had to keep her guard up.

Iona took the privilege to make breakfast on Mother's Day. It was a delight of pancakes, sausage, and eggs along with fresh strawberries.

"What's this for?" Char looked at her blankly, not sure if she really trusted Diago's sister.

"Of course, for you," Iona's smile was open. "Happy Mother's Day!"

"But," Char started to tell her it wasn't so. Not yet, the baby wouldn't arrive until late September which seemed a century away, at the moment.

"You raised my brother, didn't you?" Iona kept smiling, "and lived to tell about it and you are still around, so evidently  you've been through a thing or two already." She told her mothers were like that, enduring everyday matters with the one they loved. "It's just to get you ready for when your family starts to grow."

Char couldn't quite smile about it. There was a lot she hadn't really accomplished, and yet this was something she'd wanted with Diago from the moment she met him. In her heart, she knew he'd make a great dad. He wasn't a hothead, nor rash. He was the calm she needed, in spite of his ideas to want to be with all his friends, every day. He was a good guy and a lot more talented than he knew.

Char did enjoy watching him mature with his friendships and work. Still, life was fragile. All she could do was to pray and keep going.

"I can't wait to be an Auntie," Iona told her.

Char nodded. Maybe Iona wasn't as scatterbrained as Diago said.