Page 26 of Shelter for Morgan

Thora and Kylie shared a look and Morgan knew she hadn't really hidden the slightly pained tone in her voice.

Gia, Thora's little girl set aside her book and crawled across the blanket to the couch that Morgan was sitting on. She put a hand on Kylie's knee and pulled herself up to her feet.

Kylie's hand hovered behind Gia's back in case she stumbled or lost hold of the couch.

Then Gia looked up at Morgan and smiled.

Oh...

"Hey, sweet girl."

Gia's grin opened wider, and she reached out a hand.

Morgan looked at Thora first. "I can go wash my hands."

"No need." Thora smiled. "Go ahead."

Morgan took Gia's hand and the little girl stepped over to her, her legs stiff and her body swaying, but she was getting very close to walking. "Come on, sweet girl! Come here."

Gia's mouth was open and curved in a big grin and her other arm was reaching for Morgan. "Mama Mama."

Morgan gave Thora a worried look. "Umm..."

Gia was trying to climb up onto the sofa seat, so Morgan picked her up and held her gently against her chest. The little girl gently grabbed a handful of Morgan's hair. "Mama Hay-rrr."

Thora was giggling as she wiped off her son's mouth. "She thinks we have the same hair."

Morgan looked down at her hair and then over at Thora. "You have beautiful hair. Mine is more of a dirty blonde."

Thora and Kylie shared a look that said they didn't agree, and Morgan secretly enjoyed the fact that they thought her hair was like Thora's. As the two other women talked quietly to each other, Morgan was talking to Gia.

"Hey, pretty girl."

Gia's eyes were alight with intelligence, her eyes moving around the room and up to Morgan's face. "Mama Hay-rrr."

"I'm glad you think my hair is like your mama's, Gia. It's also kind of like yours, too."

Gia turned her hand, tightening her grip on that handful of Morgan's hair.

"Oohh... Ouch. Gentle. Gentle, please."

Almost right on cue, Gia let go of her hair and yawned.

"Uh oh." Morgan yawned in reaction. And then smoothed her free hand over Gia's face. "Yawns are contagious."

Gia looked at her and touched her face much like Morgan had just done to her and then she yawned again.

"Oh boy." Morgan leaned back and gently pressed Gia's head high against her chest where Morgan could feel Gia's fine hair touching her chin. "How about we just relax a little, hmm? You can close your eyes and I," Morgan yawned and felt her jaw stretch and click before she was able to close it again, "I'll do the same for a few minutes, okay?"

Morgan knew that Gia still held a handful of her hair, but she felt the other tiny hand touch her chest over her heart and give her a few little pats.

It was strangely soothing.

Morgan made sure that she had a secure hold on Gia and shifted her arms so that she could rub the little girl's back in what she hoped was a soothing rhythm.

It wasn't that long before her eyes were drifting closed.

The warmth of Gia's little body held against hers. The soft, even sighs of childlike sleep. Even the lively conversation of Thora and Kylie acted like a big, warm, cuddly blanket.

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