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#20 of Jake
Resolutions and rebirth. Written 2018.
The baby bear was softly crying in her crib and a badger picked her up. "Shh, you'll wake your mother. What's wrong little one? Mormor is here."
The cradling and gentle bouncing soothed the child back to sleep.
"How is she?" A sun bear slid her arm around the badger's waist and looked over her shoulder at the small brown bear.
"She's fine, just needed some attention."
"This feels familiar, doesn't it?" The sun bear stroked the small bear's cheek.
"She was older, but not much bigger."
"We were younger, but you're still beautiful."
"So are you, mi munter Malajbjörn."
She kissed the badger's lips and savored the memory for a moment. "Do you think we can do this again, Maj?"
"Not many parents get a second chance." She carefully passed the sleeping cub to the bear. "Vi är bra, Elin. I'm more worried about her mother. If she can't shake this svälja sorg, I don't know what to do for her."
"Is she just missing her friends?"
"I think it's something else. Her roommate called, but she didn't want to talk to her."
"Do you think something happened between them?"
"I don't know. After the ... överfall och våldtäkt, ... she still seemed determined to stay. Maybe just to prove they didn't win, that they didn't break her."
"I could hear it in her voice that she was scared. I wish we could have gone to her."
"She knew we wanted to, but you're right. She needed us. Jävla regeringen."
"Shh, language." She stroked the cub's ears.
"She'll learn it soon enough. Born in a different country than her mother, she's going to have plenty of reasons to say it."
"Well, we're going to do everything we can to ease that burden for her. Right now she won't have anything to worry about but being a happy little bear."
"I hope we can do the same for Eletta."
"She's home. She's safe. She'll be fine. Vår kärlek kan läka henne."
"I've always loved your optimism and it is probably what she needs now, so du är ansvarig. Vi läker henne med kärlek."
"You hear that Sigrid? I get to be in charge. Mormor Maj is finally going to relax."
"You're in charge of the optimism. I still run the house."
"That's not what you said. Jag har ansvaret för allting."
"Allting?"
"Allting. Happy baby." She gently put the sleeping cub back in her crib. "Happy bear. Happy badger."
Maj smirked, "Happy badger?"
"I know how to keep you happy." She stroked the badger's cheeks lovingly. "From a balanced budget to en studsande säng. When everything is in its place, du kan njuta av nöje." She passed her love's lips to kiss her ears.
The badger sighed and rested her face against the sun bear's neck as she hugged her wife. "I'm still worried about Eletta."
"She'll be fine. She's getting the rest she needs. You and I are going back to bed."
"I don't think I can sleep."
"I didn't say sleep. I want a happy badger."
Eletta listened to her mothers. It was nice being back in her old bed. It made it easier to forget the bad things, even though one reminder followed her home. She didn't want to forget her friends, any of them, but that life was over. All the dreams she had were gone. She had no idea what to do next, but she knew she was safe now. Mor och mors kärlek. She closed her eyes and listened. Mor och mors kärlekssång.
"Ja! Mer!"