Kaylee hopped down the stairs from one step to the next, singing.

“Happy Mother’s Day to you! Happy Mother’s Day to you!”

“Make sure you hang on to the rail,” Charlotte cautioned as she followed behind carrying the breakfast tray loaded with empty dishes. “You don’t want to slip.”

“Your breakfast was good, wasn’t it?”

“It was,” Charlotte agreed with a wide smile.

Kaylee was their darling daughter. How fortunate she and Dennis had been that she’d come into their lives. How incredibly lucky to be entrusted with a six-week old baby.

She’d been so perfect, yet so tiny Charlotte scarcely knew how to lift her sleeping form from the baby carrier. And now, at five, she was more beautiful than ever with her soft curls and dimpled cheeks. Charlotte felt her heart would burst with love.

“I stirred the pancake batter.”

“I know. You told me.”

They’d doted on her, of course, this longed for child. She and Dennis wanted nothing but the best for her. For her to grow strong and independent; to be thoughtful and caring. To develop, as Dennis called it, a generosity of spirit.

“Can we make breakfast in bed again tomorrow?”

“Breakfasts in bed are mainly for Mother’s Day. We could surprise your dad with one for Father’s Day, though, if you like.”

Breakfast in bed this time had gone better than she’d expected. No major spills on the bed sheets, and the blueberry pancakes had been delicious.

“Yes!” Kaylee cheered.

Dennis had tidied the kitchen after the two chefs finished preparing breakfast Ingredients had been restored to appropriate shelves and the counter and cooker wiped clean. All Charlotte needed to do was wash their breakfast dishes.

She drew aside the curtains on the window above the sink and waggled the empty coffee pot at Dennis. He smiled and nodded.

“Once I finish with the dishes, we’ll get dressed for our visit with Nanna Morris.” That was the reason Dennis was washing their car. “We’re taking her to lunch this afternoon. For Mother’s Day.”

“Nanna Morris is Daddy’s mum, isn’t she? And Granny Collins is your mum.” Kaylee had taken a great interest in mothers ever since Charlotte and Dennis had explained her adoption.

“We’ll see Granny Collins later.”

They wanted to be role models for Kaylee. To be examples of thoughtful and caring people. Charlotte smiled as she washed Dennis’s coffee mug. Her loving husband seemed to be a natural, especially when it came to Mother’s Day.

On her first Mother’s Day she hadn’t expected anything in recognition.

How Dennis had touched her heart when he’d given her a Mother’s Day card with Kaylee’s small handprint in pink and I love you, Mummy inscribed.

On her second Mother’s Day, when Kaylee was beginning to walk, Dennis had given her a carnation and gently nudged her in Charlotte’s direction. Kaylee, toddling towards her, flower firmly clenched in her chubby fist, her face a wide grin, could not have been more precious.

As soon as their daughter could help Dennis pour cereal into a bowl, the tradition of Mother’s Day breakfast in bed had begun.

The coffee maker hissed and the aroma of freshly brewing coffee filled the kitchen.

Charlotte breathed deeply. Kaylee sat at the kitchen table, the tip of her tongue protruding from between her teeth as she concentrated on her paper and crayons.

Charlotte crossed the floor and stood at her shoulder, raising her hand to stroke her hair.

“What are you working on, love?”

“A Mother’s Day card,” Kaylee answered, not taking her eyes from her work,

She was using another drawing, with which Dennis had helped, as a template. A big red heart with I love you on it, and lots of kisses and hugs.

“Another card for me? That’s lovely.”

“It isn’t for you.”

“Is it for Nanna Morris? Or Granny Collins?”

“No,” her daughter replied, vigorously shaking her head. “It’s for my other mummy you told me about. Mummy Judith. She needs a card, too.”

Charlotte felt her heart wrench. To have to share her child’s love with another woman was hard to accept.

“Do you know where she lives so we can send it?”

Charlotte took a deep breath for courage. How could she be less generous than her daughter?

“I know someone who does.” The adoption agency would have Judith’s address. “I’ll make sure she gets it.”

When Kaylee turned eighteen and wanted to meet her birth mother, could Charlotte be supportive? Could her thoughtfulness and caring match that of her daughter? What if Kaylee preferred Judith and loved her less?

“Mummy?”

“Yes, dear?” Charlotte knelt beside her daughter.

Kaylee handed her the card.

“It’s for Judith, my other mummy.” She clasped her hands behind Charlotte’s neck and looked into her eyes. “You are my for ever mummy, right?”

Daniel had explained their relationship to her in this way. For ever and always.

Charlotte’s heart overflowed as she drew Kaylee to her.

“I am.”

“That means lots of breakfasts in bed on Mother’s Day, doesn’t it?”

Charlotte laughed, still holding their daughter close.

“It does.”

At that moment Dennis opened the outside door and encountered their little scene.

“What’s this?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

“Group hug,” Charlotte answered, extending one arm towards him, knowing all would be well.

There would be love and caring enough for all, with a little laughter thrown in for good measure.

“In that case…” he began, as her little family was joined in a heartfelt embrace.