Chapter 5 .

Andrea's heart skipped a beat as she hurriedly packed up her belongings, glancing at the clock ticking away precious minutes. She had been caught up in a crucial meeting with a client, and now she was on the verge of being late to pick up Lily from school.

Her assistant followed Andrea outside the meeting room to get more instructions from her. Andrea knew that her daughter was just like her, she didn't like to be kept waiting. There had been even a time when her daughter had given her the cold treatment because she had been late for their friday daughter and mother night.

"Andrea, don't worry, I'll take care of everything here," her assistant reassured her, sensing the urgency in Andrea's voice. "You go ahead and pick up Lily. I'll handle any follow-ups and make sure the team is on track."

Andrea let out a sigh of relief, grateful for her assistant's competence and support. "Thanks, Elsa. You're a lifesaver. I owe you one."

Elsa grinned mischievously. "Oh, you owe me more than one, Andrea. Remember that time I covered for you when you accidentally sent an email meant for your best friend to the entire company? I think that deserves a lifetime supply of coffee."

Andrea laughed, the tension easing from her shoulders. "You're right. Coffee just isn't enough. How about a tropical vacation to an exotic island? All-inclusive, of course."

Elsa raised an eyebrow playfully. "Hmm, tempting offer. But let's start with a fancy dinner, and we'll negotiate the rest later."

Andrea nodded, the weight of the day's stress lifting as she realized how lucky she was to have such a supportive assistant and friend. "Deal. You name the restaurant, and we'll celebrate properly. But first, let's get me out of these heels and into superhero mom mode."

Elsa chuckled. "Superhero mom mode activated! Don't forget your cape and mask. Lily will be thrilled to see her mom swoop in to save the day."

Andrea playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, I wouldn't want to scare the other parents away with my superhero attire. I'll save the dramatic entrance for another time. Today, it's all about speed and stealth."

With a quick glance at her watch, Andrea hurriedly walked towards the elevator, Elsa trailing behind her. As they reached the elevator bank, they noticed a few colleagues waiting.

Elsa nudged Andrea and whispered, "You know what they say, Andrea. The elevator is the perfect place for some impromptu networking. Show them your multitasking skills and charm them while we descend."

Andrea smirked, ready to seize the opportunity. As the elevator doors slid open, she put on her most charismatic smile and greeted her colleagues warmly. "Hello there! Who's in for an interesting conversation on the art of juggling deadlines and parenthood?"

Her colleagues exchanged amused glances, clearly not expecting such an energetic elevator pitch. But they played along, engaging in light banter and sharing their own tales of balancing work and family.

"One time I forgot my son at the supermarket because I was rushing to work. I got a call from the manager that I had lost something and it was waiting for me in the lost and found section." One of the female colleagues chirped in. "After searching everywhere, I told them that whatever they found wasn't mine." She continued. "We argued and I almost hung up on them until I heard my son's voice!"

Everyone erupted into laughter, the scenerio playing in their minds as they tried to evision the confused mom searching her bag to see if she had indeed lost something and the look on her face when she heard her little boy's voice.

As the elevator descended, Andrea couldn't help but notice the warmness that had filled the confined space. It was a refreshing reminder that even in the midst of a busy workday, there was always room for a little humor and connection.

Just as the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, Andrea bid her colleagues farewell and dashed towards the exit. Elsa called after her, "Remember, Andrea, no capes, but don't forget your superpowers!"

Andrea turned back with a wink. "Of course, Elsa! I'll make sure to bring my secret weapon-extra snacks for the ride home!" With that, Andrea disappeared through the office doors, leaving Elsa behind with a smile on her face.

As Andrea stepped outside, she was greeted by the bustling streets and the familiar chaos of school pickup time. She quickly entered her car and navigated through the crowded road, her mind focused on reaching Lily's school in record time.

Finally, she arrived at the school gate, scanning the crowd of children and parents for a glimpse of her daughter's familiar face. And there she was, standing near the entrance with her homeroom teacher by her side, looking slightly worried but relieved as she spotted her mom.

"Lily!" Andrea called out, her voice filled with a mix of relief and excitement. Lily's face immediately lit up as she saw her mom, and she ran towards her with her backpack bouncing on her shoulders. With her vibrant ginger hair flowing behind her, Lily resembled a miniature version of Andrea.

Her hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischief, mirroring the warmth and feisty spirit that Andrea possessed. Lily's cheeks held a natural rosy glow, adding a touch of innocence to her features. But it was her ginger hair that truly caught everyone's attention. It flowed in loose waves, it framed her face and added a touch of uniqueness to her appearance.

As Lily reached her mom, her hair swayed in the wind, creating a mesmerizing aura around her, Andrea couldn't help but marvel at her daughter's beauty. She ran her fingers gently through Lily's ginger locks, relishing in the softness and admiring the vibrant hue.

"You're such a beautiful girl, Lily," Andrea said, her voice filled with pride and love. Lily beamed, her face lighting up even more, her ginger hair catching the sunlight and shining like a halo around her head.

"Mama!" Lily exclaimed, throwing her arms around Andrea in a tight hug. "You made it!"

Andrea hugged her back tightly, the worries and stresses of the day melting away. "Of course, sweetheart. I promised, didn't I? I'll always be here to pick you up."

Lily pulled away slightly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "You almost broke the promise, but you saved it at the last minute, just like a superhero!"

Andrea chuckled, realizing the impact of her earlier conversation with Elsa had somehow reached her daughter's imagination. "Well, superheroes always find a way, don't they?"

Lily nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with admiration. "Yes, they do! I want to be a superhero like you when I grow up, Mama."

Andrea's heart swelled with pride and love for her daughter. She crouched down to Lily's eye level, her voice filled with warmth. "You already are, Lily. You have strength, kindness, and a brave heart. That's what makes a true superhero."

Lily beamed, her face glowing with joy. "Thank you, Mama. I love you."

"I love you too, my honey bee," Andrea whispered, her voice filled with all the love a mother could muster.

"Andrea!" The home room teacher screamed out as she waved, she was busy handling other kids so she could not greet Andrea properly. "Don't forget to attend the PTA meeting!"

"Alright miss Kelly!"

As Andrea settled into the car seat next to Lily, she took a deep breath, trying to calm the remnants of her racing heart. She glanced at her watch, realizing that she had some unfinished business that needed attention. She needed to call Elsa to know how the rest of the meeting went.

"Lily, sweetheart, can Mama make a quick call to her assistant? It won't take long, I promise," Andrea said, her voice gentle yet resolute.

Lily nodded understandingly, her eyes curious but patient. "Okay, Mama. I'll wait for you," she replied, her trust in her mother unwavering. She knew that no matter how busy her mother was, her mom always had time for her.

Andrea quickly dialed her Elsa's number, grateful for the reliability and efficiency of her team. She instructed her on what to do before ending the call.

"Mama's all done, sweetheart," Andrea said, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Now, let's focus on spending some quality time together. How about we grab some ice cream and take a walk in the park?"

Lily's face lit up with delight, her eyes shining with anticipation. "That sounds amazing, Mama!"

Andrea's heart swelled with happiness as she pulled out of the school parking lot, Lily chatting away about her day and all the exciting things she had learned. The weight of the day's stress seemed like a distant memory as they strolled hand in hand through the park, enjoying the warm sunshine and the laughter of children playing nearby.

As they reached the ice cream vendor, Lily's eyes widened with excitement at the array of flavors. "Mama, can I have a scoop of every flavor?" she asked, her voice filled with innocent enthusiasm.

Andrea chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, sweetheart, as much as I'd love to grant your wish, I think one or two flavors will be just perfect for today. How about we get your favorite, strawberry and then you can choose one more?"

Lily nodded eagerly. "Strawberry is the best! And... hmm, I think I'll go for chocolate this time. Double scoop, please!"

The ice cream vendor smiled and began scooping the flavors onto a waffle cone. Andrea watched with amusement as Lily's eyes widened with delight at the towering creation in front of her. "It's almost as tall as me!" She screamed excitedly.

As they continued their leisurely walk through the park, Lily happily savored her ice cream, her face smeared with chocolate and strawberry goodness. Andrea couldn't help but laugh at the sight, her heart filled with pure joy.

"Mama, do I have ice cream all over my face?" Lily asked, her voice muffled by a mouthful of sweetness.

Andrea chuckled and nodded. "Yes, my little ice cream aficionado, you certainly do"

Andrea couldn't help but notice Lily's fascination with everything around her-the colorful flowers, the chirping birds, and even the occasional squirrel darting across their path.

"Mama, look!" Lily exclaimed, pointing at a group of ducks waddling near the pond. "They're having a meeting, just like you!"

Andrea chuckled at the comparison. "You're right, Lily. They do seem like they're discussing important duck business. Maybe they're planning a takeover of the local pond."

Lily giggled, her laughter infectious. "Or maybe they're having a debate on who gets the last piece of bread."

Andrea played along, pretending to be a duck spokesperson. "Attention, fellow ducks! We must reach a quackensus on the bread distribution matter. Let's settle this with a friendly game of 'Duck, Duck, Bread.'"

They both burst into laughter, their carefree spirits intertwining. Andrea realized that these lighthearted moments were the glue that held their relationship together. It was in these simple, humorous exchanges that their bond grew stronger, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

They eventually found a cozy spot under a large oak tree, enjoying their ice cream cones while basking in the warmth of the sun. Andrea watched as Lily licked her ice cream with delight, her face covered in colorful sprinkles.

"Mama, do you think ice cream flavors can talk?" Lily asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Andrea raised an eyebrow playfully. "Hmm, that's an interesting question, Lily. What do you think?"

Lily pondered for a moment, her finger tapping against her chin. "Well, I think chocolate ice cream would sound rich like a deep voice. And strawberry would sound sweet and cheerful, like a song."

Andrea nodded, playing along with Lily's imaginative thoughts. "I agree. And what about vanilla ice cream?"

Lily tilted her head to the side, contemplating the question. "I think vanilla would sound calm and soothing, like you mama."

Andrea smiled, proud of her daughter's creativity. "That's a beautiful description, Lily. You have such a wonderful imagination."

Lily beamed, her eyes shining with pride. "Thanks, Mama! Maybe one day I'll invent talking ice cream flavors."

Andrea chuckled, her heart brimming with love. "I have no doubt that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, my little inventor. But for now, let's enjoy the magic of the flavors in our mouths rather than in our ears."

As Andrea and Lily enjoyed their time at the park, Ken, Andrea's colleague at work who was persistent on wooing her, approached them with a sly grin on his face. Attempting to strike up a conversation, he leaned against a nearby tree and said, "Hey there, Andrea! What brings you and your lovely daughter to the park today?"

Andrea couldn't help but roll her eyes, already anticipating Ken's usual flirtatious antics. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she responded, "Oh, you know, just looking for potential suitors for Lily. I figured the park would be the perfect place to find her a future husband."

Ken's eyebrows shot up in surprise, clearly caught off guard by Andrea's unexpected response. After a moment of bewildered silence, he burst into laughter, unable to contain his amusement.

"Well, in that case, I'm honored to be considered as a candidate for Lily's future husband!" Mark exclaimed, playfully raising an eyebrow.

Andrea joined in the laughter, realizing the absurdity of the situation. "Oh, Ken, I think you're a little too old for her. Plus, I hear she has a preference for men who can juggle three oranges while riding a unicycle. Any skills in that department?"

Mark chuckled, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, my juggling and unicycling skills leave much to be desired. But I'll work on it just in case Lily changes her mind."

"We'll be on our way now." Andrea declared as she and Lily stood up. They bid ken goodbye and headed for the car. She needed to tuck Lily in bed and then focus on writing her presentation for her meeting the next day.