"Nice to meet you, Tara," the tiger conveyed without necessarily speaking, its words echoing silently in the depths of Tara's mind. It was as if their thoughts intertwined, creating a peculiar connection beyond spoken language. The voice resonated with a feminine elegance, exuding calmness and grace.
Perplexed, Tara tilted her head in confusion. She could hear the voice distinctly within her mind, yet there were no visible lips moving to produce the sound. At her tender age, she couldn't grasp the concept of telepathy; after all, whenever she heard her mother's voice, it was always accompanied by moving lips.
"You are simply adorable," the ethereal voice persisted, its gentle tone weaving a tapestry of warmth around Tara's senses.
"What kept you so long, little one?" A soft chuckle danced through Tara's being as she felt a ticklish sensation at her right earlobe, prompting giggles to bubble forth uncontrollably.
As Lexine emerged from the soothing cascade of her morning shower, she was greeted by the delightful sight of Tara giggling once more. With a wry smile, Lexine remarked, "You're at it again, aren't you?"
Her familiarity with Tara's playful antics brought a sense of normalcy to this morning's routine, allowing Lexine to shrug off any deeper contemplation of the mysterious giggles.
Without reading much into Tara's continuous giggles, she went ahead to get ready for work, facing the daunting task of selecting an outfit from the multitude of options adorning her wardrobe. The array of choices often proved overwhelming, eliciting frustration when deciding what to wear amidst a sea of folded garments when you really have much to choose from.
After a brief deliberation that felt like an eternity, Lexine's eyes alighted upon the perfect ensemble—a stunning white and blue ankara dress, adorned with intricate designs cascading down to her ankles. Its form-fitting elastic waistband accentuated her figure, while the open back which ended just at the middle of her back added a touch of allure. Lexine's impeccable sense of fashion shone through, despite the fact that she didn't really have much in terms of money.
Before donning her chosen attire, Lexine attended to Tara, who continued to emit infectious giggles from her perch on the bed. She picked her up and took the tiger doll out of her hands and placed it on the bed. Tara protested a bit and funny enough she had a scowl on her face as if what Lexine did was illegal.
"Hahahahaha, you really are a funny one." Lexine said almost choking with laughter.
She took Tara to the bathroom and with gentle hands, Lexine bathed Tara using the fragrant Johnson's baby shower gel, a treasured find amidst Dr. Malwin's provisions. The sweet aroma enveloped the room, infusing the morning with a sense of tranquility.
"This was really a great choice by Dr. Malwin unlike the weird dolls he got for Tara". Lexine thought.
Once Tara was bathed and dressed in a charming white and purple onesie bearing the endearing message "You are beautiful," Lexine turned her attention to herself.
With practiced ease, she wore her dress and applied a neutral makeup palette, enhancing her features with subtle elegance. Her thick, curly hair was gathered into a graceful bun, adorned with a hint of Maasai leather slippers that added a touch of cultural flair to her ensemble.
With Tara cradled in her arms, Lexine stood before the full-length mirror, their reflections casting a striking image of maternal grace.
"We look good, don't we?" she remarked, inviting Tara to gaze upon their mirrored likeness. In Tara's wide-eyed wonder, Lexine glimpsed the innocence of a child experiencing her own reflection for the first time—a moment of pure enchantment amidst the rush of morning preparations.
With resolve, Lexine retrieved her black mommy bag which contained the baby formulars, some diapers, various necessities for Tara and herself, and an umbrella, symbolizing preparedness for whatever the day may bring.
The coordinated white accents in their attire served as a poignant reminder of Lexine's newfound role as a mother—a journey marked by love, resilience, and the promise of new beginnings. It was a necessity and part of their culture.
With Tara nestled safely in her arms and protected with a heavy white cotton cover cloth, they embarked on their day, united in the boundless adventure of motherhood.