![](http://i.imgur.com/MnVP6Eh.png" "source: imgur.com")
Post by Maria Esperanza on Oct 15, 2015 20:45:05 GMT -6
Name: Maria Rosalyn Esperanza
Face Claim: Ciara Harris
Age: 36
Orientation: Bisexual
Position: Bellefonte Cook
Power: Amazing Cooking Skills and A Mother’s Love
(No actual powers.)
Limitations:
N/A
She looked up from the email she had printed off. This was the correct house, right? Double checking one last time, she inhaled deeply before stepping up to the door and knocking three times. When she had seen the tiny ad in the newspaper looking for a babysitter, she couldn't help herself.
It wasn't like she had anything else to do, couped up at home alone while her husband was constantly away on business. There was no one else in the house, and she hadn't had any children to worry or fuss about for herself. So why not help another woman raise hers who didn't have the time to always watch them? She had all the time in the world. Too much time in her own opinion, as she glanced back down at the email.
Katerina had been in the middle of fixing Selina supper when she had heard the knock on her door. Right on time. That the girl was punctual was definitely a good sign. Katerina shooed Selina back into her room to play with her toys while she talked with the potential babysitter. If they didn't end up working out, Katerina didn't want Selina to get too attached.
She then made her way to the door and was surprised to find an incredibly attractive young woman. "Hello, welcome. Thank you so much for answering my ad. Please come in." She offered with a warm smile. She'd made sure that this was one of her days off so she had plenty of time if she needed it.
Maria looked up once the door opened, and had to blink. This woman was..... well, attractive was putting it mildly. She felt like she was almost staring as the woman spoke. But Maria returned the warm smile with a bright one of her own, nodding as she came back to reality. "It's alright. Thank you." She said, stepping inside the house and folding up the email to stick into her pocket. "When I saw the ad, I just had to answer it." She admitted with a slightly sheepish smile.
Katerina in turn smiled and shut the door behind Maria, offering her a place at their small table that fit two easily and would work for three if the need was there. As Maria talked about just having to answer the ad, Katerina was slightly surprised, but also intrigued. "I'm glad to hear it. Can I ask why?" She asked as she took a seat across from where she'd indicated Maria could sit if she wished.
Maria had taken the seat and shrugged lightly at the question, looking at the table for a few seconds before letting out a soft little laugh and looking up at Katerina. "Well.... I love kids but I never had any of my own. And since I have so much time, I thought it would be nice to just.... help out a mother that didn't." She admitted, dropping her eyes again.
Then she let out soft laughter again, running her fingers through her hair and looking back up at Katerina again. "Sounds a little sad, doesn't it?" She asked with a rueful smile.
Katerina had listened to her and was instantly interested in what this woman's story was-- but she wouldn't pry. She simply listened, and at Maria's question she smiled and shook her head. "Not at all. I'm very happy you can spend the time I can't here. Perhaps that's rather selfish, but still, I'm grateful this worked out." Katerina offered sincerely. She knew she shouldn't be relieved that other children wouldn't be suddenly calling and leaving Katerina in a lurch with regards to work, but she was grateful nonetheless.
Maria's smile grew at Katerina’s words and she shrugged. "Thank you, and it's not selfish. She's your daughter, so of course you'd want her to have someone around." She said, speaking not so much from experience as she was gut feeling.
Then she blinked. "Oh. Would it be alright if I met her? Or has she gone to bed already? I know it's a little late."
"Oh! Of course. She's in her room. I was just making us dinner," she offered as she pointed to the oven where a pizza had ten minutes left to bake. "You're welcome to stay and join us if you like." Katerina added with a smile.
Maria glanced over at their dinner and blinked. Pizza? That was good, but if it was the only thing they ate normally…. But Maria was honestly happy that Katerina invited her to stay, and she looked over and gave her a bright smile. "I would love to." She answered.
This woman seemed to be sweet and genuine, and she just hoped that Selina would connect with her too. "Oh and by the way, these are my hours, some nights I don't end up coming back home until early morning, I know it's a lot to ask for somebody to stay, but I was hoping..." Katerina started as she got up and walked over to the door, opening it and waving to Selina that it was alright to come out.
"Oh, it's fine. I really have nothing else to do, so I'll be able to stay." Maria said in response as she watched Katerina walk over to the door. She was a bit excited to meet Katerina’s daughter, she had to admit, and looked as Katerina opened the door.
Katerina smiled gratefully at the news that Maria could stay. "Oh that's so wonderful to hear. I'll make it worth your while, I promise." She said as ushered Selina out, who then hid behind her mother's legs. Katerina chuckled and walked over to the table, the little girl following behind her legs every step of the way. "Selina this is Maria, she'll be taking care of you while Mommy's at work," she explained. Selina held up one hand and waved, still behind her mother
Maria smiled up to Katerina and nodded. "It's alright.” She assured her before looking down at the other figure hiding behind Katerina. The moment Selina appeared, Maria's gaze softened even more and her smile grew. At the very first glance, Maria had already fallen in love with the adorable little girl. She returned Selina's little wave with one of her own, looking as disarming as she possibly could. "Hi there! You're so pretty!" She said gently.
Selina smiled at that and came out a little further from behind her mother's legs as Katerina ushered Selina forward a bit more. "Say hi to Maria dearie while I go fetch the pizza for us." She said as she went into the kitchen. Selina stayed where she was and studied Maria in the open curiosity and wonder of a child.
“Hi." She offered dutifully.
"Hello." Maria said again as Katerina went to get the pizza. "How old are you?" She asked, already knowing but wanting to speak more with the little girl.
Selina held up two fingers quite proudly before frowning slightly and finally adding a third. “Thwee." She said proudly. Katerina brought out a hot pizza and smiled as Selina clapped.
"It's just pepperoni and cheese, but she doesn't really like any other type." Katerina explained. It was clearly storebought and thrown together at the last minute, but Katerina wasn't exactly a cook.
Maria had laughed softly at Selina's proud declaration. "Three! You're a big girl then!" She said before glancing over at Katerina as she set out the food and explained. Maria smiled and laughed once again, nodding. "I'll be sure to remember that." She promised before glancing at Selina. "Maybe one day we'll make a pizza ourselves! Would you like that?" She asked, not commenting on the condition of the pizza nor making any sort of face. It was obvious Katerina and Selina didn't have too much money, but Katerina seemed sweet and Selina was such a cute little girl that Maria thought nothing of it.
Selina had blushed at the praise and shifted from foot to foot as a smile crossed her face and she nodded before her eyes lit up with joy at seeing the pizza. And at hearing Maria saying they could make their own one day, Selina nodded vigorously and clapped a few times. Katerina was grateful that Maria seemed willing to go with the flow.
Maria couldn’t help but to have smiled when Selina blushed; it was so adorable. And the way she seemed absolutely delighted with the idea of making her own pizza cinched it. Maria would definitely have to make one with the little girl now.
Meanwhile, Katerina cut three pieces for them each and warned Selina that it would be too hot to eat for a bit before passing a plate to Maria. "I have juice, milk and water," Katerina offered as she stood to go get them drinks. "And all of the fridge is yours to do with as you please, while you're here, same with pretty much everything else," she added with a slightly wry smile. It wasn't like there was anything really worth stealing in their house. Besides, she didn't distrust Maria.
She glanced back over at Katerina as the slices were cut and given, and Maria smiled as she accepted the plate. "Water would be fine." She answered. Then when Katerina mentioned Maria could have full access to the fridge, her face lit up at the prospect. "Would it be alright if I bought some ingredients and groceries myself and put them in the fridge? I do like to cook." She admitted, chuckling a little.
Katerina felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been trying so hard to get Selina to eat healthy, but she often had no time or energy to cook, vegetables were expensive, and she often just ended up getting whatever was premade or easy to throw in a microwave. "That would be wonderful! I'll reimburse you for whatever your expenses are of course." She got them all glasses of ice water before sitting down herself after lifting Selina into her chair.
"Oh no, it's fine." Maria assured her, taking her glass with a grateful "Thank you" before drinking some of it. "I can pay for them myself." She insisted with a kind smile before taking a small bite of her pizza once it had cooled down. After swallowing, she looked up again. In all honesty, she would've been fine not being paid at all. Just as long as she could get out of her house and be around other people. The company was payment enough.
Katerina looked surprised and was about to insist on paying when she remembered the rent, utilities, insurance, and everything else that still needed paid and just smiled gratefully. "Thank you. That'd be so amazing." She stated sincerely.
Although Katerina seemed surprised initially, Maria was glad she didn't insist on paying. Really, she couldn't do that to the other woman. And she truly didn't mind, seeing as she had nothing else to really spend her money on. So she only smiled and nodded before little Selina took one bite too soon.
As soon as the little girl took a bite, she made a pained noise as the piece burnt her mouth. Katerina started to her feet and swore, forgetting about Maria for a second as she placed the glass of water in Selina's hands and encouraged her to drink. "Shit, I shouldn't have given her anything until it was cooler." She admitted, hating herself for her oversight.
Maria's eyes had widened at the painful noise and she instinctively moved over to Selina with Katerina, placing a light hand on the girl's shoulder as both women tended to the little girl. Maria's face showed her concern easily, the emotion genuine. She didn't even register that Katerina had sworn as she also encouraged Selina to drink. Only when Selina seemed alright again did Maria look up at Katerina. The sheer concern Katerina showed for her daughter made Maria smile. "Mistakes happen. As long as Selina's ok now, it should be fine." She said, glancing over at the little girl with a sweet smile and giving the girl's shoulder a light squeeze.
Katerina nodded but then winced as she realized she'd just swore in front of a three year old and a stranger. Damn it. Katerina sighed, almost giving up. "Sorry, about that. I try to be better when I'm around her, I really do." She explained, not sure why she was almost pleading to a stranger.
When the other woman stared speaking again, Maria looked up at Katerina and laughed softly at her apology. “You don't have to apologize!" She insisted, smiling with understanding. "It startled me too. Everyone slips up every once in a while. And I believe you try." She said before looking back at Selina. "You ok sweetie?" She asked gently.
Selian nodded, as she was just fine... besides it was pizza. What was there to worry about? She didn't understand why the nice lady and momma looked so concerned, but she didn't mind the attention either. She just smiled and drank her water happily, pouting slightly as she realized she'd actually have to wait to continue eating the pizza. Sure it had hurt, but it had also tasted really good.
Katerina sighed as Selina seemed perfectly fine and glanced up at Maria, slightly sheepish. "I'm still getting used to this I suppose." She admitted. She still got worried over the smallest things and she was always so terrified she'd be a bad example for her kid. The last thing she ever wanted was to be a bad mother. She'd had Selina for mostly selfish reasons, and too often she found herself wondering if she'd done wrong by her child by not waiting until she was more financially stable, had a better job or… Or…. The list went on and on really, but Katerina loved Selina with everything she had in her, and she just hoped that would be enough.
Maria had been smiling at Selina’s little pout before looking back at Katerina as she spoke. She shook her head, her smile turning reassuring. "Well, she is your daughter. I can see why you would be a little more protective of her." While Maria might not know exactly what it was like to be a mother, her motherly instincts had always been strong.
Katerina nodded and smiled. She hadn't gotten a judgmental glance from the woman once, and she even felt more relaxed around Maria than she'd thought she ever could be. "It seems she likes you well enough." Katerina added with a smile, as Selina hadn't even reacted to Maria's touching her shoulder, seemingly accepting it as the natural order of things.
At the mention of Selina liking her, Maria glanced back at Selina with a warm smile, squeezing her shoulder lightly again before gently patting her on the back. "I'm glad. I think I've fall in love with little Selina already." She confessed with a light laugh, glancing back up at Katerina.
Maria's comment on having fallen in love with Selina had Katerina chuckling. "I think she loves you too." She said, nodding towards Selina's happy expression as Maria was patting her back. "Or it could be the pizza, I'm not entirely sure yet." She teased as Selina hummed happily at finally being able to dig in. Katerina wondered if she might be falling in love with Maria as well, but it was a mere passing thought playing on the words already spoken.
Maria had to smile at both statements, laughing at the end and giving Selina's shoulder one last squeeze before returning to her seat. "As long as Selina's happy, I'm fine with either." She stated before eating her own piece of pizza as well, the piece cool enough now to eat without hesitation.
Once they all had finished up, Maria picked up all their plates and headed to the sink herself, saying, "I'll wash these. I have to get aquainted with the kitchen anyhow, so I might as well start," as her explaination before she turned on the faucet and went to work.
Katerina once again found the thought of falling in love crossing her mind as she watched Maria head to the sink with the plates. She didn’t dismiss the thought this time, although it was playful in nature. "Let me help. I can show you where everything's at so that it's easier when you start." She offered as she stood.
Maria flashed Katerina a sweet smile before looking back down at the plates and continuing. "That would be perfect, thank you." She said. Meanwhile, Selina went to play with her toys, still in sight of the two women while they cleaned up.
"Thanks again for your help.” Katerina added warmly as she helped. Now she could go to work and not feel guity about leaving her child at home. Maria was an answer to a prayer... if Katerina had ever prayed.
As Katerina thanked her again, Maria flashed her another warm smile like the sun. "It's nothing.” Already, she was feeling just a bit more comfortable. She could really see herself getting used to both Selina and Katerina's company quite easily.
{Made with the help of one Fantabulous Fuzzyfemme}
SAMPLE: ^^^^^^^^^^^
USERNAME: Lord and Master of all I survey. Or just Wiz the Fantabulous Liz is fine.
AGE GROUP: Immortal Baby
EXPERIENCE: Long Enough
WHERE DID YOU FIND US? Where I least expected.
