Ellie wriggled her toes, grinning with grim satisfaction as the joints cracked. She looked down at the delicate, elfin girl nestled underneath the covers beside her.

“Morning,” her husband whispered as he entered the room. “Is she still asleep?”

Ellie nodded, beaming, gently stroking the girl’s sun-dappled cheek. “My baby.”

Vikkie the Mimm originally submitted this story as an entry in the Mere 50 Words contest.