[ As she's tugged towards him, she curls into herself further, so as to tuck herself in closely. His embrace is warm and soothing, the balm against the influx of apprehension and now...whatever this was. She blinks away the threat of tears, face feeling hot; she's certain her cheeks are blotchy. ]

I know, I know. [ He's right, of course. Things would work out in the end, she had to believe that. She does believe it. But, the niggling worry had shadowed her usual optimism, making it difficult to see through. ]

I'm not worried about being replaced. It's just—he's grown up so fast? Feels like just yesterday he was barely taller than the counter.

[ Granted, he'd gained his reedy height relatively quickly, outgrowing his clothes every three months. Still. ]

We did good, didn't we? [ That was the other cornerstone of her emotion—she's immeasurably proud. Yet, with this sudden development, it's as if she's been blindsided by him growing up and making decisions that showed how much he'd been listening over the years. It feels silly. She feels silly. In a bit, she'll feel joy. ]