While Jess was busy browsing the racks, Macy’s eyes caught something oddly out of place—a “Mommy & Me” costume set on a decorative mannequin that hadn't been there moments before. One side had a tasteful, modest “young mom” outfit: a flowy floral maternity dress, soft cardigan, and flats. The other side featured a toddler girl’s dress: pink ruffles, white bloomers, and a matching bonnet with little shoes dangling off the display.
Macy’s eyes lit up.
“Jess! Check this out! You have to try this one with me.”
Jess turned around with a skeptical look. “What is that?”
“It’s like, this cute ‘mom and baby’ thing. C’mon—it’s totally weird, but hilarious!” Macy giggled as she already began pulling down the clothes. “You wear the mom one—I’ll be the baby.”
Jess blinked. “You're joking, right?”
“Nope!” Macy said with a mischievous grin. “Don’t worry, I’ll waddle around and pretend to cry or whatever. It’ll be so funny. Please?”
Jess rolled her eyes but sighed. “Fine. Just for a minute. And only because you look ridiculous in that.”
They went into separate changing rooms. Jess slipped on the maternity dress. It was surprisingly comfortable, too comfortable. She looked at her reflection—her posture shifted, hands resting instinctively on her stomach. Her bra even changed subtly to something supportive, maternal. Her lipstick softened, her hair pulled into a loose "mom bun" without her doing it.
Meanwhile, behind her own curtain, Macy was having a more dramatic experience.
As she pulled on the bloomers and ruffled dress, her limbs suddenly weakened. Her knees buckled slightly, and she stumbled. “Wha... wha’s happenin’?” she mumbled, her tongue suddenly clumsy. Her voice rose in pitch and lost clarity.
The shoes now fit her feet too perfectly, as if they had shrunk. Her fingers wouldn’t grip properly. She tried to call out, but all she managed was, “Ma-ma...”
Back outside, Jess stepped out slowly, adjusting the cardigan. “Okay, this is—Macy?”
Macy’s curtain fluttered open… and there she was, awkwardly crawling out. Her hair was tied in pigtails, pacifier dangling from her mouth, bonnet slightly crooked. She looked up at Jess with wide, unfocused eyes, then raised her arms. “Mama up...?”
Jess froze. “Wait… what the—Macy?! Are you okay?!”
Macy just gurgled and clumsily grabbed Jess’s leg, pulling herself upright, barely able to stand. Jess instinctively scooped her up—why did she do that?—and rested Macy on her hip. The moment she did, Macy cooed, settled in, and nuzzled against her.
Jess panicked. “Okay, okay, this is definitely not normal! Macy—snap out of it!”
But Macy just smiled, drooling slightly. “Mamaaa~”
From behind a clothing rack, Ryan snickered, watching the monitor.
Billy looked at him, eyebrows raised. “Dude. You made her a literal toddler?”
Ryan shrugged. “She wanted to dive into the role, right? Now Jess gets to see what it’s like taking care of someone. Kind of a fitting reversal.”
Billy muttered, “Okay… this one’s really weird, even for us.”