Don't Worry About Me

Chapter 20

"Meredith, sweetie? Are you ready? We have to pick up Amelia from gymnastics" Carolyn said as she walked to the living room where Meredith was laying down on the couch with her stuffies, having some sort of conversation with them

"I'm ready" Meredith slowly nodded her head and pushed herself into a sitting position, got out of the couch and grabbed her crutches

"Let's go" Carolyn smiled and helped the girl climb into the car and buckled her in, accidentally touching Meredith's hips and the girl quietly winced and looked away. "I'm sorry, honey" Carolyn kissed Meredith's forehead, closed the door and got in herself

Meredith held her stuffed Puppy in her hands as she looked outside of the window. She felt the car slow down and hoped she could stay in the car while waiting for Amelia

"Mer, honey. We need to get inside for a minute, I have to talk to Amelia's teacher" Carolyn got out and helped Meredith out of the car. Carolyn lifted Meredith into her arms despite her back starting to sometimes hurt since Meredith was 8 but luckily she looked as if she was still 5

Meredith clutched Puppy in her arms and buried her head in the crook of Carolyn's neck as they got inside

"Hey guys! Are you here for the young kids' classes?" A young blonde woman walked towards them

"No, we're here to pick up my other daughter" Carolyn replied and felt Meredith grab tighter onto Carolyn's shirt

"Oh okay. She's always welcome to try out as well" The woman smiled

"Thanks for the offer" Carolyn shook the woman off and rubbed Meredith's back softly. The girl was having a very good day so far and yesterday had been okay as well. They even managed to play some board games and ended up swinging in the backyard. Carolyn was hoping the good days would just stay as long as possible

"Mommy! Mer!" Amelia came running towards them with another girl. A girl with light brown hair was bouncing after Amelia and Carolyn couldn't resist to chuckle a bit

"Hi Amy, how was it?" Carolyn asked

"It was so much fun! Mommy, can Ella stay tonight? Please?"

"Mommy!" Ella smiled as she saw her mother walking towards them

"Let's ask Ella's mommy first, Amy" Carolyn brushed her hand over Amelia's head "Mer, would you like that? You three can play the whole evening"

"Yeah" Meredith breathed and was carefully looking at Ella, a small smile formed on her lips

"Mommy! Can I please stay with Amelia tonight?" Ella jumped as she asked her mother

"Please! Pretty pretty please?" Amelia asked Ella's mother

"Does that work out for your mommy?" She asks Amelia before turning to Carolyn, Meredith hiding again

"That definitely works out for us, right Mer?" Carolyn asked to warm up the girl and felt her nod a little bit

"Okay then that's okay for me" The woman smiled "Luckily we packed you clean clothes for after practice" Ella's mom chuckled and kissed the top of the girl's head "Promise me to behave and include Amelia's little sister while playing, okay?"

"Mer isn't younger than me!" Amelia pointed out with a smile "She's 8 too! We're almost 9!"

"Oh- I'm sorry-" Ella's mom looked at Carolyn

"No worries" Carolyn nodded while rubbing Meredith's back

"Mommy, can we go home now?!" Amelia jumped up and down

"Okay girls" Carolyn laughed "Ella, can you say goodbye to your mommy? And while you grab your bags, Ella's mommy and I will switch out phone numbers"

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