"Sorry about D.W.," Arthur says meeting Rattles outside.
"Your sister has more energy than my step-brother."
"Yeah, luckily you have fives years to prepare for that," Arthur says as they walk down the street.
"Thanks for doing this," Rattles says.
"Just don't freak out if I try to help when I come over," Arthur says.
"Arthur!" Thora says as she and Killer sit on the porch.
"Hi Grandma, this is my friend Rattles," Arthur says hugging his grandma.
"Hi Mrs. Read," Rattles says.
"Nice to meet you, let's go on inside, I just baked cookies," Thora says.
The three of them walk into the house.
"Grandma, do you have any stuffed animals I can use, I'm teaching Rattles how to be a big brother and how to help his family," Arthur says.
"Oh, I have just the thing, your Aunt Minnie loved doing things like that, they actually had a line of dolls when she and your dad were kids," Thora says pulling down the door to the attic.
Rattles and Arthur follow her.
"Wow, Mrs. Read, you have a lot up here," Rattles says.
"I am a little bit of a hoarder, here it is," she says taking a box off a stack.
She opens the box and pulls out a doll with a soft body and plastic head.
"It's a Pumpkin Patch Kid," Grandma Thora says giving the doll to Arthur.
"This is perfect," Arthur says.
"I think it came with accessories, why don't you go downstairs and I will try to find them," Thora says picking up another box.
"Okay, I'll show Rattles how to cradle a baby," Arthur says.
Arthur and Rattles walk back into the family room.
"Sit down, you'll most likely be sitting down the first time you hold the baby," Arthur says.
Rattles sits down on the couch.
"Okay, so you'll need to lay one arm on top of the other," Arthur says.
"You mean like this?" Rattles crosses his arms.
"No, like this," Arthur takes Rattles' arms and moves them to the correct position.
"Oh, so cross them in a resting position," Rattles says.
"Exactly, now I'm going to give you the baby, make sure the head is cupped in your hand, that will support the head and neck," Arthur says transferring the doll from his arms to Rattles.
"Shouldn't I be learning how to change a diaper?"
"We will get to that, you have nine months, a baby sleeps most of the time and some like physical contact so it's better to learn how to hold a baby first," Arthur says.
"I found the accessories that go with the doll," Thora comes into the family room.
"Thanks Grandma," Arthur says walking over to see the accessories.
"Hey Arthur, should I keep this position if I need to stand up?"
"I didn't really hold Kate while needing to stand up," Arthur admits.
"Here Dear, I'll show you," Thora walks over.
She takes the doll from Rattles.
"The most important thing when holding a baby while standing up is to hold them facing you, that way you can support the head," Thora shows Rattles by example.
The doorbell rings.
"I better get that, here try standing up while holding the doll," Thora hands the doll back to Rattles.
"Hey Arthur do you know if this doll has a name? I feel kind of bad just calling it 'the doll'," Rattles asks as he practices standing up.
"It says here my aunt named her Grace," Arthur looks at a Pumpkin Patch Kid birth certificate.
"Hello Grace," Rattles says to the doll.
"Kids, unfortunately I have some errands to run, so you will have to go home," Thora comes back in.
"It's okay, can I borrow Grace until Arthur has finished helping me?" Rattles asks.
"Of course Dear, and here is a bag for the accessories," Thora says handing Rattles a plastic bag.
"Thanks," Rattles takes the bag.
"Bye Grandma," Arthur hugs her.
"Bye Mrs. Read, thank you again," Rattles says.
"It's no problem Dear, come back anytime."
YOU ARE READING
Rattles Rattles
FanfictionRattles' mom and Archie Vanderloo finally tied the knot, Ansel and Angie are finally his step-siblings, he is getting used to not being an only child. But when they announce his mother is pregnant Rattles becomes worried and turns to Binky for help...
