The zoo was bustling with families as Elizabeth pushed Amelia's stroller along the winding paths, Nate walking dutifully beside her, clutching the stroller's handle as if it were his job to help.
At first the kids were thrilled to be at the zoo. But barely an hour in, Amelia's patience was already stretched thin.
"Mommy, I don't wanna see the lions! I want Mamma!" Amelia whined, wriggling in the stroller. She let out a frustrated whimper as Elizabeth tried to distract her by pointing out some colorful birds in a nearby enclosure.
"Look at those beautiful birds, Amelia. Aren't they pretty?" Elizabeth attempted, trying to mimic Y/N's warm and soothing tone. But Amelia twisted away, kicking her feet in a small fit.
"No! I want Mamma!" she said, the words coming out as a drawn-out, stubborn wail.
Nate, always the calm little helper, patted his sister's arm. "Amy, we're gonna see the penguins next. Remember? You like the penguins."
Amelia glanced at Nate and settled down briefly, her small face pouting. Elizabeth breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Thanks, Nathaniel," she whispered, feeling a small surge of gratitude for her son's quiet way of handling his sister.
As they moved through the zoo, though, each new exhibit became an uphill battle. Amelia complained and cried almost every step of the way, her pleas for Y/N growing louder each time Elizabeth tried to coax her into enjoying something. When they reached the gift shop, Elizabeth's patience was fraying.
"Okay, you can pick two toys each," Elizabeth said, trying to keep her voice steady. She pointed to a small shelf of plush animals and figurines, hoping to distract them long enough to avoid another scene.
Amelia, however, had her eyes on every item in sight. "I want this giraffe!" she declared, grabbing it. "And this penguin...and this lion!"
"Just two, Amelia," Elizabeth repeated, trying to gently pry some toys from Amelia's tight grip. "You can have two. Let's pick your favorite ones."
Amelia's lower lip trembled, and before Elizabeth could blink, tears spilled down her daughter's cheeks. "No! I want more!" she cried, clutching the plush animals as though her life depended on it.
Nate stepped in again, offering a small plush monkey to Amelia. "Here, Amy, take the monkey. You said you liked it before, and you can have the penguin" he encouraged, giving her a soft smile.
After a few moments of deliberation, Amelia relented and dropped the other toys, clutching the monkey and the little penguin. Elizabeth sighed, managing another small smile toward Nate as she paid for the items.
Lunch was another trial. Elizabeth led them to a shaded picnic area, hoping to keep things simple. She had bought them pizza and juice boxes, setting everything out with care. Nate quietly accepted his slice, munching away, but Amelia's face soured as soon as she took a bite.
"Mommy, this is yucky!" Amelia declared, wrinkling her nose and pushing her pizza away. "I don't want it!"
Elizabeth clenched her jaw, trying to keep her calm. "Amy, we're at the zoo. There aren't many options, sweetheart."
Amelia shook her head, eyes growing wide with frustration, and then began to cry. Elizabeth's heart pounded as she tried everything she could think of, but Amelia continued to refuse each snack, her cries only growing louder.
Nate looked at his mom, concern etched into his young face. "Maybe we can get her some chicken nuggets on the way home, Mommy?" he suggested quietly.
Elizabeth's shoulders sank, realizing that Nate was right—Amelia wasn't going to eat anything they had here. "Good idea, buddy," she murmured, sending him a grateful smile. "Let's pack up and go to McDonald's and then home."
