I Will Always Come Home to You (Ally and Stevie)

16. Oh Hera (Ally said)

I was woken up by a kiss on my cheek and a hug from Hera. I pretended to be asleep to see what this cutie would do.

"Auntie Leelee, wake up!" Hera said excitedly as she shook my shoulder. She gave me another kiss and I finally opened my eyes.

"Oh look who's here! Auntie Leelee's favorite girl!" I gave her a bear hug. "Do you want a piggyback ride, Hera?"

Hera nodded so I carried her to the kitchen where her parents were.

"Morning!" I said giving Kimberly a kiss.

"Mom and Dad didn't wake you to say goodbye since you came home late from the party. They already left for their trip. Are you sure you'll be fine with Hera alone?" Kimberly asked.

Mom, of course, updated Kimberly that Stevie would not come over as originally planned.

"Yeah. Just relax. I got all our activities planned. Do you want to check it first?"

"Please don't tell us you are going to binge-watch Orange is the New Black and order pizza."

"How did you know about that? But you forgot about chugging a beer every time Crazy Eyes says something that only Crazy Eyes would say. Ha-ha. But seriously, I got Play-Doh, crayons and puppets. And we are also going to build a fortress at the backyard."

"That last part sounded better. By the way, I already packed snacks for Hera and I think Mom left stuff that you can shove into the microwave oven."

"Let me shower first then you can leave for your adult play date."

"Ha-ha. Enough of the banters. But thank you, Ally. I really appreciate it you looking out for Hera."

I took a quick shower and put on some clean clothes. Our first activity was Play-Doh. I taught Hera to sculpt a cat because it was easy peasy. Besides, Zildjian was there so it was a perfect example. We each made another one.

"Let's call them Zildjian, Ziggy and Whiskey," I told Hera. She repeated after me. The kid was definitely a quick learner. "What else do you want to make?"

"Hmmm bunny and fish and elephant and giraffe!" Hera exclaimed. We moulded more animals that we almost created a zoo. My phone alarmed, reminding me that Hera's cartoon show was on TV.

I tried focusing my attention on the show but my brain just could not take speaking mascots. This caused me to recall the events that happened last night. I was supposed to end Operation Daisy by talking to Stevie but they said she left early, without Sarah. Now, Operation Daisy is on-hold. I need another big romantic gesture—just try and try right?

While Hera was having her afternoon nap, I decided to set up our fortress at the backyard. I built Hera a tent from blankets and placed a playing mat and her toys inside.

"Awesome fortress," said by a voice so familiar it caused me a slight panic attack. I went out of the tent and found who I least expected--Stevie.

"I thought you had to work today," was the best thing I thought I would say.

"My scenes were shot earlier," she explained. "Hmmm Ally, about the mess we're having for the past days..." she said, looking down the ground.

"Shhhhhh. The fact that you are here means you already made a decision and wanted to tell me," I said, hoping the decision would be in my favor. "So what now?"

"I am sorry," Stevie said. I died a little. Was she sorry because she chose Sarah? It took another gazillion seconds for her to continue. 

"I am sorry it took some time for me to come around. But if your proposal is still on the table, I would love to give this another try."