Tumblr fanfic

New challenge (Part 19)

Dedicated to the two wonderful anons who gave me the idea! Enjoy!

"Swike! No! I made a promise!" Hannah argued into the phone. She listened to Sara's reply while wiping the spaghetti sauce of Alex's chin.
"Do I really need to be there?" Hannah whined.
The blonde rolled her eyes, making a silly face at Alex, "Fiiiine, I'll be there. Mail me the address?... I know... Bye!"
Hannah groaned loudly as she put her phone down.
"So Swike just called..." Hannah told the girl, "I need to be somewhere tomorrow."
Alex tilted her head curiously.
"Something boring for work. But I can't take you with me. Would it be okay if you spent the day with Gracie?"
The girl sighed sadly, but nodded her head anyway.
"I know I promised I wouldn't work, but I really need to be there sweetie, if there was any other way I would stay home with you. I'm sorry." Hannah apologized.
"Is okay." Alex mumbled, "I like Gracie."
****
"Okay, so this is her sippy cup, don't give her a glass. I've got some DVD's here," Hannah said unloading her backpack on Grace's table, "This is mr. Bun-Bun in case she wants a nap, don't let her sleep in the carrot onesie, no matter what she says, I'm always worried she could accidentally hang herself with that hood, you know, kids toss and turn a lot..."
"Hannah it's fine!" Grace giggled, "We're gonna have a fun, safe day, right Alex?"
Alex nodded.
"Right," Hannah mumbled, "This is the number of our doctor, and you have my number... I've also packed some toys and a change of clothes..."
"Hannah!" Grace laughed, "Go to your meeting, you're gonna be late!"
Hannah dropped to her knees, giving Alex a tight hug.
"You be good for Gracie okay?" Alex gave her a thumbs up, "Good girl. I'm gonna miss you." She hugged the girl again, and kissed her forehead.
"Thanks for doing this Grace," Hannah said getting back up.
"Don't worry, we'll have fun." Grace said, allowing Hannah to pull her into a hug.
"Text me every hour." Hannah whispered in Grace's ear.
"What?! No!" Grace laughed pushing Hannah off, "You lunatic!"
Reluctantly Hannah got in her car. Grace had lifted Alex up, and they both waved her off on the driveway.
"So, do you want to go for a walk with Goose?"
*****
Grace's kitchen table was a mess. Alex decided they needed to make some paintings for when Hannie returned, and in true five-year-old style, more paint ended up on the table than on the paper.
"Okay, let's clean you up, cause you look like a little smurf." Grace laughed, hauling Alex into the bathroom.
Alex yawned loudly.
"Oh, are you tired baby?" the girl nodded.
"Bath and then a nap? Does that sound good?" Grace stroked Alex's back.
The girl let herself be washed by Grace, and put on her pajamas, even though she wanted her onesie.
"Do you want to nap on my bed or on the couch?"
"Couch!" Alex said.
Grace laid her down on the couch, gently draping a blanket over the little girl and handing her mr. Bun-Bun.
"I'm gonna sit in my office, shout if you need me okay?"
Grace stood up to leave.
"Wait!" Alex stopped her, "My kissie!"
"What?"
"Hannie gives me a kissie." Alex explained pointing to her head.
"Oh... uh, sure," Grace awkwardly bent over the child and kissed the top of her head, "sleep tight Alex."
*****
Hannah got back a little earlier than she'd expected, but it was still late in the afternoon.
She let herself in with the key that Grace had given her years ago and headed towards the noise in the living room.
Grace was dancing with Alex to some Fifth Harmony song that Hannah never heard before. They were laughing loudly, waving their arms in the air, and jumping up and down.
Alex was the first to see her.
"HANNIE!" the girl catapulted herself into Hannah's arms.
Hannah staggered back a little, "Hey baby, you look like you're having a lot of fun with Gracie."
Alex nodded sincerely, "Gracie is cooooool! And It'sGrace is better than My Drunk Kitchen!"
Alex turned to Grace who gave her a thumbs up.
"Did Gracie teach you that?" Hannah asked laughing, "Well, that's not true. My Drunk Kitchen is the best show ever!"
"Do you want to show Hannie the paintings you made for her?" Grace asked, "They are in the kitchen."
The girl ran to the kitchen.
"So, how has she been?" Hannah asked.
"She was great. She had a bath and took a nap, everything was fine." Grace said, "How have you been?"
Hannah sighed, "I cried in the car after I left her here... God, I'm such a loser."
"No you're not," Grace rubbed Hannah's shoulder, "You're just a mom."
"Look!" Alex spurted back into the living room, holding out her paintings for Hannah to see.
Hannah marveled and praised the little girl for everything she'd made.
"Are you guys staying here for dinner?" Grace asked.
"Yesssss!" Alex nodded.
"Well," Hannah chuckled, "I guess the decision had been made."