Haunted

Alter the Ending - UNEDITED

Disclaimer: This chapter has not been edited from the original as posted on JBFF. There will be mistakes, typos, continuity problems and other issues.

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"I got you some more wine," Brent said, putting the glass down next to Maddox.

"Thank you," Maddox smiled at him. He was sitting with Chloe in his arms while she wailed at the top of her lungs. She was completely fine, but had slipped when she was trying to crawl up Eli and Hunter's bookshelf and falling scared her so much that she couldn't stop crying.

"Shh, Chloe," Hannah kept patting her back. "Is okay, cheer up."

"She can cry if she wants, Hannah," Maddox smiled at her. "It's okay to be scared sometimes. This is why we always say not to climb on things, right?"

"I know," Hannah sighed. "Her is scared?"

"Yeah, she's scared because she fell," Maddox said.

"But not hurt?" Hannah asked.

"No, I don't think so," Maddox said.

"Boo-boo?" Clay asked. He'd mostly been watching both girls since they got to Eli and Hunter's house, almost stunned by everything they did. It was strange remembering Clay didn't have cousins to spend time with so he wasn't around other kids very much.

"Nope, no boo-boo," Maddox smiled at him.

"Chloe, not so loud," Hannah pleaded. "Don' cry, here," she picked up Hippo's little sister and tried to get Chloe to take it.

Chloe didn't stop crying but she lifted her head and grabbed the little hippo, squeezing tight. She pulled it in close to her face and put her head down again, rubbing her eyes over the stuffed animal.

"Oh, Chloe, now she's wet," Hannah made a face.

"I'll wash it," Maddox promised.

"No, her can live with Chloe," Hannah said. "Chloe needs her."

"Are you sure?" Maddox asked.

"Uhuh," Hannah nodded. "I has Hippo, Chloe has little sister. Matching."

"That's right, you do match that way," Maddox agreed. "That's a really nice thing to do for your sister."

"Her is better now," Hannah said, pointing at Chloe. She'd gotten quiet and was still crying but mostly just sucking on little Hippo's ear.

"Thank you, Hannah," Maddox bent to kiss her.

"Hannah," Chloe leaned over and scooted off Maddox's lap so she could hug Hannah.

"That is the sweetest thing," Eli said as he carried over a tray of snacks. "I brought you more wine."

"Thanks, Brent got me some already," Maddox reached for his glass.

"Oh that's cute," Eli gave Maddox a look.

"It was very nice of him," Maddox said.

"Clay, do you want some cheese?" Eli asked.

"Yah," Clay reached forward and grabbed a fistful of tiny cubes of cheese.

"One at a time," Eli said. Clay ignored him and shoved his entire fist in his mouth. "Such a pity you're a straight boy since you've got a mouth like a vacuum," Eli sighed.

"You think?" Maddox asked.

"Well, he's all of 11 months old, so who knows?" Eli laughed. "I just have a feeling."