Once Upon A Dream

Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two: Pining
-Riley-

After I fed Patty she picked out a night gown and assured me she could dress herself, I didn't want to step on her independent little toes so I cleaned up the dishes while she got dressed.

Afterward I found her watching a movie on the sofa, the nightgown was on inside out but oh well.

"Come on Patty-cake, lets go brush your teeth and get the tangles outta your hair."

We both went upstairs and I let her put the children's toothpaste onto her tiny toothbrush, as she did her best to properly clean her teeth for the evening I picked up the hairbrush, I gently let the brush run through her hair, stopping a few times to brush out a couple of knotted spots.

When I finished I placed the hairbrush back and took her toothbrush and cleaned her teeth for her, just to make sure she got all the areas. She took a disposable cup and filled it with water to rinse her mouth clean of the toothpaste.

"Don't drink it." I said as I dried my hands in the towel.

I never heard her spit the water into the sink and as the cup was now empty I knew she drank it. I made a grossed out face and she laughed.

"That's not funny Patty...you're not suppose to drink it."

"But taste like bubblegum."

I rolled my eyes, "so you want the spicy toothpaste next time?" I asked...she didn't like the regular toothpaste I use because she called it spicy, I think the mint was too strong for her. She shook her head no, "then stop drinking your rinsing water...come on let's go to bed before mom gets home."

Tonight wasn't as easy as last night and Patty cried that she wasn't sleepy, after laying her down she got up multiple times and finally I pulled her into the room I was staying in.

"Fine, you will lay in here with me, and I don't have a nightlight." I pointed out. I wasn't trying to be mean to my Little sister but I did need her to know that if she wouldn't listen and go to bed in hers and moms room then she'd have to sleep In my room and not be able to have her usual night light on.

I guess the dark room was what she needed though as she fell asleep relatively quick.

I waited a good hour before I scooped her tiny body up and took her to her own bed, afterward I finally went to sleep myself.

__________

"There you are." Cordelia smiled as she immediately ran up and hugged me.

I smiled, "I'm sorry, were you waiting long?"

"Not really...just extra anxious to see you tonight."

Suddenly I remembered that I hadn't gone to the park tonight, she had mentioned she sat at a park last night but I told her how I couldn't make it.

"I had to watch my sister again tonight so I hope you didn't sit out in the cold waiting for me again."

She shook her head, "no actually I just got to my dads not too long ago, my dad took the family out to dinner tonight."

"Sound like fun." I said, I was happy that she had a good evening and hadn't been waiting around on me.

"Yeah...I finally heard back from that university I applied to...they accepted me, early admission and all."

I was so happy for her, I kissed her and a huge smile filled her face. "That's amazing Cords, I'm so excited for you."

She nodded, "it doesn't seem real ya know...I don't know like sure schools almost over for us in the sense that we're seniors but it's barely October...so while it's close it still seems so far."

"Don't worry about that, just enjoy each day as it comes." I said, it was something my mom always says.

She hugged me tight and we continued to talk well into the night.

__________

-Cordelia-

The next morning I woke up and my mom and step dad were over for breakfast. It seemed weird having everyone together as if it was normal for us.

"I called your brothers and they are both thrilled to hear about your news." Mom said as Gayle handed me a plate of food.

"Now we've all been talking and since the school isn't too far from here we think that financially it'd be best if you moved in with Gayle and I." Dad said smoothly.

"Yes, your stepfather and I can come up and visit whenever plus it isn't too far away from home that you can't visit us if you need a small break."

I nodded, it made sense, and I already knew that finances would be kinda tight so there was no need to pay for a dorm room if I had a perfectly good place to stay instead, plus staying home meant I won't have to pay for a meal plan, and I could use the washer and dryer whenever I needed it so big money savers there.

"Since you've got admitted early this actually helps us as well in getting your books over time instead of all at one time." My stepdad put in.

Later that same day I got back home and my friends were already waiting on me, they essentially kidnapped me and took me to do various things; shopping, a movie, dinner and then we ended up at Sherrie's house.

We laid an old quilt down in her backyard and laid back to look up at the stars.

"Can you believe our lives?" Sherrie asked.

I shook my head. "Seems surreal doesn't it?"

"We've definitely had a memorable year, that's for sure." Maxine sounded, "and not all bad either."

"Well all I really want to do for the time being is get through the rest of this year...and also can we talk about what we're gonna do for Halloween?" Sherrie asked.

After that we talked about different things we wanted to do before we all went home for the night.