Three's Company

4. On the Run

Jordan's (Mama) POV

I'm not a huge fan of how the morning started, but it is what it is. I throw the bed sheets in the washer then head back upstairs to get Paisley and Beth's wet clothes. At least my place in bed didn't get wet, nor did I. Small victories.

Once I know no one is being murdered after hearing the shrill scream of Paisley, I set out clothes for my girls. I return to the kitchen next with coffee on my mind. I get started making breakfast as well, since that's the only thing I can typically cook without ruining.

The kitchen soon carries the aroma of coffee and sizzling bacon, which definitely lifts my mood. I love breakfast food. As I'm about to prepare French toast, Paisley comes running through the kitchen. I frown at the sight of my naked babygirl and reach for her wrist, pulling her gently to me.

"Umm excuse me. Where are your clothes?" I ask with a raised brow. She giggles and shakes her head.

"Nakey baby!" She says excitedly.

"Mm I see, well that won't do. Where's Mommy?" I ask next and she shrugs. "Beth!" I call out over my shoulder. Paisley's eyes go wide and she slips from my grip, running off.
"What the hell?" I wonder aloud.

"Hey." Beth says joining me in the kitchen and looking around, I assume for Paisley.

"Why isn't she dressed?" I ask.

"I don't think she wants to wear this pull up. She ran away when I tried to dress her." Beth explains, setting the clothes on a chair at the dining table. She makes her way to the cabinet where coffee mugs are, but I stop her with a hand on her chest.

"Go get her dressed." I insist.

"Yep, lemme get some coffee." Beth says, trying to reach around me.

"No. Get her dressed and then you may have some coffee." I say in a tone I know Beth recognizes.

"Right. Of course. Umm where did she go?" Beth asks, dropping her hands.

"I don't know. Find her." I say turning back to my task at hand. I hear Beth sigh and out of the corner of my eye, she grabs the clothes once more and walks off calling Paisley's name.

I roll my eyes and start cooking the French toast. I can faintly hear Beth's voice, but I couldn't tell you if she's talking to herself or to Paisley. A few minutes of silence and then whining and pleading can be heard, a combination of both their voices. I refrain from intervening, Beth should be able to handle the simple task.

Once breakfast is ready, however and neither girl is in sight, I figure I should just take care of this. I find Beth sitting on the couch, with Paisley's clothes beside her.

"Seriously?" I ask her.

"She keeps running off. What am I supposed to do?" Beth deadpans.

"Stop her and put her in her damn clothes." I reply. I can't believe how easily Beth gave up. She looks down at her hands like a puppy with its tail between its legs. Ah well, if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. "Paisley!" I shout, loud enough that Beth cringes.

I look around and see her trying to creep her way back upstairs. I snatch the clothes from Beth and I march over to her and place my hands on my hips. "Enough. Come here and get dressed." I say sternly. I like to think my voice conveys that I'm not playing around. It's enough that Paisley pauses her ascent. "I said come here." I say again, pointing to the space right before me.

Paisley comes and stands in front of me with unshed tears in her eyes. "Nakey baby.." She whimpers.

"No Paisley, you need to wear your clothes. Pull up first, come on now." I tell her, but she makes no further move to get dressed.