Together forever: adopted by pentatonix book 4

12:

Kirstie:

I smile as we drag our bags back to the car, I'm happy that Gracie has cheered up. I help the girls put their bags in the car and we all get in, "did you have a good dolls shopping haul girls?" I ask. Gracie nods "the best thing about it was we were the first customers in the outlets so we got first dibs on all the good stuff!" She giggles, I smile and we drive home. When we get home the girls grab their doll bags and go running in, I chuckle and take our clothes bags and the Claire's accessories bags into the house and drop them in mine and Gracie's room. I head back downstairs and find three very happy girls, "mommy come play with us!" Charlotte giggles. I smile and sit with the girls as they go through their boxes, Gracie and Charlotte have both found lots of stationery and science accessories for their dolls. Charlotte has got some new glasses and so many new outfits and shoes, She has a couple of new backpacks and even little doll sized luggage. Taylor's boxes have a mix of stuff but she has a lot of sports and nature kind of clothes, Taylor and Charlotte managed to find some cute matching coats for their dolls. Gracie plays with them for a bit before heading upstairs.

I head up to check on her after about an hour or so, she has her noise cancelling headphones on and her galaxy patterned weighted blanket on. She's deep in a high school textbook on physics, I go over to her and gently slide her headphones off. "Hey spacey Gracie" I whisper, Gracie looks up at me with tear filled eyes and hands me a notebook. I take it from her and read through it, my heart breaks as I read. My sweet, beautiful, smart baby sister is being bullied. I put down the notebook and put my hand under her chin, "why sis? Why didn't you tell me?" I ask. Gracie bursts into tears, "they have pocket knives Kirstie they were going to hurt me" she wails. I cuddle her close, in the end I grab her blanket and carry her out to the car. My mom agrees to look after the girls and I drive Gracie to our special place, we climb up onto the rock and stay there for hours. I start singing Gracie's favourite Disney song "how far I'll go" and she joins in until we are belting it out and giggling, my phone pings and I grab it to find a call from mitch...

Mitch: hey kit! Do you want to bring Taylor, Charlotte and Gracie out with me and Scott tonight? We've booked two hotel rooms for a special sass team party!

Kirstie: ooh yeah! Gracie will want to show off her new clothes and expect a large amount of American girl stuff.

Mitch: okay awesome! Bring them over to the hotel near the boardwalk, you know the one with the funfair?

Kirstie: how could I forget? We'll come around at about six o clock!

Mitch: okay love you!

Kirstie: love you too!

I smile and click my phone off, "we're going for a special sleepover at the boardwalk hotel tonight. You, me, Taylor, Charlotte, Scott and Mitch" I say happily. Gracie smiles and we head back to get sorted, The girls pack up as much of their doll stuff as they can and get their stuff together before we head out. Gracie has changed into a simple top and leggings with her converse, I know she's packed her new clothes though. When we get to the hotel Scott meets us in the lobby and we head up to our hotel room, Mitch peeks his head around the door. "Hey girls get ready because we're hitting the boardwalk tonight!" He says happily, I grin and we all start getting ready. Gracie looks stunning in her new outfit, she's added some new black and galaxy print nerd glasses and a pair of black glittery cat ears. Charlotte puts on a rainbow polka dot dress and glittery flats and Taylor stays in the same outfit. I smile as they head into the boys room to show off their clothes.

I keep the clothes I have on and just redo my hair and makeup, when I'm done I head into the boys room. Mitch is giving Gracie a cuddle and Scott is messing around with Taylor, Charlotte is sat in the corner with her hands on her stomach. Mitch gives me a thumbs up so I head over to Charlotte, "what's wrong baby?" I ask her gently. "Hurts" she whimpers, I sigh "I'm sorry princess, do you want me to carry you?" I ask her gently. She nods and I scoop her up, Mitch takes Gracie's hand and Scott grabs Taylor and we head off to the boardwalk. I smile when the sea breeze hits my face and the lights shine, Gracie and Taylor smile as we head into the busy part with the funfair. Charlotte has fallen asleep on my shoulder and she looks adorable, the boys take Gracie and Taylor on a few rides but I just sit and watch the sea in the moonlight. After a while it starts to get chilly so I take off my big scarf and wrap it around Charlotte to keep her warm. The boys come back with the girls a few minutes later, we grab some hot donuts and head back to the hotel. We all head back to our girls room and get comfy, Charlotte stays asleep on my shoulder and Taylor snuggles up with Mitch and Gracie.

We all get cosy and enjoy our hot donuts, Taylor ends up falling asleep on Gracie and the rest of us stay up chatting and giggling...

"No no no don't hurt me"
"Please don't hurt me"
"Please no!"

I shift Charlotte from my shoulder to my arms as she starts screaming. "Charlotte baby wake up!" I say gently, she gasps and her eyes snap open. Tears start streaming down her cheeks and she clings to me, "mommy!" she wails. I hold her close and stroke her hair, "I've got you baby I've got you" I soothe. Charlotte clings to my top and I rub her back, she fights her way from my arms and slips out of the room. I head out to find her, she's in the boys room. She's curled into a ball and rocking herself back and forth to calm herself, I sit on the bed to keep an eye on her but to also give her space. She stops after a few minutes and just sits there flapping her hands and murmuring to herself, when she seems a little calmer and lays down on her back I climb off of the bed and go over to her. I notice how laboured and shaky her breathing is and I realise she's having a panic attack, "Charlotte baby it's mommy can you open your eyes for me?" I whisper. Charlotte's eyes flutter open and I stroke her hair, she reaches her tiny hand up to meet mine and wraps it around two of my fingers. I realise she's using the physical contact to keep herself grounded and calm.

I let her keep a hold on my fingers and use my other hand to rub small circles on her chest to help her breathe, "mommy I scared my dream scared me" she whimpers. I bend down and kiss her forehead, "I know baby girl I'm sorry" I soothe. Charlotte gives me a tiny smile and holds her arms up to me, I smile and lift her into my arms. She keeps a hold on my fingers and I lay my forehead against hers, "mommy can me and taylor go to school?" She asks me. I smile, I've been looking at a school near to my house. They have an early years programme for three year olds, it's a really good school and I'd love for them to go there. "Definitely baby, I've been looking at a school for you to go to. We can have a look when you guys get back" I tell her, Charlotte smiles and snuggles into me. I start singing a lullaby and she falls asleep against me, I carry her back to bed and tuck her in with Taylor. Gracie has also fallen asleep in our bed, the boys head to bed and so do I...