Oh well. Here there is nobody falling down the roof, hanging from a bridge or the whole building collapsing over Mike. But… I've got this idea. And I hope you like it. Enjoy!

It's set somewhere right after series one of TBR.

"Oh look at this." When I, Carmen and Lily came home from the mall after doing some shopping Carmen happily picked up her new, pink blouse to show everyone. "I love it. It's so nice and it suits me so well."

I would have to agree with Carmen on that, the light pink color would suit great with her brown skin and dark hair. And all of her other pink clothes.

"Oh nice shirt." Gina came down the stairs. "Is that new?..." Carmen nodded happily. "Not to destroy your happiness but could you really afford this?"

It wasn't until Gina came by that I had been thinking about it. But right away I fought the thoughts away that maybe I shouldn't have treated a couple of children with something. I was happy, we wanted to celebrate and I had paid with my own money.

"It didn't cost that much actually. They have this huge sale on the mall too me. Besides I didn't have to worry for it. Tracy bought it for me." Carmen smiled at me. "And she bought that purple one for Lily so I and Lily are best friends and actually do look like it too."

Gina smiled at Carmen and Lily, but didn't smile as big when she turned to me. I smiled back, I knew that look on Gina's face and wait… Why on earth would I be in trouble for this? I had just had a bit of fun with Carmen and Lily. Eaten some cupcakes and went to a sale.

"What's going on?" Mike came down the stairs, Carmen turned to him, showing the shirt to everyone who wanted to see and told Mike too. "Oh… Tracy, can you come with me please?" Mike had a sort of given up look on his face and it kind of scared me. "Just… Just come with me and Gina into the office, it will only take a few minutes."

"What?" I followed him quickly. "What is it? Did something happen?" Gina came after me and Mike closed the door after us. "What?"

"Trace." Mike slumped down in his desk chair. "What you did with Carmen and Lily today… It was great don't get me wrong. But the thing is, for everybody's well-being we…" He pointed. "You, I and Gina. Provide the children with what they need. If they want something they'll save up their allowance and that's it. Only taking them to a café would have been okay. But if we give one, or two of them something just like that. Then everybody are going to end up wanting something."

"I was just trying to cheer them up. And we wanted to celebrate that I'm staying here. I wanted to celebrate it too so… Come on, we just went to a café and a couple of stores and had a bit of fun." I smiled slightly and leaned back in the desk chair. "And we did. Isn't that what we want? To make the kids happy?"

"I know what you mean Trace." Mike still had that sort of given up look on his face. "But sometimes we have to make them happy with something we do not have to buy. And believe me, now when you bought something for Carmen and Lily everybody else are going to want something too and we cannot afford that right now.

"Then I'll pay for it. Without using whoever's money I used for this… Oh wait, I did use my own money. Money that I decide what it's used for…" I hesitated when I heard myself say what I had just said. "…Well, maybe not all at once but it's not expensive things. And cupcakes we can make… well… Tee or someone can make great ones I bet and all of them will be given an extra little treat. As a thank you for all being a part of what made me stay here. Because I am happy I decided to stay and I want to show it. Let the children be a part of it."

"And we're very happy too." Mike was sounding like he wanted to talk me into it for this to be good. "We'd love you to stay here forever and ever. And we'd like to celebrate it in all kinds of ways. But the thing is we don't do that kind of stuff unless it's for a special reason."

"And don't forget Cam. Priority for your money right now…"

"I know." I fizzled before Gina had finished her sentence about that I needed to pay Cam her money back. "And I also know Cam. And she isn't going to disagree."

"And what do you think the chil…" This time it wasn't me who interrupted Gina. But someone knocking on the office door. Mike smiled slightly in my direction and opened it. To Harry and Sapphire… oh, and Jeff, as usual in Harry's hands. "Yes?"

"Jeff says he'd like cupcakes and a new shirt too."

Mike sent me a meaning look, told Harry and Sapphire that he'd be there in a minute and closed the door.

"See what I mean now? Do you remember that time Justine was given her own TV? And your reaction to that? What was it you did? Oh now I remember. You started a Stowey House newspaper and wrote an article about why Elaine should get fired on why she gave a TV to Justine while nobody else was allowed."

When Mike referred to that time when I had been too darn upset of somebody else getting something I didn't I really felt terrible. This time it was just about a few shirts and cupcakes but I did see why Mike thought I was wrong. And while I felt my cheeks burning red I took the only way out I could think of.

"Well if it's that important. I wish someone would have told me about it. And not thought I'd just understand from something that happened years and years ago." I stood up and reached for my jacket and bag. "My shift is over now."

"Going to leave us with explaining to the children why they can't have anything too?"

"Yes." I hurried out of the room before Gina had the time to say anything else and slammed the door after me, then hurried out of the house. "No, not right now. I gotta catch the bus."

Just as I came outside I saw the bus leaving without me. And with a deep sigh I started walking home. I needed some time to think on my own anyway.

Why couldn't I once? Just once do something right. That actually ended up being right too?

I honestly wasn't so sure why that darn lump had risen in my throat and tears were burning in my eyes. I wasn't a person who cried much, had never been neither. So why would I be crying right now? When nothing had actually happened.

Something did happen you idiot. And it was all because of you.

I certainly did not get what was making me feel so upset though.

Why couldn't I ever do something right?

Random fact

So, as you maybe can see I have gotten kind of stuck writing stories about Tracy. And yes, x snow-pony x would need some credit for that. Haha. I hope you like this and I hope you'll like the next chapter. See you then!