It took a while, but George's family gradually found their groove and routine, and George even found several ways to help take care of Troy. He was surprisingly good at changing diapers, and he could almost always manage to make the baby laugh with his funny faces and noises. It was hard to tell what his favorite part of being a big brother was, but if he had to guess, he'd say it was feeling needed and helpful. Ted and Maggie made sure to thank him for all his help at the end of every day.

Maggie's stomach returned to normal after a few months, and she joined George in chasing little Troy around the apartment all day. The three of them took naps together and George loved taking walks alongside Troy in his stroller. When Ted returned from work each night, he spent time reading baby books to him and tickling him on the bed. Suffice it to say there was never a shortage of fun with a new baby in the house.

George knew Troy would someday grow much larger than himself, and that he wouldn't feel so much like a "little" brother anymore. George was okay with that, as long as he got to enjoy the baby while he was still small. He trusted Ted and Maggie would raise a kind, considerate young man who appreciated George as much as they did.

George was having trouble sleeping one night and walked quietly across to Troy's crib. Sleeping soundly in the still night, George gazed wistfully at the infant, who had already grown considerably since coming home six months ago. George realized Troy's development was a lot like Ted and Maggie's marriage, and their family in general. So many things, wonderful things, came along because of their relationship – far more than he could have ever anticipated. When Ted announced two years ago that he was marrying Maggie, George believed it would be special, but he never imagined to this degree. All his expectations had been completely surpassed.

Little Troy was walking and running around in no time, and George loved having a playmate who could keep up with him, even if they were usually confined to the apartment. George didn't mind the tight quarters they all kept, but apparently Ted and Maggie were starting to. He didn't realize this until the day after Troy's first birthday, when they asked George to join them for a brief family meeting.

Ted balanced Troy on one leg as he began. "Okay George, I've got some pictures here in front of me, and I'd like to ask your opinion on them."
George looked down at the small pile of pictures on the table. They looked like pictures of houses, some bigger than others.
"Can you tell me which one you like the best?" the Man in the Yellow Hat invited, holding them up in front of George's face.

There was a green one with a nice lawn, a white one with a swimming pool, a blue one with lots of trees… George deliberated a few minutes and finally chose the blue one. He pointed at it with a flourish, clearly proud of his choice.

"Great! You know what? We like that one too," Ted replied. "Actually, we liked all of them, but we wanted you to make the final decision for us."
George blinked, confused again. What was so important about picking which picture he liked the best? They were just pictures.
"We needed your help to decide where we should live next," Maggie said carefully, having seen the telltale confusion creeping into his eyes.

Those same eyes widened in typical fashion upon hearing these words. A new house? How much more exciting could it get? New places to explore, new friends to meet in the neighborhood, new… everything!
But wait, he thought, why were they moving? Was there something wrong with the cozy apartment they'd made so many memories in? He found himself strangely torn between the novelty of a new house and the emotional pull of the apartment.

He needed to understand why this was happening if he was going to agree to it wholeheartedly. All he needed was a simple, solid explanation, and he'd support the plan without hesitation.
Ted saw him looking around the apartment with curious eyes and interpreted the question behind them. "I know you love this apartment, and so do we. But you see, George…"

Ted turned to face Maggie, who slid her chair further back from the table. She pulled the fabric of her shirt taut against her tummy, which was starting to swell once again.
George squealed in delight, clapping his hands furiously as he bounded over to give them each a hug.