Twenty five: A day at the fair
Siblings: Amber and James, Sabrina and Madeline.
Setting: A day after chapter eight of sibling team.
Amber noticed that something was wrong right away as she and James sang their karaoke song. He had just rescued Gabby from a flying horse, and he had been even more scared than she was. In fact, as Bobby Lee had said to Roland, James had been crying even harder than Gabby. Amber was trying to help James feel better, but she saw that even music wasn't helping him.
Bobby Lee and Roland came over a few minutes later. They saw how frightened James still looked, and they wondered what they should do.
"I've never seen James this upset," Roland murmured, "Of course, there was the time he lost his voice and refused to sing in public, but this is nothing like that."
"I know," Bobby Lee agreed. "We've got to do something special for him."
"I remember how he reacted to his first execution," Roland murmured, "The day it happened, he and Amber had nightmares. They ran to my room and spent the rest of the night with me. The next day, we spent the day together. Maybe we could do something like that...oh, I can't...I'm in meetings all day tomorrow..."
"That's okay, Roland; I'll take James out tomorrow," Bobby Lee suggested, "Yes, I know, Gabby's grounded, but Helen can handle her. And she'll have Mother and Bianca to help her too."
"I can help too Daddy!" Amber offered, having Roland cross his arms.
"Amber, we've talked about spying on others," Roland reminded her. "Including the royal guards and family."
"I know but I'm worried for James too," Amber admitted softly, holding back tears.
"Roland, let her help. What harm could it do?" Bobby Lee asked. "Twins know each other better than anybody else!"
Roland couldn't help but smile. He knew Amber had been spying for a good reason this time. "Okay, Amber. What do you have in mind?"
"Bobby Lee and I can take James out and do all his favorite things," Amber suggested. "I know I'm not a fan of some of the things he likes, but I'm willing to try them for him."
"Even skeet shooting?" Bobby Lee asked.
"Nell says we can't do that," Amber looked doubtful, "She says we'll shoot our eyes out."
"Not necessarily OUR eyes!" Roland grinned, Bobby Lee laughing beside him.
"Are you sure about that?" Nell grinned, carrying a sleeping Elena in her arms. "I caught this little one playing with the squirrels. Gabby told her they were kitties."
"To Elena everything is a kitty," Bobby Lee smirked, stroking Elena's hair.
"Good point," Nell smiled. She had been at his side when he and Gabby landed, and when she'd threatened to have Gabby grounded until she was as old as Bianca (and after Bobby Lee softened the sentence to only being grounded for the day), she had gotten James some of his favorite foods and taken him for a walk around the castle grounds to calm him down. "Maybe when you're done with your special day out, you can bring James back here and I'll see what I can do to help him."
"Sounds like a plan, Helen," Bobby Lee smiled. "Now, where's James? I think a little preview is in order."
"The last time I saw him, he was in his room," Amber replied. She had seen James on his bed, hugging his stuffed dragon Sir Blaze-a-Lot, and his stuffed dog Little Rex.
"I can help with whatever you want to do," Roland smiled.
"Okay," Bobby Lee grinned. "Gentlemen...and ladies," he bowed to Nell, Elena, and Amber, "shall we proceed?"
"Okay, but don't start without me," Nell grinned, "I'll put Elena to bed and join you as quickly as I can."
"Just don't let her see anymore kitties," Amber grinned playfully. "She and Sofia are a lot alike when it comes to animals. They just can't look at animals without playing and talking to them."
"Don't tease your sister," Roland smirked, musing her hair.
"You're right, Daddy," Amber smiled. "Right now James needs us."
Nell met them outside James' door, which was wide open. "I put Elena to bed as quickly as I could," she smiled, "I love that song!"
"Well then, Helen, why don't we have a little sing-along?" Bobby Lee smiled as he led everyone in.
James was on the bed, half-heartedly singing with the music. At the same time, he was working on one of his stories. However, he'd sometimes pause to hug either the dragon or the dog as he thought about the events of the day.
Bobby Lee smiled as he sat next to James and mussed his hair as he joined in. "You've been sad long enough," he said as he looked up. "We're going to have fun tomorrow, even if we have to do this all day!" He pinned James on the bed, and everyone tickled him as they joined in the song.
"Hey! Amber did you have something to do with this?!" James shrieked, trying to fight back.
"No! James I would never do that!" Amber pouted playfully. "Why would you think that?!"
"You just started playing this game after I lost my voice!" James tried to squirm away, "And I know you opened the door when that one song started!"
"Well, you did tell us you'd sing with your door open a crack!" Amber smiled.
"That wasn't a crack! It was a canyon!" James laughed.
"Details, details. Bigger is better, dear brother," Amber smiled.
Soon, they let James up, and as he caught his breath, Bobby Lee told him that he, James, and Amber were going to spend the day together.
"Like when Amber and I had nightmares and Dad cancelled his appointments to help us?" James recalled.
"That's right," Bobby Lee grinned.
"It'll help you with what happened today," Amber assured, seeing his frown. "And you had us worried."
"I didn't mean it," James apologized.
"You wanted to help Gabby, and we're so thankful you did," Nell smiled as she and Bobby Lee sandwiched James in a hug. "If you hadn't rescued her, she would have gotten badly hurt, or even worse."
James buried his face in Nell's chest at the thought, but the tears that were forming turned to laughter as Bobby Lee tickled his sides again. "What did I tell you about that?" he joked.
"Laughter can cure tears?" James guessed with a smirk.
"No James," Roland mused, messing up his hair.
"Music makes everything better?" James suggested.
"Well, that too!" Bobby Lee grinned.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Elena yelled with tears down her cheeks as she ran into Nell's arms.
"Oh Ellie... What is it sweetheart?" Nell asked, taking her in her lap.
"Did you have a bad dream?" Bobby Lee asked, kissing her cheek.
"Gabby on horsie!" Elena cried.
"That's true, Love Bug, but thanks to James, she's safe," Nell smiled.
"James help Gabby!" Elena smiled, flapping her hands.
"He certainly did," Nell smiled. "Daddy's taking him and Amber out tomorrow to thank him."
"I come too?" Elena asked.
"Not right away, but we'll have some fun with James when he comes back," Nell smiled.
"I play with kitties until then?" Elena grinned.
"Yes you can play with your new friends the squirrels," Nell smiled, musing her hair.
"Squirrels kitties?" Elena asked, getting a little confused.
"I'll show you which ones are which," Nell smiled. "And I'm sure Sofia would love to play with you and your friends too."
"Gabby play too?" Elena asked.
"Not this time, Ellie," Nell paused, wondering how she could explain the punishment so Elena would understand. "Gabby did something very naughty, as well as dangerous, so she's going to be in timeout all day tomorrow."
"All day?" Elena frowned.
"Don't worry Mommy will make sure she goes potty while in timeout," Bobby Lee assured her, taking Elena in his arms. "Let's get you back to sleep."
"No horsie!" Elena yelled, shaking her head. "Horsie bad!"
"Well, the horsie Gabby rode on was bad," Nell agreed. "We've all agreed that he won't be able to come back until he's used to loud noises."
"But not all horsies are bad, Love Bug," Bobby Lee added. "You've seen Sofia's horse, and he's really nice. He wouldn't even hurt a fly, unless the fly started it!" He smiled as Elena giggled. "And you saw James riding his horse when he helped Gabby."
"Horsies good!" Elena cheered.
"Most horsies are good, Ellie," Nell smiled. "It all depends on how they behave around certain things."
"Like me!" Elena giggled, flapping her hands.
"Exactly like you!" Amber chuckled playfully, musing her hair. "But now you need beauty sleep!"
"Then I see James?" Elena yawned. "Or is it night night time?"
"You can see James for a minute before you go to sleep," Nell smiled. "I'm sure he'd love to see another friendly face."
Nell brought Elena to James' room as he was reading the story he'd been working on. "How's the story coming?" she greeted him.
"Okay," James shrugged. "I have some ideas, but I don't know how to put them together."
"I've written a few stories," Nell smiled, "Maybe I can help you."
"I'll take you up on that, Nell," James smiled. "Hi, Elena."
"Hi," Elena smiled, looking at his story. "Where pictures?"
"I haven't drawn them yet," James smirked. "I gotta write the story first."
"Oh. Night night," Elena said, kissing his cheek. "You ride horsie good."
"Thanks, Elena," James smiled, blushing at the kiss and compliment.
"We read story later?" Elena asked.
"Sure," James agreed, smiling as Elena tucked Sir Blaze-a-Lot and Little Rex in with him.
The next morning, after breakfast, James met Bobby Lee and Amber in the hall. "So, what are we doing today?" James asked.
"Whatever you want," Bobby Lee smiled.
"I will accept anything that you want to do today," Amber smiled, seeing Elena talking to Sofia. "Sofia might be in for a long day of playing with kitties."
"Squirrel kitties," Bobby Lee corrected in case Elena was hearing them.
"Right...squirrel kitties," Amber agreed. "So, James, what would you like to do first?"
"Well, I heard the Start-of-Summer Carnival is in town for the next few days," James mused, "Maybe we could do something there?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Bobby Lee smiled.
"Me too!" Amber agreed.
"And I was thinking, if we play some of the games they have, we could give something we win to Sofia, Nell, Elena, and Gabby," James added.
"That's really nice of you to think of them, James," Amber smiled.
"After what happened yesterday it's the least I can do," James smiled.
"We might see Sabrina and Madeline there too. They're with their school today," Bobby Lee recalled with a smile.
"That would explain their excitement all this week!" Amber chuckled.
"Bobby Lee! James! Amber!" Madeline shouted, seeing them in the crowd.
"Speak of the devil," Bobby Lee smirked as Madeline and Sabrina ran up to them. "Hello, girls! How's the fair going?"
"It's fun," Sabrina smiled. "We didn't know you were coming here!"
"We're having a special day out for James," Amber explained. "I think you know what happened yesterday at the party with Gabby and that horse."
Madeline's smile faded. She'd been in the line with Bianca for a ride, and she saw James jump onto his horse and fly up to Gabby. "Are they okay?"
"Gabby's fine. Grounded but fine," Amber answered with a smile.
"And James is not?" Sabrina started with a frown.
"Because he's scared?" Madeline finished, knowing the fear well.
"We're working on it, but we're hopeful that he'll feel better as the day goes on," Amber smiled. "Do you two want to join us?"
"Yes!" Madeline cheered.
"Okay," Sabrina added. "This is a half-day for us anyway, and it is the last day of school."
"And what a way to celebrate that," Bobby Lee grinned.
After explaining to their second grade teacher that he would have them for the rest of the day, Bobby Lee took Madeline by the hand as Sabrina ran ahead in excitement.
"At least we know where Elena gets her energy from," Amber smirked playfully.
"Speaking of Elena, I saw some kitties," Madeline said, noticing a child Gabby and Elena's age carrying a stuffed cat. "Gabby probably would want something else though."
"Why don't we win one for her?" James suggested.
"I think she'd like that," Amber smiled.
When they saw the game, everyone played a few times until they won something for not just Nell, Sofia, Elena, Gabby, Bianca, and Florence, but also for Madeline, Sabrina, and Amber. James and Bobby Lee also played again and won themselves toys.
"That was fun!" Sabrina smiled as she hugged the teddy bear James won for her. "And James, the kitty you won is really cute!"
James grinned at the green camouflage cat-like animal he'd won. "He sure is, and I can always use another little friend to bounce story ideas off of."
"James! I found a booth you'll love!" Amber called a few minutes later.
"What is it?" James asked as he came up.
"You can make a CD of yourself singing!" Amber smiled.
"No! Amber, you've doomed us all! He'll be here forever now!" Bobby Lee joked.
"I don't mind," Madeline smirked, hugging her butterfly that she had won herself. "It'll be entertaining!"
"You just want to hear him sing don't you?" Sabrina asked her twin playfully.
"Why not? He's a good singer," Madeline answered with a smile.
"Yes he is," Amber smiled as James happily entered the booth and picked out a song.
Everyone did enjoy hearing James sing. He made some CDs not only for himself, but one for Elena and Gabby. Even Bobby Lee made some CDs for Nell.
"I'm sure they'll enjoy it," Sabrina grinned before seeing some horses. "Oh! Horses!"
"We never got our ride yesterday," Madeline added, tugging on Bobby Lee's pants leg. "Please?!"
"Just don't spook it," Bobby Lee grinned, nodding his head.
Madeline and Sabrina made sure to stay calm on the horse. They didn't want James to get scared or upset again.
However, Bobby Lee saw the look on James' face. He was watching the girls, but he was biting his lip and he looked worried. "It's okay, James; the horse they're on is older than the one Gabby rode," he assured him as he patted his shoulder. "They're fine."
"That was so much fun!" Madeline smiled when she and Sabrina came back a minute later.
Sabrina smiled, but when she saw the look on James' face, she looked worried. "Are you okay, James?"
"He looks scared," Madeline whispered softly in Amber's ear. "Is James scared of horses?"
"No. He never has been," Amber whispered back. "Unless it has something to do with yesterday."
"It does," James admitted, still biting his lip.
"It's all right, James," Sabrina said as she hugged him. "We know what happened with Gabby, but that's only because she was alone on the horse."
"Yeah," Madeline agreed, "Miss Bianca offered to go with Sabrina, then me, when it was our turn. And Nell told us that it was a new horse that Gabby rode on, and he wasn't used to the loud noises. We saw you jump on your horse and fly up to Gabby. Nell told us everything that night."
"You were so brave," Sabrina smiled, but she slipped her handkerchief into James' hand, just in case.
"You did the right thing, James," Amber agreed as James buried his face in the handkerchief.
"But I saw Gabby dangling from the air! If she had slipped, she could've—" James began before he started to cry.
"You got her before she fell," Sabrina reminded him with a hug.
"And even if Gabby did fall, it wouldn't have been your fault," Madeline added softly, holding back tears of her own. "Nell was so scared."
"Elena was too. She hugged my leg until it was over," Bobby Lee recalled, helping James with the handkerchief.
"I'm sorry," James' voice was muffled in Bobby Lee's chest. "You wanted to help me and then I had to go and ruin everything!"
"You didn't ruin anything," Bobby Lee murmured, stroking his hair. "We know you're not scared of horses, but you don't have to ride one now if you don't want to."
"Bobby Lee's right. Let's do something we can all enjoy," Amber suggested.
"Something fun!" Madeline suggested with a giggle.
"Something to get your mind off the horse," Sabrina added, playing with James' hair. "Weren't you having fun before?"
"I was," James sniffed, rubbing his nose. "Gabby's incident with the flying horse didn't bother me then."
"Everything's going to be all right, James," Amber murmured, taking his hand. "Come on. I saw a few games and rides we haven't tried yet."
"Let's get ice cream too!" Madeline added. "Ice cream makes everything better!"
"I thought it was music that made everything better," James smiled a little.
"You can't eat music!" Sabrina giggled. "Besides if Nell was here, she would say no to ice cream."
"She would only say no so you won't spoil your dinner," Bobby Lee smirked.
"It's not dinner time anyway," Madeline smiled as she saw Amber go over to a cart and speak to a vendor.
"Need some help, Amber?" Bobby Lee asked, seeing her come back loaded down with bags of food.
"Thanks. Madeline's right that it's not dinner time, but I did manage to buy lunch for everyone," Amber smiled as she reached into a bag and passed out five hot dogs, five bags of chips, five cans of pop, and five ice cream sandwiches. "James sometimes does this when the family goes to outdoor events. One time, he had to have Sofia help him carry everything!"
"Hey! She volunteered!" James pouted playfully, reaching for his bag of chips. "And it wasn't my fault for her stomachache!"
"You sure?" Amber teased playfully. "Because I remember Sofia calling out your name when it happened."
"That's right, blame me for everything," James smirked.
"Should we get him again?" Madeline whispered.
"No, let's eat first," Bobby Lee whispered back. "We'll get him when we get home. Besides, it's not a good idea to do that when someone's eating; they may choke. And it's not a good idea to make someone laugh when they're drinking pop; the bubbles hurt when they come out your nose!"
"That's right, you did that with Nell," Sabrina whispered, giggling at the memory.
Bobby Lee smirked at the memory, letting the girls enjoy their lunch with Amber and James before Madeline spotted a squirrel.
"No we're not taking it home for Elena to play with," James smirked, seeing the gleam in her eye.
"It belongs here," Amber added with a smile.
"Okay," Madeline smiled.
After a few more games, and after Amber, Bobby Lee, and James took a ride on a flying horse, which James enjoyed, everyone collected the bags of prizes and goodies, and made their way back to the wagon.
"Thanks for the brilliant day, everyone," James smiled as they made their way back home.
"It was fun," Bobby Lee smiled. "We wanted to do something special to cheer you up."
"And after yesterday, you needed it," Amber grinned, musing his hair.
"Hopefully Gabby enjoys her gift," Sabrina sighed, hugging her teddy bear close. "I feel bad that she had to miss today."
"Maybe after her punishment's over, Nell and I'll take her and Elena here," Bobby Lee smiled. "Of course, we'll make sure she stays away from the horses, but they'll love everything else!"
"And like I said, I did win her something," James added, holding up the little yellow doll he'd won at one of the games. It wore a grass skirt, coconuts, and goggles. Nobody knew what it was, but they agreed that it was cute and Gabby would like it.
"Hello, everyone!" Nell called when they came in. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yes we did, and we've got presents for everyone!" Bobby Lee smiled as he gave her a doll he'd won for her.
18m ago"Bobby Lee, thank you," Nell blushed, taking the doll in her arms.
"I'm the squirrel kitties princess!" Elena giggled as the squirrels she befriended followed behind her.
"You're not taking them inside!" Sofia shouted, running after her.
"Elena! We've got something for you!" Sabrina called.
"Kitty dolly!" Elena cheered, taking the kitty doll. "Thank you!"
"And thank you for this bunny doll," Sofia smiled as she accepted a stuffed rabbit from James. "So, are you feeling better, James?"
"I am feeling better," James smiled, "I had a few little setbacks here and there, but other than those I was fine."
"Yes he was," Bobby Lee smiled, "Now, how would you like to come inside with us and continue the fun?"
"But first, I want to give Gabby the doll I won for her," James looked up at Nell. "If that's okay?"
"Of course it is," Nell smiled, "Florence and Bianca are up with her right now, and they'll want to hear all about this."
"As for you Elena it's time for you to say bye bye to the squirrels for awhile," Sofia grinned, taking her hand.
"They want to stay!" Elena pouted. "Squirrel kitties like me! And I named them!"
"Don't you want to see the new friends we got for everyone?" Bobby Lee asked, holding up his bag.
"Some of the new friends we got are really cute, and don't you want to see the doll I won for Gabby?" James asked.
"Okay. I see Gabby's dolly," Elena smiled as she followed everyone inside.
"I also made you a CD of me singing some of your favorite kitty songs," James added.
"We'll play it for you when we go inside," Nell smiled.
"Bye bye," Elena sighed, hugging her new friends one by one.
The squirrels nuzzled against her with one giving her his acorn to keep as a gift and for being able to understand them because of her pendant.
"You can play with them again later," Nell promised, taking Elena in her arms.
When they came up to Elena and Gabby's room, they found Gabby still in her time-out corner. "Gabby!" Elena cheered, going over and hugging her.
"Time-out done now?" Gabby asked Nell.
"Yes, time-out's done now," Nell couldn't help but smile as she told Bobby Lee about it. Gabby really didn't have too much trouble doing her timeout. She was allowed to use the potty when she needed it, and she had lunch when it was time to eat.
"That's good to know, and we're glad you learned a lesson, Gab-Gab," Bobby Lee smiled. He handed her the little yellow doll. "James won that for you. And tomorrow, you and Elena get to go to the fair with Mommy and me."
"Can we bring my friends too?" Elena asked with a smile.
"No. Squirrels stay home!" Gabby giggled, hugging her close.
"There are plenty of squirrels around at the fair," Bobby Lee smiled. "And you should have seen them. They were so friendly that they came right up to us and let us feed them."
"That's right," Sabrina smiled. "Madeline and I had bought some peanuts for the squirrels when we first came. We had a few left over when Bobby Lee, James, and Amber came, and we let them feed the squirrels too."
Elena smiled at the thought of making some more squirrel kitties friends, glancing at Sofia who smiled softly.
"What else are we doing?" James asked as Nell led him to the sitting room.
"I know how much you like word games, so Florence, Bianca, and I made some puzzles for you," Nell smiled. "Bianca especially wanted to see you in action."
"Thanks, Nell! But I hope you know what you're getting into," James smiled.
"Oh we do," Bianca smirked, leading him to a chair. "It's you against me."
"After the day he's had, you're on Miss Bianca!" Amber chuckled before seeing Elena with her acorn. "And Elena has some good luck."
"Her squirrel friend Olive gave it too her," Sofia smirked, musing her hair. "She named all the squirrels."
"And you can tell us all their names later," Nell smiled. "Right now, do you want to see James play with Bianca?"
"Yeah! Kitty dolly watches too!" Elena cheered, holding up the kitty dolly.
Everyone saw James grinning as he solved the different puzzles. Even Bianca was amazed. She knew James was good at word games, and it was nice that he enjoyed them as much as she did.
"James look tired Mommy," Elena whispered, nuzzling the kitty dolly close to him.
"Putting the kitty dolly against him isn't helping him Love Bug," Nell whispered back with a smirk.
"I can handle it," James assured her, "I can solve puzzles in my sleep."
"Maybe so, Prince James, but why don't we stop for now and let you get some sleep?" Bianca smiled, putting her paper down. "We can continue where we left off in the morning while Helen Genevieve and Robert Lee take Elena Lydia and Gabby Anna to the fair."
"Okay," James agreed.
"Can I tell James the names of my squirrel kitties? Please?" Elena begged, jumping up and down.
"Of course Love Bug," Nell smiled. "Daddy, Gabby, Amber, and your aunties can hear them too."
"I met Olive, Mitzi, Chrissy, What-not, and Brandy!" Elena giggled.
"I know Whatnaught," Sabrina smiled. "He's really nice, and he's one of Sofia's friends."
Bobby Lee grinned as he sang, "The sailors say Brandy, you're a fine squirrel...what a good friend you would be! But my life, my love and my lady is the sea!"
Elena giggled, flapping her hands as Nell picked her up and covered her in kisses.
"Come on let's get you to bed," Sofia smiled, taking a tired James by the hand.
"But I'm not tired Sof!" James pouted.
"Okay, James, now say that again without yawning," Bobby Lee smirked, mussing his hair.
"You can continue your game against Bianca tomorrow," Nell agreed, starting to lead him out, "And besides, you'll be able to concentrate without Elena or Gabby distracting you."