When they got home, she laid her daughter on her bed as she lay down for an hour. She awoke her daughter an hour later and pulled her onto her hip as she stroked her hair.
"Baby girl, we're going to go downstairs to have something to eat and then me and daddy need to talk to you"
"Me in trouble?"
"No, there is something really important we need to talk to you about"
"I'm sorry mommy" she whispered as she rested her face into Rachel's hoodie.
"What for baby girl?"
"Making you cry and not talking to sissy"
"Hey, it's okay; you didnt make mommy cry, i promise. And it is okay that you didnt talk to your sister; you were scared and its okay because there were lots of scary things but, i promise, she is going to be okay"
"Promise mommy?"
"I promise baby girl; are you hungry?"
"Pasta?"
"Course we can have pasta; do you want some of mommy's special sauce with it?"
"Yeah, me like it"
"Come on then, daddy might watch cartoons with you if you ask him nicely"
"Love you mommy"
"I love you too baby girl"
Rachel kissed her daughters forehead before holding her hand as they went downstairs; with Ronnie sat in the living room with Eddie, Rachel went into the kitchen where she prepared and cooked the lunch before they were all sat up to the table.
"Do you like it princess?" Eddie asked.
"Yummy" was her only answer.
"Good; remember, we're gonna talk after dinner"
Ronnie nodded sadly as she looked down at her bowl of tomato pasta; her sudden change in moods didnt go unnoticed by either of them. After dinner, they sat on the sofa, Ronnie between them but she hadnt made eye contact with them since dinner; when Rachel sat her daughter on her lap and lifted her head, she noticed the silent tears Ronnie had cried.
"Baby girl, what are you crying for, eh?" She asked softly.
"You angry?"
"No, we're not angry at you, i promise; why didnt yiu want to go to the seaside with Michael and grandpa today?"
"Stay wiv' mommy"
"But you like the seaside, dont you?"
"Not without you mommy"
"But baby, i cant be with you all the time"
"But me love you"
"And i love you but in a few weeks, you are going to be going to school and i wont be there all the time"
"No school, no leave me"
"Baby, you have to go or me and daddy will get into trouble"
"No school, stay wiv' you" she cried, wetting Rachel's hoodie again.
"Princess, you're going to have lots of fun and make new friends and learn lots of interesting things and play" Eddie explained, trying to make it sound fun.
"Yay, and Michael will be there as well; and i'll come and pick you up and you can tell me all the fun things you did" Rachel added.
"No school" Rachel wailed.
"It's okay...ssh; you need to calm down or you will make yourself sick" she soothed, running her hand over her hair.
"No school, stay wiv' mommy"
"It's okay baby girl; mommy isnt going anywhere yet, i promise"
"Stay wiv' you"
"It's okay...ssh; calm down, yeah? In a bit, we can make cookies or read a story"
"Cookies" Ronnie sniffed.
"Okay, we'll make cookies but we're going to have to go to the shop first. Do you want to come with mommy?"
"And daddy?"
"And daddy princess; why dont we go and wash your face while mommy gets ready?" Eddie suggested.
Ronnie thought for a minute before nodding; twenty minutes later, they were walkung round the store. Eddie holding Ronnie on his shoulders whilst Rachel pushed the trolley; she had decided to get a few other things they needed whist they were there.
"Daddy?" Ronnie said, tapping his shoulder.
"Yes princess?"
"Look at toys?"
"Come on then; only for two minutes while mommy carries on shopping"
"Bye mommy" Ronnie waved.
"Bye baby girl"
"We wont be long" Eddie said, kissing her.
"Only one, okay?"
"Promise"
As Rachel carried on shopping, Eddie put Ronnie on her feet and led her to the aisle full of toys; after a few minutes of deciding, Ronnie finally picked out a dolly set. As they walked passed the teddy bears, Ronnie stopped and pulled on Eddie's sleeve; he picked her up and moved her fringe from her eyes.
"Daddy..."
"Yes princess?" Sensing she wanted something else.
"Sissy all alone?"
"Yeah, she is but the nurses are there to look after her"
"Get teddy for her"
"And which one would you like to get for your sister?"
Ronnie looked at them for a few minutes before deciding on a little pink teddy; holding it in her hand, they went and found Rachel in the baking aisle.
"Mommy, daddy said i can have dolly" she said, showing her the dolly and accessories.
"That's beautiful baby girl; and who's your little friend?"
"It's for sissy"
Rachel was taken aback by her daughters comment and felt the tears in her eyes.
"Did i do something wrong mommy?" Ronnie asked, her smile fading.
"No, you didnt; that was very nice of you to pick one for her"
"She alone, now she wont"
"Thank you baby; how about we go and get sweeties for my special girl?" She asked, holding her daughter as Eddie pushed the trolley.
