In Your Care Again
"Are you sure you can handle this on your own mate?" Bandit asked, placing his hand on his son's shoulder. "Yeah dad I got this," Thomas said with a smile. "Even with Socks and Muffin?" Stripe asked his nephew. "No worries uncle Stripe it'll be fun," Thomas said with a smile. Bandit and Stripe both looked at each other and nodded. "Alright then mate, you have all of our numbers in case anything happens," Bandit said with a smile. "Go, go have fun with mom and Aunt Trixie," Thomas said pushing his father and Uncle out the door. Chilli had arranged a group trip down in Sydney for the weekend and Thomas offered to watch both his cousins and his sisters. "Call if you need anything mate!" Bandit said one last time as Thomas shut the door. "That's better," Thomas said as he went to go find the girls. Thomas walked into the play room and found the girls playing besides Socks who was on the other side of the room chewing on her little chew toy. "So what are you guys playing?" Thomas asked. "Sandwich shop," Bingo spoke up. "Oh, sounds like fun," Thomas said with a smile.
"Do you want to play with us?" Bluey asked, looking at her older brother. "Sure," Thomas replied as he sat down next to his sisters. "So what do I do?" Thomas asked, looking at Bluey. "Ask chef Muffin for a sandwich," Bluey said with a giggle. "Okay, Muffin can I get…" before Thomas could finish she Interrupted him. "That's chef Muffin!" Muffin corrected her cousin. "Oh um… chef Muffin can I get grilled cheese with pepper jack cheese and bacon with no crust," Thomas said with a smile. All the girls looked at Thomas with a strange look on their face even Socks looked up from her chew toy and looked at her older cousin. "What? It's better than what you think," Thomas said. Bingo and Bluey looked at each other and shrugged. "Okay I'll have that up real soon," Chef Muffin said with a smile as she started making the fake sandwich. Once Muffin pretended to make the sandwich and Served it to her cousin all the girls looked at him and waited for his reaction.
Thomas took a "bite" and smiled "yum… I taste something else though what's in it?" Thomas asked, looking at Muffin. Bluey then giggled before whispering into her brother's ear. "What?!" Thomas shouted, spitting out the pretend sandwich. "Peanut butter and fried pickles!" Thomas said looking at his sisters and Muffin. All the girls started laughing before they all jumped on Thomas and started to tickle him. "Hey!" Thomas said while laughing. Socks also got up from her spot and went over and join her sister and cousins tickling her older cousin. "You guys are going to make me pee!" Thomas said while laughing hard. The girls then stopped while laughing themselves. Thomas then catches his breath and stands up. "Okay, I have to get some house chores done, will you guys be okay for a bit?" Thomas asked looking down at his sisters and cousins. "Yeah, we'll be fine," Bluey said as she went to get more toys together. "Good," Thomas said as he went out of the play room and went to do some chores that he promised his parents he would do while they were gone.
After doing the housework, Thomas went to the garage and grabbed the new tent that his father had bought just a week ago. "This shouldn't be hard," Thomas said to himself as he took the tent box out to the backyard. Before their parents left for their trip with Uncle Stripe and Aunt Trixie, Bluey had asked if Thomas could set up the new tent in backyard and they all could have a night out in the backyard. Bandit and Chilli both gave the okay and Thomas would do it the day they left. "Alright, Heeler just follow the directions," Thomas said to himself as he read the instructions. Normally Thomas would have his dad do this stuff and he would just do what he does not pay attention. "I guess I should have been paying attention when dad does this stuff," Thomas said scratching his head. "Hey mate! how are you doing this afternoon?" Pat asked from his side of the fence. Thomas turned and looked at his dad's best friend. "Hey Pat, I'm doing good," Thomas said with a smile. "Good, I see you're putting up a tent," Pat said with a smile. "Well I'm trying to," Thomas said looking down at the unfinished tent. "Need some help mate?" Pat asked, getting ready to come over. "Yes please!" Thomas stepping aside. Pat then came over and helped with setting up the tent as Thomas watched closely.
"See there's nothing to it mate," Pat said as the tent came together. "Thanks Pat you're a lifesaver," Thomas said with a smile. "Well me and your dad use to camp all the time when we were kids," Pat said while crossing his arms. "Must have been fun. I've alway wondered what my dad was like when he was a kid," Thomas said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, he's still the same dog like he is today," Pat said with a smile. "Really? He hasn't changed?" Thomas asked. Pat shook his head. "Nope, he's still the same Bandit I've always known," Pat said as he got ready to go back to his yard.
"Thanks again Pat," Thomas said as he watched Pat leave. "Your welcome mate, if you need anything just come over," Pat said looking back at Thomas. Thomas nodded before going to go get the girls. Thomas walked into the playroom and saw the girls were playing with dolls besides Socks who was still going at her chew toy. "Alright guys the tent is all set up and…" Thomas started to say until all the girls shouted "hooray!" And ran past Thomas and went to the tent. "Well that was easy," Thomas said, looking forward and saw that Socks was left behind with her chew toy. "Socks, don't you want to join the other girls in the backyard?" Thomas asked. Socks had a sad look on her faces as she turned away from her cousin and continued to bite her toy.
Thomas was a little confused by this as he went over to his little cousin. "What's wrong Socks?" Thomas asked, now sitting down with her. Socks stopped chewing on her toy and just looked away from Thomas. Socks still with her sad look started to cry a bit. "Do you miss your mommy and daddy?" Thomas asked, placing his hand on her back. Socks nodded with a sniff. "Come here," Thomas said as he held her in his arms. "They'll be back before you know it," Thomas said as he held her. It was normal for socks to be acting this way but this would be the longest time she would be without her parents. "If it makes you feel better I miss my parents," Thomas said with a soft smile trying to make Socks feel better. Socks then looked up at her cousin. "Uncle Bandit and Aunt Chilli?" Socks asked softly. Thomas wiped her tears away and nodded. "Yeah, I miss them," Thomas said as he stood up with Socks in his arms.
"I know something that'll make you feel better, how about later we all get on the tablet and video chat them," Thomas said as he walked out to the deck with Socks still in his arms. Socks still with her sad face nodded in response. Thomas then started to make silly faces to make Socks smile. Socks then started to smile and giggle as Thomas made funny faces. "Alright kiddo, go have some fun with your cousins and sister and I'll get some lunch ready," Thomas said as he placed his cousin down. Before leaving, Socks licked her cousin's muzzle and then joined her sister and other cousins. Thomas went into the kitchen and prepared some sandwiches for lunch. Thomas sets out some plates with the sandwiches and some juice for them to drink. "Alright girls come and get it!" Thomas shouted out to the kids. They all came rushing to the deck and started to eat at the table. "You guys having fun so far?" Thomas asked, looking at the girls. "Yeah," Bluey spoke up with Bingo and Muffin following up behind her. "Are you feeling a little bit better Socks?" Thomas asked, looking at his youngest Cousin. "Yeah," Socks spoke up while eating her sandwich. "What's wrong with Socks?" Bluey asked, looking at her brother. "She just misses her parents a little bit," Thomas answered before taking a bit of his sandwich.
"Oh, I miss them too," Muffin said looking down. Thomas noticed the sudden change in Muffin's behavior as soon as she said that. "Hey, I told Socks that later we can all video chat our parents," Thomas said, trying to change the mood. Muffin then looked up at her older cousin and smiled. "For real life?" Muffin asked. Thomas smiled and nodded in response. "Of course," Thomas replied. "Do you miss your parents?" Muffin asked. "Yeah, I miss your uncle Bandit and aunt Chilli," Thomas before taking a drink of his juice. "Don't you miss-" Bluey started to say but then stopped herself as she didn't want to upset her brother. Thomas knew what she was going to say and he wasn't upse about it because he knew he did miss her and it wasn't Bluey's fault for bringing her up because it was true. "Yeah, I miss her too, everyday I do," Thomas answered with a soft smile. "Miss who?" Muffin asked, confused. "Um…" Bluey said as she looked at her brother who smiled at her and nodded letting her know that it was okay to talk about her. Bluey then smiled as she started to explain to Muffin about Thomas's mom even Bingo explained to Muffin the reasons why Thomas would be sad some days.
"I'm sorry Thomas, your mum sounds like a nice dog," Muffin said looking at her cousin. Thomas smiled as he stood up and gave Muffin a hug. "Thanks Muffin, but everyday I'm getting better and better, and with a family like this one I'm always getting better," Thomas said as he gave his sisters and cousins a group hug. "I have a little surprise for you guys," Thomas said as he went into the house. Thomas then came out with a black bag and placed it on the table. "What's in the bag Thomas?" Bingo asked, wagging her tail. "This," Thomas said as he dumped out some water guns and water balloons. "Water gun fight!" Thomas shouted while grabbing a water gun that had water in it. Thomas started spraying the girls. The girls screamed from the cold water as they grabbed the water guns and started to spray Thomas back. After a few hours of water guns and water balloons the siblings and cousins dried off and then laid down in the grass as it started to get dark. "Who's ready for dinner?" Thomas asked as he sat up and looked at his sisters and cousins. "Yeah!" The girls said as they sat up. "Pizza anyone?" Thomas asked. "Yeah," they all replied. Thomas then went into the house and called for a pizza. When he came back with the tablet about to tell the girls it was time to video chat their parents he noticed Bingo and Muffin were whispering to Bluey about something. "What are you guys whispering about?" Thomas asked with a confused look on his face. The three girls started giggling as Bluey walked up to her brother and whispered in his ear. "No! I'm not doing that!" Thomas said hearing what Bluey whispered into his ear. Suddenly Bluey, Bingo and Muffin did a please face. "Sorry guys, that's not going to work on me with just the three of you," Thomas said crossing his arms. "Now Socks," Bluey spoke up. Socks added to their please faces with her own. All four girls were doing a please face. Thomas couldn't hold it in any longer. "Fine! You got me!" Thomas said handing Bluey the tablet and then going into the house to get dressed.
"Do I have to do this!" Thomas asked from the house. "Yes!" Bluey said as she started to get the video call ready. "This is so stupid," Thomas said as he came out to the deck with a ballerina tutu and a clown wig and a red nose. "Why am I doing this again?" Thomas asked now sitting down with his sisters and cousins. "To make mum, dad, Uncle Stripe and Aunt Trixie laugh," Bluey said as she press the green button on the screen to call her mums tablet. Thomas sighed while rolling his eyes "I hope Uncle Rad and Frisky have a boy when they're ready to have kids," Thomas said as the call went through. Chilli then answered the call and to her surprise saw all the kids with Thomas in his costume. Chilli couldn't help but to start laughing. "Thomas? What are you wearing?" Chilli asked, still laughing. "What's my son wearing?" Bandit asked as he got into the frame. Bandit also couldn't help but to laugh as well. "What's going on?" Trixie and Stripe asked as they too got into the frame. Now with all the adults in the frame of the call they all couldn't help their laughter. "Ha ha," Thomas said miserably. Bandit shed a tear from laughing so hard and then caught his breath before speaking. "Mate you let them tell you what wear?" Bandit asked, trying not to laugh some more. "Well, they all missed you guys and if it keeps them happy I'll do anything for them," Thomas said in a lighter mood. The adults started to ease up on their laughing.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. "Good I can take this off and.." Thomas started to say but then was cut off by Bluey. "Nope! You have to wear that to the pizza dog too," Bluey said looking at her brother. "Really dude?" Thomas said looking down at his sister. "Yep," Bluey said with a smile. "Bluey I think-" Chilli started to say but Thomas beat her to it. "Alright," Thomas said he stood up and went to the front door. "Oh my," Chilli said with a chuckle. Thomas went to the front door and opened it. The pizza dog looked at Thomas with a strange look as Thomas handed him the money. "Don't even ask," Thomas said as he took the pizza from the dogs hand. "Have a nice night mate," the pizza dog said with a smile. "Yeah thanks," Thomas said as he closed the door. Thomas then took the pizza to the kitchen and started to get things ready for them to eat. Thomas then overheard what the girls and their parents were talking about.
"We miss you," all the girls said. "We miss you too mates," the adults said, trying not to cry from missing their kids so much. "When will we see you?" Bluey asked. "Sunday sweetie but you guys are having fun with your brother aren't you?" Chilli asked her daughter. "Yeah, he's been really good with us," Bluey replied. "He's the best we could ever ask for," Muffin spoke up. Stripe and Trixie smiled at that. "We had a water gun fight!" Bingo added. "You did? That must have been fun! Me and your brother did that all the time when he was younger," Bandit explained. Thomas chuckled at that feeling warm on the inside. "Are you having fun too Socks?" Stripe asked his youngest daughter. The girls then looked at Socks waiting for her to answer. Socks was shy and got nervous as all the attention was focused on her. Socks then had a sad face and then ran into the house. "Socks!" Stripe and Trixie said as they watched their daughter run into the house. Stripe and Trixie then felt guilty for going on a long trip and leaving their youngest behind.
Socks then came into the kitchen and hid from the other kids under the table. Thomas saw this and went over to her. "Hey kiddo, are you okay?" Thomas asked joining his youngest cousin under the table. "I really miss mummy and daddy," Socks said, tearing up. "I know kid, but you can tell them how you feel on the video call," Thomas said softly trying to get Socks to come out. "Are they mad at me for running away?" Socks asked, looking at her cousin. Thomas shook his head. "No, not at all," Thomas said now sitting next to Socks. "Do you want to try again?" Thomas handing out his hand. Socks hesitated for a second but then nodded in response. "Alright, come on kiddo," Thomas said as he picked up Socks and then headed out to the deck. "Hey girls, why don't you go get some pizza while me and Socks have a little chat with the adults. The girls nodded as they went inside. Thomas then sat down at the picnic table with Socks in his arms.
"Hey sweetheart," Trixie said about to tear up while Stripe stood next to her and held her to comfort her. "Go on kiddo, tell your parents how you feel," Thomas said while holding her to get the courage to talk. "I miss you mummy and daddy," Socks spoke up. Trixie then started to cry as Stripe held her close. "We miss you too honey," Stripe said as he rubbed Trixie's shoulder. "I love you," Socks said with a blush. Stripe and Trixie couldn't help but to chuckle. "We love you too sweetheart us and your aunt and uncle," Trixie said with a smile. Thomas then looked down at Socks and asked. "Do you feel better kiddo?" Thomas asked. Socks then licked her cousin and then got down from his arms and went to join the other girls for dinner.
"Thanks mate, you did good," Stripe said while holding Trixie. "You are a good cousin," Trixie added with a smile. Thomas smiled at that. "Thanks guys," Thomas replied. Bandit and Chilli then took over and smiled at their son. "Thank you for this mate, what would we do without you," Bandit said as he held Chilli lovingly. "You're welcome dad, mom," Thomas said with a smile. "But I can't take you seriously with that costume," Bandit said while laughing again. Thomas rolled his eyes before taking off the costume. Thomas said his goodbyes to his parents and Aunt and Uncle before hanging up the video call. "You piggies better have saved me some pizza!" Thomas said as he jumped from the picnic table and ran into the kitchen.
The End.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: Well this is a sequel type thing to the first "In Your Care" but this time it's with Socks and Muffin. I thought it was sweet for Thomas to comfort Socks as she is the youngest and doesn't really know how to express her feelings just yet so it was good for her oldest cousin to help her with that. Anyways tell your thoughts and feelings about this little sequel to "In Your Care" and I'll see you soon for the main story of Sad Faces and When Loves Around real soon!