Chapter 17: Adorable Dorothy

Humming a soft tune to myself I took the spray bottle of cleaning solution in my hand and sprayed some on the window. I used a dry rag next to wipe down the window from all the germs and stains. "There we go, all spick and span!", I finished wiping my brow.

This was the last window I had to clean. Me and Dylan had to hurry up and tidy up the house before Doug and Delilah came from work. Thankfully Dolly is keeping all the pups occupied in the backyard.

"There any thing else you want me to do?", I asked Dylan who was carrying a bucket full of laundry.

"If you could take out the trash I'd greatly appreciate it.", He responded.

I nodded and playfully saluted to him like a Drill sergeant, "Oki Doki Loki." I headed into the kitchen and heaved a trash bag over my shoulder. This bag was annoyingly heavy, but thankfully the dumpster was right across the street. Once I was at the dumpster I tossed the trash bag in.

SNAP!

I flash struck my eyes temporarily blinding me. Once my vision came back to me I saw the same kid that was stalking me and Dolly a couple of days ago just sitting there in bushes. Watching me with a camera in his palms.

It was only a matter of time that noticed I could see him. He took off leaving me puzzled. "That was weird...", I muttered in confusion heading back to house to continue helping Dylan.

Once inside I closed the door behind me. I walked into the basement where Dylan was folding laundry. He must've noticed my shocked facial expression. "You ok Aaron?", He asked.

"Yeah I'm good, just thought I'd saw something outside. Just being paranoid I guess.", I chuckled. "There anything else you want me to do?"

"Hmm...Well we wiped down the windows, took out the trash, cleaned all the rooms in the house, we vaccuumed, and did the laundry. So we're done with everything.", He stated.

"Well that's a relief, I'm gonna go check up on Dolly and the puppies to see how they're doing.", I added heading upstairs.

I walked past the living room giving it a quick glance, but stopped in my tracks seeing Dante one of the eldest/younger siblings just staring out the window. Dante gave me some weird emo vibes everytime I was around him from the dark color of his fur to the clothes he wore.

He'd would also rant about how my arrival was a sign of the end or How close-minded we were about how close the end was blah! blah! blah! Armageddon is near. Just your casual Dante stuff.

I guess I'll leave him too it. I getting ready to continue my journey going out back until I heard,

"You saw him didn't you?"

I looked back at Dante who was no longer staring out the window, but was staring right in my direction. "Uhhhh..."

"You did see him!", He accused and chuckled manically. Uh oh! I can already feel the end of the world rant coming on.

"That boy knows something we don't! I can see it in his eyes!", Dante ranted then looked at me with a now more serious approach. "Are you with him? What's he planning?" His face was now uncomfortably pressed against mine with a crazed smile.

He seemed more thrilled about than upset about the whole thing. "Ok Dante, you're taking this too far. I don't know who that kid is or what he wants, but my best guess is he's just some creepy kid with a camera who doesn't know what personal boundaries is.", I assumed. "Like a certain paranoid dalmatian who's on me right now."

He got the memo from my last sentence and gave me space. "Fine!, But you'll see how right I am in the end! You'll all see!", He snapped and stormed down the hallway. "AND I'LL BE THE ONE TO HAVE THE LAST LAUGH!!!"

I shook my head trying to deny his crazy conspiracy. What if he's right? What if that kid is planning something? No. I mentally slapped myself. "Don't let Dante rub off on you Aaron. Just enjoy the rest of your day.", I kept telling myself.

-8:30pm-

"AAAAHHH!!!", We all let out a high pitched scream. If you're wondering why we're all screaming. We are watching the movie Coraline. The only one who didn't seem to be afraid in the least was Dorothy who was sitting in my lap deeply infactuated by the movie.

"Run Girl! Run!", Dolly shouted at Coraline who was running away from the Beldam. We all cheered for Coraline as she crawled through the tunnel that led to her home.

This movie is surprisingly terrifying for a kids movie. Little girl running from a demon that tricks children into think she's their "other mother" and then sows button's into their eyes and makes them stay with her forever is pure nightmare fuel for me.

The rest of the movie was calm. With Coraline defeating the Beldam and accepting her normal life with her real parents and neighbors.

I yawned and rubbed my eyes. "Alright pups bedtime!", Dylan announced recieving "Aws" from all the puppies. He led them all upstairs one by one.

The only one who stayed behind was Dorothy. "Come on Dorothy.", Dylan said.

Dorothy shook her head no and hugged me tightly nuzzling her head into my stomach. She's just so cute! She's just like a little marshmallow. "Awwww.", Dolly cooed.

"I'll put to her bed Dylan.", I offered.

"You sure? She's a handful when it's bedtime.", He urged. I nodded picking up Dorothy holding her close.

"I'll help him if it gets tough. Don't worry Dylan.", Dolly gestured.

"Alright then, I'll be in my room if you need any help with her."

I took Dorothy upstairs with Dolly following closely behind me. Dorothy nuzzled her little furry head under my neck making my heart melt with joy. How hard could it really be to put a one year old to bed?

-30 minutes later-

I spoke too soon Dorothy is super duper stubborn. As soon as I put her in the crib just cries and reaches out for me. Dolly even tried rocking her to sleep, but that didn't work.

"Aw dude, What we do?", Dolly asked covering her ears from the loud screaming toddler.

"I don't know!", I panicked. What could we do?

Wait...there is one thing I can do. Oh I can't believe I'm about to do this. I went to Dorothy's crib and held her close.

I begun humming a soft tune to her maybe...a song will work.

Song of The Sea (A/n: This is a real song)

Hush now my darling

Close your eyes and sleep

Waltzing the waves

Diving the Deep

Stars are shining bright

The Wind is on the rise

Whispering words of long lost lullabies

Oh won't you come with me?

Where the moon is made of gold!

And in the morning sun

We'll be sailing

Oh won't you come with me?

Where the ocean meets the sky

And as the clouds roll by

We'll the sing the song of the sea

I had a dream last night

And heard the sweetest sound

I saw a great white light

And dancers in ths round

Castles in the sand

Cradles in the trees

Don't cry, I'll see you by and by!

Oh won't you come with me?

Where the moon is made of gold!

And in the morning sun

We'll be sailing

Oh won't you come with me?

Where the ocean meets the sky!

And as clouds roll by

We'll sing the song of the sea!

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

[Beautiful humming and music]

Oh won't you come with me?

Where the moon is made of gold!

And in the morning sun

We'll be sailing free!

Oh won't you come with me?

Where the ocean meets the sky!

And as the clouds roll by

We'll sing the song of the sea...

After finishing the song the sound crying had ceased, but a soft snoring came from my arms. Dorothy's eyes were closed and she had a small peaceful smile on her face.

I carefully put Dorothy in the crip and tucked her in. "Goodnight, Sweet dreams.", I whispered.

I turned around, but froze. Dolly had a heartwarming facial expression. Behind her peeking in through the door wad Dylan, Doug, and Deliah all sharing the same expressions as Dolly.

I could already begin to feel myself start to blush from embarrassment.

"Aaron we didn't know you could sing.", Dolly smiled. "What song was that anyway?"

"Just a song I used to hear on the radio a lot when I was younger.", I stated bashfully fiddling with my hands. "I'm surprised I still remember the lyrics. I haven't heard the song since I was four."

"You look tired.", Dylan mentioned.

He could say that again. I let out a long yawn and stretched. "Well I should get going. It's getting pretty late.", I said heading to the front door.

"Hold on there Aaron don't go just yet.", Delilah said stopping me in my tracks.

Doug walked towards me and held out his hand. In his hand was at least fifty dollars worth of cash. "No it's fine you don't have to pay me.", I refused.

"No bud we insist.", Doug said placing the money in my palm. "After all you helped Dylan and Dolly keep the place tidy while we were out and helped watch over the pups."

"Well thanks, But I love to help in general.", I politely added. "See you all next ti-" Dolly brought me into a tight hug.

"You're the best Aaron.", She whispered into my ear before letting me go. I waved goodbye and left out.

I fell face first into my bed not wanting to get up. Today was a long and awesome. I closed eyes preparing a deep slumber.

"I hope things stay like this and never change.", I muttered.