Disclaimer: Don't own Spongebob, don't own the Rugrats, don't own Sands.
Dedication: I dedicate this to the lady whose kids I baby-sit for, for letting me watch the movie once the kids fell asleep. That's where I got most of the inspiration for this chapter.
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The sun was beginning to set when Trillian awoke, sending dark orange hues through the window shades. The faint voices of Lina, Rei, and occasionally Sands floated through the closed door, making Trillian feel horrible for just abandoning them. Yet, she didn't want to get up. She could have just lied there forever, feeling sorry for herself.
She rolled out of bed, taking her shoes (which she had been sleeping in) off and setting them next to the dresser. She yawned, and then stood up, going into the bathroom. She fixed her messy hair and washed up, then went out to face whoever wanted a confrontation, probably Sands.
She walked down the hall, seeing Rei and Sands in the kitchen, and Lina watching TV in the living room across the hall; the flimsy, windowed doors closed.
"Well, good evening, Sleeping Beauty!" Rei chirped when she saw Trillian, smiling widely.
"Hi, Rei." Trillian said smiling gratefully for the lack of attitude and sarcasm on Rei's part.
Sands turned his head to acknowledge her presence, but other than that, stayed quiet.
Trillian pulled a chair out from the dining room set, taking a seat slowly. Sands shuffled his feet, and Rei cleared her throat.
"Mummy, Spongebob's over!" Lina shouted loudly, then saw Trillian. She ran to the doors and threw them open, and dashed to where she sat. She threw her arms around her waist, hugging her as tight as she could.
"Hi, Lina." Trillian said, stroking her blonde hair.
"How are you doing?" The child asked, standing up straight again.
"I'm doing better, thanks." Trillian said, smiling slightly.
"That's good." Lina said, nodding in approval. Then the tinny music on the TV signaled Lina's loss of attention.
"Uh-oh, I gotta go watch Rugrats!" She said, sprinting back to the living room and closing the doors.
Rei smiled.
"She really likes you." She said, impressed. "Usually she doesn't warm up to people that quickly."
"Hmmm." Was all Trillian said, resting her elbow on the table and staring off into space.
"Jeffrey and I spoke...and...we thought it would be best that we go back to Texas." Rei said finally, her tone apologetic.
Trillian's entire body felt like it had been submerged in ice water.
"Back to America?" Trillian said, standing up slowly.
"I mean...we don't want to be in your hair anymore...it's got to be stressful for you." Rei said gently.
"But I...don't mind the company." Trillian said, wanting to shout 'Please, don't leave me alone here! Can't you see I'm suffering?'
"I think it would be best for you, best for Jeffrey." Rei said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Sands hadn't spoken this whole time; he was busy looking sullen and broody.
"...So, Lina and I will leave tomorrow morning. It's a seven hour drive, so we should leave early." Rei added.
"W-what about Jeffrey?" Trillian stammered, looking over at him, confused.
"He'll stay here with you, of course. Unless you're too sick of him, then we'll get him out of here." Rei said, smiling weakly.
"Oh. I mean, okay." Trillian said, nodding. "It'll get really quiet around here, though...are you sure you don't want to stay with us a few more days?"
"I...I don't know, Trill. I only brought enough for Lina and I to wear for another day or so."
"Just one more day, Aurelia." Sands finally said, turning his head in her direction.
Trillian froze. Just one more day...those words stung her.
"Well...okay." Rei said, nodding. "Just until Thursday, though." She added.
Today is Tuesday already...Trillian thought. The Day of the Dead was on a Sunday. Sands had been living with her for two days already.
"It's settled, then." Trillian said, smiling. It wasn't her that was smiling...it was a stranger with her face. Not real emotion.
Sands walked to the sliding patio door, fumbled for the handle, found it, pulled it open, and went outside. Rei and Trillian watched him get to a patio chair and lay on it, all without much trouble.
Rei went over and closed the door behind him, then pulled up a chair at the table, gesturing Trillian to sit down.
"I'm sorry about your sister, Trill, I really am. I know what it's like to lose someone you love, believe me. Our mother...and when Jeffrey called, and I heard what happened...I almost lost him, too, Trillian." Rei said sympathetically.
"I know...I just wish...God, there's so much...both her kids were in the car as well, Rei. I don't have anyone left." Trillian said hollowly.
"You have us." Rei said, gesturing to Lina, who was calmly watching television, then Sands, whom she assumed had fallen asleep. "And I know that doesn't seem like much. But we'll stick together, and we'll make it through this."
Trillian searched Rei's face, and all she saw was kindness there. Kindness, and sympathy.
The door to the living room flew open.
"Mummy, I have a head-ake." She said, rubbing the side of her head furiously.
"She's been complaining about that all day, even when you were asleep." Rei said, frowning in bewilderment, standing up and heading over.
Trillian pursed her lips.
"Maybe she has a cold or something." She said, shrugging as she stood up and went outside.
Sands lay there, unmoving.
"You know, if you died, I probably wouldn't know it." She said, sitting on the side of his chair.
"Better be nice to me, then." Sands said with a ghost of a smile.
"Have I been anything but?" Trillian protested.
"No comment."
"What do you mean by that? I saved your life!"
"Yeah, and?"
"And you're being ungrateful."
"It's in my nature to do so."
"Well...fine."
"Fine."
"That's what I said."
With that, they both started to laugh.
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R&R!