Disclaimer: I own ONLY AnneMarie, Fabiola, Madam Velosomikh and Madamé Císerosa.

Summary: This may be out of order in whatever way, but hey, its my story, I get to decide how it goes. ;-) Sorry if it takes a while for me to get it posted, but I've been writing it in whatever time I get between classes and stuff and I'm laptop less so its all scribbled down on paper and I've actually gotta find time to type it all up. But hopefully I'll find enough time somewhere. =) Also, I've decided to make it easier on people to let me know what they think, and give me more ideas of what to write. If you would like, I can be reached via email or Yahoo! messenger at AdorableKittens2002@Yahoo.com or via AOL instant messenger as PrincessSpzMnky . Feel free to drop me a line if you'd like. =) Happy Reading! =)

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Author's Note: I'm sorry if these last few chapters have seriously sucked. I'm really sick right now, with a high fever, and the only reason I'm even up is because I'm sick of the couch and worshiping the porcelain god. So I figured I'd try entertaining myself before I fall asleep again. Sorry if I'm boring everyone, just bear with me. There's good stuff coming up soon. =)



Running Ragged

"Kim, Cecelia is on the phone for you." AnneMarie said walking into Kimberly's office with the cordless phone. "And Tommy says he'll meet you for dinner at 5."

"Thanks AnneMarie. Will you do me a favor though?"

"Sure."

"Will you go upstairs and check on Mariah. I haven't heard one single noise from her, over the baby monitor, at all."

"I'm sure she's fine, but I'll go check anyway." AnneMarie agreed, handing Kimberly the phone.

"Kimberly Hart." Kimberly said taking her call.

"Kimberly, its Cecelia. There's a problem with your shipment."

"Oh no . . . I need those skirts by Monday. I'm opening the store on Friday and need the rest of the clothes by Monday, so I can make sure everything is set up before the party Friday night."

"I'm sorry Kimberly, but I don't think I can get them to you before next Monday."

"Well I need you to try! Do whatever you have to do, I need those skirts by Monday, at the latest! Where are they right now?"

"They're stuck in France."

"Where in France?"

"I believe they are in Paris at the distribution center."

"Can I have them picked up?"

"I'm not sure. I can check that for you though."

"Good! Find out if they can be picked up. If they can, I need you to call this number. Ask for Darlene, she's my mother. Tell her I really need a huge favor, and have her get the skirts and bring them with her when she flies out."

"Ok, I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks Cecelia, let me know what you find out." Kimberly said, then hung up as the phone rang again. "Oliver Residence, Kimberly speaking!"

"Kim, its Aisha. How are you?"

"Stressed out. My skirts are stuck somewhere in France and I can't get them before next week, and I need them by Monday, for the opening on Friday. How are you?"

"Ok, chill pill Kim. Why don't you go take Mariah out today, and let me handle everything for the store."

"I can't Aisha. I would love to take the day off, but I just can't. I'm so stressed out right now, I have to keep working before I go crazy trying to get everything done by next Friday. And I'm already taking time off to meet Tommy for dinner at 5."

"Ok, I'll tell you what I'm going to do . . . I'm coming over to your house, and kidnaping your phone. And then I'm going to take your daughter, dress her up really cute, place her in your arms, and force you to go out and enjoy yourself for the day."

"Aisha . . . . . I really can't . . . . . ."

"I didn't ask. I'll take care of everything. Trust me! You just enjoy your daughter for the day. Its 7:30 in the morning and you're already completely stressed out. I'll be over in 15 minutes, and you are going to take the day off, no questions asked! Got it?"

"You really are my best friend, aren't you?"

"And you had better never forget it either!" Aisha said with a bright smile, before hanging up the phone. "I'll see you in 15 minutes."

~ ~ ~ 3:30 That Afternoon ~ ~ ~

"Hey Jase, is Tommy busy?" Kimberly asked, walking into the dojo, with Mariah.

"He's teaching a class right now, but I'm sure he'll take a break for you. How are you doing? Tommy said you're really busy getting everything ready for next week."

"I'm so stressed out Jase! But Aisha forced me to take a day off today. She's at my house handling all the phone calls, while I spend the day with Mariah."

"Sounds like a good idea to me. You've been running around like a chicken with your head cut off since you bought the store 3 weeks ago. Its about time you took a day off."

"You sound like Aisha."

"Kim . . . You need a break . . . Anyway, how's my favorite little niece?" Jason asked, squatting down to look at Mariah, who was sound asleep in her car seat.

"She's doing great! She's the best baby I could have ever asked for!"

"Has she been asleep all day?"

"Pretty much."

"Good! Then you won't mind me waking her up!" Jason said, taking the car seat from Kimberly and setting it down on the floor, to take Mariah out of it.

"Jase . . . . ."

"Oh please! You're Mommy, you're supposed to be the mean one that lets her sleep. But I'm Uncle Jason! Its my job to spoil her rotten!"

"Fine . . ." Kimberly sighed.

"Oh look! She's already awake anyway!" he said grinning, as he lifted the baby out of her car seat. "Hey Mariah! How are you Sweetie?"

"Sensei Jason, is that your baby?" one of the students asked, walking up next to him.

"I wish! This is Sensei Tommy's baby. She's cute, isn't she?"

"Uh huh!"

"I'm gonna go see if I can pull my husband away for a minute." Kimberly said, then kissed Mariah's forehead and walked away.

"Mariah, your Mommy is so stressed out! You really need to tell her to take a chill pill." Jason said pushing the car seat into a corner, then sitting down in a chair next to it. "How's my favorite little girl? Your Mommy says you've been really good lately!"

In The Meantime . . . . . .

"Ok, why don't we take a break for a few minutes. Go grab a drink, and we'll meet back here in 10 minutes." Tommy announced to his class, as he saw Kimberly step into the back of the room. Tommy's class quickly bowed to him, then took off for their break, as Tommy headed toward his wife. "Hey Honey! What are you doing here?"

"Aisha made me take the day off, and I spent all day shopping with Mariah, trying to get my mind off the store, and I already stopped by your Mom's to say hi, and I still had time, so I figured I'd stop by here and see how your day is going."

"Its good! Jason and I ran errands this morning and had a couple meetings after that, then spent the rest of the time before classes started, working out with Rocky. Its been a pretty good day. You look a little more relaxed, than you were this morning."

"I feel a little more relaxed. Aisha is at the house handling all my calls and stuff, so I'm kind of freaked out about how that's going, but she said if I called to ask about it, she' just hang up on me. I'm just trying not to think about it."

"Where's Mariah?"

"She's with Jason. He decided to wake her up."

"Uncle Jason to the rescue!" Tommy laughed.

"Yeah, something like that." Kimberly said flatly.

"Sweetie, come here. You look like you could use a hug." Tommy said, pulling Kimberly into his arms. "Its going to be ok. I promise! Just try to relax."

"I can't. One of my shipments is stuck somewhere in France, and I need it by Monday, but can't get it for another week."

"Can your Mom get it for you? Maybe she can bring it when she comes out?"

"That's what I'm trying for. But even if she can, that won't even be until Wednesday night, and I need the skirts by Sunday!"

"Ok, Kim, chill pill. You're really stressed out, and I understand it, but its not good for you. You really need to relax."

"I can't Tommy, I've tried. I can't relax until after the grand opening party next week."

"Kimberly . . . . ." Tommy said sighing. "Ok . . . . . Here's what we're going to do. Why don't you leave Mariah with Jason, and go lay down on the couch in my office and take a nap. I'll be done with my class in an hour, and then we can go do dinner and a movie or something."

"Tommy, I can't . . . . ."

"Yes you can. Come on, I'll even walk you in there." he said, leading Kimberly out of the room, and toward his office. "Jase, will you watch Mariah? Bring her to me if you need to. Kimberly is going to take a nap in my office until I'm done teaching."

"No prob Bro! Sweet Dreams Kim!" Jason said, giving her a warm smile as she followed Tommy into his office.

"Ok Kimberly, I really would like you to take a nap. You really need it." Tommy said as she plopped down on the couch.

"I'm not tired."

"Yes you are. You've been up since Mariah woke up at 4:00 this morning. Just put your feet up, lay down, and try to take a nap."

"Tommy . . . . ."

"Shhhhh . . ." he said, putting his finger to her lips. "No excuses . . . I'm taking your shoes off, and you're going to lay down and take a nap, until I'm done teaching, ok?"

"I don't need a nap Tommy . . ." Kimberly said softly, trying to stifle a yawn.

"Right . . . . . I believe you . . . . . Get some sleep Honey. I love you!" Tommy said laying her down, and giving her a gentle kiss, before leaving the office to go back to his class.





To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .