Kyle Hayner was being brought by the hand of his "mother" Corrine to engage with what she called "bonding time". Just from the words alone, Kyle immediately went to the obvious conclusion, and began to sweat from the highly-likely outcome.

(Please, don't let it be what I think it is...!)

They had reached the second door he tried to open earlier, and Corrine took out a key from her left pocket to unlock it.

"Inside..." she pleasantly invited her "son", one arm pointed into the new room.

"Okay..." Gulping, Kyle cautiously stepped inside...

"Huh?"

It was a small, sparsely-decorated room. There was a medium-sized table near the back right corner, with two chairs positioned on the side the two could more easily reach.A pirate-themed chest labeled "Toys" rested on the back left corner, which was currently closed. A round, red rug covered nearly the entire floor, somewhat-clashing with the light blue walls and matching with the light brown carpet which peaked out in the corners of the room. And to top it off, this was yet another room devoid of any natural light.

"This is the Bonding Room!" Corrine introduced. "This is where the two of us can just enjoy our company in peace!"

"But there's no one else here..." Kyle said as he entered the room, while his "mom" closed the door.

"There's just something about a small room like this that's...cozy, y'know?" Corrine smiled.

"I can't argue with that..." He sighed, giving a slight smile of his own. There was indeed something quite comfortable being in a room of this size, as opposed to the huge playroom or even his own bedroom.

"So, what would you like to do first, Kyle?"

"I dunno," he replied, shrugging. "What should I do?"

"There's toys over there," Corrine spoke, pointing to the chest. "Or maybe you'd like to play with Mommy?"

"I'll try the toys first..."

Kyle walked over to the chest, opening it to discover the "treasure" inside. These toys seemed smaller than the ones littering the playroom,consistingof little trains, cars, planes, plushes, beanbags, and rattles, among other things that could easily be held with one hand. He dug through the pile, unsatisfied with the topmost items, until he found something he desired...

"Hmm...this's kinda neat!" Kyle spoke, now holding a foam cutlass.

"Oh, feeling like a pirate today?" Corrine said.

"Kinda, I guess...heh heh!"

He swung and waved the sword, feeling the weight in his hands.

"Hah! Take that! Hyaaa!"

Kyle grinned as he pretended to fight off imaginary enemies, while Corrine sat in one of the chairs and happily witnessed her "son" swing his sword all about. In his mind's eye, he was defending his ship from invaders looking to take it over, and Captain Hayner was not about to let anyone take his vessel without a fight.

(I haven't done this in years...this's way more fun than I thought!)

After several minutes of playing pirate, he tossed the sword aside and went through the chest again, this time taking out a rattle. It was light blue on the handle and the orb, which had magenta diamonds horizontally wrapped around it.

(Hmm...cliché, but...also kinda amusing...)

Kyle chuckled to himself as he shook the rattle and took in its sounds. Corrine too found enjoyment from his playtime.

"Would you like a binky to go with that, Kyle?"

"Hmmm...I suppose..."

Corrine got up and went to the chest; it took her a few seconds of scouring to obtain a small cube container, with a picture of a pacifier on all six sides.

"Go on, open it!" she spoke, holding the box in front of Kyle with both hands.

"Okay..." Somewhat reluctantly, he took the lid off and peered inside. There was a plain purple pacifier with a hoop attached to the end opposite of the nipple.

"Well...here goes..."

Kyle took a deep breath, sighed, and popped it in his mouth.

(Hmm...)

He sucked on it for a few seconds, looking all around him as he also shook the rattle.

"How is it?" Corrine asked.

"...I don't really like it," Kyle replied once he took it out of his mouth. "Tastes weird."

"Oh..." She frowned.

"Sorry, Cor--Mom." He shrugged, with an uncertain frown.

"That's such a shame..." Corrine spoke as she took the pacifier and put it back in the box. "You look downright adorable with a binky!"

"Mmmmff..." Kyle turned red, looking away. "Th...Thanks..."

"Of course, sweetie." She gave a slight smile as she rested the box on the table.

"...so...if you don't mind me asking..."

"Yes?"

Kyle put the rattle down and stood up, looking right into Corrine's kind, green eyes as he asked:

"Why...why did you kidna...have me?"

She frowned and looked confused for a brief moment, before smiling again and answering:

"Mommy's always wanted a little baby of her own. Someone to take care of and love with all of her heart. But...well...Mommy wasn't built for it. She...um, couldn't really give birth. Which is why you're so special to me!"

"But...you didn't give birth to me!" Kyle said.

"Mommies aren't bound by silly things like blood! Whoever they take care of is their child, even if they don't look a thing like each other! Don't you agree?"

"I...but...!"

"You may have a Mommy of your own, but whoever truly loves you is what really matters. Sometimes the Mommy that gave birth to you isn't the best Mommy for you. It's sad, but it happens."

"And what if both Moms love me?" Kyle spoke, anger rising within him. "A-Am I just...supposed to pick the one that loves me more or something?!"

Corrine merely shook her head, still giving that content, motherly smile.

"Does your real Mommy love you, Kyle? Can the Mommy that brought you into this world do even half of what I've done for you? You're happier here!"

"How do you know that for sure?!"

"Mommies just know, honey. It's not something you can explain."

Kyle shook in place, both hands balled into fists as he bored a hole right into Corrine with his hateful glare.

"Stop...just, stop it!"

"Kyle..." Corrine approached him, but he merely recoiled, pushing her arms away.

"Don't touch me! Don't...don't ever say anything about my mom again, got it?!" He threateningly pointed her way.

Corrine shook her head, sighing in disappointment.

"If that's how it's going to be, then fine. But if you keep this up, I'm not making you that special lunch I promised. And I'm going to send you to time-out. Understand?"

"Whatever..." Kyle crossed his arms and looked away.

"...is there anything you need?"

"No...um, well..."

Turning back around, he blushed and frowned in embarrassment.