Two hours had passed, Ian was back at home and he had just announced his plans to live alone. Amy was as shocked as everyone, she didn't think he would come to such a decision but she was curious to where this was going. Alex fell quiet but one could see the evident fury on her face. She suddenly broke out into a laugh, throwing her head back before leaning forward to slap her thighs seeming amused. One would think she had just heard the best joke ever.
"Did you hear him? Did you all hear him? The first thing he says is he wants to live on his own", she laughed again. Stella and Richard frowned when they saw this.
"Mom-" he started but he was interrupted by his angry mother.
"Not one word from you. You just disappear putting us all in a panic then you suddenly come back with not so much as an explanation, and the first thing you say is what?" Alex spoke through gritted teeth whilst trying to keep her tears under control.
"Mom-" his face swung to the side before a red hand print appeared on his cheek.
While everyone was startled by the slap he had received, Alex was breathing hard after hitting him. Still, Ian didn't say a word nor make a move. The room fell eerily quiet. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at her son in disbelief.
"Alex, hitting him won't solve the issue", Richard reprimanded he stood in between the mother and son.
He was displeased with his grandson's actions but he had never approved of hitting children. Alex had learned this from him but he could understand how upset she was to the point of hitting him.
Stella frowned when she saw how horrified Stacy was by the exchange between her mother and brother. The little one was hidden behind her with eyes wide displaying fear and confusion while her little hands clutched the Hem of her grandma's blouse. Stella scooped her in her arms making sure Stacy's attention was on hers.
"Stacy, how about a sleepover at Aunt Emily's?" She caressed the little one's cheeks.
Stacy looked to her mom wanting to ask her for permission like she had been taught but changed her mind right away. When Amy saw this, her heart broke as she moved to where Stacy and Stella were.
"Would you like to hang out at my place?"
"Is that okay Aunt Emily?" Stacy's eyes sparkled as she looked at her. Amy felt like her heart had melted at the girl's cuteness when she reached over to carry her.
"No, let her walk", Stella gestured with her eyes at Amy's stomach.
Amy nodded before Stella let down Stacy. The little one said goodnight to her elders even to her mother who gave her a kiss on the top of her head. They left walking hand-in-hand. To Amy's worry, Stacy was quiet the whole time they walked to her place.
As she ushered them to her room, she noticed that the little one's brows were pulled in confusion. She looked at the time and it was a little after eight. Throughout the whole ordeal, they had already had dinner with Alex barely managing a few bites.
Amy knelt down to face Stacy. "Can you bath yourself or should I help you?"
"I can handle it. But...." Stacy's lips were pulled into a cute pout while she played with her dress. Amy figured something was wrong; was it something she was embarrassed about? She reached out to gently tuck away her brown curls from her face.
"You can tell me sweetie."
Stacy relaxed when she saw Amy's gentle smile. "I don't have my pajamas with me... And my mommy brushes my hair before I sleep."
"We can sort out the pajamas. As for the hair, how about I brush it for you? You can help me brush mine", Amy suggested.
Stacy's eyes lit up from the idea before she quickly nodded in enthusiasm making Amy laugh. Amy let her use her bathtub to bath while she rammaged through her wardrobe as she looked for a blouse that could work as a dress for Stacy. When she found one, she went to check on Stacy who was done before drying her up and helping her into the blouse.
Amy settled her down on the stool in front of her dressing table. She took a comb and stood behind her before she started brushing Stacy's hair. The little task felt so satisfying under Amy's fingers she suddenly started to wish for a girl. She felt giddy at the thought of brushing her possibly daughter's hair in the future.
"Aunt Emily, what's this?" Stacy pointed at a cosmetic bottle.
"Oh! That's a toner", Amy answered. She was about to explain what it is when the toddler asked her more questions.
"What's a toner? And what about this one?"
She patiently explained the use for it in the simplest way before answering all her questions. Stacy was intrigued by the many face products Amy had. Even though she preferred to use minimal makeup, she needed to have good skin first in order to achieve that hence the many facial products.
Soon they were done and Amy tucked her into bed. She decided to have her bath once she puts the little one to sleep. Stacy only agreed after Amy promised to let her brush her hair the next day in the morning.
"Aunt Emily, can I ask you something?" Stacy looked cute from the way Amy bundled her up under the sheets. Amy hummed in response.
"Does mommy hate Ian? Is that why she hit him?"
Amy fell quiet and hummed in thought as her brain wracked the simplest way to help her understand. "Mmm, your mommy doesn't hate him. It's just that Ian did something bad that upset her, that's why."
"Does that mean mommy will hit me too if I do something bad?"
"No, sweetie. Mm, Stacy, let me ask you a question. Do you ever get so upset sometimes you throw things away like say your favorite toy?"
"Yeah."
"Does that mean you hate it? What about when you're not angry anymore?"
"No, I don't hate it. And I feel bad afterwards."
"Right? So sometimes, we do things out of anger; things that we later feel bad about once we're not angry anymore. Which is why we shouldn't do things when we're angry. Your mother is no exception. I can assure you that she feels bad for hitting your brother but they'll talk about it and everything will be okay again. What's my point? Your mother loves you both so much she would never intentionally hurt you. But if you do something bad, tell her about it and how sorry you are. I'm sure she won't be angry with you or hit you."
"Okay Aunt Emily. I understand", Stacy nodded.
"Good. Now go to sleep, we have to wake up early tomorrow so you can help me get ready for work", she coaxed her to which Stacy nodded.
"Can you read me a story? Mommy always reads me one or sings to me."
"Mm... I don't have a book but I can sing you a song", Amy suggested.
The only song she could think of was one for her cupcake. 'I guess I'll sing for you both', she mused. When she got Stacy's approval, she started singing while gently patting the top of the sheets. Under Amy's singing her cupcake's 'I choose you', Stacy quickly succumbed to sleep and went off to Dreamland.
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