justagirl4fun

"It's definitely been a while. I think you were right. Must be going through a growth spurt. So I was thinking tomorrow morning I'd run to Wal-Mart and pick up Rowan's formula. Is there anything else you think we need for her right away?"

Alex got up and found the pink chewy tube for Kaley. The thought of her chewing on the corner of that quilt that got dragged everywhere just grossed him out. Rocky was a little torn...the tablet was finally back in her hands, but soccer was so much better on the big screen - and it was Kaley's fault she couldn't watch it. Stupid Kaley. But arguing was futile with Alex around, so she accepted the tablet, found the streaming service that aired the games, and scrolled through until she found a replay of a match she hadn't watched yet.

Peter carefully shifted Izzy so he could get up, then laid her down and covered her with a blanket. "Well, I certainly didn't expect it to be so quiet this early," he said as he joined Michelle in the kitchen. "I can't remember the last time Iz fell asleep this early and I was sure Rowan would be more difficult."

Alex stroked Kaley's hair soothingly. "It's okay, just relax." He turned when he heard his wife's voice. His first instinct was to say no - after all, he had told Rocky she wouldn't be using the tablet any time soon - but he didn't have much of a leg to stand on after his actions that morning. "I guess so. But only for a little while."

It didn't take long for Rowan to drift off, still clutching the little doll. Halfway through the book she was snoring softly. Peter had never heard of the movie, but it seemed okay. He was surprised to see her falling asleep so early, but figured with a recital coming up soon they must have worked especially hard in class that afternoon.

"Can we watch a soccer game," Rocky asked, just wanting to sit on the couch and snuggle?" "You want to watch Bluey? We can do that." Alex scooped Kaley up and headed back downstairs. He got settled on the couch and found the episode she'd left off at the night before.

Rowan nodded. She liked being read to and didn't really care what was being read. Peter went back down and joined Izzy on the couch. "So, what are we watching tonight?"

Rocky nodded and started tugging at the swimsuit. Once it was off she selected a pair of soft fleece shorts and a hoodie. Even though it was too warm for such clothing she found the soft fabric comforting. Alex hugged Kaley, realizing after a moment that she'd wet herself. "Okay, let's go get changed," he said and carried her to her room to pick out something to wear.

"You got that?" Peter asked, feeling a little guilty for sticking his wife with dirty diaper duty - and that one did not sound good. "I told Izzy I'd watch a movie with her."

Rocky just shook her head and popped a thumb in her mouth, trying to calm down. It wasn't okay, nothing was okay any more. He hadn't hit her that hard, but even with the way he'd been acting since Kaley's arrival she had never expected him to hit her at all. "I know, I did hit Rocky. I shouldn't have done that and I'm sorry I scared you," Alex apologized. "but I promise I will never, ever hit you. Ever." He wanted to hug her but worried he would just scare her even more at this point.

"Babe, wait, don't put her to bed yet. She needs her medicine first!" Peter called upstairs after Michelle. "Go ahead, pick something out and I'll be right back." They had set up a Netflix account for Izzy, so he knew she could find something appropriate to watch. He checked the list, gathered up the required meds and a handful of syringes, and headed upstairs to help Michelle. Halfway through her meds Rowan grunted, and suddenly her previously clean diaper was decidedly not. She looked at Michelle sheepishly. "Uh oh."

"Inside," Rocky cried into her mother's shoulder. Never mind that she had played in the water for less time than it took Sarah to set the thing up - between the too-small swimsuit that was currently giving her a major wedgie and Alex hitting her, she was over it. Alex suddenly felt guilty for striking his daughter, if only because it scared Kaley. "No, no,no, I'm not going to hit you, I promise. You're a good girl, I will never hit you."

Rowan took a few sips and pushed the cup away. Even though it was still fairly early she was already getting tired and yawned a few times. "Sure go ahead, you can have mine, too," Peter said, not being a fan of the cookies.

Alex reached over and slapped Rocky across the face. Promise or no promise, he'd had enough of her antagonizing Kaley. "Knock it off," he ordered before following after Kaley again. "Kaley, it's okay. You don't have to go in the water. Calm down." He was truly baffled that the girl was freaking out so bad over a dinky little splash pad when she didn't even put up a fight when he put her in the tub, which certainly held a lot more water. Rocky just sat and cried. First she got yelled at to change into this stupid old swimsuit when the brat wouldn't even wear her new one, and then Alex actually hit her over a little splash of water that didn't even hurt anyone? None of it seemed fair.

"Juice? Please?" Rowan had a hard time understanding hunger cues, since she got fed whether she was hungry or not, but would almost always accept juice if offered, though she didn't usually drink much.

Rocky rolled her eyes as Alex went after Kaley. As far as she was concerned the dumb girl could just run away and that would be just fine. She splashed at her a little as she passed by. "Kaley, why are you so upset?" Alex asked.

Rowan nodded and let Michelle proceed. Michelle seemed much kinder and more patient than the couple she had stayed with the last few days and she sensed that she could trust her. "Well, we just bought all those new summer clothes, so it better not be too much of a growth spurt!" Peter joked, then shrugged at Izzy's request. "If you're really that hungry go ahead. Just go slow."

Rocky just wanted to have fun, but it was so hard when it seemed like everyone was against her. If she didn't talk, she was told to use her words. If she did use her words, she was told she wasn't nice. She couldn't win! She sat in the middle of the splash pad, but found it hard to enjoy herself when she could tell everyone was mad at her. "Kaley, what's wrong? Do you want to wait til Rocky's done, and you can play by yourself?" he asked, thinking she just didn't want to play with Rocky.

"Don't like it," Rowan said softly. "Smells funny." "Hey, easy, you're going to choke! Smaller bites," Peter ordered. "Geez, you'd think we were starving this kid!"

"Well this swimsuit isn't nice!" Rocky cried as she tugged at the straps. It wasn't tight enough to be painful, exactly, but with her sensory issues it was definitely unpleasant. Alex closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He wanted to cut his daughter some slack, as he had promised, but she was making it so hard. When he opened his eyes he saw how nervous Kaley was and rubbed her back soothingly, though he assumed she was upset because of Rocky, not that she didn't want to play in the splash pad. "Hey, it's okay. Let's get changed, and if she doesn't play nice she can go to her room, okay?"

Rowan sat in her chair and wrinkled her nose, not liking the smell of the Chinese food. "Whoa whoa whoa, easy there kiddo! Let's start with half and see if you're still hungry after that," Peter suggested as he scooped some back in the carton.

Rocky stormed past Alex and Kaley, stomped upstairs, and found her old swimsuit. It was from two years ago, a sky blue tank with the faces of the Seseme Street characters. She was a big girl now, she didn't even watch that show any more! The new one was so much better - the bottoms were black with a neon green stripe down each side, while the sports bra-style top was neon rainbow striped. She even had neon rainbow sandals to match! Hot tears streamed down her face as she squeezed into it. It did fit, technically, but she could feel the straps digging into her shoulders and the back riding up. Coming back outside she threw the new one in Kaley's direction. "Don't ruin it!" she barked, stopping just short of what might be considered yelling.

"You're a good helper," Peter praised as he loaded the food into the car and watched while Izzy got buckled in. A few minutes later they were home. "Dinner's here!" he called before starting to set the table.

Rocky's plan was instantly forgotten. "Why?" she protested. "It's mine! I didn't even get to wear it yet! She can't keep havin' all my stuff!" "Mouse can come, but I think he better stay on the porch and watch," Alex said, not wanting to see what drama might unfold if the stuffed animal had to take a trip through the washer and dryer.

With Izzy gone Rowan came out of hiding and started exploring the playroom. She soon found a coloring book and box of crayons and started scribbling away. "Yes, you can get one this time," Peter said, hoping to keep the girl happy.