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"Love you too, Katie." Charlie laughed.

Claire let Kris pull her out the door but gave her a small swat once they were outside. "That was a little rude, Kris. You'll apologize to Rocky and Danni next time we see them."

Charlie hugged Katie tightly, rubbing her back lightly. She was glad Katie still felt comfortable hugging her.

"Let's go. Danni and Rocky seem a little preoccupied anyway." Claire said, glancing at their best friends and chuckling.

"I know you're not happy about us getting on your case about your eating or your doctor appointment, but we do it because we love you and want you to be healthy." Charlie explained. "And I think you know that deep down. Now then, can I have a hug?"

"Good." Claire said and began playing with Kris's hair.

"Come here Katie." Charlie said, feeling warmed that Katie called her that even when trying to push her away. She held her arms open for a hug.

"And then do you have everything done for the next couple of days?" Claire asked.

"If I need to." Charlie said, not saying that if the girls put themselves in danger or their health, she'd be discussing more serious consequences with her wife.

Claire's own eyes darken in response. "You need to get your work done first, Kris."

"I'd hope you agree because you don't want your mother and I to worry." Charlie said pointedly, not appreciating Katie's tone but shoving down any frustration before it could show in her face or voice. "And that's your choice if that's how you want to arrive to your appointment. We've always treated you girls like young women because that's how you behaved. If you want to act like a naughty toddler, then we'll treat you like that."

"Patience, Kris." Claire chuckled, since she had to wait until Kris's drawings were done or handed in anyway.

"You're not fucked up, Katie. You've had a rough life." Charlie sighed, wishing deeply she could have protected her girls from birth. Charlie became uncharacteristically stern for a second as she put her foot down on the matter.

"You okay?" Claire asked softly, worried she'd pushed too far.

"It could be stress, not a health condition. Or your hormones shifting. Maybe even a final growth spurt." Charlie explained, "We'll see tomorrow when you and Addy get check ups."

"Thank you." Claire said and gave Kris a quick kiss.

"Watch your tone, Katie. I'm not speaking disrespectfully to you." Charlie said, still sounding calm and unaffected, but having picked up on the edge in Katie's tone and knew how quickly that edge could become something more. "And if you misbehave, you'll get punished just how we explained when you girls first came to live with us. We're not going to let you put yourselves or your health in jeporady."

"I don't know. You'll have to wait and see and

"And now than I'm aware of it I can correct it." Charlie said, not rising to Katie's attempt at baiting her. They'd been warned about this. That the girls might push harder if they started feeling secure with them because then it'd hurt worse to lose it. She knew she and Emily weren't going anywhere though. The girls could push and test all they liked. "You tend to eat smaller portions where your sister tends to skip meals all together. I'm sorry I didn't notice it, Katie. I should have and so should Emily.

"Well good girls get rewards while naughty girls get punished." Claire whispered in her ear, remembering Kris had wanted her to be more dominating and a little more firm. "So can you wait like a good girl?"

Charlie went to protest until she thought about it for a second. Reviewing past meals, she realized Katie was right. They paid more attention to Addy's eating because she tended to either skip meals or eat light ones and they worried she wasn't getting enough calories given she was also pretty active and tended to nag her more because of that. Katie tended to eat heavier, more calorie dense food, but at a little less of it or was at least more subtle about not eating or making it look like she'd eaten more than she had. "You're right. Your mother and I will have to talk about that and come up with something because it's not healthy for either of you girls." Charlie had a few ideas already.

"Be a good girl, Kris, and wait." Claire laughed and kissed her cheek.

"Just to talk and check in. You didn't eat much, Katie, and normally you're the good eater between you and your sister." Charlie explained.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Claire's attempt at a straight face was ruined by the smile tugging at her lips. She found it adorable when Kris got annoyed or puty over not knowing what Claire had planned.

"Maybe so, but it still can't be easy to deal with." Charlie said calmly. "You know you can talk to Emily and I, right?"