What? Three more?

[Ishigreensa]

Kim nodded.

"I understand."

She smiled at Erylin.

[justagirl4fun]

Erylin just grinned at Kim and stuffed the last bit of brownie in her mouth. "I don't think you have to worry about her," Emma said, as the little girl hadn't paid them any attention at all. "Now, let's get back to your sister."

[Ishigreensa]

"Okay," Kim said happily now she thought her sister was actually okay.

[justagirl4fun]

"No, of course they're not babies. They're older than my sister, and she's really not even a baby any more," Kelly said with a shrug.

[Ishigreensa]

Erylin?

[justagirl4fun]

The little girl reached up and took Kim's hand.

[Ishigreensa]

Heidi sighed.

"Kelly, forgive me if I find it hard to believe that someone like you can be so nice as to understand my sister's trying to cope with a very difficult life and therefore they always needing my help.

[justagirl4fun]

"We didn't do anything!" Kelly snapped defensively. "I don't even know why she's crying!"

[Ishigreensa]

"Calm down Kim and Kelly.

[justagirl4fun]

"Okay, well, everybody calm down. Nobody is going to be mean to anyone else - this is your only warning, any violations will result in a punishment - so let's all just relax and stop worrying, alright?" Emma said calmly.

[Ishigreensa]

Kim looked over at Emma.

"Mommy Emma?

[justagirl4fun]

"Why do you people keep talking about me like this? I already said I'm not gonna tease anyone or be mean!

[Ishigreensa]

Mike ran out and scooped up Kelly.

He held her in his arms, and he squatted so she was now in his lap.

"Honey, I know it's frustrating.

[justagirl4fun]

"I don't care! I don't want them to keep sayin' stuff about me, or I'm gonna say stuff about them and see how they like it!" Kelly said as Mike held her, but she quickly shut up as Cassie came out of the room. She listened to what Cassie had to say and reluctantly took the girl's hand when it was offered, but wasn't quite ready to forgive and forget just yet.

"Does someone need a time out?" Emma mouthed to Mike when they returned, with a quick glance at Kelly. "Or a spanking?"

[Ishigreensa]

"No, no, no," Mike said.

[justagirl4fun]

"Okay, good. Now, who wants a treat?" Emma asked and started passing out the brownies and chocolate milk to the girls who hadn't had theirs yet, then gave Mike his jelly bun and coffee.

[Ishigreensa]

"ME!" Cassie reached out for hers.

[justagirl4fun]

Kelly nodded as she took her brownie and chocolate milk. "Okay. What do you want to play?"

Once everyone had their treat Emma sat in the chair next to Heidi's bed and Erylin quickly climbed up in her lap.

[Ishigreensa]

"Can we play with your tile things you were playing with earlier?" Cassie asked.

[justagirl4fun]

"Yeah, we can try that," Kelly agreed, though she knew there was no way her pesky little sister was keeping her hands off the tiles.

[Ishigreensa]

Heidi's hands balled into fists and her arms shook as she shook her red face.

[justagirl4fun]

(even if she's not wearing underwear or a diaper, wouldn't her hospital gown still cover her privates?)

Emma leaned over and spoke quietly to Heidi. "Hon, do you need to go to the bathroom? You remember what the doctor said, right?"

[Ishigreensa]

(Not necessarily.

[justagirl4fun]

"You know what? I think Heidi's had enough company today. She's had a rough couple of days and she needs to get some rest, so why don't you all say goodbye," Emma said, hoping everyone would go along with it.

[Ishigreensa]

Cassie looked down very sadly.