Choosing Hope

Emily returns shortly after with a fully dressed Amelia. Jane looks at the oldest child and breaks
into laughter. "Oh sweet lord, what are you wearing munchkin?" Jane looks at Amelia and
smiles. Maura turns around to look at their daughter and gasps.
"Em, you really are having an off morning," the blonde says, trying to hold back her own
laughter. Emily looks to the child and then back to the three set off eyes that have fallen on her
and laughs.
"Oh no, I had nothing to do with this," she says, pointing at Amelia. "She wanted to dress herself
and she said and I quote, "I'm a big girl now, I can dress myself." So she dressed herself."
Amelia was smiling a big, proud, goofy grin."Mommy, do you like?"
Maura smiled. "I love it baby, do you know who would love it even more?"
"Who?" Amelia’s voice rang with excitement, ready to show off her fashion skills.
"Aunt Cailin, she and Jess are in her room if you want to go show her. Maybe if you ask really
nicely, she just might want to match you." This idea was gold to the toddler. She scooted from
her chair and took off towards the stairs.
"No running!" Both Jane and Maura yelled after the little blonde child, who slowly walked the
rest of the way to the stairs taking them one by one.
Jane pours herself another cup of coffee. "Did anyone else see Jess almost trip me to get to
Cailin?" She looks around the room..
Riley looked at Emily. "Yeah, I think she just wanted to make sure she was okay."
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