Getting Help/Page2

Part 2: Settling In By Jessie

Getting Help : Settling in.

Over the next several days, Hannah seemed to settle into her new life easily. Amy stayed home with her and they played and they both did housework. Hannah seemed to enjoy helping her Mommy and would always come running if she was called to help with something. Amy was afraid that Hannah was doing these things out of guilt though. One day, as Hannah's counseling session was starting, Amy sat with Hannah and spoke softly to her.

"Hannah? I need to ask you something. You are such a good helper and I love playing and being with you all the time. But I worry that you want to help so much that you'd give up playing to doing chores. Do you feel like you HAVE to do chores and be good all the time?" Amy asked.

Hannah shrugged her little shoulders and looked at her Mommy. "I guess so Mommy. I was bad an you gotted sticked wif me, so now I gotta be a good girl."

Amy lifted Hannah onto her lap and cuddled her close. "Now you listen to me, young lady. I did not get 'sticked' with you. You were my sister and now my daughter and I love you very much. And another thing, if it had been me that had been hurting, you would have taken me in wouldn't you?"

Hannah nodded her head yes. " 'Course Mommy. Thass what family's for."

"Exactly! That's what family is for. So relax a little sweetie. If you're a little messy or are a little naughty, Jim and I will not stop loving you. We may have to punish you, but never stop loving you." Amy promised.

Hannah looks up, a little doubtful. "Forever an ever?"

"Forever and ever." Hannah squeals as she is picked up and swung around in circles, ponytail and untied shoe laces flying out behind her.

"And now my little flying girl, it's time to take a nap." Amy laughs as she plops Hannah down onto her bed.

"Awwww, Mommy. We was havin fun." Hannah protests, making a pouty face.

"I know baby, and we will have more fun when you wake up. I don't want you to get too tired and get cranky." Amy quickly tucks Hannah in as she talks.

Hannah squirms as she tries to sit up. Frowning, Amy let's Hannah sit up. Taking her arm, Amy leans Hannah to one side and SWATS her bottom one time. "None of that now. I said it's nap time."

"Owwww, Mommyyyyyyy. I don' wanna nap!" Hannah cried as she laid down, sniffling.

"I know you don't baby, but you need a nap. Close your eyes and you will be asleep before you know it and then be awake before you know that too. We can play with Daddy when he gets home from work." Amy promised.

"Yes'M." Hannah lay back down an let her Mommy tuck her back in and quickly fell asleep after sliding her thumb into her mouth.

Amy stood there and smiled at her sister/daughter, smoothed back her hair and kissed her on the cheek. "Sleep well, pumpkin." Amy turned and went to start dinner, smiling to herself.

Hannah woke up just as her Daddy was getting home. She sat up and rubbed her eyes and saw her Daddy standing in the door way. The little girl squealed and ran to him and hugged him tight.

"Hi Daddy!" Hannah almost shouted. Jim picked her up and tossed her in the air. Hannah shrieked. "Again Daddy, again!"

"Again, huh?" Jim laughed and lowered the small girl to the floor and then picked her up and tossed her in the air again, catching her easily. "How's my baby girl doing today?"

"I's doin good Daddy. Mommy maded me take a nap though." Jim had to fight a smile seeing Hannah's lower lip pooch out. "I's a big girl Daddy. Do I gotta take naps?" Hannah looked up, sure that he would say no.

"Well sweetie. You are a big girl. But sometimes even big girls need naps." Jim looked at his daughter with a stern eye. "And big girls obey their Mommy when they are told to take a nap. Right?"

Looking down, Hannah nodded slowly, knowin he was right, but not wanting to admit it. "Yes Daddy."

"Ok then. Mommy already gave you a warning spank, so I won't But . . . if you argue with Mommy again, if she doesn't give you a spanking, I will. Understood?"

"Yes Daddy." Hannah sighed, tryin not to pout, knowing Amy didn't like it.

"Good girl. Now. . . Let's go see what Mommy has for us to eat. I'm starved." With that, Jim picked Hannah up an tossed her over his shoulder and tickled her every once in a while, the small 4 year old, squirming and giggling.