Once there was the sun.... (Vy and Ky)

Aunt Ky-Ky is what I refer to myself when it comes to little Brooklyn. I'm not sure why, but since the beginning when she called me Kyky, it just kinda stuck like that. She was so much smaller back then, even though it's only been half a year. Kids around her age usually grow up faster than most because of the fact that they do grow up in the first five years. After that, it's just simple growing. In just two short years, they can go from completely helpless baby to one that is trying to pull someone out of a hospital bed to play with them. It's amazing, yet when people tend to get over the age of ten, it's just basically years that go by without many new milestones. Any milestones that are jumped after ten, is either when someone turns eighteen or gets married and becomes a parent. Things like like that only happen to certain people with Vy being one of them. Even though she's just a year older than me, thanks to a birthday not long ago, it doens't seem possible that I could ever imagine myself with a baby at sixteen. Matthew and I are barely getting to know each other. Which makes it really hard to think about Vy like that because the idiot never stuck around for her. Maybe, me and Matthew need to be more careful? Maybe... take it slower?

I wait nearer to the door, as Vy finally catches up to me and we walk out of the gym together. Silence is everywhere between us. I'm not sure why, but the silence is making me think about what had happened in there although it happened in a flash and I seem to be forgetting it just like that. The image I saw was so prominent moments ago, but the fresh air is making the incident fade away slowly. At least it was until Vy's voice breaks through the air and brings up the subject that is a little daunting to talk about. It's hard to open up to people and Vy is included. Matthew's been graced with a little bit here and there, but full stories and things about me are still being explored and brought to the surface slowly.

"So what happened in there? When I pushed you..." The question has my gaze to my feet. With each step, I take a breath for every fourth step. Thousands of beginnings are wanting to make their way out but each time I open my mouth to explain, it gets drawn back inside to be unable to verbalize. So, to answer I shrug.

A few more steps along the path, I actually bring my sights to look at Vy, whose look of concern hits me like a ton of bricks. I know she deserves an answer after I completely kicked her knee, the exact same one I had broken in the underground fight. I know that injuries like that just don't fade as my hand still sometimes aches from when I was twelve. Phantom pain, but still. I stop dead in my tracks when I take a deep breath because I know that she's going to want more explainations from what I'm going to say, that or she's going to completely think I'm crazy and if she does, I'm simply going to walk in the opposite direction.

"I saw him." I state. Just like that, the words come out. Her reaction isn't registering in my mind though because I follow it up with a little more to back it up. "He was right there where you were when you pushed me. It wasn't like I purposely envisioned him to replace you... I just - remembered one of the times he had done the same thing to me once. It's no big deal though. Just a bad memory, Vy. Just bad timing is all." I shrug my shoulders once again, and start walking in the direction we were heading before I came to a complete stop. It also dons on me, if she considers me to be crazy for that mishap, then she'll not want me to be around her daughter. She might be scared I'll take out some form of force on her daughter if it happened while she was in my presence. "I swear, it won't happen again." I mutter out.

PAT - 731

The building not far from where we walk, comes into view. I can see it and I wonder what Brookie will think with me coming with Vy to pick her up to spend the day with us. Will she be a happy child to have the extra company or will she have that attitude most children get, friends or not, and hide behind her momma's leg. When Vy isn't around, she acts like I'm the funnest person in the world. Around Vy? She'll probably gravitate toward her. Though, before we even get there, I have to say what's going on. I have to give Vy that respect and tell her exactly what happened for me to lash out against her like that. It was fair nor was it right to do that. I just couldn't seem to help it.

The first thing out of her mouth when I tell her who I had seen has the sides of my mouth turning upward. I can kick anyone's ass that deserves it, yet I'm sorry it was you that had to get the backlash of my insecurities.I give her a small nod with the compliment attached to what she just said. My pace is brought back as I try to get away from the subject that was bothersome in the first place. It does have Vy catching up to me yet again in our walk and I glance over at her the moment she does match my pace. Words of an apology escape from me next, hoping that the misfortunate mistake of a bad memory won't deter her from letting me enjoy being around her daughter that I've grown to love. Brooklyn is actually a good distaraction during the weeks that have made me miss Matthew and the lot of them. Tyren and Vy, and especially Jeran as the house is empty most of the timeand very few words are exchanged between me and my father. Brooklyn is all I've got most days and I've taken to her like a fish in water. To lose that connection with the child over something that is my problem alone would severely devistate me.

Vy, on the other hand, takes no ill thoughts against me for what happened. Either she trusts me that I won't do it again, or she knows that it won't around her daughter, I'm not exactly sure. I just know that I won't be kept away from the little joyful child. My gaze wanders to the side, catching Vy keeping the pace beside me without missing a beat. Our steps are even in sync as we finally get to the door of the daycare. The door is opened and a low 'thank you' is given as they enter the place. Immediately, colors and animals invade my senses. Little cutesy things that are around for the child's development and interest is everywhere. This is the first time I've ever been in a daycare aside from when I was in one as a child. Being around kids just have never happened growing up and with career training, there was no need.

Down the hallway, sounds of children's laughter ring out and even one childs cry. Must have gotten a toy taken away or in time out? Why does being here make me so nervous? They are just little kids? My mind wanders off into little sceanarios for a childs cry but before I know it, Vy's opening up the door to the two year old room and allowing me to enter first yet again. With a smile, I push quickly through the door so I don't have to keep Vy waiting to pick up her daughter. It's nice to know that everyone knows about her daughter. Keeping the secrect doesn't have to be kept anymore. It's relieving. The teacher is the first to greet Vy and I stand back a little bit watching the other children playing. My eyes scan the room to see Brookie not even paying attention to who had came into the room, but is that normal? Wouldn't she automatically look up sensing the one person in her life that is the most important?

"Bebe, Momma's here." I listen to the teacher's name for the toddler and I can't help but give off such a grin. She comes running up the moment she finally notices and Vy scoops her up for a big hug. A pang of jealousy runs through me cause I'll never have that again. I'll never be able to run up to my mom and give her hugs anymore. I'll never get to be held in her arms, and for some reason, the thoughts running through my mind has my throat burning with emotions. I look away for only a moment to the other children. Then one of the cutest little boys comes up to Vy and taps her on the leg with the confession that Brooklyn had bit him. I put a hand over my mouth to conceal the smile wanting to show because of the cute way the little boy had spoken to the biter's mother.

Just as soon as Brooklyn goes from happy child to wanting to look innocent, she finally notices me with that childlike innocence of distraction. I can't help but to put my hands out for her as get scolded from Vy. The teacher only confirms that it happens all the time as I finally reach out to take the girl from Vy's arms and she's just as willing to come to me. A new face to pick her up is what I'm guessing is causing this reaction. So, the moment she's in my arms, I give her a gentle squeeze and tap her nose.

"Hi Brookie. Have you missed Kyky?" I ask her and with a very definate nod, I give her a wide grin and a kiss on the forehead. "I've missed you too. Ready to spend the day with mommy and Kyky?" I give a wave to the teacher and go for the door first, letting Brooklyn help me hold the door as we walk by, though it's my strength that actually gets the door completely open. Going out the way we came, I wait for Vy to get beside me as we start walking somewhere that we can enjoy the day.

"Where we going Vy? Your place? Mine? The park? Where would you like to go?" I turn my attention the little girl in my arms whose being distracted by a butterfly that's jumping around in the air around us and landing on a flower just feet away from where we're walking. She points ot it, questioning it. "Butterfly. Pretty butterfly."

Around Brooklyn, I feel like any normal person, but I don't understand why in a crowd of kids, I'm nervous yet with one I'm totally okay with it. I dont' feel silly talking with the terminology a child would understand. It just happens naturally.

"Pay wif Kyky. Pay?" I shake my head and turn to Vy.

"So, I think she's okay with whereever we go as long as I play with her." I tell her mother and give the child anohter gentle squeeze. "You are going to wear me out today, aren't you?"

PAT - 1205

Right before we can leave, Vy has made the needed stop at the front desk of the daycare. As I hold on to the child, I watch Vy as she takes care of some necessary things with the woman. At first, I'm not paying attention because there's no need to. It's usually between the parent and the daycare worker to attend to their own business whereas I'm just here keeping her little girl entertained. It's easy for me to do as the child is all but thrilled to have me holding her, but a little pushy as she keeps leaning toward the door, clearly telling me what she wants to do and it isn't to stay here. Only then, am I introduced to the woman, and give her a gentle smile as I prop Brooklyn up on my hip but quickly switch sides as my back starts to feel a small pain from the angle. The child doesn't mind, but she still tries to lean over to touch the door.

As much as I am happy to meet the woman, there's a bigger need now for her to physically see and greet me. Vy's adding me onto the pickup list for Brooklyn. I can only assume it's because of the fact that she's at the academy most of the week and I'm the one who usually comes to pick Brookie up from her mom's whenever I want. It's become routine for me and Brookie to hang out at least three or four times a week inbetween my own school schedule and training. I still wouldn't have it any other way. The thought that Vy trusts me enough to put me down as a caretaker for the child in her absence is really an honor. I feel like I'm fitting into a second family although Vy and me have quite a start to our relationship.

Leaving the school has me feeling as high as a kite with joy. Not only that, but Brookie has put in her request to just play with me and I can't deny the child that need. Never have before, so why would I now? I do glance over to Vy when I think I've decided where I'd rather go and Vy makes that decision for me. "Brookie, we're going to go play at my house, alright? Play some hide and seek, Peek-a-boo?"

The game is something that I've made up when I'm around Brookie. Whenever I'd bring her to my place for a while, that's the game that she's turned out to love. She'll pretend to hide in the most obvious of places, barely covering herself or covering her eyes. When I go to find her, instead of saying 'Gotcha' or something like that, the game of peek-a-boo is played.

"Lunch does sound good. Oh, and Vy? Thanks... for trusting me with Brooklyn. You know, enough to be able to get her from daycare if I have to or something. That means a lot." I tell her, giving my head a small nod and a grin to go with it. Again, Brooklyns weight pulls again on my back and I'm shifting her to the other side again.

It doesn't seem long at all before we've reached my place, going into the cool air that feels so much better from the outside. Instantly, Brooklyn's dying to get down, so I place her on the ground and she lets out several squeals as she does her thing whenever she gets to my house. Usually, going right for the steps, but only ascending two before sliding down on her bottom the two steps and giggling. I have to hand it to the child though. It doesn't take much to entertain her. I give a nod in the direction of the kitchen and the food is prepared in no time and consumed with the same amount of gumption it took to make it.

Cleaning up Brooklyn and setting her loose again, I head up to my room for a moment to get changed into something more appropriate but with a note on the door, I halt. My eyes scan the small letter and with a shake of my head, I yell down to Vy. "Hey Vy! Guess what? House to ourselves for the whole night!"

I go in my room, get changed and head back down. The moment I get a look at Brooklyn laying on the couch, her eyes drooping with the need for sleep, I shake my head. "You know, Vy... we should see about getting some drinks for tonight. Wanna just stay over tonight? Dad's not going to be home. Jeran's not here. House to ourselves? Besides, first night you'll have with your baby and away from your mom." I try to make it sound entising to her to stay, though, I can only hope she's going to stay.

"Com'mon. It's not everyday I get to have a sleepover!" I tease her even though it wasn't but a few weeks ago that we all slept in a tent together, but that was so much more different than staying at someone elses home. "Do you want to go get drinks and I'll get Brooklyn to sleep, or you want me to go out and get them and you get Brooklyn to sleep?" I put the offer up.

PAT - 888

As exciting as it is to have company over, it's even more special when it's Vy and her daughter and the fact that my father isn't going to be coming home tonight. At least I don't have to worry about my father dictating my life tonight and I'm unsure of how he'll react to a baby in the house. Surely, he'd kind of freak out if she started to cry. He was never the kind of father to kiss away the hurt. He was stern and dictated a lot of what went on during our younger years. Normally, kids go to their mother for a quick answer that usually always resulted in a 'yes' or a 'no', but he always had the final say in everything. Vy even adds to the excitement when she exclaims it's great from the downstairs and when I see her, she's all but quick to give me a smile.

As if we'd probably had the same idea, I voice it first about getting drinks. It's all that I want to do right now. Drinking with Vy last time resulted in more than just a little peck on the lips. Of course, Matthew being around didn't help. This time, will it effect us the same way again? Without the temptation of my boyfriend egging it on, it won't happen again, will it? I push those thoughts out of my mind completely, declaring that was a one time deal. It has to be. What on earth could posess us to engage in that kind of act yet again?

"I'd love for us to stay." Is her answer to the question on staying tonight with me. It'll be fun to have her over. I've never had anyone to stay the night before. This will be interesting.

The offer that stands is thrown up into the air for Vy. Either she can go get the drinks or I can, but the person left behind has to get Brooklyn to sleep and seeing her tired eyes already, tells me I'm going to have it easy. Or at least I hope so.

"Sweet. Well, get a move on it. I'll take care of Brooklyn. Go on!" I shoo Vy out of the house as if she were a guest whose overstayed her welcome. Brooklyn, on the other hand, has other plans as I start to put her to sleep. Instantly, she refuses to mold to my arms and be rocked. Even if her eyes are tired, she fights the sleep as any child does, but after a few minutes, I finally get a good position with her laying against my chest, her arms strung around my neck nad her cheek on my shoulder. With one arm around her back and one to support her weight, it seems to take no time at all for her to doze off.

A makeshift song about a turtle whose found his speed is sung, while a bee that talks to a human is next. A gentle hum ends the tunes as the childs tiny snores tells me she's finally out of it enough for me to put her down to sleep. I carefully lay her on the couch and put one of the couch pillows on the one side of her so she won't roll over. With that set up, I race upstairs to grab a pillow and a blanket from the stash in my room and then set the child up with her sleeping arrangements. A gentle, soothing breathy rhythm keeps her under the spell when Vy arrives back. With a kiss on the forehead, and a hand that caresses her cheek very tenderly, I meet with Vy in the kitchen where the drinks are put out and shared.

"Brooklyn wasn't that easy to get to sleep. Does she always fight it like that?" I tell Vy to let her know about the difficulty it was to get her to slumber, but also remark how easy it was once she got that special spot to put her sleep. "... as soon as she got comfortable, she got put right under!"

Two beers in, the feeling of hilarity start to come out. Small giggles erupt from me as a game starts to make no sense at all between the two of us. "Never have I ever... fell from a roof in a thong." Again, the small giggles errupt and I place a hand over my mouth to cover my mouth as I try to swallow a gulp of the beer I took right after I took my turn. "How do we decide who wins? Whoever loses... has to ... ummm... kiss... uhh?" My mind blanks out and I shrug. The last gulp is taken as I go for a third. "Want another kiss..?" I shake my head with a smile. "TEasing! I mean, beer, Vy? There's still more left over and we need to get rid of them before my dad gets home. No clue when he'll be home int he morning."

I get up and head over to the kitchen and grab two more from the fridge, going back. "Brought you another one anyways. Your turn!"

PAT - 862

I've never been good with drinking games, let alone 'never have I ever' because I've never really been close enough to anyone to experience it. Up until the last six months, my father wouldn't appriciate that kind of behavior in his house. So, right now, I'm getting to see what it feels like to actually have a decent friend and having all these experiences that are suddenly just falling into place. It's hard to think that Vy and I have gotten this close, this fast and it's been what? Three months? Maybe? Hardly any time at all, given the whole scenario started out with a night of fighting and broken bones. Since then, all has healed with minimal damage to hang on to. At least, non that alter our lives.

So, my ideas of questions has Vy giggling off her ass at me. Apparently, trying to get the other person to drink is the whole reason for the game, whereas my mind just goes blank on what to ask, so I just end up asking something that I know I have never done. Vy's good about giving me the proper instructions and I'm already thinking of what I can do to get her to drink, but new beers are needed so we finish off the rest of what's left in our old ones, in a few heavy gulps or something, before I come back with the next two.

My clouded mind is clearly just that. As much as I was clouded after drinking the amount of hard vodka that night at the campsite, it's just the same with the amount of beer in the short amount of time. Seeing as how it's something Matthew's mentioned to me once about kissing a chick, I had to put it up to Vy since she's the one it happened to be with. Of course, it was suppose to be all in fun though. It wasn't suppose to provoke any ideas or thoughts further than just a memory of the lip lock, as Vy calls it, that we shared twice. Matthew never seemed to mind at all, in fact, he was the one who egged on the second round of it.

With a simple 'thanks', the new, cold beers are opened and aligned with our lips. She gives off the example of how the games suppose to be played and since I just said something about being worried about my father getting home, she takes advantage of it. Automatically, a heavy gulp is taken as I have no other choise, and catch a rolling drop off my lip, making a sucking noise to make sure the drop doesn't go astray and end up being soaked up into my shirt.

"Good one. A Little bit of a cheat, so I'll use the same tattaic.. titic.. TACTIC... damn... I'll use the same tactic on you now..." With a heavy grin, I look back to the place where Brooklyn would still be snoozing and smile. "Never have I ever had to stay up late with a precious, little girl." I bring my bottle up and shake it, showing her that it's her turn to drink. I have no kids, and I've never kept Brooklyn over night, so that puts me out.

"I'm getting used to this game. See, not so hard. Just need the right directions to know what I"m doing." My head swims with the effects of the alcohol and I stand to get up, but stay still as the sudden rush of altitude goes to my head. "Give me your worse. The next question you make me drink on I'll take two, but it has to be good. Go on Vy... do you're worst!"

PAT - 618

The ultimate amount of question can come from her having a child. So many situations that I've never encountered and probably won't for quite some time considering Matthew's lack of fatherly qualities. He's only just now adjusted to becoming a wonderful boyfriend, despite his quirks that makes me love him even more. That's something that I prefer over any other guy that can possibly try to make me like them. His personality isn't perfect, but being in his arms tells me more than anything else. I could care less for jewelry or flowers or anything he could ever give me in a physical form, it's more emotionally and mentally that does it in for me. The first guy to ever show me that the gender I most feared, would be one I also loved.

With my revenge, Vy's taken to drinking almost half the bottle before her lips part the top of the bottle. I can't help but roll my head back, letting loose laughter that echoes out, but quickly to put a hand over to silence myself. "Brooklyn..." I mention, hoping I've not woken up the child with my laughter, but as I wait for a moment, no sounds grace my ear and it's back to the fun. Though, Vy has her own comments that has me wondering, using my brain instead of going off the drinks that's only causing me to act upon the jokes and funny things.

"Me? Never. Can you imagine Matthew as a dad? Com'mon Vy, be reasonable. The guy tried to hide our relationship for the first month.. I think?" I shrug my shoulders, trying to think about what she said. I can't imagine right now at this moment if he would be a father or not one day. As different as we are, and we've already broken up once, isn't it only time before it happens again? First loves never last that long, unless they do and those people stay together forever. As much as I want it, it would be up to Matthew on this one.

Vy happens to divulge further into that statement from a moment ago, asking me now if I would want one. "Want one what? A baby? Maybe? One day. I dream of having a little girl of my own one day... to treat her as my mother treated me. Be there for her as she grows up... I won't leave her though... I'll make sure she gets to enjoy all the years with me she wants..." A bit of sad history for Vy to hear. It changes quickly though as she's found her way around my tactic to get me to consume the liquid. A quick 'Haha' is given as the bottle meets with my lips. Down the throat, the liquid is pushed to the point I need air. Unsure of why I need to go that far to give Vy an answer, but it's true.

"Not fair, Vy. That was sneaky. Brooklyn is like neice now... I love her to death and how could I not? You signed me on her pickup list, and you've relied on me when you're at the academy. Hard not to fall in love with that little squirt!" I take a few steps to the opening to check on the little girl. Her sleeping form still laying on the pillow I had ran upstairs to put under her head and the blanket still over her body, though one leg has seeminly moved out of the protection from the air and her leg hanging over the side of the couch. A gentle, "Aww" is released from me.

"Gotta go fix the cessprince.. I mean... princess before she falls off of the couch." I tell Vy, though, I barely make it anywhere, before my foot catches one of the toys left out, and the floor catches me. "Oww! Really?" A painful giggle escapes me as I roll to my side, rubbing harshly to the unfortunate landing on the hard toy. "That... will def.. bruise... Damn.." I hiss out.

PAT - 674

The alcohol has really effected my speech, not only are the bigger words difficult to sound out, it's starting to effect my balance. I just try play it off as I push off the wall to go fix Brooklyn, whose found a way to really trip me up on the way over. Some form of a toy catches my foot, and being the expert and graceful person I am, I find myself falling faster than one of the capital's bombs. My knee catches the toy with full force of the fall which explains the imense pain that radiates through my leg. Luckily, my senses are a little toned down thanks to the help of the liquid that i've consumed. It just doesn't take away the pain.

Rocking back and forth, my hands rubbing vigorously on the spot doesn't help at all. I just feel partial laughter as I let loose a few tears in the process. Hurting but it's funny. Yeah, wonderful combination as Vy came rushing in as fast as she could to help, but goes to Brooklyn instead, to keep the little champ asleep. At least, Vy appriciates the hard work it took to get the little tyke to sleep, so I'm not complaining much. Instaead, it just gives me the needed time to reallly sink into what's going on with my knee. The throbbing has yet to stop, and a knot is forming under my fingers. "Vy.... why are toys so hard?" I question her and use my hand to slide the toy away from me as I finally rest on my side and just try to breath through the pain.

With confirmation that Brooklyn is no longer in the red for waking, Vy makes her way back over to me. A hand extending to help me up, but I'd rather not if it means moving my leg. "It hurts...Vy. It really hurts. Ow!" I pout and look at her hand for a few more minutes. "... Toys are forbidden from now one." I tease her again, grinning from ear to ear as I take her hand and slide up, hobbling on my leg until I realize if there is pain to walk or not. A few steps in, it starts to subside, but I use the wall for support more than I try to let on. Back in the kitchen, I sit down and exam the deep bruise that's already forming along with the bump that's forming.

"Damn, Vy..." I shake my head and travel over to the fridge where I sneak into the freezer and take a few peices of ice, and grab one of the kitchen towels to wrap it up in. pLacing it on my knee, I look to Vy. "Wanna just hit the hay? She's out? I think its best I do the same..."

I end up muttering something about my ability to stay upright as Vy brings her arm to wrap around my torso for the first few steps as we take one more look to the girl sleeping on the couch, all snuggled up in the blankets and pillow. At the landing of the stairs, I take my own weight on my leg, even if the spot is a little numb. It's security to know I can walk on it full force. "YOur welcome to take the bed, if you wish Vy. I'll make a pallet on the floor or something." I offer it up, but the reply I get, counters the offer.

"No no no, you take you the bed. I got the floor." I shake my head. That totally defeats the purpose of it all, but as I look at he bed and stuff, I don't see why we both wouldn't be able to share. Might have to arrange the pillows differently or something but none the less, I just don't see any reason for either of us to take the floor nor either of us to take the bed. With a shrug, I limp over to the bed and sit, putting the rag back on my knee. "Thanks for staying tonight. Hate having such an empty house." I lean back against the pillow.