Sneaky Plan, Klaire

“Why is the rum always gone?” Ami mumbled sleepily.

Klaire gently shook Ami. They had watched the Pirates movies all night, enjoying ice cream, popcorn and soda. It was rare for her to agree to do this, but she wanted to do something special on this rare occasion of being with her family. James was feeding the twins with Cody’s help already, but she’d wanted to let Ami rest a little longer.

“Time to get up, sleepy head.” She said softly.

Ami yawned and did one of those alarming stretches where she seemed to double her length before opening her eyes. She had enjoyed last night, how could she not? Pirates and popcorn with SODA and ICE CREAM but it felt like someone was missing. She wished Tzeitel had been there with them too. “Morning.” Ami said, yawning again. She set her feet on the floor.

Klaire watched, blinking for a moment before letting out a happy laugh. “Before we know it, you’re gonna be taller than me.” She commented with a smile. Cody was already doing the same, but he was still mute and had a long recovery. They had an appointment with Dr. Chi for him this afternoon. It was his third session so far and he’d only been willing to write anything down.

At least he seemed to enjoy himself last night.

Ami smiled at Klaire, stretching again but not as dramatically. “We should do that again!” She said, obviously referring to the Pirates viewing (and possibly the treats that went with it).

“Maybe we can do it sometime next month,” Klaire said, not wanting it to become an everyday thing. “I'll let you get cleaned up and ready. I'm gonna make pancakes today.” She chimed as she went to the door.

Ami bounced over to her dresser for clothes, all happy and excited about pancakes. But by the time she was showered and dressed she was more subdued and trying to hide it.

Klaire had pancakes on plates by the time Ami stepped into their little kitchen. Due to their largely sized family now they had been moved into a more “home-style” place. Cody was already happily eating his own pancakes while James added some fruit on his plate with his that he had helped cut up earlier. The twins were comfortably sitting in high chairs just to be part of the fun because they'd already gotten their meals.

“Hi…” Ami said, sounding much less excited than she usually was for pancakes.

James looked up. “What's wrong, Ami?” He asked and had to remind Cody how to cut with a butter knife and fork.

Ami shrugged, looking at her pancakes. “Tzeitel should be here too.”

Klaire’s shoulder fell for a moment. “I know…” She whispered as she silently worked out a plan to get Tzeitel to be with them. That was when she picked up her phone and sent a few messages to Delilah, hoping this would work…

“Well, from the look on Klaire’s face, I think it'll figure itself out.” James said with a wink at Ami. They all knew that look of determination on the dog woman’s face too well.

Ami tilted her head as she watched Klaire, trying to figure out what she was doing.

“Don't worry, Ami,” Klaire said with a cheeky smile. “Enjoy breakfast. I've got to set up the guest room.”

As Klaire walked off, James took over finishing the cooking. He chuckled. “She's having them move Tzeitel in with us.” This was gonna be quite an interesting situation.

Ami bounced slightly in her seat. She had been wanting Tzeitel to live with them like this ever since she learned she had a sister.

“We all have to work stubbornly to get her join us for stuff like this, though.” James explained as he leaned over and helped Cody clean off his face. “Messy eater.” He chuckled.

Once again Ami wished she had a tail to wag.

That was when a knock occurred at their door.