The following morning the two of them were getting breakfast ready. Olly help collect ingredients from around the kitchen Gen moved to chopping potatoes for home fires. He after placing spices on the counter he wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck lightly.
"Now behave," She grinned. "We do need to talk. Lia comes out of little space sometimes. She worries about us even when she is feeling small. It's sweet but I want her to be able to just be little." She leaned into him. "I want her to be able to feel safe. I know she's still getting used to it and to us."
"I read that it can happen, we need to start thinking of ways to refocus her. Some cartoons have her color. I don't want to punish her, she isn't doing anything wrong."
"Maybe we should get her some games she could play, like memory. You wrapping her in a blanket seemed to help her."
"We'll have to ask her what she thinks too."
"She's getting better at letting us know. I love when she kicks her feet under the dining room table."
Ophelia walked slowly down the hallway. Rubbing her eye while carrying her pillow. She was groggy and she followed the noise from the kitchen. She saw her caregivers moving around making breakfast. She went to say something, but no words came out. She tried again. She knocked on the door frame. They both turned and smiled at her warmly. She opened her mouth to say something and again nothing…
"Morning bun," Olly said kindly, while wrapping her in a hug. "Did you sleep okay?" She nodded cheerily "How about we go get you ready for the day?" She nodded again. "Are you okay if I help you?" Soft smile and nod again. Gen had mentioned that Little Lia seemed to talk less as she felt safe. He was thankful that she was not worrying about everything.
"Sweetheart, don't give Olly too much trouble." Gen teased.
Olly offered Lia his hand and she took it. First to the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair. He attempted short pigtails… they were not even. Little Lia giggled at them. Back to Ophelia's room to choose some clothes for the day. Getting her pulled up changed was a bit of a challenge. She seemed to be trying to explain she hadn't used it.
"Listen, little one." Olly said put her on his lap. "Even if you haven't use it, we need to make sure you get change every 12 hours." He explained. "We don't want you getting a rash on your bottom right." She flushed but nodded. "You gonna let me change you now?" He gave her a kiss on the forehead before laying her down.
"Alright legs up please." Olly said while reaching her for her waistband. Ophelia followed the order and even lifted her hips without his asking. "Good job." He praised pulling off the pull up. Once Ophelia was naked from the waist down she covered her face, clearly embarrassed. "Shhh…you are doing so well. I know it's a little embarrassing." He began wiping her bottom. "Do you want to powder your front like last night?" Another nodded behind her hands. "Alright let me finish cleaning you up." She lowered her legs to let him wipe her. "Good job. I'm going to add powder now." Once she finished rubbing her front. He made sure her bottom was evenly coded. He gave her a soft pat on her bottom. "Let's get this padded, huh." Pants and shirt on, he once again held her to his chest and hummed. He patted her bottom. "Look at you all clean. Want to go show, Gen." She hopped on the balls of her feet and clapped. "Alright little bunny let's go." "Oh, who is that?" Gen said, walking over. Ophelia flashed a smile of her clean teeth. "Are You ready for breakfast?" Little Lia nodded. "Off to the table." Kicking her legs and humming what seemed to be the tune that Olly taught her. Gen put a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her, with a small fork and a sippy cup of juice. She was so happy she went to say thank you, but nothing came out. She rubbed her tummy.
"Did that taste good?" Olly asked while refilling her cup. Little Lia nodded, but seemed like she wanted to say something else. "What's up kiddo?" She pointed to the plate and to him and Gen. "Do you want more?" He said pointing to stuff on the table. She shook her head. She pointed at them again then paused. She began to panic. "Oh, are you trying to thank us for breakfast?" She nodded almost teary eyed.
"Oh honey, you don't have to thank us every time." Gen took her plate. She pointed at herself. "You want to help?" Little Lia hopped off her chair and Gen returned her plate to her. "Thank you for helping." She scampered away.
"I have an idea I'll be right back." Olly said. He returned with some index cards. "Bun, can I bother you for a second." Little Lia came over with a question look on her face. "I've written some phrases down. We can add more as we go. Does that work for you." Little Lia nodded her head. She looked through the cards and held up the thank you. "You're welcome. Want to play a game or watch a movie?" Little Lia pointed to the tv. "Movie it is."
The movie was an older one, one of Ophelia's favorites. They watched the cats dance across the screen. She had finished her juice and was cuddling with Gen. Olly loved watching them. Little Lia quickly stood up.
"What's up bunny?" Gen asks. Little Lia crossed her legs and pointed down the hall. "Oh I see potty time. Do you want help?" Little Lia shook her head. "Alright. Make sure you wipe well." Color rose in Little Lia's face. She came back. "Feel better?" Another nod. "Once the movie is over do you want to do something else? She found the game's cards and held it up, then acted like she was rolling dice.
"Is that bunny for games?" Olly asked. Little Lia nodded again. She really really liked being called that. She wished she could tell them. He ruffled her hair. She stuck her tongue out. "No sassy bunnies." He pretending to scold her.. "Unless you want the cotton tail to be sitting in time out." He tickled her, she couldn't help but giggle. Gen grabbed her so she couldn't escape the attack. They all settled down to get ready for lunch. After they finished their sandwiches and cleaned up Little Lia yawn.
"Nap time I think." Gen said while she put her arm around her. "Though I should check your pull up too."
"I'm...I'm dry."
"It's important we check. Sometimes you might not be able to tell us." Gen explained. "When you are really little you don't talk much and that is okay."
"Yeah." She bowed her head. "I really messed up this weekend."
"Oh no sweetheart, you are doing wonderfully. Shhhh. You are such a good little bunny, isn't she Olly."
"Yep." He kissed her hair. "Now, nap time little bunny. We can talk about some stuff after. But we need to keep your schedule or you will be a cranky bunny and none of us want that."
"Could you read me a story?" She asked Gen.
"After I check your pull up." Gen promised.
Ophelia sat up rubbing her eye. She got up and headed out to the living room. She was holding her pillow. Hugging it was so nice. She found both of them in the living room having tea. She shifted and opened mouth.
"Hey, I really like it when you call me bunny." She explained while the color rose in her cheeks. "Thank you for looking after me." She said,
"Well first of all, we aren't done taking care of you." Olly responded. He stood up and turned her around. She panicked thinking Olly was going to spank her, he just pulled om the waistband of her pants in pull up. "Nice and dry, good job." He smiled. "You are doing so well bunny. We are really proud of you. We have noticed that sometimes it hard for you to be little. We were wondering if there were things we could do to help you reenter the headspace?"
"Calling me bunny makes me feel small. I also like sitting on your laps." She explained. "I like it when you kiss my hair. Also when you wrapped me in that blanket and gave me my pillow." She squeezed it. "Tucking me in, when you check my pull up. Or when Olly hums while resting his chin on my hair." Olly pulled her into this lap and rocked her gently.
"Easy there little one." He said. "We want this to be a good experience for you." He bounced his knee slightly. "I think you might need to go back to napping." He rubbed her back. "How does that sound? Maybe a little more sleep to get back to being a little bun."
"Could I nap out here with you?" Olly nodded and bounced her a little longer. Ophelia when to open her mouth then paused. She closed her fist and put the top against her lips. "Oh, what is this bunny for?" She tapped it again. "Oh," He said, pulling out a paci. She nodded and took it. She curled up with her pillow. Both of her caregivers kissed her hair. She was out cold in seconds. She loved feeling this safe.
Little Lia almost slept all the way to dinner. Gen stroked her hair. Gen made good on her promise and gave her a little job of her own to do to help cook dinner. She helped Olly mix the seasons into the batter. Dinner was quick and quiet. They played with some of Lia's toy for a little while, but turned on a short kids show while they cleaned up.
"Is it bedtime?" Little Lia yawned and put the paci back into her mouth. She held tight to her pillow while leaning against the sofa. "Come on, let's get those teeth brushed." He ushered her down the hall, Olly set up what they would need for tucking her in. She entered the room and yawned. "I know little one, but we got to check your temp and change your pull up." After changing Little Lia's shirt and removing her pants. "A nice normal temp." He announced while grabbing the wipes. "Powder time." He smiled. "Do you still want to…" Little Lia shook her head and pointed at him. "Oh okay, tell me if it's too much." She nodded. He made sure to gently rub in the powder. "You are being so brave, I'm very proud of you Bun." Once tucked in and sucking on her paci Little Lia was out cold.