Raising Sophie - Brollins

14.

Four months later...

Christmas 2019

The little trio found themselves in Ireland for Christmas this year. It was both Colby & Sophie's first time spending more than a few days in the country and especially during this time of the year.

Sophie was more excited about the Christmas light display in the town square than she was about anything else. Rebecca had told her all about it for years and sent pictures to Colby every Christmas prior to show the little girl.

"This is so pretty!" The little girl exclaimed as she twirled around with her little arms in the air

"I told you" Rebecca nodded "I promised you I'd get you here one day to see it in person"

"And she doesn't break her promises" Sophie looked up at her father

"No she doesn't" Colby shook his head with a smile

The little family decided on hot chocolate and sitting in the square, they watched the people pass by quickly as they completed their shopping.

"So munchkin" Colby said "We've got a few more days left until Christmas.. you still haven't told us what you want your big present to be"

"A baby" she said quickly and Colby and Rebecca's eyes met instantly

"Ok" Rebecca nodded "So you want a new baby doll.. which one?"

"No" Sophie shook her little head "I want a real one"

"A real baby.. you want a real baby" Colby said and his little girl looked up at him with her eyes filled with hope "Why?"

"Cause" she shrugged "if we have a real baby I can be a big sister and I won't be the only kid anymore and we can play and have fun"

"You do know that you won't be able to play and have fun with a baby for a little while.. when they're first born they are so fragile" Colby said

"I know" Sophie nodded "I can help take care of it.. I can make sure it is fed and changed and cuddled"

"Sophie it's not like a puppy" Rebecca shook her head "A baby is something that is in your life forever.. it's something that you can't just feed and water and then give it a toy and its happy" she explained and the little girl nodded

"You do know babies take a long time to be born.." Colby said "You won't have a little brother or sister by Christmas.. that's a little rushed"

"That's not a no" the little girl smirked "And momma can do it" she looked to Rebecca

"Momma would be the only one to do it" Rebecca nodded

"That's a lot of work to put on Momma don't you think?" Colby questioned

"Please!" The little girl begged "I'll be good and I'll help!" She exclaimed as she folded her little hands "Please!" She put on her best puppy dog eyes

"I will make a deal with you.." Rebecca said "Daddy and I will talk about it more and we will make a decision.. I can't get you a baby here by this Christmas but I will try my hardest to get you one here around this time next year"

"Promise?" The little girl held out her finger

"Promise" Rebecca nodded

"You don't break your promises" Sophie shook her little head and Rebecca looked at Colby

"Lopez" she said and he looked at her "I don't break my promises" she said with a look and he took a deep breath

"No pressure" he said with a small smile