So I tried to do some research, and I think I have Dinah's six other siblings (minus the one that Milika gave away and the one she is currently carrying). So Funaki, Kamila, Daniel, Kauvaka, Regina and Seth? Are they right or not? Does she have an eighth one? I saw an interview that said eight. I don't know anymore. Who am I missing? This is important for the next chapter.
I'm kind of hoping this chapter breaks your heart.
To the story!
-
Normani had eyes. She could see. And she wasn't happy. Lauren was always around Camila. Lauren always chose Camila. Normani miss those days when Lauren was just hers.
Normani was grateful for her new family, she really was, but Lauren was hers first.
-
"Boo-boo Bear, want to watch television?" Normani asked. It was Saturday and she had no school. She wanted to spend the day with Lauren. They hadn't had a Normani-Lauren day in some time, and Normani missed it.
"Dora with Camz," Lauren signed, looking at her hands.
"Can I watch too?" Normani asked, giving her little sister a smile.
Lauren nodded her head. She grabbed Leo and ran out the room.
Normani sighed. (It had been a few months since Dinah and Camila had found them, and Lauren was comfortable around the two other women. It was refreshing to see of course, but Normani missed when Lauren only communicated with her.) She followed Lauren to the living room, where Camila was waiting.
-
Normani sat on the couch with Nala, while Camila and Lauren did as Dora said. Not once did Normani felt like she could be part of them. Camila and Lauren were in their own little world. There had been a small marathon of Dora the Explora. And if Normani heard the words Vamanos one last time, she was going to throw the remote control to the television.
"Jump!"
Camila jumped, and Lauren did the same after seeing the older girl do it.
"We did it!"
Camila clapped her hands. Lauren copied her, clapping her hands along with Camila.
"Girls, lunch time!" Ally called out, causing Camila to run off. Lauren walked to the couch and grabbed Nala, who had been watching with Normani.
"Food with Camz," Lauren signed, looking at Normani.
"Let's go," Normani said, a bit of anger in her voice.
Lauren ran off with Nala, Leo chasing after her. Normani sighed and went to the kitchen.
-
Lauren was creating a tower with legos. She passed the pieces to Camila. Normani was watching from the doorway, tears welling up in her eyes. Not once did Lauren hang out with Normani.
Normani wiped the tears in her eyes and took a step back. She turned and ran off to the kitchen.
Normani wrapped her arms around Dinah's legs, tears streaming down her face.
Her foster mother pulled Normani away and knelt down so they were face to face. "What's wrong?"
"Lauren doesn't want me anymore," Normani cried, hugging Dinah.
The older woman frowned but rubbed the girl's back. "I'm sure that isn't right. Lauren loves you. You are her whole world."
Normani shook her head. "She wants Camila."
Dinah hummed, picking Normani up and taking her to the couch. She then sat the crying girl on her lap.
"Lauren loves you. She and Camila are the same age. They spend a lot of time together because you are in school. Lauren is getting comfortable around Camila. But no one will ever replace you."
Normani rubbed her eyes.
"Do you want me or Ally to talk to her for you?"
"Can you ask if she still want me?" Normani asked, her voice small.
"Of course. I'm sure Lauren will always want you," Dinah said, giving Normani a kiss on her cheek.
-
Ally gave Lauren a lego. The small girl hummed and continued to make her tower. Camila was with Dinah and Normani.
"Can we talk?" Ally asked, looking at the small girl.
Lauren looked up, her green eyes bright. "Trouble?"
"No, you're not in trouble," Ally told her, moving the tower.
Lauren grabbed Nala and placed the lion on her lap.
"I see you like spending time with Mila," Ally said, smiling.
Lauren nodded. "Camz nice."
"She is, but Normani is left alone," Ally said looking at the girl.
Lauren looked confused. "Love Manibear."
"I know you love her. And she loves you. But you are ignoring her," Ally said, running her hand through Nala's fur.
"Love Manibear."
Ally smiled, "Yes. We all love Manibear, but you love her the most, don't you?"
Lauren nodded her head. "Manibear mine."
"Have you told her?"
Lauren shook her head. She pulled Nala into a hug and bit her lip. Ally moved the ear out of Lauren's mouth and gave the little girl a pacifier to bite.
"How about you tell Normani you love her. She needs to hear that."
Lauren nodded her head. She stood up and walked to Ally. She wrapped one arm around the older woman's neck, wanting to be picked up.
Ally smiled and stood up, taking Lauren to the living room.
-
"Lolo my liddle sis'er, Nani my big sis'er. I wan' both," Camila said, looking at Normani. "I wan' Nani happy. I no wan' 'p'ace Nani. Me an' Nani pwotect Lolo."
Normani stood up and walked to Camila and wrapped her around the little girl. "You're my little sister too."
Camila grinned. She leaned into Normani. "I love you," Camila said, leaning up to kiss Normani's cheek.
"I love you too."
Normani and Camila looked off the couch when they heard little footsteps. Lauren ran to the couch and tried to climb onto the couch.
Leo ran to the couch and jumped on it. He looked at Lauren, as if saying it was easy.
Lauren huffed and tried to jump onto the couch, she fell back. Lauren looked ready to cry. Dinah laughed and picked Lauren up, placing her on the couch. The little girl crawled to Normani and leaned into her.
"M-y Manibear."
"Your Manibear," Normani whispered, pulling Lauren to her.
"Love you. Need you."
Normani kissed the top of the girl's head. "I love you. I need you."
Lauren sighed into Normani. The older girl soaked up the cuddling from both her sisters, before Leo ruined it.
The dog walked to Lauren and started to bit the outer end of the pacifier and started to pull it away. The little girl started to giggle, as she pushed the dog. Leo let out a growl while his tail wagged.
Normani was sure if Lauren had one, her tail would be wagging as well.
"Lauren, don't let Leo bit that," Ally said, looking at the girl.
Lauren pouted, allowing Leo to get it and run away. The little girl gasped, her eyes wide. She looked at Ally and pointed to Leo.
"We told you."
Lauren let out a whine (that sounded exactly like Leo's whines when he wanted something).
Normani leaned over and kissed Lauren's cheek. The small girl perked up and leaned into her oldest sister. She reached over and grabbed Camila's hand.
Normani smiled. She was okay with sharing Lauren, as long as she wasn't replaced.
-
Everything is fine. But Normani and Lauren's relationship won't always be the best, there will be one other moment where something happens between them. When and why, I won't say. You won't see it coming.
A family moment is important. (It's November) And an important moment for Ally and Dinah is coming soon.
- Drunk Breadstick ending this chapter, PEACE!