The New Girl

Babysitting

Gabby

Once again, Ayden and I are back in Nevada, without Dom this time.

I invited him, just to be safe, but he assured me that he definitely did not planning on going back for a long while.

I was glad because I want to make sure Dom stays comfortable.

This time, we took my car because we always took Ayden's and the miles add up, I'm sure. I was surprised Ayden agreed to come all the way to Nevada to babysit for a weekend with me; nonetheless, I was still grateful.

"What are you doing for your birthday on Wednesday?" Ayden asked me as he drove through a neighborhood that would eventually lead us to my dad's house.

"Dinner with my mom and brother. I'm sure my mom won't mind if you and your family join us?" I invited him.

"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude."

"It's my birthday, and I want you there." I pointed out as I smiled at the side of his face while he continued to drive.

Soon, enough we were parked in my dad's driveway, ready for a night of babysitting while my dad and Ellen went out for the evening.

"Come on in!" Ellen insisted after we had knocked on the door, her tone sounding rushed and stressed.

At the stairs by the foyer, there were three suitcases packed, waiting to be taken out to the car.

Come to think of it, Dad never actually informed me where he and Ellen were going for the night, that would have hem returning late Saturday night.

"Okay, Lilly is upstairs with ellen, she just woke up." Dad filled in, with the same tone as Ellen. "I need you guys to feed her dinner, then keep her entertained until she's ready for bed. We're not too picky on bed times, so whenever you think she's tired because she will most likely not admit it. As for snacks, she can have pretty much everything in the pantry next to the fridge."

When Mom would go out of town for work and Dom and I were home with Dad, it was always so fun. He let us consume all the candy we wished and let us stay up as late as we pleased, so long as we didn't get an attitude with him.

It was the best.

"You can do whatever for breakfast, she's not picky about that. Just no cereal for her, it hurts her teeth. She naps around 3 until 4 or 4:30. For dinner tomorrow, there's money on the table - you can get her McDonald's or something."

"Okay." I nodded, processing all the information thrown at me.

"It's written on a piece of notebook paper on the fridge, along with Ellen's number. You can contact either of us if you need anything."

"Got it."

Ellen came down the stairs with Lilly, who was laying her head on her mom's shoulder tiredly. Dad kissed Lilly goodbye, as did Ellen. Then, she offered Lilly over to Ayden, who took her.

"One second, Matt. I have to go grab my charger from our room." Ellen then walked back up the stairs to retrieve her phone charger.

"Can you give us a minute, Ayd?" I murmured, loud enough for him and Dad to hear.

"Sure." With that, he walked through the kitchen to the living room with Lilly.

I swallowed down my saliva and redirected my attention back to my dad. "Where are you guys going?"

A voice in my head was yelling at me that I know where they are going, but I just wanted to hear him say it.

Dad bit his lip and hesitated to speak.