Guilt [Shelby]

[Ian Hunt]

"Thanks Liese," I say after her, then I look back at Isaiah with a grin, "They tried to make you wear a dress?"

[Shelby Crescent]

"Yes, and then Vi and Liese started to cry and so I had to wear it. Pink and floral. And if you ever say a word to anyone, especially Jenny you better sleep with your eyes open." he says with a serious face as he sat the doll on his lap as he sat in the chair.

[Ian Hunt]

I grin slightly but quickly stifle it, "Secret's safe with me."

[Shelby Crescent]

He nods, looking at the door as Shell walked to the door. "Go to bed." She rolls her eyes walking in and sitting down at the table. "So Ian, I didn't know you played with dolls."

[Ian Hunt]

"Yeah, what he said," I agree, inclining my head at Isaiah, then glancing at the doll, "Hmm, blame Liese."

[Shelby Crescent]

"No, and no. You both can't make me." she says with a sigh. Isaiah scowls and glances over at Ian. "You know I have an idea."

[Ian Hunt]

"What idea is that Isaiah?" I raise an eyebrow.

[Shelby Crescent]

"Toss her over our shoulders or one of us carry her to her room and lock the door." he says with a grin to Shell, who was already standing up and backing away. "No you don't." he says with a laugh, getting a hold of her hands. "What do you think?"

[Ian Hunt]

"Good plan," I laugh, advancing a few steps to help, "You want me to take her?"

[Shelby Crescent]

"Well the last time I tried, she kicked me in the stomach so be careful." he says pulling Shell towards the two of them. "I will hex both of you if you dare try this again." she says glaring at both of them.

[Ian Hunt]

"We love you Shell," I tell her with a small laugh as I take her lightly by the waist and haul her up over my shoulder, "We only do this because we love you."

[Shelby Crescent]

"Yeah right. Throwing me over your shoulder is a sure sign of affection. Put me down." she says hitting him in the back a little. Isaiah just laughs and shakes his head. "The last time we went through this, Dad nearly dropped her. I still think that's funny."

[Ian Hunt]

"He nearly dropped her?" I laugh, ignoring her protests and heading out into the hall, "I'll try not to. Can you get the door for me Isaiah?"

[Shelby Crescent]

"Yeah sure." he says with a laugh, walking ahead of them and opening the door as wide as it could. "Ian Hunt, I'm going to kill you once I get down." she says pulling his hair now instead and swinging her feet at him.

[Ian Hunt]

"You know, I get that said to me surprisingly often," I reply conversationally, heading into her room and setting her down lightly on the bed, "Now...uh...stay, sleep."

[Shelby Crescent]

"What do I look like a little kid?" she asks standing up and starts heading for the door.

[Ian Hunt]

"No, you look twenty-five," I reply wryly, carefully knocking her back down onto the bed again, calling out into the hall, "Oi, Isaiah! There's a flaw in your plan."

[Shelby Crescent]

"What? Now what is she doing?" he asks as he sees Shelby standing up again. "Ha ha, very funny Ian. But I don't need sleep, I can stay awake off of coffee."

[Ian Hunt]

"Walking," I nod in response to Isaiah, deciding to just ignore her.

[Shelby Crescent]

Isaiah raises an eyebrow at Shell before taking her by the hand and putting her back into the bed this time, tucking the sheets so she couldn't move out of the bed as if she was a little kid. "This isn't fair." she calls over to them, but sighs and turns on her side to try to sleep.

[Ian Hunt]

I don't reply in case this spurs her into movement again because she seems to be admitting defeat if she's turned over, so I just raise an eyebrow at Isaiah.

[Shelby Crescent]

He nods, walking over and kissing her forehead. "It's for your own good." she sighs, blowing her bangs out of her face. "Tell me a story." she laughs, looking over at Ian.

[Ian Hunt]

"I don't know any stories," I laugh slightly.

[Shelby Crescent]

"Not a single story?" she asks with a pout similiar to Vi's. "You have to know at least one."

[Ian Hunt]

I shake my head, "Sorry. No stories. Why would I know any stories?"

[Shelby Crescent]

"You don't have to read stories to Abby or Poppy when she was little? I could be mother goose now if I wanted." she says with a smile.

[Ian Hunt]

"Poppy told herself her own stories," I shake my head wryly, "And Abby likes Maddie putting her to bed, so nope, no stories. Sorry."

[Shelby Crescent]

Shell sighs, scooting around so she was sitting up in the bed now as James walked into the room and smiles up at Ian. She just laughs a bit as he walks over to the bed and extends his hands up at her.

[Ian Hunt]

I laugh slightly, "Hi James. You know any stories?"

[Shelby Crescent]

Shell leans a bit forward, scooping James up into her arms and places him on her lap, lightly playing with his red hair. He glances over at Ian and smiles. "No. Momma and Da tell me stories." Shell glances over at him as Isaiah sits at the corner of the bed. "It's just a matter of time now until they all come in my bed." she laughs a bit, seeing Liese and Vi at the doorframe already.