Chapter Three; Ghostly Awakenings
https://i.imgur.com/ry3rXXO.png?1
Brianne woke around midnight, and noticed almost at once that Selma was dirty. She coaxed the dog upstairs and into the bath, which actually went pretty well. She remembered to relock the door afterward, wanting to keep Selma out of the toilet.
https://i.imgur.com/yHyWaYT.png?1
Brianne was on her way downstairs when she saw something that startled her. Her Aunt Jessica's ghost had appeared, right about where she had died. Much as Brianne loved and missed her aunt, and her help in balancing family and work needs, she was not prepared for the sight of a ghost.
https://i.imgur.com/yHyWaYT.png?1
Tense, Brianne retreated into the kitchen and brought out her journal, oblivious to the ghost who had followed her in and gone right to the sink as if she still lived in the house.
https://i.imgur.com/BfSLoPt.png?2
Selma did not like having the ghost around at all, and the dog's incessant barking woke Viviana. The girl realized she was too hungry to sleep, and went into the kitchen for a very early breakfast, which she chose to eat in the living room.
She was so busy eating that she didn't immediately notice the ghost sitting beside her. Looking up from her plate, she gasped, "Aunt Jessica!"
Trying to be brave, Viviana gulped and finished her breakfast, relieved when the ghost moved away.
https://i.imgur.com/pdlczXm.png?1
In no hurry to go back into the living rom, Brianne went upstairs to check on Taro and tuck him in. She was relieved the toddler hadn't been woken up and frightened. Hopefully there would be no nightmares tonight - or this morning, rather.
https://i.imgur.com/S1lgsGZ.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/oDEjwuO.png?1
Venturing back downstairs, Brianne realized Viviana was awake and decided to keep her company, distracting both of them with conversation. She was facing Selma, and noticed that the dog was sitting on Jessica's ghost, as if to protect her family from the apparition.
"Look at Selma, the silly dog," she said, cracking a smile.
Viviana glanced over and gave a tiny laugh. "Good girl, Selma. Don't let that ghost scare you!"
https://i.imgur.com/NvY8KE0.png?1
With Jessica's ghost gone and Viviana in her room, Brianne went up to her own room to nap until Taro woke, knowing she'd need the extra rest to keep up with him.
https://i.imgur.com/6gCoBTM.png?1
When Taro woke, Brianne decided to go over some flashcards with him, teaching him basic needs.
https://i.imgur.com/cdFWdxR.png?1
Unaware of the ghostly visitation, Harry decided to greet the morning with music, taking up his guitar before breakfast.
https://i.imgur.com/INM6ovm.png?1
Calmer after listening to music, hugging her giant stuffed cat, Hobbes, and having a good cry, Viviana headed off for school, eager to tell her friends about the incident. Of course she wouldn't admit how scared she was, or that she'd cried like a baby afterward.
https://i.imgur.com/iht7NQB.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/b4ZooWJ.png?1
Taking a break from his guitar playing, Harry obeyed his stomach's demands for food and went down to heat up a plate of pancakes. He fed Selma too while he planned how he would spend the five or so hours until he had to go to work. A jog sounded like a good idea.
https://i.imgur.com/K3sHVfJ.png?1
Judging by her reaction, Selma agreed with him, loping happily along behind him. Maybe after he'd run off some of her energy, he could finish Selma's sit training.
https://i.imgur.com/q2PXJaM.png?1
By the time they returned, a little over an hour later, Brianne and Taro were downstairs, with Brianne attempting to teach Taro to dance.
Wanting to be near his family, Harry found a clear space behind them to put Selma through her paces. To his delight, the dog caught on and sat on command.
https://i.imgur.com/HiDNqzr.png?2
With that done, Harry turned his attention to repairing the downstairs shower so he could shower before work. He was disappointed that he hadn't had the chance to broach the subject of having another baby with Brianne. Now he would have to wait a couple of days, because she would likely be in bed by the time he got home, preparing for her next shift at the hospital.
https://i.imgur.com/Y6t54k3.png?1
Viviana returned home to find her cousin Fatima Siddig was visiting. Forgetting about homework or a snack, she joined her older cousin by the pool to chat.
"Don't splash me! That's cold!" she yelled in protest, startled.
"Sorry. So let's catch up. What have you been up to?" The young adult asked.
Mollified and thrilled by her cousin's interest, Viviana was soon chattering away.
https://i.imgur.com/dIrk04y.png?1
Finally noticing how hungry she was, Viviana went inside and made herself a ham and cheese sandwich, yawning sleepily while she ate. Fatima stayed outside, greeting Selma and a stray who had wandered into the backyard.
https://i.imgur.com/sAXpF2s.png?1
Brianne put Taro to bed, thinking longingly of her own bed. Maybe she could ask Fatima to stay for a few hours while she went to bed. It would give Fatima a chance to gain some experience, just as helping raise her niece had given Brianne some idea wht to expect when raising children.
https://i.imgur.com/YzoaMqf.png?1
