The build a bear store was considerably large and quite busy. Wren didn't seem all too bothered by it though as he and Ricky looked all the different bears you could get.

Sarah was over by accessories with Alex, who wasn't allowed to get another bear but according to her logic 'accessories aren't bears'

No one could deny that

Wren took picking a bear very seriously. We had been standing at the pick a bear section for a solid 15 minutes and all we deduced is that he wants specifically a bear. No monkey, rabbit, mermaid or troll. A bear.

Ricky tried pointing some out

"How about this one Wren"

He pulled off the shelf a display blue bear covered in sprinkles, it came with a plush doughnut. Wren shook his head and Ricky put it back

This went back and forth for a while until tears began to form in Wren's eyes. I noticed and picked him up, holding him close as Ricky comforted.

"Baby bear, what's wrong?"

He let out a quiet cry into my shoulder

" Too many! no choose. am sowy"

"Aw Wren, you don't have to be sorry. There's a lot of choices and we don't blame you for getting overwhelmed."

That's when I spotted a plain brown bear. Fairly basic but unique compared to neon vomit that plagued the rest.

I plucked the example bear off the shelf

"Wren honey, how about this one"

Wren looked up from my shoulder and reached out to touch it, his tears disappearing and a small smile spreading across his face. He brushed the soft fur against his cheek and giggled. Wren's love of all things soft trumped most bad moments.

I couldn't help but notice as Ricky pulled out his phone and tried to take a picture of Wren, he managed to get one but the shutter sound gave him away and Wren his back in my shoulder. Ricky chuckled and cooed at him.

"I'm sorry baby you're just too cute"

I took a look at the photo he took

"Aw we're getting that one framed!"

Wren whined and squirmed

"Nooooo"

I took the paci that clipped to his shirt and popped it in his mouth. Wren huffed but sucked the pacifier.

Ricky took him out of my hands

"Now baby bear let's get your very own bear stuffed!"

Wren smiled behind his paci until Ricky took the display bear out of his hands and out it back on the shelf. I could see the floodgates were about to open but before they could Ricky intervened.

"Baby bear, you need to a bear to get stuffed, that one belongs to the store but you can pick one of these"

Ricky directed towards the basket full of brown bear husks. He put Wren down so he could properly look in the basket. Wren picked one from the top and snuggled it.

" Ok you guys get in line to stuff the bear, I'm gonna check on your sister"

"Sounds good"

Ricky joined the back of the line for the huge stuffing machine with Wren holding his hand. Wren didn't even notice me walking away, he was so focused on the bear.

I walked to the other side of the store, where Sarah watched as Alex intensely analysed every accessory to see if it would be right for her monkey, banana. I swear she cares more about bananas well being than her own.

" Why hello there David"

"why hello there Sarah"

"Hi uncle David!"

"You've caught us in the middle of a real predicament"

"my my, what kind of predicament?"

Our voices began to get fancier and more ridiculous. Sarah is honestly great fun to be around, it's no wonder her and Ricky are related.

" Well you see my precious angel baby pie child Alex can't decide what to get for Sir Banana, the noble monkey"

A while ago it became an inside joke between me Sarah and Alex to talk like we're from olden times, sometimes we get way off period but it's still fun

"That is quite the predicament, we must solve this at once. Princess Alex!"

"Yes Uncle Sir David?"

"Do we have any clue as to what banana wants?"

"Well I lost his last shoes so maybe shoes"

Sarah jumped in

"What a fine idea! but shoes can be so boring how about these.."

She pulled out a pair of build a bear roller skates. Alex gasped

"They're perfect!"

Alex grabbed them and started jumping in circles. I whispered to Sarah

"Where'd you get those?"

She whispered back

"I spotted them earlier, knew she wouldn't be able to decide and was waiting for the right moment"

"fair enough, I should probably get back to-"

I was cut off by Sarah suddenly clutching my arm and hiding behind me, her voice stuttering

" We need to leave, now!"

"What's wrong, who's-"

That's when I spotted her. The grand high bitch herself. My blood boiled just seeing her.

Jessica.

She looked nothing like Ricky or Sarah which was fitting considering how different they are personality wise. Ricky and Sarah were both extremely caring souls with their own quirks and dents that made them who they are. Jessica hid away her physical flaws with her money, her hair, her chest, her waist, her eyes, all changed. But nothing could hide the twisted mind inside of her.

"I don't think she's noticed us yet, give me the roller skates, I'll pay for them with Wren. You Ricky and Alex go to the food court. We'll meet you there"

"Alex honey, give uncle David the skates, we have to go now"

Alex had gone unusually quiet and was now shaking. Alex saw her too

" Ok mommy"

She looked up with tears in her eyes and held out her hands

"carry me"

"Of course Alex, now let's get your Uncle Ricky"

Alex his in Sarah's neck as we speed walked towards the stuffing machine where Wren was getting helped to stuff his bear as Ricky watched. Sarah hissed at him

"Ricky we have to go now!"

"What why?"

Sarah fell over her words

"Sh-she-she's here"

"What?"

Ricky looked over and paled

"What about Wren?"

I spoke

"I'll stay with Wren, I'll get the bear, everything. You guys just go to the food court, wait there"

"Ok, I love you "

"I love you too"

Ricky gave me a soft pec before scurrying away with Sarah and Alex.

I turned back to Wren and knelt beside him. His bear was done, all fluffy and warm from just being stuffed. He held it's birth certificate in his hand.

"Aw baby that looks great!"

"Tankies Papa! Where Daddy?"

He looked around the store, clearly worried

"Daddy had to do something very important but we'll see him after we're done here"

"Oki Papa, where now?"

I was anxious to get out of the store but didn't want to deprive Wren of a decent build a bear experience.

" Well we have to pick some clothes for your bear"

"What kinds a clothes Papa?"

"Umm there's lots of choices-"

Wren whimpered, indecision being a big anxiety thing

"but maybe well get them pajamas or something. Make it a bit easier for you"

Wren smiled at me. I picked him up and brought him to the clothing area, still painfully aware of Jessica making her way around the store. She was on line to stuff a bear. Most likely for that spoiled infernal crotch goblin of hers.

"Papa look!"

Wren called and pointed out but realised his volume and hid his face in his hands. I pulled one away and held it.

"Its ok baby, what're you looking at?"

He took his other hand away and pointed at a set of bear pajamas

They were blue with a little cloud pattern on them

"They're perfect baby"

I kissed Wren's cheek and he hid in my neck making me laugh.

We reached the till and al of our items were put in the fancy box that's made to look like a house. Wren looked so excited.

On our way we were stopped in our tracks by a voice

"Well paint me green and call me a cucumber, if it isn't my favourite my favourite brother in law-"

I scowled, if I ignored her and kept walking, she'd follow me straight to Ricky and Sarah. I have to deal with her now. Not wanting Wren to be a part of this I repositioned him so his head was over my shoulder, he snuggled into my neck and babbled. I turned to Jessica, mentally preparing myself.

She continued her introduction

"-Not that there's another to compare you to, after Sarah's one was blown up"

She laughed, a high pitch ear rape of a laugh. I couldn't object, I couldnt defend James and it hurt. if I did, the onslaught of consequences wouldn't have been worth it

"Hello Jessica"

She smirked, sadistically

"Hello David, I don't see my dearest brother Richard, is he perhaps at the bar again, but he's been kicked out of practically every bar in town so he's probably at home drinking away his life while you care for-"

She stopped and looked Wren up and down

"Your new daughter is it?"

"He's my son"

She fakes pity

"Aw that's such a shame he's so feminine, didn't get the perfect little boy you imagined"

She left no space for me to interject. I could feel my neck and shoulder getting wet from Wren's tears. It took ever fibre of my being to not rip her heart out

"Where'd you even get him, no adoption place worth it's salt would let you within 20 metres. Oh my god did you get him at an auction!? He's not even a vampire then! This is hilarious, you bought yourself and Richard a sex toy!"

She laughed again. We were done

" We really should be getting going, we have a chicken in the oven. bye"

I turned and started to walk away

She called after me

"Tell Richard I said hi!"

I ducked into a bathroom to calm myself and Wren down.

I pulled down the diaper changing station and sat Wren down on it. y cheeks were tear stained and red.He whimpered quietly at the loss of touch. I brushed hair out of his eyes and whipes his eyes

"It's ok baby boy, the mean lady can't hurt you. I'm here baby"

He didn't speak, just cried and made grabby hands. I picked him up and rocked him.

"Do you want your bear?"

He nodded quickly and I got it out of the box

"bearemy"

Wren mumbled quietly, snuggling it's soft fur

"You wanna go see Daddy now?"

He nodded again

"and just so you know, you are our perfect little boy, don't ever doubt that. Don't listen to Jessica, she..

she's a real poopy head ok?"

Wren giggled a bit and babbled back to me

"poopyhead"

We walked around the food court until we found Ricky, Sarah and Alex tucking into a large amount of nachos.

"Daddy!"

Wren wriggled until I put him down and he ran to Ricky who picked him up and him on his lap.

"Hi baby bearrrr"

Ricky hugged Wren and shook him back and forth which made Wren giggle. Alex was more interested in Wren's bear than him

"What's your bear's name Wrennny?"

Wren held up the one of bear's paws which had it's name embroidered

"Bearemy"

"Dats a good name!"

Alex shoved more nachos in her mouth. I spoke up

"You know we're having dinner soon, right?"

Ricky looked sheepish

" Well um it's a funny story but ha ha...

I never put the oven on"

Sarah sniffled a laugh

"You what?"

"Ok lemme explain, I have a good excuse I swear

I put the chicken in the oven then I got distracted and never turned it on"

"Oh my god"

I face palmed which made made Wren and Alex giggle and Ricky try to redeem himself

"And as I was going to say, we should just get pizza"

Sarah piped up

"Plus we always get takeaway on special occasions"

Ricky threw his hands in there

"Pizza it is then!"

.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.°.

Pizza is amazing!

My Aunt never let me have much food and what I got was mainly scraps of hers so pizza was completely new to me. Daddy had been appalled I'd never tried pizza before, and nearly teared up when I told them about what I had been eating for the past 10 years.

We all sat on the couch, watching the news, because Papa wanted to catch it just before we started watching movies. Two large pizzas sat in front of us, one cheese, one pepperoni.

I was also given a bottle of milk but I wasn't drinking it because it made me feel very babyish, not that my clothes, my stuffies or the fact I was lying across Papa's and Daddy's lap wasn't helping that.

The earlier confrontation had been completely forgotten by all, apart from me. I understood why we don't like her and why Daddy, Alex and Auntie Sarah are scared of her .

but what I don't get is what did she do. Papa said she did something very bad and I wanna know what she did!

Maybe Daddy will tell me cause Papa won't.

"Daddy?"

I spoke quietly

"Yes my baby bear?"

"What did Jessica do to ooo?"

Everyone stopped eating and turned to me, I hated the attention and whimpered, hiding my head under my hands. But Daddy pulled them away

"I'm sorry baby, could you say that again?"

"Well Papa says Jessica do meanie thing to oo and sa-ray. he no tell me... you tell me tho"

Papa tried to talk

"Wren baby, you know your too young to know this-"

Daddy held up a hand to quiet Papa and sighed

"Wren has a right to know David, he had to find out sooner or later.

She basically controls us!"

Daddy laughed awkwardly

David sighed as well

" go ahead babe"

"It all started when Sarah and I were young"