Lacie smiled at Aria apolegetically and nodded. She waved as Aria left, laughing along with Amber when Ari mentioned her beauty getup. She turned to Jae, the last one left in the kitchen. "If you want, I could run to the store for ya." Jae eyed Lacie as Aria disappeared upstairs. "I've got to run a few errands before park time anyway." Lacie looked at Jae, surprised at the offer. Since she'd been on her own with Amber, no one had offered to pay for anything for her. She knew she looked ridiculous, practically gaping. She felt tears prick her eyes and she shook her head incredulously, Christ, Lace, it's just cream cheese...
"Um, yes, thanks! But only if you're able, don't go out of your way." She said, smiling gratefully at him. Just then, Aria came back down and Amber smiled and clapped at her entrance. "Hat! Hat!" She exclaimed, opening and closing her fist, aiming for Ari's hat. Jae chose that moment to make an exit and Lacie waved to him, trying to console her daughter, who was attempting to clamber off of Lacie and somehow fly over to Aria's hat.
"Amber! Quit! You can't get over there!" I unintentionally raised my voice and Amber looked at me with wide eyes, blinked, and immediately started to sob. "Oh, no, no, no! Sweetie, I didn't mean it!" Lacie cradled Amber close to her neck and shushed her, giving an apologetic look to Aria. Sometimes, you never knew what would happen as a mother.