The Newest Member...a “Kimberly” story (F/f)

chapter 3

© 2002 by Sampast

 

(Regular disclaimers apply.  Please see chapters one and two for character introductions.  This story is dedicated to tx.)

 

Regina looked over at Katie.  She couldn’t believe how far the little girl had come in such a short period of time.  Right now she was giggling and laughing and tumbling around on the grass with Kimberly.

 

Katie looked up, almost as if she knew her aunt had been thinking about her, and waved.  Regina waved back.  She loved having Katie living with them, even though it was much harder looking after three girls alone, as it had been with two.

 

Mark came home occasionally and helped out.  But it wasn’t the same.  At least she still had her full time nanny, Jacklyn.  Regina hoped she never had to find out what it would be like without Jacklyn there.

 

Regina set back to planning.  Taylor’s 2^nd birthday was coming up, and Regina knew how much work there was going to be in setting up.  She had cut the list down to 45 of her closest friends and neighbors, and threw in a few family members, too.

 

Katie would like the party.  She loved parties.  She didn’t used to.  But now the four year old was on much better ground.  When she had first come to live with Regina, Kimberly, and Taylor, things were very different.  Regina thought back to six months before.

                                                  ~~~

Mark had called from England and told Regina that his cousin had passed away and left him something to take care of.  He had to go pick it up and would bring it home the following week.  Mark neglected to mention that this ‘it’ was not an ‘it’, but most definitely a child.  He was afraid of Regina’s reaction.

 

A week later, when Mark walked in the door, holding onto Katie’s hand, Regina just about passed out.  Not that she was upset, but she wasn’t expecting a little child.  “Who’s this?” she had asked him.

 

“This is Katherine Rene.  She goes by Katie.”

 

The whole story came out then.  Regina was not mad or upset.  She looked at the beautiful four year old and smiled.  She tried to hug her but the child would not let her.  She was hurting so much. 

 

Katie had been through a lot.  She had never known her father and her mother had just died a few months before of leukemia.  They had been very close, too.  After her mother died, Katie was passed around to several relatives but no one could keep her.  When the authorities contacted Mark, he said they would take her in.  He knew that was asking a lot of Regina especially to make such a decision without speaking to her first.  But when he saw the child, he just couldn’t say no.  She actually looked a lot like he had when he was a child.

 

“Would you like some juice?” Regina asked Katie.

 

“No,” she said.

 

“That’s no, thank you, Katie,” Regina corrected.

 

“I said NO, what’s the big deal?” Katie asked.

 

Regina raised her eyebrows and looked at Mark.  He shrugged.  Regina did not want to push this child, not her first day here.

 

“Okay, sweetie.  Come, I’ll introduce you to your cousins, Kimberly and Taylor.”

 

Kimberly had been shy and a bit possessive at first.  After all, this was her house, her mama, her room, her everything.  But slowly as the weeks went on, and became months, Kimberly had gotten real close to her little cousin.  She even became possessive of Katie.  If someone were mean to Katie, Kimberly stuck up for her.

                                                            ~~~

Regina laughed at the memory.  She tried to work on party preparations, but her mind was too distracted.  She looked over at the little girls rolling around and was so glad they were getting along.  Mark would be home that weekend and they had a big surprise for the girls.  Regina didn’t know how she had kept it a secret for so long.

                                                            ~~~

Regina’s mind wandered back to the past again.  It was about two months ago.  Katie had been with the family for four months.  She had gotten a bit better about her manners, and even let Regina hug her.  She still missed her mother a lot but she didn’t talk about her as much anymore.  Regina didn’t mind when she did, but she thought maybe Katie felt it was inappropriate.  Regina wanted to make sure Katie always remembered her mother, and put up a picture of her in her bedroom.

 

She saw her talking to her mother’s picture one afternoon.  Regina knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she was so curious as to what Katie was saying.  She stood in the doorway and listened.

 

“Aunt Regina’s real nice,” Katie told her mother’s picture.  “But she’s not very strict with me.”  Katie laughed a weird kind of laugh.  “She spanks Kimberly all the time, but not me.”

 

Regina put her hand over her mouth so she didn’t gasp.  It was true.  She hadn’t had the heart to discipline the little girl at all.  She tried to correct her manners and her behaviors, but if Katie got out of hand, Regina would just talk to her.  She didn’t know what kind of discipline Katie had had before, but she just didn’t want to spank her.  Regina guessed she was afraid that Katie would fall apart and think they didn’t want her anymore.

 

Now Regina realized that was silly.  It was just like what she told Kimberly all the time when she had to punish her.  “Just because Mama has to spank you, baby, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love you.  Nothing you do could ever make me stop loving you.”

 

“Mama? I miss you,” Katie said to the picture.  “I wish you was here right now.”

 

Regina felt the tears well up in her eyes.  That poor child.  She wanted to rush to her and hold her tight and rub her back and let her know that everything would be all right.  But she didn’t.  She didn’t want Katie to know she had been listening.  Regina was about to leave the room when she heard something.

 

“Maybe Mama? Maybe Aunt Regina doesn’t spank me because she doesn’t love me as much as she loves Kimberly.  I’m just as naughty as her.”

 

Regina looked at Katie.  She couldn’t believe those words had come out of the child’s mouth.  She had tried so hard to show Katie that she was just as loved as Kimberly and Taylor.

 

This time she came into the room and sat down on the bed next to Katie.  “Katherine? May I talk to you?”

 

Katie looked up, startled by the full use of her name.  “Okay,” she said.

 

“Listen, sweetie, I heard what you just told your mama.”

 

“You did?” Katie asked, slightly embarrassed.

 

Regina nodded.  “And it isn’t true.  I love you just as much as I love Kimberly and Taylor.”

 

“But why? I’m only your niece.  And you don’t even know me that well.”

 

“I know you pretty well,” Regina said, smiling.

                                                            ~~~

“MAMA!”

 

Regina was brought back to the present again.  Kimberly was lying on the grass and Taylor and Katie were on top of her.  “Help me!”  Regina went running over there and before she knew it, she was tumbling with them in the grass.

                                                            ~~~

It was only much later when all the kids had been tucked in, and Jacklyn had gone to bed, too, that Regina thought back again to that day in Katie’s bedroom.

 

“Katie, what did you mean when you said you were just as naughty?”

 

Katie looked embarrassed and looked away.  But Regina turned her head so that she was looking right at her.  “I mean, sometimes you spank Kimberly for something that we both did, and you don’t spank me.”

 

Regina thought.  Katie was right.  Just the week before, she had caught the girls in her make-up.  She had been so angry because they had completely ruined it.  Kimberly had gotten a big spanking.  She was even going to spank Katie, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.  Katie had cried and cried when Regina was scolding them and she couldn’t add a spanking on top of it all.

 

Katie looked up at her aunt.  Regina looked down.  “Are you feeling bad about something, Katie?”

 

The little girl nodded.  “Member last week when we ruined your make-up, Aunt Regina?”

 

“Yes, I remember.  I had to go out and buy all new make-up.  But then I bought you and your cousin some play make-up to use, right?”

 

“Uh huh,” Katie said.  “I felt bad that day because I knew it was wrong to touch your stuff.  Kimberly said you wouldn’t care, but I had a feeling you’d be upset.”

 

“And I was, wasn’t I?” Regina asked her niece.

 

“Yes, ma’am.  And you gived Kimberly a big spanking,” she said knowingly.

 

Regina nodded.  She had spanked Kimberly in front of Katie, so she would know how serious it was.  Also, Regina had wanted Katie to know what the consequences were for doing something like that.

 

“You were pretty upset that night, Katie.”  Regina paused.  She looked at her niece.  “I actually came very close to spanking you that night.”

 

“How come you didn’t, Auntie?”

 

“Because you cried and cried and swore you’d never touch my things again.  And also, I didn’t want you to hate me for spanking you.”

 

“Oh,” was all Katie said.  Then very quietly she said, “My mama used to spank me when I was naughty.”

 

“She did?” Regina asked, a bit surprised.

 

Katie nodded.  “And she always loved me again afterwards.”

 

Regina had to fight back the tears.  This poor little girl had been through so much the past several months.  She just nodded at her niece.  “Yes, sweetie, that’s what happens with parents.  They spank their children because they love them and want to help them learn right from wrong.  But they always, ALWAYS, still love them.  And once a punishment is over, the slate is wiped clean.”

 

“Yeah,” Katie said.  “I know that.”

 

Regina knew what she had to do now.  She turned and looked into Katie’s face.  “I was wrong last week, Katie.”

 

“About what?”

 

“About not spanking you.  Your cousin got a big spanking and you got away with murder.”

 

Katie giggled.  “Yeah, Kimberly was real mad when I didn’t get nothing.”

 

“Well, I think we need to fix that.”

 

“What do you mean, Aunt Regina?”

 

“I mean that I’m going to spank you right now.”  She stood Katie up in front of her and looked her in the eyes.  “Tell me what you did last week that was wrong.”

 

“Noooo, I don’t want a spanking!” Katie cried.

 

“Well you might not want one but you’re going to get one.  You need this, Katherine Rene.  Now tell me!”

 

Katie bit her lip to keep it from trembling.  In a way she had wanted this, but now that it came right down to it, she didn’t want it.  She looked up at her aunt.  She was staring at her, waiting for her to answer.

 

“I took stuff out or your room without permission.  And I ruined your make-up, Aunt Regina.”

 

“Yes, you did, Katherine.  And you know that is very wrong, don’t you?”

 

Katie nodded.  “Yes, I know,” she said, starting to whimper a little.

 

Regina pulled down Katie’s short and panties and pulled her over her lap.  She raised her hand and brought it down hard on her niece’s bottom.  {Smack! Smack!}

 

“Owwwww!” Katie cried.

 

But Regina kept going.  It was all she could do not to break down and cry herself.  {Smack! Smack!} {Smack! Smack!} {Smack! Smack!}

 

“You do not {Smack! Smack!} touch my things {Smack! Smack!} without permission, young lady.  {Smack! Smack!} You do not touch my makeup {Smack! Smack!} or anything else.  {Smack! Smack!} And if your cousin is doing something {Smack! Smack!} that you know is wrong, {Smack! Smack!}

you will not do it, too.” {Smack! Smack!}

 

“Owwwwwwww, yes, ma’am!” Katie cried, wriggling around to try to escape her aunt’s hand.

 

But Regina held her firmly on her lap.  “I will not tolerate {Smack! Smack!}

any more misbehavior {Smack! Smack!} from you.  When you act up, young lady, {Smack! Smack!} you will get a spanking.  {Smack! Smack!} Is that understood?” {Smack! Smack!}

 

“Yessssssssss! I’m sorrrrrrrrrry!” Katie cried.

 

Regina sniffled herself and put her hand down.  She pulled Katie up and into her lap and held her close and just cuddled her.  The little girl held on for dear life.

 

“I love you so much, Katherine.  I’m sorry that by not punishing you like I do with Kimberly, that you thought I didn’t love you.”

 

Katie just sniffled.  There was no way she was going to admit that that spanking actually made her feel better.  But it did.  She now knew that she was loved and also accepted into this family.

                                                  ~~~

Regina smiled thinking back to that day.  She knew she had made the right decision that night.  Katie had learned something from that too.  She looked at the clock.  It was late.  Tomorrow would be another busy summer day, and they had lots to do.  She turned over in her bed and went to sleep.

 

Things went on as usual.  The party got planned, the invitations sent out, the favors and decorations were bought.  Mark would be home that weekend to help with last minute stuff.  Regina was excited.  Aside from the surprise they had for the girls, Mark was going to be home for a month before his next trip.  She was glad he would have time to get to really know Katie.

 

Kimberly ran to the door.  “DADDDDDY!  You’re home!” she screamed.  Taylor came running, too.  Mark put down his suitcases and briefcase and picked up a little girl in each arm.  He gave them lots of hugs and kisses.  Regina stood by waiting for her turn.  After she hugged and kissed Mark, she looked around for Katie.

 

Regina found Katie in her room.  “Is something wrong, sweetie? Your uncle came home.  Don’t you want to go say hi?”

 

“He’s busy with his kids,” Katie said.  “I’ll see him later.”

 

Regina’s heart snapped.  She said to Katie, “I’ll be right back.”  She got up and went to find Mark.  Kimberly was on his back and was choking him to death; she was hugging him so hard.  “Kimberly, Mommy needs to talk to Daddy.  Go find Jacklyn and tell her I said you can have three cookies.”

 

“Wow, three? Okay!  See you later, Daddy!” she said, running off.

 

Regina told Mark about what Katie said.  He felt terrible.  “I think we shouldn’t wait,” he said.  “Let’s go tell her now.”

 

He took Regina’s hand and they both went back to Katie’s room.  “Hey!  There’s my little girl.  I wondered where you were!” Mark said enthusiastically to Katie.

 

She looked up.  “Oh, hi, Uncle Mark.”

 

He sat down on the edge of her bed and Regina sat down next to him.  “What’s wrong, baby? Aren’t you glad to see me?” his voice betrayed him even though he tried not to sound hurt.

 

She looked up.  “Yeah, I am.”  She got up and went over to him and put her arms up for a big hug.  Mark held Katie tight and then gently pushed her away and looked at her face.

 

“You sure everything’s okay, baby?”

 

“I’m not a baby!” Katie all but shouted.  Regina was surprised at the tone in the little girl’s voice.

 

“Of course you’re not, but you’re one of our babies!” Regina said.  “We call Kimberly ‘baby’ also and she’s five.”

 

“But I’m not one of your kids, Aunt Regina.  I’m only your niece,” she said, sounding much older than 4.  Katie was a very precocious child, added to the fact that she had had to grow up a little faster than most kids.

 

Regina looked at Mark.  He nodded to her.  Very softly Regina asked, “Katie, do you like living here with us?”

 

Katie nodded very quickly.  She was mad at herself for doing that, but it was true.  Except for when she had been with her mama, she felt most at home here.  She loved having Kimberly around to play with, and also Taylor.  She was so cute.  And Regina was very loving, and gave her baths, and tucked her in every night.  In her mind, things were almost too good to be true.

 

“How would you like to live here with us forever?” Mark asked.  He didn’t even realize it but he was holding his breath.

 

“That would be good,” Katie said.  She wanted to scream “Yay!” but she didn’t dare.

 

Mark looked at Regina.  Regina looked at Mark.  They had something else to say but weren’t sure how to go about it.  Finally Mark said, “Wait right here.  I have something for you, Katie.”

 

When he came back to the room, Katie looked very curiously at the small black box.  Mark said, “We were going to wait until Saturday to give this to you, but now seems like the right time.”

 

Katie took the box that her uncle held out for her.  She looked up at her aunt.  Regina nodded.  “Go ahead, sweetie, open it.”  Katie opened the box and looked down at a beautiful gold bracelet.

 

“Wow!” she said.  She took it out of the box and held it up.  “It’s real pretty.”  Katie studied the bracelet and then looked up at her aunt and uncle.  “Kimberly and Taylor have bracelets like this, too.  Kimberly showed me hers one day.”

 

“That’s right, sweetie,” Regina said.  “All our girls have one.  We want you to know that you are a part of our family, and you will be forever and ever.  I know I can never take the place of your mama, but I want to try very hard to be a good mommy to you.”

 

“And I want to be a good daddy to you,” Mark told the little girl.

 

Katie started to cry.  She was so happy.  Mark put the bracelet on her and she hugged him tight.  Then she went over to Regina and put her arms up.  Regina scooped the little girl into her arms and held her tight.  “I love you, baby.”

 

“I love you, too, Mommy,” Katie said.

 

And that weekend they went to the courthouse and made it official.  Katie was now a permanent and legal member of the family.  Everyone was so happy.

 

The end.