“…you’ll have to cut me in,” Hailey said firmly. Selina sighed. She didn’t have a choice at this point.
“All right,” she said reluctantly. Hailey grinned. “We can discuss how much you get after you get me out of here, though.”
“Not a problem.” Hailey picked Selina up. Selina’s training pants rustled with the movement. “Wait.” Ignoring Selina’s protests, Hailey pulled back the waist of Selina’s pants. “Are you wearing pull-ups?”
“They were the only thing in my size,” Selina said defensively.
“If they’re the only thing in your size, that’s probably for a reason,” Hailey said.
“Wh- are you saying that I’m not potty trained?”
“I’m saying that at your age, accidents happen. Especially when you’re sleeping.” Still carrying Selina, Hailey walked over to a bunch of strollers shoppers could use for their children. She buckled Selina into one and poked her nose playfully. “We should stock up a bit for you. Just in case.”
“There’s no in case,” Selina snapped, fighting with the stroller’s buckle. But her stubby fingers were lacking in fine motor skills. “I won’t have an accident!”
“You can’t guarantee that,” Hailey said. Selina gave up on the buckle and crossed her arms, sulking. “Luckily, I know a store we can go to. There’s always sales there.”
“Kid stuff is expensive,” Selina muttered.
“I know. That’s why you’ll pay me back.” Hailey looked down at Selina. “Isn’t that right, little kid who I could easily turn in to the authorities?”
“…Fine,” Selina ground out. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Great!” Hailey chirped. She began to push the stroller through the mall until they arrived at the very store Selina had gotten her clothes from. “Oh, their semi-annual sale is going on! Perfect!” Hailey pushed the stroller into the store.
Selina tried to ignore Hailey as she excitedly looked through the clearance items for toddlers. When someone who worked at the store approached them, Selina hurriedly closed her eyes and laid back, pretending to be asleep. She didn’t want the worker to interact with her at all.
“Aw, did my little girl fall asleep?” a voice cooed. Selina’s eyes shot open. She was still in the stroller at the mall, but they were now at the food court instead of the baby store. Hailey, sitting at a table next to the stroller, grinned at her mischievously. “I can’t believe you actually fell asleep. I thought you were faking.”
“I was at first,” Selina said, stretching her arms. She yawned widely. “But it’s been a long day.”
“And at your age, you need naps,” Hailey said. She unbuckled Selina from the stroller and lifted her onto her lap. “Don’t worry, I got everything we need.” Selina looked at the bags Hailey was gesturing to.
“Did you buy out the store?” she grumbled. Hailey laughed. Selina’s eyes landed on something with packaging she could read through the bag. She gasped. “Did you buy diapers?”
“The person at the store said someone at your age should be wearing them to bed, just in case,” Hailey said. “I’m not gonna force you to wear them when you’re awake. Just while you sleep. Until we get a better idea of your potty training level.”
“I’m not planning on staying this age very long. Once I contact my client-”
“Oh, I took care of that already.”
“You- what?”
“I found the number in your phone. I explained the situation. He was very understanding, but said that he was in the middle of something important and wouldn’t be able to come by to pick up the pills for a little while.”
“He couldn’t send a lackey?”
“He wants to pick them up in person,” Hailey said with a shrug. “Now, I have to try something else the person at the store told me about.”
“What?” Selina asked warily. She let out a soft yelp as Hailey stuck a finger down the back of her training pants. “Hailey!”
“The person at the store was right,” Hailey said somberly. “You’re wet.” Selina stared at her. “Soaked, actually.” Selina let out another yelp as Hailey felt around the outside of her pants. “Yep. You need a change of protection and clothes.” Selina looked down. Sure enough, there was a wet spot around the crotch of her pants. She groaned loudly. “It’s okay. You can’t help it.” Hailey put Selina back into the stroller. “I’ll get you changed, then we can have some food.”
“But-” Selina started. Hailey stood up and began to push the stroller towards the bathrooms.
“You asked for my help. This is me helping,” Hailey said firmly. Selina scowled.
She continued to scowl as Hailey brought her into a bathroom stall and removed her pants and soaked pull-up. “Gotta clean you up before I put the nice new clothes on.” Hailey pulled out a package of baby wipes and wiped Selina down, ignoring Selina’s yelps at the cold wipe. She then pulled out a fresh pull-up and held it in front of Selina. “Step in.” Selina stepped into the pull-up. Hailey pulled it up for her, then took off Selina’s shirt.
“Hey!”
“I’ve got to see how this looks on you,” Hailey gushed, pulling something out of one of the bags. Selina winced. It was an adorable pink toddler sweater dress. She wouldn’t be caught dead wearing something like it, but Hailey pulled it over her head anyways. “Aw! Pink is really your color, Selina. You should wear it more often.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Selina muttered. “How long will I be like this?”
“Hmm?”
“You said the client won’t be able to pick the pills up for a while. How long is a while?” Selina asked.
“He set up the meetup for…”