Leah heard footsteps behind her. She turned. Gina had entered the room.
“Oh, did you make a new friend, Holly?” Gina asked. Holly nodded happily, pointing at Leah. “That’s so wonderful!” Gina crouched down to pick Leah up. “Hmm, I don’t remember someone bringing someone as little as you to the party. They must have snuck in. Just like you snuck upstairs, you naughty girl!” Gina poked Leah’s nose.
“Pway,” Holly mumbled around her pacifier.
“Don’t worry, you can play with your new friend downstairs. That’s what your playpen is for. Now, come on.” Gina held out a hand. Holly toddled over and took ahold of her mother’s hand. Gina led them out of the room and towards the stairs. Leah felt a sudden surge of fear at the stairs, which now seemed incredibly imposing. Holly toddled towards the stairs.
Fearing for her new friend’s safety, Leah felt a bit of pee squirt into her diaper. However, Holly was unperturbed, and crawled down the stairs without any issue. Once downstairs, Gina took Holly’s hand again and led her out onto the patio. Gina then headed for a playpen that had been set up by a table full of moms.
Gina gently placed Leah in the playpen, then Holly as well.
“Have fun with your new friend, Holly. And some old ones, too!” Gina cooed. Leah looked at the other inhabitants of the playpen. They were two toddler boys, one a bit older than Holly and the other a bit younger. Gina ruffled Leah’s hair. “And I’m going to see if I can track down your mommy or daddy, sweetheart.”