The back door opened and Mel staggered through. She was wearing the same nanny dress she had worn yesterday and was lugging a large canvas bag that was obviously too heavy for her slight frame. She dumped the bag just inside the door and turned to smile broadly at Heather.
"And how is my favorite little girl doing today?" She gushed.
"Alright, I guess." Heather mumbled.
"Good!" Mel gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Then let's get the day started! Are you dry?"
Without waiting for an answer Mel reached down and gave Heather's diaper a firm squeeze. She looked almost disappointed to find it dry. Her smile dropped a few notches, but she quickly hitched it back into place.
"Dry!" she declared. "Let's get you cleaned up and dressed for the day!"
Mel grabbed a washcloth from the sink and began wiping the remains of Heather's breakfast off her face, hands, and chest. She seemed to linger over her small breasts, wiping slowly and carefully. Heather shuddered and pushed her away. She didn't want a repeat of yesterday. Mel pouted, but finished cleaning her up and released her from the highchair. Seizing her hand, Mel half dragged, half lead Heather back upstairs to her room.
"Now, what shall we have you wear today, hmm?"
Mel began rapidly digging through Heather's dresser. She was clearly dissatisfied with what she found there. Finally, from the back of a drawer she pulled out a piece of clothing that Heather actually recognized. It had been a gift from Mel on her last birthday. A gag gift, really. It was a simple white top. Two spaghetti straps that held up a thin band of elastic from which hung a short length of loose, ruffled white cloth. It was clearly meant to be worn with something underneath. A light breeze would show the world everything if you didn't. It didn't look like Mel intended for her to wear anything else.
"Arms up!" Mel commanded.
Heather felt her arms rise on their own. Mel pulled the skimpy top over her head and adjusted the fit.
"There we go!" Mel chirped. "Cute as a button. Now, let's get going. We have a big day ahead of us."
Once again Mel grabbed Heather by the hand and began leading her back downstairs. As they crossed the kitchen, Mel paused and stared at the discarded shirt in the corner. She turned an accusatory look on Heather.
"Don't look at me," Heather said, "That's Hillary's. She took it off this morning at breakfast."
Mel eyed her suspiciously. Then she picked up the shirt and shook it out. It was clearly Hillary's. Only she would wear a tanktop that said 'Bite Me' in gothic script. Mel sighed, folded the shirt neatly, and set it on the table. She stood for a moment, staring at the ceiling with her arms folded, then seemed to come to a conclusion.
"Right." she said. "We will deal with that later. Come along now."
Mel knelt by her bag and started digging through it. Heather tried to see what it contained, but Mel kept blocking her view. When she stood up she was holding a much smaller pink bag with 'Heather' written on the side in blocky purple letters. It was her diaper bag from yesterday, and it looked fully stocked. Mel slung it over her shoulder and pushed Heather ahead of her into the living room. Heather was expecting to see the stroller there, but instead she saw her mother talking to another woman.
"It's all gassed up and her seat's in the back." Mandy said. "Thanks for doing this at the last second."
"It's alright," The woman said, "Our daughters are all handfuls."
Heather recognized Mel's mom, Gabrielle, or Gabby to her friends. She was a few inches taller than her daughter, but unlike her daughter's thin, gangly frame she was filled out.
"Mom!" Mel said, "What are you doing here?"
"Doing Mandy a favor." Gabby answered. "Apparently she needs to deal with Heather today so I will be the one driving you."
"But I wanted to be the one to discipline Hillary!" Mel said with a pout.
"Don't be greedy," Gabby said, "You're in charge of Heather. Let Mandy deal with Hillary."
"Tell you what," Mandy interjected, "When you get back you can give me a hand with her. I have a feeling I'm going to need it."
Mel beamed. Heather didn't like the look. It seemed almost... predatory. She was going to ask Mel what she meant by 'discipline' when Gabby pulled her into a bear hug and kissed her on the cheek like her daughter had earlier.
"Come on girls," She said, "We're going to have some fun today."
Gabby picked up Heather with ease and carried her out the door with Mel scurrying out after them.
"Mom!" Mel protested, "Put Heather down right now. You said it yourself, she's my charge."
Gabby swung around and dropped Heather into Mel's arms. Mel caught her and held her as easily as she had the day before. She wasted no time in carrying her to the waiting car and bundling her into the back seat. Heather found herself being strapped into a baby car seat sized for a teen. It was surprisingly comfortable. Mel climbed in after her and sat in the other back seat while Gabby slid into the driver's seat up front.
"Ready girls?" she asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Ready!" Mel said enthusiastically
"R-ready." Heather stammered.
Gabby started the engine, put the car in gear, and they were off.