who could ever leave me darling ? but who could stay ?

Hopefully she’s back to living her best kid life Asap. I can be pretty genius sometimes. Who said you need school?  I still use the popsicle trick on myself. I’m totally a big kid sometimes. Sure, Jan, not tricking. Whatever you say. That’s devious and I love it, KuDOS

Heck I might try the popsicle thing at some point myself! Especially once the weather gets warmer. ..You could probably even do the same thing with vitamins or something- just crush them up. I wouldn’t say devious but thank you just the same. And as for Lily, she’s still a bit sickly given how crazy the weather is, but she should be back to 100% in no time.

Alcohol only gets when it’s a lot more than a splash, and when it’s habitual. There’s a reason people used to use it as a painkiller in the past. Whiskey will work, vodka might be too sharp. Bourbon is usually the best because it doesn’t taste as awful even when warm, but if she can tell the difference, you might have a bigger problem on your hands. 

Fair point. I’m not much a fan of vodka anyways, so alright. If I can’t tell the difference, I think I’ll make the wild guess that she won’t either. So I think I might just try it out if it comes down to it--not to mention keeping it in mind for myself for when I inevitably come down with a cold this winter, so thanks.

Which is fair, but there’s no harm in asking. The best way to treat the antsy bit is something new to do while rest. A new show or book.

I know..but I also know they’re overworked enough at the hospital, so if I can handle her here at home and not bother them with something as simple as a cold, I’d rather that. If she doesn’t get better within the next few days though, I’ll have her checked out. Right now all she wants to watch is Toy Story, so that’s out. ..I might see about a bookstore though. That might be a good idea. Thank you, Sir.

So as of tomorrow I’m be gonna bedridden, and when I’m not that I’ll be at the very least a homebody for a good long while. If anyone has any books, tv shows, movies, or hobbies that I can fill my time with I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!

Once you’re up for company let me know and you’ll have yourself a good ol’ cuddle session. And when you’re up for sweets also let me know and I’ll defrost some of the brownie batter I’ve saved in the freezer. Til then I’ll just send you lists of podcasts I like and some audiobooks. Maybe get you one of those ‘learn a language’ apps so I can talk to you in Italian like I do with Lil.

Your tiny human feeling any better? Fruity popsicles help with sick crankiness. Like you take a splash of juice a splash of medicine and freeze it into Popsicle form, kid’ll be thanking you. Tricking kids must be the key to parental happiness. I should patent that.

A little, but she’s not 100% just yet. I might try that idea though with the popsicles...that’s kind of genius. And hey, I wouldn’t say tricking! Just...getting around their aversions. Even if they aren’t fully aware. When my daughter doesn’t want to eat her dinner I’ll usually cut it up small enough that I can hide bits in each spoonful of pudding or apple sauce she will want to eat. Tends to work.

I have an unopened bottle of Delsym here you’re more than welcome to for your little one’s cough, but it’s the adult concentration: you will need to cut it with water to generate a safe dose for her size.  It’s unfortunate but there’s not much one can do for a cold, aside from reducing physical activity and pushing for rest while the immune system kicks into gear.  

Perhaps some distractions in the form of coloring books and similar activities are precisely what she needs.

Oh..really? You’re sure? I wouldn’t need the entire bottle, I’d feel bad taking the whole thing from you... Thankfully she’s been taking naps, but being sick is annoying her, so she’s been very grouchy and not wanting to stay still or doing less-strenuous things when she’s not asleep. Hopefully she’ll get better soon though. At least I don’t have downstairs neighbors to hear her jumping and screaming at 11pm.

Fresh out. Check the hospital. As for home remedies– drink water and rest, as with all sickness.

I didn’t want to resort to the hospital until absolutely necessary--the patients there I think might need it a lot more, Sir. Water and rest is mainly all she’s been doing though, even if she’s starting to get antsy with not having left the apartment in a couple days.

Splash of bourbon in warm milk. It won’t hurt her, and it’ll help with the pain long enough that she’ll be able to fall asleep. You can also do it in hot water with lemon if you’re worried about the milk causing mucus. Rest will be the most important for her now.

My mother swore by rubbing rum against a baby’s gums while they’re teething to help the pain so I know it wouldn’t hurt...I guess I just hadn’t thought of that. Whiskey is the same thing, right? I..don’t really know my alcohols that well. It’ll have to be water since the only milk I have right now is the powdered one and she doesn’t like it.

Cannolis! I use my grandmother’s recipe, she taught me how to make them when I was barely five and it’s one of my favorite ways to remember her--and to think of my own mother when I make them. I hope so! She loves to be in the kitchen with me, but whatever she wants to do I’ll 100% support her.

No, not really. It’s been difficult, but then, life back home wasn’t all that easy either. I’ve found myself a family here though, a support system, and created a life that I’m happy with and a business I love--even if it’s currently on pause. So no, I don’t.

A sweater that is partially a joke gift but he might totally wear, along with a ‘senses’ gift, each bag having something pertaining to the five senses (touch, sight, smell, taste, hearing).

Branson, while things haven’t been easy since things started between us, I’m really thankful that we decided to give this, us, a shot. Throughout everything crazy that’s gone on, you’ve been something stable and solid and reliable for both me and my daughter. I could never thank you enough for that. You’re so absolutely wonderful and I’m really excited to see what the future could hold for us.

Yours, Liv xx

Olivia used some of the frozen cookie dough she’s had on reserve to make dreidel-shaped surprise cookies full of m&m’s or fruit jams, along with a ‘joke’ gift t-shirt. She also made a ‘spa day’ jar for her and Julian- inside a bath bomb, massage oils, and other various little things. The card inside the box has a fingerprint Christmas tree that Lily made for her.

Our dearest Bobbi, thank you for being so wonderful and for loving us so much. Life is so much better with you in it and I’m so glad you chose my bakery to walk into that one day. You immediately became one of Lily’s favorite people and I know you’re one of mine too. Love you now and always.

-Olivia & Lily

a large box all wrapped up and inside is everything for a Christmas movie marathon, with five or six holiday movie dvd’s (and an older portable dvd player), candy canes, a couple small bags of m&ms, marshmallows, hot chocolate packets, and a box of popcorn bags. There’s also a couple jars of fruit preserves, and a large fleece blanket for them all to use. There’s also a picture Lily drew of her with Jake and the twins- who she pretty much sees as her older cousins at this point.

You told me you wanted to make some Christmas traditions for your new little family, so hopefully this can help! Lily helped me pick the movies as they’re some of her favorites, so I hope you and the kids like them too. Thank you so much for being there for me this year, and being so wonderful to Lily. You’re our family now and always.

-Olivia & Lily

All of that sounds absolutely amazing Liv thank you so much for being so generous with your time. Honestly just being able to give the kids something warm is great.

Don’t you worry about lil old me, I’ve got a couple more packets of vending machine soup to go until things get real dicey.

You absolutely 100% don’t need to thank me, Fauna. I like doing it and helping, and I know Lily likes spending time with some other kids too--and more over, I like that in a way, it’s teaching her empathy. So trust me, it’s something I want to do and will continue to do. I’ll bring as much to spare as I can for them.

..I’m bringing some to spare for you too. Don’t fight me on it. Just tell me if you like strawberry or cherry more.

@bransonyeung​

After the complete upheaval everyone had gone through over the last month, today felt blissfully...normal. Surprising Lily with a little Christmas tree had gone over wonderfully and with Branson’s help, they managed to decorate it as best they could. And although Liv didn’t have many presents under it for her daughter, she’d make do--today was a day full of music and smiles and it felt good. She felt good. Happy.

Closing the door to Lily’s bedroom, Olivia made her way over to the couch where the Dom, wasting no time in sitting down and curling up beside him. “Thank you for coming today, and helping.” She mused softly, a grin quickly tugging on her lips as she reached up to brush her fingers through his hair, “Even if it kinda got you a bit covered in glitter.”