Okay

“Well, it is a new place to you, and it can be scary if you’re by yourself.” Karen said to herself. She then smiled gently and said, “Okay. I guess you can stay with me tonight.”

“Mama!” Lauren cried out in joy, a smile on her face. Inside, Lauren groaned at this humiliating act that she had to put on. The sooner she found this emerald, the better!

Karen giggled as she brought Lauren back into the living room and laid her down into the basket. Karen then proceeded to cover Lauren back up with the blanket before picking up the basket, carrying it to her room. She sat the basket down on her bed and laid down next to it. Karen proceeded to gently rock the basket as she hummed a lullaby. Lauren rolled her eyes, but she knew she had to play along. Faking a yawn, Lauren slowly closed her eyes as she began to suck on her pacifier.

Around twenty minutes later, Lauren heard a soft snoring sound. She opened one eye to see Karen fast asleep; her hand still on the basket and a smile on her face. Lauren carefully raised a hand and began to poke Karen’s. Karen was apparently a deep sleeper, as she didn’t move once. Lauren smiled. Perfect!

Carefully, Lauren climbed out of the basket and crawled off the bed. She silently tiptoed to the dresser and rummaged through them as quietly as she could, but was greeted by nothing but underclothes. She climbed up on a chair and looked on top of the dresser only to find a small box.

Lauren carefully grabbed the box and opened it to find…