5. Ellie
FIVE
ELLIE
Slam!
What was that?
Thud, thud, thud.
I should investigate, make sure Forever Mom’s safe.
But first, big stretch.
Bigger.
Biggest stretch ever.
Ah, that’s a good stretch!
Forever Mom, do you need a big stretch, too?
Forever Mom?
Roll.
Sniff, sniff.
Forever Mom’s asleep.
Forever Mom must need a longer nap than Ellie Belly.
Oh, that’s a shiver.
What do I do when Forever Mom shivers?
Sock?
No.
Keys?
No.
Water bottle?
No.
Blanket.
Yes!
Or sock?
No, not a sock.
Where’s the blanket?
Sniff, scan, sniff, scan.
Over there, on that funny looking chair.
Gentle hop.
Don’t make noise.
It smells like forest.
Gentle bite.
Gentle tug.
Yuck, it tastes like fluff.
Fluff, get out of Ellie Belly’s mouth!
Thud, thud, thud.
Stop.
Scan.
Don’t worry, Forever Mom.
I’ll keep us safe.
Gentle hop.
Gentle steps.
Cover up Forever Mom first.
There.
Forever Mom will be warm now.
Yuck, fluff.
Get out of Ellie Belly’s mouth.
“Ellie Belly?”
Here, Forever Mom.
Lick.
“Good girl, Ellie Belly.”
Wag, wag.
I’m the bestest girl.
Go back to sleep, Forever Mom.
I’ll be right back.
Gentle hop.
Gentle steps.
Slam!
Quick steps now.
Ellie needs to investigate.
Under the hanging blanket.
There, now Ellie can see.
It’s Forever Dad.
Hi, Forever Dad!
He’s inside the big car with funny lights.
Why is Forever Dad leaving?
There’s no more sun.
It’s bedtime.
Forever Dad, it’s bedtime.
Do you need a blanket, too?
Or a sock?
Ellie Belly will pick out the best one.