Dani took a deep breath. Her parents had just left her in charge of her two twin 18-month-old brothers, Dell and Den (Darrell and Darren) - alone, FOR THE FIRST TIME! She was nervous. This was a big thing. Her parents were trusting her big time with a HUGE RESPONSIBILITY - which was also going to be a big challenge!
She inhaled and closed her eyes. By the Cauldron, she thought. Give me strength. She opened her eyes and looked up the stairs. At least they're asleep, she thought. A loud crying from upstairs, told her she was wrong. When the crying echoed (there were two) she groaned and headed upstairs.
As she reached the top of the stairs, both cries grew steadily louder. Of course. Naptime was over and it was time to eat. She sighed. How was she going to do this? Hmm.
She went in to Drew's room, which was also Dell and Den's Room, and found them both standing up in their Cribs, crying. Dell calmed a lot when he saw Dani, he trusted her, because he knew and trusted her. "Da-ni. Hun-gry." Dani nodded and smiled, "That's what I'm here for, it's lunchtime." She looked to Den, who had quieted down a bit, but tears still ran down his face.
Den's a more cautious type, easily upset, otherwise quiet. Dell is more adventurous, easily calmed.She thought to herself. "Hey Dell, hey Den. Now I'm going to get Den out first, so we can keep everyone calm ok?" She spoke softly and slowly, moving the same way, to keep the toddlers calm. She continuely spoke and spoke gently and slowly as she moved toward them, first going to Den's Crib and lifting him carefully with her hands in the correct places she had been taught by her parents, out of his crib and on to his feet, on the floor. Taking his hand, she walked him over to his twin's bed where Den was quietly waiting.
She looked down at Den, as she released his hand. "Den, I want you to stay right here, as I get Dell out of his crib. Do you understand? Right here?" Den had stopped crying altogether at this point and looking at her wide-eyed. He gave her what could have been a nod, and though she wasn't exactly sure he understood completely, she was satisfied. She turned to Dell while keeping one eye on Den, who did not move but watched Dani take Dell out of the crib silently.
Dani took both of her little brothers hands and carefully led them down the stairs to the kitchen to their high chairs, and put their trays and bibs in place. It turned out to be a fun challlenge feeding them. Den got it all over himself, but managed to eat all of it - they were at the age where they could mostly feed themselves. Dell ate most of it too, before turning his bowl over and spill it all over himself. Dani could hardly keep herself from laughing, and this got Dell laughing, and even Den gave a small smile.
She cleaned the kitchen and them up and was happily playing with them, when Mom and Dad got home.