Karissa walked into McCairn's Kids Depot with Luc and Maya in tow, needing to get them some new clothes. They were growing so fast, she thought. Much like she had been told she had grown as a child. Putting some new items out was Summer, smiling. Kaylee was playing not far away. Immediately, the twins let go of their mother and ran toward the little girl.
"Kaylee! Kaylee!" they cried.
As Kaylee looked up, she smiled and laughed. "Hi, Luc! Hi, Maya!"
"I want the doll," Maya said softly as she picked up one of Kaylee's dolls.
"Want to play?" Kaylee smiled.
Both twins looked at each other, then back to Kaylee and nodded.
Karissa smiled. "Hi, Summer," she greeted.
"Hi!" she smiled. "I see the twins are occupied." She laughed.
"They love Kaylee," Karissa replied.
"So did you just bring the kids to play or can I help you with something?" she asked pleasantly.
"Well, I need some new clothes for the twins; something comfortable and maybe even a bit stretchy. After all, you've seen how they move. They definitely need something with some give in it."
"And something durable," Summer smiled.
"Yes, something durable," Karissa agreed.
"Over here I have some good stuff," she said leading Karissa down one of the aisles.
There was an array of boys and girls clothes in the kids' sizes. Karissa immediately began picking items out.
"So is there anything else I can help with?" Summer asked.
Karissa thought for a moment and then nodded. "Actually, maybe," she replied. "My new sitter for the twins suddenly had to move off-planet. Her husband got transferred. Anyway, that leaves me without a sitter. Do you know anyone who might be available for the job?"
"Hmmmmm," thought Summer. "Actually, I do. She's young, but very good with kids. Her family moved here about a year ago. Really sweet girl. I think you'll like her."
"What's her name?" Karissa asked.
"River Sage," she replied. "In fact, you could probably find her at the park. She likes to hang out there and play with the kids."
"Really?" Karissa replied with a smile. River was sounding like a very good choice, but she'd know for sure once she met the woman. "I'll have to try to find her then," she smiled as she went back to gathering clothes for the twins.
"That should be easy enough. Just look for a bunch of kids playing with a dark-haired girl."
Later, after the clothes had been bought and put away, Karissa took the kids to the park. As they happily ran off to play, under Karissa's watchful eye, Karissa was also looking for a young woman with fair skin, dark hair and dark eyes.
Suddenly, the sound of laughter came from some nearby trees. There Karissa saw the young woman she was looking for, and she was playing tag with a bunch of other children.
"River! River! You can't get me!" sang one little girl as she'd get close to River and then run away, laughing the whole time.
"You'd better run!" River laughed. "I'm coming to get you!" She sprinted off after the girl when another boy ran up to her and then ran away. This went on with several of the children.
As Karissa watched her, she smiled. River was having a wonderful time, she could feel it. Soon, her own children ran over to play in the game, never wanting to be left out of something fun. After running around awhile, River flopped onto the grass.
"Mercy! I beg mercy!" she smiled.
Suddenly the other kids pounced on her tickling her. "No mercy! No mercy!" they laughed.
Finally having tuckered themselves out, all the kids laid back on the grass except Luc and Maya who wandered over to River and sat next to her. As River looked at them, she propped herself up on her elbows and smiled.
"Hello," she said. "Now who are you two?"
"Luc."
"Maya."
"They're my kids," Karissa said walking over with a smile.
"Oh, hi there! They're really cute!" River smiled.
"Thanks," Karissa replied. "You're River Sage?" she asked. As River nodded, Karissa smiled. "Summer told me to talk to you. That you're good with kids."
"I'd like to think so," River said. "So Summer told you to come talk to me?"
"Yeah," Karissa replied. "My name's Karissa Bentara. I'm a counselor at the hospital," she replied. "And I'm looking for someone to watch the kids for me when I'm at work."
River's eyes widened with surprise. "Really? Do you want me to watch your kids?"
Karissa laughed softly. "That's the idea."
"You don't even know me!" River replied.
"I know enough," she replied. "Trust me when I say that. You're great with kids. I can tell. But I have to warn you, if you take the job, Luc and Maya will give you a run for your money."
"Sounds like fun!" River replied with a bright smile.
"You say that now," Karissa laughed.
"When do I start?" she asked as Luc and Maya climbed into her lap.
"Would tomorrow be too soon?" Karissa asked.
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