Hungover

My breath stabbed into my throat, freezing in place. Watching with a grin as a shock of red hair bobbed up on the far side of the chaise. My lips curling as it moved unsteadily towards the end of the couch. A sound not unlike a kettle filtered through my subconscious as an arm lifted high above the hair, stretching before landing on the edge of the furniture. 

Louise emerged on the far side like a ship out of the fog, still yawning while wobbling unsteadily on her feet as she inched towards the kitchen. ‘How long will it take?’ I pondered to myself, lifting my cup. Tendrils of steam rising and dancing about the figure stumbling through the living room. 

Louise toddled about, crinkling as she walked, blinking in confusion as she moved towards the door. The gate we’d installed when Kitty’s spawn was visiting was still in place, the curls bobbing as she looked up at the obstacle. Scratching her scalp with one hand as she wrapped her fingers about the bars. ‘Any second now…’ I grinned. 

She paused, blinking as she looked down at the floor. Her entire demeanour changed, hand slipping from the bar and onto her hip. A loud slap and the creaking of the plastic material wrapped about her hips was too much, my body buckling as giggles morphed into a full cackle. 

Louise turned to her right, jaw drooping as sobriety returned. “Wh—what!? Amy! You’re huge!” She spun in place, diaper enveloping the bars of the gate as she leaned back. Her head wobbled slightly; she was fighting to stay standing.

“Not quite, half-pint.” I sing, standing from my seat. Little Louise’s face cranes up to meet my gaze. “You don’t remember anything from last night do you.” Her little head shook, before falling to the floor. It was kind of adorable to see her little brow furrow, her bright eyes darting back and forth as her smaller mind spun trying to make sense of the situation. “I told you not to antagonize Nicole and Ivy.”

“I did not!” She stammered. Kicking her little bare foot, causing another creak of embarrassment. “And why am I dressed like this!”

“Oh honey, you absolutely did.” Stepping through the room, I block her against the gate. “I told you red wine brings out the worst in you.” Stooping slightly, I hook my finger into the band of her garment. Beaming as I watch her face blanch white the flush red. “As for this, your big girl clothes are in the wash. You made quite a mess of them.” 

Her green eyes snapped up to meet my gaze, her jaw so tight it seemed to be threatening to tear itself from her neck. “I did not!”

“Easy—squirt. As you shrank, you spilled your goblet. Wine covered your blouse and shorts.” Releasing the waistband with a satisfying snap, I purse my lips, stroking my chin. “Though to be honest, it’s possible you did. I just didn’t want to check too closely.”

Her gaze fell again, she pulled the fabric of her top while toeing small circles into the flooring beneath us. “And this outfit?”

“Utilitarian isn’t it!” I smirked. “You said some hurtful things about me too, it’s ok though.” Rubbing her cheek, I pinched the flesh gently. “You were so dwunk. It didn’t seem fair to leave you nude. So, after they left I grabbed some of the stuff Kitty left last time she was here, turns out it fit you perfectly.”

“I…guess that’s fair. Still, you didn’t need to put me in—this…” She whined, patting the diaper with a grimace.

“Oh, I think I did.” Smirking I stand back up. “As I said, you were gone, I’ve never seen you so blitzed before.” Tilting my head, I shift my weight away from her. “And I figured you deserved a bit of embarrassment after your…display.”

“Was I really that bad?” Louise whined, her lower lip trembling. It was almost too much to bear, the image was pristine. “How was I to know Nicole could make good on her threats…”

“I don’t know, common sense? We’ve seen her do more fantastic things.” I plant my hands on my hips, tapping my foot on the floor. “You should count yourself lucky, she told me she considered turning you into a literal doll.”

“Ugh, I always thought she had a sense of humour.” 

“She does.” I groan, shaking my head. “This—” Waving my hand in a circle about Louise’s tiny countenance. “—is apparently temporary.” 

Her little face snapped up again, beaming. “It is!” Bobbing on her toes, she clapped her hands. “Great! When am I gonna be big again!?”

“Next week, I think.” 

Her tiny face fell, knees buckling. “What!? I only have P.T.O till Thursday!”

Grinning, I step back to the table, retrieving my cup and taking a sip. “Well, you should have thought of that before you made a fool of yourself.” Sliding back onto my seat, nodding to the chair across from me. “Worst comes to worse, you can always work from home a couple of days.” Louise paused, grimacing. Her face contorting and shifting from one expression to the next. Stomping across the floor she fiddled with the taped cinches on her hip. “Uh uh. Keep that on little lady.”

She froze, tiny daggers slicing through space as she glared up at me. “Oh no I don’t think so. If you think—”

“I didn’t bathe you. You were absolutely munted last night, and I don’t feel like sterilizing the highchair.” Pointing to the far end of the table, there was a somewhat battered bit of furniture. One I knew Louise wouldn’t recognize. The tray had a small plate of toast and jam ready for her.

Louise’ face flushed scarlet, her eyes dancing in thought once more. “What?”

“A parting gift, why Ivy had a spare one in her car I don’t know. But until you grow up—figuratively and literally—we need to adapt to this situation.”

Lousie was pouting, her little arms wrapped about her impressive bust. “I won’t do it.”

“Ugh, you’re such a brat. I’m tempted to just leave you to your own devices, but unfortunately, someone has to be the grown-up here.” Her jaw drooped slightly; her feet slipped closer together as she turned partially away from me. After a few moments, her little red head bobbed up and down in silent agreement. “There’s my widdle girl. Now… come to Mommy.”