Chapter Eighteen - Epilogue

Teddy was flat on his back as he looked up at the ceiling of the living room. He had woken up from his afternoon nap not too long ago, so he was only wearing a plain red shirt and a diaper. As the summer had ended and the new school year had started, Teddy found this to be the hardest part of his day – the wait. He rolled onto his side grabbing his fox stuffie and pulling it close, snuggling it into his chest. His Mom had once told him that it used to belong to Charlie. Teddy always liked to hear that Charlie had given him his precious fox. Just knowing that it had once been Charlie's always made Teddy feel cool. He wanted to do anything that Charlie did.

“Teddy, it's three o' clock!” Mom said, coming into the living room and standing over him. Teddy sat up with an eager expression.

“I gotta go wait!” Teddy said, getting to his feet before scrambling up the stairs . He was hopping up and down as he waited for his Mom to open the front door. Teddy then sat cross legged on the carpet in front of the door as his Mom made sure the screen door was locked - he was in position. The sun was warm as Teddy's eyes were fixed on the top of the hill that led down into their cul-de-sac. It would only be a little longer.

As Mom went into the kitchen to prepare a snack, Teddy became a little bored. He started playing with his fox, making it prance all around himself. He was about to go grab some more toys to play with, until he heard the low rumble of the engine announcing it was time. Teddy watched the big yellow school bus come to a stop at the top of the hill.

“Mommy it's here!” Teddy shouted out as he got to his feet. Mom came and stood next to him as Teddy began hopping up and down again. “Can I go, can I go?”

“Get your shoes on first,” Mom chuckled as she brought over a pair of rubbery green clogs. Teddy slipped his feet in as his Mom pulled the straps up at the back to secure them to his feet.

“Now I can go!” Teddy said as he went to push open the screen door.

“Not yet,” Mom said, still knelt down beside him as she pulled him back to her side - wrapping her arms around his waist and giving his diapered bottomed a few gentle pats. “You know the rule.”

Teddy let out a high pitched whine of anticipation as he watched the kids getting off the bus.

“I see him!” Teddy yelped, seeing Charlie descend the stairs of the bus and begin walking down the hill towards the house.

“Just a little longer…” Mom said. Teddy watched Charlie walking down the street with one of his friends. He was getting closer and closer, yet he was still going much too slow for Teddy's liking. Finally, Charlie crossed into the driveway after waving goodbye to his friend.

“Now?” Teddy asked, looking up at Mom.

“Now.” Mom said, nodding her head as she opened the screen door. Teddy bolted out the door, running just as fast as his little chubby legs would allow.

“Charlie!” Teddy squealed, waving his hands wildly in the air. Charlie smiled before kneeling down to catch Teddy in his arms as he hugged him. He lifted him off the ground before he carried him back towards the house.

“I missed you so much.” Teddy said, nuzzling into Charlie's shoulder.

“I just saw you this morning!” Charlie laughed.

“You were gone so long.” Teddy mewled a little. In his mind it felt like he hadn't seen Charlie in ages.

“It wasn't that long,” Charlie said. “Plus I bet you had lots of fun stuff to do today. What did you do in daycare this morning?”

“I painted a picture!” Teddy said smiling.

“Oh yeah?” Charlie asked. “Of what?”

“Lots of colors.” Teddy said, shrugging his shoulders. The boys made it back into the house to their waiting mother.

“How was school?” Mom asked.

“It was good.” Charlie said. “I got an A on my test.”

“Great job!” Mom said, leaning over and giving Charlie a kiss on his cheek. “I made a snack for you boys, it's on the kitchen table.”

“Is it cookies?” Teddy asked with a curious look.

“It just might just be.” Mom smiled. “But you're coming with me first.” Mom said as she took Teddy out of Charlie's arms. “Couldn't help but notice that somebody's got a soggy diaper and needs a change.”

Teddy smiled as he put his hands up in front of his mouth.

“I gots a wet diapee!” Teddy giggled.

“You know Teddy,” Mom said, looking at him thoughtfully for a moment. “Maybe tomorrow we should pick up some training pants at the store. What do you think, ready to be a big boy?”

“I don't know…” Teddy said with a frown. The whole idea did sound a little scary to him - what if he couldn't do it?

“C'mon Teddy I bet you could do it!” Charlie said.

“Really?” Teddy asked, sounding just a bit unsure.

“Of course.” Charlie smiled. “You're my little brother, you can do anything. And me and Mom will help you too, it will be easy.”

Teddy smiled. If Charlie was so sure that he could do it, then it had to be true.

“I can be a big kid!” Teddy said, clapping his hands together. “And then I'll be bigger than Charlie, and I'll go lots of places by myself.”

“Don't you go getting too big on me now.” Mom said. “Both of you boys are staying right here with me for many years to come.”

“Ok,” Teddy said, nodding his head. “I'll stay.”

“I'm glad you agree.” Mom chuckled as she started to carry Teddy off to his room to get changed. She tickled him a little, eliciting squeals and giggles from her little boy. “Momma's not ready to say goodbye to her little teddy bear just yet.”

Teddy put his head down on his Mom's shoulder. He was perfectly happy with that thought. He was here with his loving mother, and his dependable big brother. Why would he ever choose anything different?