Reading a book or two had become part of the bedtime routine since Cory showed up. She wanted to make bedtime a different experience for him than in the attic because there they didn't have books. She aimed to make it closer to the routine he and Carrie had at home when they were five and their family was together.
It was great having Carrie join them that night with them cuddled in Cory's bed while Jory sat in her lap in the rocking chair she'd brought in. She couldn't help but feel like Christopher should be there with them, though. That would make the night even better because their family would be complete. She was a little sad as she lamented in her head, and heart, about missing her brother but she didn't let it show and smiled when she saw the boys falling asleep.
Putting the book aside, she let Carrie tuck her brother in as she got up and moved to put Jory in his room. Paul's house was so big that they were all able to have their own room and then some. Chris's was still there and it'd been left untouched. Sometimes Cathy went in there when she really missed him but since getting closer to Josh, it had been a while since she went in there. That was a good thing, right?
After tucking Jory in, she joined Carrie in the kitchen and got the mugs and marshmallows out. The hot chocolate they got came with it but Carrie liked extra so she wanted to make sure the girl had them. Grabbing the kettle, she pouted her milk in and began mixing up her drink as she watched her sister. It would seem like she would have to be the first one to speak up. "You know you can always talk to me right? What's going on, Carrie?" She asked as she lifted her mug to take a sip from it.