Wishing for Some Playmates

Chapter 3

Wishing for Some Playmates: Part 3

Kathrina turned her attention fully to her mirror, mouth hanging as she watched the changes in real time. Bruce got behind his wife and gently grabbed her shoulders. He squeezed them to tell her he was there to support her. Kathrina didn’t acknowledge the gesture, too transfixed on her changing appearance. She watched as her hair finally regained its original golden-brown shade and the shine it had started to lose. Kathrina’s eyes wildened as the wrinkles around her face quickly smoothed out, and her skin turned a healthier shade. Kathrina felt the small pockets of fat around her body quickly shrink, making her cream sweater and black sweatpants slightly baggy. “...Wow,” was all Bruce could think about saying. In a few short moments, his wife had gone from a middle-aged woman to a woman in her mid-thirties. And if Bruce was being honest, he had nearly forgotten what a looker Kathrina was in her prime. Since he was so fixated on his wife, Bruce failed to see that he also changed. Much like Kathrina, he was close to his mid-thirties, the best age for having boys his boys’ current age. Like his wife, Bruce’s hair had regained its full color, and his skin was smooth, with just a tiny hint of wrinkles around the eyes. Unlike Kathrina, Bruce didn’t lose much weight with his slight regression, causing his already baggy sweatsuit not to change much. Still a little shocked, Kathrina brought a hand up to her face, gingerly touching her right cheek. She could hardly believe what she was seeing, but some part of her didn’t deny liking her regressed appearance. Just as Kathrina was coming out of her shock, she noticed something that caught her attention. She watched as her face continued to soften, slightly losing some of its maturity. Kathrina’s shock and awe were replaced with fear as she began trembling, watching her face continue to soften. She realized with growing horror that she was slipping further back, now looking close to 26. “Nononononono!” Kathrina shrieked frantically, shaking her head violently. “This isn’t happening! This isn’t HAPPENING!!” Seeing his wife about to spiral, Bruce did the only thing that he could think of; he took Kathrina into a tight hug. The gesture didn’t bring the woman any comfort; she trembled in absolute fright. “It’s okay,” Bruce whispered comfortingly, “It’s all going to be okay.” Kathrina didn’t take her husband’s word kindly; she pushed him away from her with an angry shove. “How is it going to be okay?” Kathrina screamed, voice cracking, “I'm turning into a baby!” Bruce had to resist the frown from reaching his face. He doubted whatever supernatural force was at work would go that far. If anything, Kathrina probably reached an age around the boys’ age. Kathrina’s frantic cries brought Bruce back to reality, and he looked at his youthening wife. “Look at me!” LOOK AT ME!!!” Kathrina, who Bruce figured was close to her early twenties, thrust her arms out. Bruce frowned as he saw how thin his wife’s arms had gotten. He also noticed how roomier the sleeves had become, and the cuffs were close to eating their owner’s hands. Curious, Bruce looked at the rest of his wife’s outfit and saw how loose her pants had become. It wouldn’t be long before his wife’s deflating hips could no longer hold them. Kathrina continued frantic ranting, bringing Bruce’s attention back to where it needed to be. “I can’t be a child again. I just can’t!” Kathrina went to pace around the room but tripped when she stepped on the ends of her baggy pants. The regressing wife cried as she fell towards the floor. Bruce acted fast and got under his wife, catching her with little effect. Kathrina saw that her pants were bundled on the floor where she stood a moment ago. That was the last straw for her; she began sobbing quietly into her husband’s chest. Frowning, Bruce stared at his wife, taking in her appearance. He saw that Kathrina had reached teenage age. He would say his wife…no, the person in his hands was just a frightened teenager, close to sixteen. With a faint sigh, he comforted his former wife by gently running a hand through Kathrina’s hair as he slowly made his way to the bed. He gingerly set the teenager on the bed, and Kathrina instantly curled into a ball, repeatedly muttering something under her breath. Curious, Bruce leaned close and listened to what his former wife was muttering. “I don’t want to be a baby. I don’t want to be a baby.” Frowning with concern, Bruce sat on the edge of the bed and carefully leaned close to his…daughter. He shook off that awkward feeling that realization brought, and gingerly brushed Kathrina’s hair. As the two sat in silence, Bruce couldn’t help but think about his former wife’s childhood. Bruce was one of the few people to whom Kathrina told about her past. Kathrina had grown up in an unstable household; her mother had a weak heart and passed away when Kathrina was about ten. Kathrina’s father wasn’t much help after his wife’s passing. Bruce scowled venomously as he thought about the bum. Kathrina’s dad was a gambler of the worst kind; any money he made went straight to the slots, leaving little for much more needed things. In the end, Kathrina, as early as fourteen, was forced into different part-time jobs just to support herself. Of course, this kept her from getting a good education. That, in turn, kept Kathrina from getting a good job until she met Bruce, and the two started their photo studio. In a way, knowing that, Bruce could understand his wife’s drive to push their boys in their schoolwork. At the same time, such drive, Bruce felt, kept his boys from enjoying their childhood to their fullest. A sudden hiccup brought Bruce out of his musings, and he looked at his new daughter. He saw that Kathrina had covered her face with her sleeves, and her tiny body was trembling something fierce. With a light sigh, Bruce sat up and gently took his former wife into his lap. Slowly, he grabbed Kathrina’s arms and brought them away from her face. Bruce was slightly shocked to see an adorable four-year-old with hair that ran past her shoulders staring at him with red, fearful, tear-stained eyes. “Oh my baby girl,” Bruce moaned with genuine affection, hugging his new daughter close. Bruce felt Kathrina’s body stiffen, but he didn’t let go of her. Instead, he reached out and took a few tissues from the nightstand. The now single father shifted his former wife into a more comfortable position and began gently drying her tears. “I promise,” he reassured his new daughter, “This time around, you will have a great childhood.” Kathrina looked into her former husband’s eyes and saw nothing but warmth and acceptance. Just looking into those eyes was enough to ease some of the former adult’s worries, and she soon snuggled into her new father’s body. “You pwomise?” Kathrina asked weakly, still not daring to hope completely. Bruce smiled in a warm, fatherly manner and hugged his now youngest child. “I have never lied to you, Kathy,” the man replied reassuringly, “And I have no plan to start.” Kathrina…Kathy felt the warmth in her new daddy’s words, and the last of her fears disappeared. She snuggled closer to his chest, and Bruce took it as a content sign. For a moment, the two shared a quiet moment, enjoying the feeling of warmth the moment brought. It wasn’t long before a frown crossed Bruce’s face as a thought crossed his mind. “...Looks like I need to call my sister back,” he muttered offhandedly, then sighed faintly. “I’m going to owe her big time for all this.” (A short While Later) Forty-seven-year-old Brandy Goldison was still a little creeped out by everything that happened to her nephews. Still, that didn’t stop her from laughing as she watched the boys play a game of “Candy Land”, and Bobby, even the competitive type, jumped and cheered when he won. Brandy heard a noise and turned her head, seeing her brother stroll into the room. She smiled ironically, as she was now the oldest one in the room, seeing as her brother was nearly a decade younger. “Sorry for taking so long,” Bruce said, “But I wanted to get Kathy’s hair just right.” When Bruce mentioned his wife-turned-daughter, Brandy noticed the girl for the first time. She looked at the four-year-old and nearly gushed at the sight. Kathy had been put into a light cream sweater with a comically large collar, threatening to eat her mouth. She wore a simple, cotton white skirt that went down to her knees and knee-high black socks. Finally, she wore pink bunny theme high tops. The second-hand clothing outlet owner turned her attention to her new niece's hairstyle and smiled warmly. Kathy’s hair had been done up in a single braid that rested comfortably against her left shoulder. To complete the style, a hair clip with a costume ruby heart was put into the right side of her head, near the forehead. Brandy stared at her niece (secretly giddy at having a niece to dote on) for a moment longer, then turned to her brother. “You know, you could have asked me to do Kathy’s hair,” the woman mentioned offhandedly. Bruce just shrugged as he gently guided his new daughter to the rest of the family. “I just wanted the practice,” the man replied, then offered his sister a grateful smile. “Thanks for watching the boys.” “Err,” Brandy replied with a shrug, “They’re so engrossed in their games they weren’t any trouble…little brother.” Bruce rolled his eyes good-naturedly at his now older sister’s jab, then focused on Kathy. He noticed his former wife was staring at her sons-turned-brothers, looking uncertain. After a moment, Kathy looked at her new daddy, and Bruce silently urged her forward. Kathy looked at her big brother, took a breath, and stepped up to them. By this time, the five boys had realized the new person in the room, and they looked at the former mother curiously. The looks she was getting caused Kathy to shrink away slightly, fidgeting with her hands. “C-Can I p-pway?” Kathy asked shyly, face heating up slightly. The five boys stared at their former mother with uncertain looks, and no one moved. Bruce saw this and frowned, thinking his boy might reject their new sister. His fear proved unfounded as Larry got to his feet and walked up to his sister. The five-year-old smiled a warm smile and, in a surprising move, hugged his little sister. “You pway,” Larry said warmly, continuing to hug his new little sister. From his spot, Bruce smiled at this while the twins began giggling. “Lawwy had cooties, Lawwy had cooties!” Donny and Ronny sang playfully. They might have continued with this little song if Mikey didn’t get behind them and lightly bonk them on the head. With cute noises, the twins rubbed their heads and glared at their older brother. Mikey just glared back with a cute “scolding” face, causing Bruce to laugh under his breath. Larry let his little sister out of the hug, grabbed her hand, and gently dragged her over to the play area. Kathy was soon seated around her five big brothers and joined in a new game of Candy Land. Bruce took a seat on the couch and took out his phone to begin recording, while his sister made up a list of clothing she could give her niece and nephews. It wasn’t long before six happy voices rang out in joy as the Goldison children played games long into the night.