Tesia sat upon a stool at the breakfast counter in the kitchen later that day. She was playing with her new doll, her Teddy sitting next to her in his own chair.

"She dressed for dinner yet?" A.J. asked, as he turned the stove on.

"No. Not yet," Tesia answered. "I gots a naughty baby."

"Why's she naughty?" A.J. queried.

"She won't put her dress on, likes I want," Tesia replied.

A.J. chuckled. "Well, that is naughty then."

Tesia nodded. "Aha! Gots her in it!"

"Well, that's good. She decided to be a good girl, like her Mommy."

Tesia smiled. "I'm good, J.?"

"Sure are," A.J. smiled back. "You've been very good today. I'd say that calls for some chocolate as dessert later."

Tesia's smile turned into a grin at that. Her brother only let her have chocolate as a treat - he wouldn't let her eat too much, as he didn't want for her to get sick.

"No tummy aches though, right?"

"Right," A.J. agreed, putting the hotdogs into the pot of water he had on the stove.

Tesia began to brush her doll's hair then.

A.J. looked over at her. "Hey! No combing hair in my kitchen!" He exclaimed playfully. "Git! Git!"

Tesia giggled as she was lifted down off her stool, and her bottom was given a playful spank. She ran out into the hallway, and combed her doll's hair there.

"Where'd Marcus go?" She asked through giggles.

"I'm here," Marcus answered coming to stand behind her.

Tesia looked up at him. "You like mac 'n' cheese?"

"Sure do!" Marcus smiled. "Especially if your brother's cooking."

"Watch it," A.J. told him. "Or you won't get any."

Tesia tugged on Marcus' shirt, until he looked down at her. "I'll give you some of mine, if J. don't gives you none."

Marcus kissed her forehead. "Thank-you. But I'm sure that won't be necessary, will it McLean?"

A.J. laughed. "We'll see Johnson."

Tesia finished brushing her doll's hair, and resumed her spot upon the stool at the breakfast counter.

"She's ready," she informed her brother.

"Does she have a name?" A.J. asked, as he set about making the macaroni and cheese.

"Tilly!" Tesia answered.

"Well, Tilly, have you and Mommy washed your hands and set the table?" A.J. asked.

Tesia giggled. "J.! That's your job!"

"Hey!" A.J. said, turning and pointing towards the door. "My only job is to make you wash your hands. Now, git."

"Meanie," Tesia grumbled, taking her doll to go wash their hands.

A.J. chased her out of the kitchen, causing her to laugh once more. He turned back to Marcus with a smile on his face. "Not a word."

Marcus chuckled, but nodded nonetheless.

Tesia returned moments later, and placed the utensils and napkins on the table, along with the ketchup. "All done!"

"Come and get it!" A.J. called playfully.

Tesia ran over and watched him fill up her plate with mac 'n' cheese, and hotdogs. "Don't forget Teddy an' Tilly!"

"Oh, right. Silly me," A.J. said, handing the stuffed dear and doll each a small plate of food. "Eat up or no dessert."

Tesia laughed and gave Teddy and Tilly each a napkin, so they wouldn't make a mess. She then took her plate and sat at the table to eat.

Marcus followed suit, sitting across from the little girl, he too adored. "Taste good? Your brother didn't poison us, did he?"

"Ah! Poison!" Tesia shrieked playfully, pretending she was poisoned.

"Hey, I would not poison my own food!" A.J. exclaimed, sitting down next to her. "Therefore, yours isn't poisoned either, Kid."

Tesia giggled and sat back up properly. "I know. Just teasin'." She leaned over and gave his cheek a kiss.

A.J. smiled, and gave her a kiss in return. "Eat up. Or no dessert for you either."

"Pfft," Tesia scoffed. "You'd lets me have it anyway."

"Well, don't eat and find out then," A.J. replied.

Tesia decided not to chance it, and ate her food like she'd been told - she was hungry anyway.

A.J. cast Marcus another Look to make sure the security guard kept his comments to himself. The other man knew as well as he did, that he treasured any time he actually got to spend with his little sister, as these times were rare - more so, as the years went by.