Wow…I actually got something posted for Good Fic Day. I'm so sorry I haven't updated anything in so long. I've been feeling very…unstimulated is probably the best word. Plus, just busy. I'm determined to update The Rites of Man by Tuesday, though (which I'll explain in that A/N).

So, I posted a poll for this chapter way back in March asking who should have the teddy bear. Pony won, so that's how I wrote it. I got the idea for this story from my dad's friend. He had leukemia and someone gave him a stuffed monkey as a good luck charm. While he was in remission, he went on a cruise and…well, I can't say more without spoiling the story. But, I would like to dedicate this chapter to him. He passed away last month.

X X X

"C'mon, Darry! Why can't I go?"

My older brother groaned. "I told you already, Soda. You're too little."

"Am not!" I declared, stomping my foot.

He rolled his eyes. "You're doin' a great job of proving it."

"Shut up," I muttered, sitting down on the couch and glaring at him. "I don't wanna go with you anymore, anyway." I tried to make myself feel better, deciding that Darry and Paul would probably just ditch me, but it didn't work.

"Right," Darry said, smirking. He turned around and headed for the front door, but Mom called him back before he got far.

"Darry, we need to talk to you before you leave," she said, sitting down beside me and putting an arm around me.

"But I'm already late, Mom!" he groaned.

"Darrel…"

Darry shut his mouth fast when Mom used his whole name. Dad came in a minute later, ushering Ponyboy in front of him. Pony hopped onto the couch beside me, his stuffed bear, Teddy, held tightly in his hands. It was impossible to tear him away from that thing.

Dad had a seat in his armchair and looked at all of us carefully. I started to get nervous, wondering if something was wrong. "Your mother and I were talking, and we decided we all need a vacation," he announced.

"A vacation?" I asked, relaxing. That wasn't bad at all.

"We're going on a trip?" Pony piped up. "Where?"

"To the lake," Mom answered, turning to him. "We're going to go camping for a week, right on the lake. You can learn to swim and Daddy will take all you boys fishing. We'll leave in a couple days."

"Fishing?" Pony asked, his voice trembling. "In a boat?"

"Yes, honey. You've been fishing before, remember? You liked it."

Pony shook his head hard. "I don't wanna go!"

"What's wrong, Pone?" I asked. I thought the trip sounded like fun.

"I don't wanna go!" he repeated loudly before running off to his room.

I saw Mom and Dad give each other confused looks before following him. I followed behind them and carefully poked my head into Pony's room. He was sitting on his bed, holding Teddy tight and crying.

"Pony, honey, you'll have fun. I promise," Mom said softly, wrapping her arms around him.

"You'll be safe on the boat," Dad added. "You'll have a lifejacket on. I won't let anything happen to you and neither will Darry or Sodapop.

Pony sniffled and looked up at Dad. "What about Teddy?"

The problem dawned on me at the same time as Mom and Dad. He was afraid his bear would drown.

"I'll hold on to Teddy for you," Mom promised. "He'll be fine."

Pony shook his head. "No. I wanna stay with Teddy. I don't wanna go to the lake."

Dad sighed. "It's okay, Pony. You don't have to go fishing if you don't want to. You can stay at the campsite with Mommy."

Slowly, his face streaked with tears, Ponyboy looked up and nodded.

I backed out of the room and stood to the side, unnoticed, as Mom and Dad headed back to the living room. I didn't like this. Pony couldn't go to the lake and never actually get in it. He'd miss all the fun!

The problem bugged me all day. I tried talking to Pony, promising him that nothing would happen to Teddy if he went on the boat, but it didn't work. Every time I tried to convince him, Pony would just shake his head and repeat that he wouldn't go in the water. It wasn't till the middle of the night that I finally thought of what to do. I sat up in bed, instantly awake, and ran down the hall to Mom and Dad's room.

"Mom," I said, shaking her shoulder. "Mom, wake up!"

"Mmm…Soda?" she whispered, cracking her eyes open. "What's wrong, sweetie? Did you have a bad dream?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I know how to help Pony."

Mom stared blankly at me for a few seconds before answering. "Help him with what? Is he sick?"

I could see her starting to wake up more and get worried, so I backtracked fast. "No, he's fine. But he won't go in the water cause of Teddy, right?"

"Teddy? The water? Soda, are you talking about the lake?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I know how to help him." I quickly explained my idea to Mom. There was no way I could do it without her help. When I'd finished, she smiled at me.

"Pony's lucky to have you for an older brother," she said, kissing my head. "Now go back to sleep, Soda. I'll help you in the morning."

X X X

The next morning I got up early, anxious to get started. Luckily, Mom had all the supplies we needed laying around the house. I tried to help her, but I kept making mistakes, so finally I settled for standing back and watching her make my surprise for Pony. When she was done, she held it out for me.

"Wait here," she said. "I'll go get him."

I sat on the couch, bouncing impatiently while I waited for my little brother. Mom came back a minute later with Pony following her. Teddy was held tightly in his arms.

"Pony, Sodapop has something he wants to give you."

I smiled at Mom before turning to Pony. "Pone, I know you're worried about Teddy going to the lake."

"I'm not going in the water!" Pony immediately protested, backing away. I guess I'd pushed him too much on it the day before.

"What if I could promise you that Teddy won't drown?" I asked.

Pony looked at me, unsure. "How?"

"What if Teddy had a lifejacket? Would you go on the boat then?"

I could see Pony thinking it over. Finally, he nodded, and I grinned. I'd kept my surprise hidden behind a pillow, but now I brought it out. I handed the tiny yellow lifejacket to Ponyboy and watched as his eyes instantly lit up.

"Teddy has a lifejacket!" he cried. He grabbed it from me and started struggling to put it on his bear. I grinned and reached over to help him. When it was on, Pony jumped on the couch and threw his arms around me. Mom just smiled at us and ruffled my hair before heading into the kitchen.

"I love you, Soda."

"Do you love me just as much as Teddy?" I felt him nod and I head-locked him, pulling him closer. "I love you too, Pone."

X X X

Hope you enjoyed! Please review. :)

And Happy Canada Day!