Hello everyone, I'm very excited to be writing this fic. And I hope you all enjoy it. This is both a Violetine and Clouis fic. And some brief Marlontine

I'll do my best to update every week or so.

Big thanks to H8trzgonnah8te and OmnitrixWielder1124 for allowing me to use their OCs Aleena and Crystal. And also, thank you so much H8trzgonnah8te for helping me sort out this plot.

Warning: Swearing, Violence, Future Sex, Past Trauma. Sexual abuse mentions. Self-harm.

Clementine ran hard and fast across the field, ignoring the pain in her legs. With Crystal on her back and Aleena in her arms, the fourteen-year-old pushed forward. "Come on, AJ! Keep up!"

The panic in her voice was clear as day. Her little heart pounded in her chest as she could hear whimpers from the children.

Gunfire and the screams echoed around them. People scattered around the ranch in fear.

She did her best not to look at the bloody bodies on the ground.

She was caught in the heart of madness and the girl was terrified. Yet it felt so familiar. Like when she and her former group members had made their escape from that evil hardware store.

She quickly picked AJ up as well. "Crystal, baby, hold on tight." She didn't want the child falling off her back.

Frantically, Clementine registered screams as she raced through the field. She spotted a nearby vehicle and rushed towards it. Quickly opening the door, she placed the three small children inside, buckling them before slamming the door shut.

The girl rushed to the driver's seat and climbed inside.

She had only driven a few times around the ranch, she still needed a lot more practice, but this was their best chance out of here.

The girl quickly turned the car on, just as a bullet ripped through the passenger window, hitting the teen's shoulder. Clementine yelled in pain. Without wasting another minute, she shifted the car into drive and stomped on the gas. The vehicle sped forward, crashing through the fence. Clementine didn't stop. She needed to get as far away from that place as possible.

The car sped off quickly out of sight, the gunshots and screams becoming a noise in the distance.

Sixteen-year old Clementine shot upright with a gasp.

"Mommy?" Crystal's little voice called. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, baby... Go back to sleep." Clementine's voice is shaky as she talked.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" Crystal asked.

"I... I'm not crying, Crystal. Go to sleep." Clementine said.

Crystal frowned. "...Cold..."

"Put the blanket on." Clementine replied.

"Leena has the blankie..." Crystal muttered.

"Well, you two can share it." Clementine said.

Crystal shook her head. "She doesn't share, mommy..."

"She's asleep, Crystal. Use some of the blanket." Clementine said.

"Okay..." Crystal said. "Mommy...Where are we gonna go?"

"I don't know, Crystal." Clementine said. "Right now, to sleep."

"Where do we go when we sleep?" Crystal asked.

"To dreamland…" Clementine said.

"Oh..." Crystal said. She paused before asking her next question. "Can you hold me?"

"Hold you?" Clementine asked a bit surprised. Aleena was usually the one who wanted to be held. "Sure, baby... For a little while."

Crystal slowly crawled to the front of the car and sat on Clementine's lap.

Clementine wrapped her arms around her and started humming to the four-year old, rubbing her curly brown hair.

"I love you, mommy." Crystal said.

Clementine gave a small smile. "I love you too. Now...go night-night."

"Okay." Crystal said, closing her eyes.

She was driving again. The girl sighed as she heard the click of a gun. She adjusted the mirror to see the children. "What are you doing, goofball?"

"Pretending we have bullets." AJ answered.

"Well don't. It's getting on my nerves." Clementine said.

"Where's my gun...?" Aleena suddenly piped up.

Clementine groaned. "Leena, I told you already..."

"I want a gun!" Aleena said.

"Leena, the last time mommy let you hold the gun, you wouldn't listen to me. Just hold onto your knife." Clementine said.

Aleena pouted. "Okay."

"I don't like goofball. I'm too big for it." AJ told Clementine.

"Someone's all grown up." Clementine sighed.

"Yep..." AJ smiled. "Let me drive."

Clementine rolled her eyes. "I'm not letting you drive."

"When's Crystal gonna wake up?" Aleena asked.

"Soon, probably. She was up late last night." Clementine said.

"But the sun is awake, mommy." Aleena said.

"Yes, it is." Clementine nodded.

"And the moon's gone night-night." Aleena continued.

"I know..."

As if cued, Crystal started to stir.

"You're awake!" Aleena beamed.

"I'm sleepy..." Crystal said.

"Why? The sun's awake." Aleena told her sister.

"I told you she was up late." Clementine said.

"Talking with mommy..." Crystal said before smiling. "We cuddled too."

Aleena gasped at that. "No fair. I wanna cuddle with mommy."

"Baby, mommy, cuddles with all of you." Clementine said.

"Can you cuddle me now?" Aleena asked.

"Maybe later." Clementine said.

"Promise?" Aleena asked.

"I promise, Aleena." Clementine noticed AJ clench his stomach. "What's wrong, AJ?"

"Hungry..." The five-year old replied.

Clementine glanced to the seat beside her and grabbed a book. "Here, practice your reading."

"I don't wanna." AJ said.

"It'll take your mind off your stomach." Clementine said.

AJ opened the book and began trying to sound out some of the words. Clementine quickly realized he was reading a recipe.

"On second thought, that will only make you hungrier. " The teen reached her hand out to take the book. AJ passed it to her. Clementine picked up a bag of chip. "You guys share this. I mean it."

"What about you?" AJ asked.

Clementine shrugged. "We'll find something else soon."

"I believe you." AJ said.

Clementine continued driving without a word. A while passed before she eventually came to a station.

Making sure the children were armed, they got out the vehicle.

"Mommy, pick me up!" Aleena pleaded.

Clementine raised a brow. "No. You can walk."

"I want you to pick me up." Aleena's voice turning was into a whine.

"Aleena, you can walk... You're a big girl, aren't you?" Clementine said.

The child quickly nodded. "Yes. I'm big, I'm four."

"I know." Clementine said. "So mommy doesn't have to carry you. You can hold mommy's hand."

"Okay…" Aleena agreed.

"How old are you, mommy?" Crystal asked.

"Older than all of you." Clementine replied.

"You're a grown up?" Crystal asked her.

"Basically." Clementine said.

"If you're grown up that means... You're not gonna grow up anymore." AJ said.

Clementine shrugged in response.

"Oh…" Crystal said.

"But don't you want to grow and grow to a giant?" Aleena asked.

"I think I'm good how I am now." Clementine took Aleena's hand. "Come on, let's find some food."

After searching the area and taking out a few walkers, they managed to get into the station. But they were faced with a dilemma. The door they needed to get through was lock and a couple of walkers were tied to a chair, Clementine was sure one of them had the key.

"The key or the window. Those are our options." Clementine said.

AJ peeked through and frowned. "It's dark in there. We should kill the monsters. They're not people."

"Well they used to be people. And as people, they asked to be left alone." Clementine said.

"So what's best?" AJ asked.

"I can do it..." Crystal spoke up.

"Crystal?" Clementine looked to the child.

"I can go in the window." Crystal said.

"...Are you sure?" Clementine asked.

The little girl gave a nod. "Mm-hm. I won't be scared."

Clementine sighed. "I don't know if you should..."

"Why?" Crystal asked, wearing a confused expression.

"Because... I won't know what happens on the other side of the door..." Clementine said. "It's dangerous…"

"I'll be fast, mommy." Crystal said.

Clementine frowned then nodded. "Alright... Just open the door for mommy."

"Okay." Crystal said.

Clementine helped the small girl up and she crawled through the window.

A while passed before the door opened.

"Look what I found!" Crystal exclaimed.

"Toys?!" Aleena asked.

Crystal shook her head. "Come see."

They entered the room.

Clementine hummed. "They had a good thing going here."

"Can we stay here?" AJ asked.

"We'll see." Clementine said causing the boy to frown.

"No one's here. No one's ever anywhere. There's always just monsters." AJ huffed.

"Well, I'm here. Whatever we go, we go together." Clementine said.

"Okay... That's good." AJ replied.

Clementine nodded.

The continued to look around. AJ eventually found some bullets. "Just a few..."

Clementine knelt to his level. "Remember what we said? You know this."

"Always aim for the head." AJ said.

"That's right." Clementine said.

"I wish we had one of these!" Aleena suddenly said. Clementine looked over to see the little girl standing by a mattress.

Clementine shrugged. "Not the worse place to sleep."

"Let's lay here, mommy." Aleena said.

"Nah... It's covered in germs. And it's probably smelly." Clementine replied.

"Mommy, there's something under there..." Crystal pointed.

Clementine raised a brow and walked over. She picked up Aleena from the mattress, and placed the child on her feet.

She then started to move the mattress.

"Floor door?" AJ noted.

"Hmm, yeah. They must've wanted to hide something." Clementine opened it revealing a bunched of food.

AJ came over to look inside. "That's a lot of stuff."

"It is. We could eat for weeks. With this much." Clementine smiled.

A second later, Clementine quickly noticed something roll, her eyes widened as she realized it was a grenade. "It's rigged."

Clementine quickly slammed the door shut and pushed the children back. After a while she hugged them before standing. "We gotta go. They noise is gonna draw walkers!"

They rushed outside, walkers were already approaching.

"Stick to the side and be my eyes, while I clear a path." Clementine said.

One by one Clementine took out the walkers. Soon enough the path was clear, and they rushed to the car. They quickly got inside, and Clementine tried to start the vehicle, but the walkers continued attacking, breaking through windows and grabbing at the children.

Clementine couldn't think straight, too much was happening. When she finally managed to get the car going after retrieving the keys from a walker which she had stabbed, she suddenly found herself grabbed. The teen panicked and tried to break free and focus on the road. The car quickly lost control.

Clementine found herself drifting in and out of consciousness. She spotted a figure by the car, then everything went dark.

When the young girl woke up she was surprised to find herself tied to bed. Something wasn't right. Panic quickly set in as memories flooded back to her. An accident, she was in a car accident.

But she was alone. The girl quickly looked around. Where were the kids?

She tried to sit up, feeling her head throbbing but found herself restrained. Her heart started pounding, but she sighed in relief as she noticed it was just tape, she easily pulled it off.

Clementine got up, checking that her clothes were still intact, they were. She noticed her hat was missing and spotted some bloody cotton balls on the dresser. She felt her head and touched a blood-soaked bandage.

Where the hell was she?

Clementine knew she needed to find her kids… AJ and the twins. She was worried about them.

The girl headed over to the door and tried to open it. However, it was locked.

"Shit." The girl swore. She needed to find something to pick the lock.

She checked throughout the room, searching the drawers first. She found a photo album in one. Curious she took a look through it, seeing some pictures of some children. After a while, she put the album back and went to check the closet. There wasn't much inside however she noticed a box on the shelf.

The young girl stood on her toes to reach it but had no luck. She needed something to boost her up.

She looked around the room and noticed a chair. The girl walked over to the chair, grabbing it. She pulled it back over to the closet. She stepped onto it and grabbed the box from the shelf. After stepping off the chair, she placed the box on the table and opened it finding a palette knife.

She decided to use the knife to pick the door. Clementine managed to get the door open and stepped out the room.

Once out of the room she started making her way down the halls, she checked the doors, but most of the rooms were locked. The walls were covered in graffiti almost as if kids had done it…

She suddenly heard someone coming and darted to hide. She furrowed her brows as she caught sight of a young boy, checking the room she had once been in.

The girl watched for a moment then moved from her hiding place. "I'm right here."

The boy gasped.

"Put down the knife." Clementine ordered.

"How about you do the same?" A voice said.

Clementine looked to see a figure holding a crossbow which was aimed in her direction.

"We're not gonna hurt you. We got your kids… They're safe. I'll take you to see them. Just put down the knife." The figure said.

Clementine paused, "How about a show of good faith. You lower yours, I'll lower mine."

The boy slowly lowered his weapon.

Clementine sighed and slowly dropped the knife.

"See. We're not gonna hurt you." The boy stepped closer. "I'm Marlon. The little guy is Tennessee. "Tenn" for short. He's the one who's been taking care of you." Marlon wrapped an arm aroud the boy's shoulders. "He uh, doesn't talk much."

"Clementine." The girl replied.

"Sorry about locking the door and tying you to the bed and all. You were in, uh, pretty rough shape when we found you. We had to take precautions. You know, just in case. But you're safe now and so are the kids." Marlon explained.

Clementine nodded. "I guess, I understand. I probably would've done the same."

"Still I apologize. Tying folks up isn't exactly what we enjoy around here." Marlon said.

"I get it…" Clementine said. "How long was I out?"

"A few weeks." Marlon said.

Clementine's eyes widened. "Wh-What?"

Marlon chuckled. "Relax, I'm just messing you. It's been a little over a day."

"Shit… You're serious? A whole day?" Clementine asked.

"You had a pretty bad head injury. I'm surprised you're not in a coma." Marlon replied.

Clementine frowned at that. "I'm glad I'm not in a coma."

"Yeah… Or worse." Marlon said.

The girl nodded.

"Anyway, we took care of your little ones. Fed them and stuff." Marlon said.

"Thanks…" Clementine said.

"They're wild. I can't imagine how you take care of three kids on your own." Marlon muttered.

"I manage pretty well. Fortunately, they're good kids." Clementine replied.

"Bias opinion…" Marlon stated.

Clementine raised a brow. "What?"

"Everyone likes to believe their kid is an angel." Marlon said.

"I never said they were angels. But they're well behaved… considering…" Clementine said.

"I guess." Marlon shrugged. "Come on, I'll take you to see the kids."

Clementine gave a nod, but instantly regretted it as her head throbbed.

"Take it easy." Marlon said, noticing the girl's pained expression. "You're gonna need a while before your heads healed up."

"Don't worry about me." The girl muttered. "I'm good."

Marlon and Tenn exchanged looks.

"This way." Marlon urged the girl to follow.

Clementine did so. Marlon led her outside to some kind of yard. The girl looked around, realizing not a single adult was insight.

"So, you've been surviving out there a while, huh?" Marlon asked.

"Yeah, we've been on the road a long time." Clementine confirmed.

"I take it you know how to handle yourself. You don't usually see people our age alone out in the wild." Marlon said.

"Sure, I do what I can to get by." Clementine shrugged.

"No matter what?" Marlon asked.

Clementine looked away.

"Don't worry about it. We all do what we have to." Marlon said. "Your girl's out here, been bugging Violet all day."

"Violet?"

"Yeah. You'll get to meet everyone." Marlon said.

As they walked further into the yard, Clementine sighed in relief as she spotted her four year old daughter sitting at a table, next to a girl about Clementine's age. The child seemed to be drawing.

"It wasn't easy getting you guys out of that wreck. Walkers were on the way." Marlon said.

"The car, was it totaled?" Clementine questioned.

Marlon nodded. "Yeah..."

"Fuck." Clementine sighed.

"Had to work fast. I don't know what would've happened if we hadn't see the smoke." Marlon said.

"I appreciate it..." Clementine trailed off and raised a brow as a young boy walked over and stared at her. "Uh, hi there...?"

The boy quickly darted off without a word, leaving Clementine confused. "What's his problem?"

"You're just new. We haven't seen anything like you in... ever." Marlon explained.

Clementine looked around. "What is this place?"

"You can probably tell it used to be a school. Now it's whatever we want it to be." Marlon said.

"And who's in charge?" Clementine asked.

"Well... I am. Probably sounds strange, kids run by a kid. But we do all right for ourselves." Marlon said. "We've got good walls, good defenses. Good location, too. No one really comes out this way anymore. We've carved ourselves the perfect camp. Kids are safe here. We make sure of it."

"No adults...at all?" Clementine was surprised by the mere thought.

"Wasn't always like this, though. People leave. They die. There's less of us all around." Marlon said.

At that moment little Aleena glanced up from her drawing and noticed her. The child beamed and jumped to her feet. Aleena's curly blondish-brown hair bounced in her pigtails as she ran over to her Clementine.

"Mommy!" The child exclaimed.

"Hey, baby girl." Clementine smiled and hugged the child. "What have you been up to?"

"I made you a picture, mommy!" Aleena said.

Marlon wore a shocked expression. "Hold on... Mommy? She's yours?"

"And?" Clementine asked.

"I... I'm just surprised..." Marlon said. "What about the other two?""

Clementine ignored the question and instead asked one of her own, "Where are the other two?"

"You'll see them soon. Relax. They're fine." Marlon said. "I got us a system in place that works well enough. Allow me to make it formal: Welcome to Ericson's Boarding School for Troubled Youth. I think you and your kids could both fit that description."

"I was a pretty good as a kid before everything changed. Made a lot of trouble since then." Clementine said.

"We all had to grow up fast... But your boy, he's been a little terror since he's arrived." Marlon said.

"Excuse me?" Clementine inquired.

"Let's just say he hasn't been happy without you around. At all." Marlon said.

"Yo! Marlon! We've got walkers on the fence!" The young boy from earlier exclaimed.

"Shit. I need to take care of this." Marlon started to walk off. "Knowing Willy it's probably two grandma walkers and an angry squirrel. You got bigger fish. The other two are inside. I think they're with Louis."

"Louis?" Clementine echoed.

"Oh, right... Just listen for the music, you'll find them." Marlon walked further away. "Get a move on, Willy! Where's your damn weapon?"

"Come on, Leena. Lets-

"Not yet, Mommy. Come see my drawing," Aleena said, taking Clementine's hand and tugging urgently.

"Okay, okay. Let's hurry up." Clementine said.

Aleena led her over to the table.

"Hey... I guess I'm off duty now..." The teen, who Clementine assumed was Violet, said.

"I... Thanks for watching her." Clementine said.

"Right..." Violet replied.

"I hope she didn't cause any trouble." Clementine muttered.

"Well, she wasn't a complete nightmare... Once the tantrums stopped." Violet muttered

"Look!" Aleena motioned to her picture.

Violet looked to Aleena's face then Clementine's. "Sisters?"

"Huh?" Clementine asked.

"She's looks just like you. Aside from the hair." Violet said.

"Oh..." Clementine said. "I-"

"This is my mommy!" Aleena answered before Clementine got another word out.

"M-Mommy?" Violet looked shocked. "Holy shit..."

"It's a long story..." Clementine said.

The other teen just nodded and walked away, not bothering to pry.

"Do you like it?" Aleena motioned to the drawing.

There are crayons scattered across the table. Clementine looks at the picture, "What's this?"

"A doggy." Aleena replied.

"Doggy?" Clementine asked looking confused. The kids hadn't been around any dogs.

"It's for you, mommy." Aleena said.

"Umm... Thank you." Clementine accepted the picture. As much as she didn't like dogs, she wasn't going to break the child's heart by refusing her artwork. "We should go find Crystal and AJ."

Aleena nodded in response, taking Clementine's hand.

The two headed back inside the school.

"Alright, follow the music he said." Clementine said.

"I hear music!" Aleena said. "We can follow it together."

"Right, baby…" Clementine continued through the halls, following the sound of the music.

The two suddenly heard a yelp and they spotted a girl coming around the corner. "You little motherfucker!"

The redhead teen noticed them and stormed over to Clementine. "Hey. HEY."

"Uh,"

"'Bout time you woke up! Your little boy just BIT me. He's lucky I didn't take a boot to his head." The redhead hissed.

Aleena gave a tiny giggle at that.

The redhead shot Aleena a glare. "You think this is funny?!"

"Yes-"

"No she doesn't. Look, I'm so sorry. He acts out sometimes. He's been through a lot." Clementine said.

"Yeah, we'll ain't we all. Don't see any of us sinking our teeth into either of you." The redhead snapped. "Boy needs to learn some respect.

Clementine sighed as the other girl walked off. She continued into the room where she spotted AJ and Crystal standing by a boy who was playing the piano.

Before long AJ spotted her. "Clem!" He beamed.

Crystal smiled as well. The two children ran towards Clementine who hugged them.

"You're okay. I was afraid you were..." AJ trailed off.

"Are you okay?" Crystal asked little worried. "Does your head hurt?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Clementine said. "And you know what you two are?"

"What?" AJ asked.

"Ticklish!" Clementine began to tickle the two who laughed. "But... AJ, listen to me. That girl out there told me you bit her. Is that true?"

AJ frowned lowering his gaze.

"You can't be doing that, kiddo. These people helped us." Clementine said.

"I didn't mean to. She snuck up on me." AJ said.

"Still. No more bites." Clementine said.

"You're not dead. That's good." Another teen's spoke. "Watched your kids for you."

"I hope they didn't cause you any trouble." Clementine said.

"They were a bit of a handful. But I got off light compared to what Ruby got." The teen said.

"AJ doesn't like people coming up behind him." Clementine informed him.

"Don't ever do it." AJ added.

"Loud and clear, little man." The teen said. "Thankfully I was here to calm him down with my alluring music. I'm Louis."

"Clementine." Clementine introduced.

Louis turned to the piano and began playing again. "Oh, yeah! Totally forgot. Marlon left your bag in here somewhere."

"Don't worry. I've got it." Clementine searched for the bag quickly finding it. She searched through it, making sure nothing was missing. She smiled as she found her hat in the bag. AJ approached her. Clementine pulled a gun from her bag and handed it to the boy.

"Um..." Louis was shocked and hit the wrong key. "Double umm... Does he know what that is?"

"It's dirty." AJ frowned.

"Clean it." Clementine said.

"Maybe later. Back you go." AJ pocketed the gun.

"Where it belongs." Clementine said.

"Dude. That can't be a good idea. That thing's bigger than him. Is it actually loaded?" Louis asked.

"Yes." AJ said.

"Oh, good." Louis said sarcastically.

"I trust him." Clementine said.

"...You guys do your thing I guess." Louis muttered, turning back to the piano. He started to play again.

Clementine listened for a while before asking. "You don't know any others?"

"Well, there is one... But you're armed." Louis said.

Clementine raised a brow.

Louis started to play the keys and Clementine sighed as she recognized the song.

Crystal studied her mother's expression. "What's wrong, mommy?"

"It's… nothing…" Clementine sighed.

Louis started singing, "Oh my Darling, Clementine".

Curious, Aleena looked around the piano as the teen boy continued playing.

"What are you looking for?" Crystal asked.

"It's magic." Aleena said.

"Magic? Where?" Crystal asked.

Aleena pointed to the piano.

Clementine smirked at that.

"How do you do that?" Aleena asked Louis suddenly.

"Do what?" Louis asked.

"Make pretty music?" Aleena asked.

"Well, anyone can make music." Louis answered.

"Really?" Aleena asked.

"Really. But it takes practice to make good music." Louis replied.

"I wanna make good music! Let me!" The child said.

"Leena, no…" AJ quickly said.

"W-Why?" The little girl looked confused.

"Well… It's loud…" AJ said.

"It's is." Clementine agreed.

"Loud's bad." AJ said.

"Not always." Clementine replied.

"The monsters like loud things…" AJ said.

"There's no monsters here… Right mommy?" Crystal said.

"Right... We're safe from the walkers." Clementine said.

"But it might bring them…" AJ said.

"They won't get through the gate. We won't let that happen." Clementine said.

"...Okay…" AJ muttered.

"Let me play! Please!" Aleena pleaded.

"Alright, kid. C'mere." Louis gently picked the four-year old up and placed her on the bench. "Alright, I'll show-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Aleena began pressing all the keys and giggling.

AJ quickly covered his ears.

"Look, mommy… I'm making music!" Aleena beamed.

"Uh, you sure are, Leena…" Clementine giggled.

Crystal frowned. "It doesn't sound like his music…"

"She just needs more practice. I'm sure she'll be better than me at playing." Louis said.

"Can I try?" Crystal asked. "I wanna make music too."

"Sure." Louis stood up and allowed the twins to share the bench.

The two girls started tapping away at the keys while giggling.

AJ kept his ears covered cringing at the noise.

"You okay, AJ?" Clementine asked.

The boy quickly shook his head.

"What's wrong?" Clementine asked the boy.

"It's too loud…" AJ said. "They should stop."

"They're having fun. Don't you want to give it a try?" Clementine said.

AJ looked over to the twins then back to Clementine. "Should I?"

"Only if you want to… No one's going force you." Clementine said.

AJ seemed hesitant but nodded. "I… I think I wanna try… Just once."

"Alright." Clementine looked over to the twins. "Girls, let AJ have a try."

"Okay…" Crystal sighed but agreed, slowly climbing down from the bench.

Aleena however pouted. "No!"

"Let me try!" AJ demanded.

"No! No no no!" Aleena said. She put her little feet on the bench, trying to block AJ's access to it.

"Aleena, that's not nice." Clementine said.

"My turn. I wanna make music." Aleena said.

"You already had a turn." Clementine said.

"Nu-uh… Crystal had a turn…" Aleena pouted.

"You both had a turn. Now let AJ have a chance." Clementine said.

"No…" Aleena refused.

"Leena…" Clementine said.

Aleena turned back to the piano and continued hitting the keys.

Clementine sighed, walking over she picked her daughter up from the bench and placed her onto her feet. The teen knelt to the child's level. "We have to let everyone have a turn." Clementine tells the child in a gentle yet chiding tone.

Aleena shakes her head, whimpering a bit. "I saw it first."

Clementine feels her heart ache as she sees tears in the girl's eyes. "Well, you can have another turn later, okay?" She can already sense a tantrum coming.

"Not later! Now!" Aleena exclaimed.

"Leena…" Crystal called in a calm tone. "You're making mommy sad…"

Aleena gasped at that, looking as if she was going to cry. "Mommy's sad…?"

"I… I'm not sad, girls… I just want you all to take turns. Can you do that for mommy, please?" Clementine asked.

Aleena paused for a minute. "Okay…"

"Thank you, baby…" Clementine said.

"Alright, little man. Your turn." Louis motioned toward the piano key. "Come press this key."

AJ hesitated.

"Go ahead, AJ. Press it." Clementine urged.

AJ slowly moved forward and did so.

"Now press this one." Louis pointed to another key.

AJ pressed the key.

"And this one." Louis said.

AJ smiled and did so.

"You're a natural." Louis told him.

Clementine gave a smile of her own. Maybe this would be a nice place for them to stay.