Part 4
Michael's parents thought that their son was working too much and eating too little. They had noticed that Michael looked smaller, and his face had more pimples then before. Michael only thought he was losing weight but his face was betraying him.
Michael was persuaded to go see the family doctor. The doctor wrote off the weight loss and the new spread of acne as an unbalance of hormones in his body caused by stress, but he couldn't explain why Michael had lost a few inches in height.
Michael even confessed that he had felt a strange burning sensation twice in his stomach. He left out the fact he felt it all over his body. The doctor did the usual tests, thinking it was stress related problem. All the tests came back that Michael was a healthy teenager.
In the end, the doctor blamed his records for the height difference. He has been a doctor for over thirty years and he didn't need some computer telling him that one of his patients was shrinking in height. Most likely, the nurses had mis-read his hand-writing when converting the records into the computer.
The doctor swore to himself as he looked over some of the other records. No telling how many mistakes the nurses might have made. He wrote a few recommendations to Michael and his parents. Then he suggested that Michael should exercise more and eat full meals to help balance out his body.
Except for Megan, Michael told none of his friends about his recent problems, and he took small steps to cover up whatever was happening to his body. The acne cleared up after using a special wash and he wore shoes with the thickest soles he could buy. And there was a plus side to all this; all his clothes fit him better then ever, although he did have to use a belt to wear jean shorts. The best part was that he got some encouraging e-mails from Megan, which in turn helped them grow closer in their relationship.
Michael's worst fear was that Megan would be taller then him now. Michael didn't admit it to the doctor or his parents, but he knew that he was shorter then before. He tried his best to remember if Megan wore shoes that made her taller or not. Why did he have to be so concern with her eyes that night? To answer his question about whether she was seeing anyone with a kiss; that had been strange, but he had liked it all the same.
Holly took little notice of her sister's sudden growth, apart from noticing her new clothes. She did think that Michael was acting strangely. She thought that he was still love-struck with Megan. Holly smiled kindly as she thought about it. He was in love with a girl that didn't exist yet.
Holly had little time to think about this. She and Terry were getting serious in their own relationship. Because Holly had skipped some grades, she was now a high school grad. When she wasn't working to save money, she spent what time she could with Terry. They discussed which colleges were the best for both of them. It was Terry's last year in high school and he decided to go straight in college while working part-time.
Terry announced he would settle down with Holly as soon as college started. That way they could help each other study and share expenses while they made their love stronger. Holly was overjoyed when Terry made his offer, then said that her ring didn't have to be an expensive one. They had a future to plan together and she knew they would need all the money they could save.
It was there and then she decided that she would have to tell Terry about the hourglass. If he was going to trust her she would have to let him in on a secret this big. First of all, she'd have to arrange a small demonstration. Maybe he could be a part of it, she thought with a grin.
Heather could hardly have been any happier. Her own body was developing nicely and her e-mails with Michael were getting better every week. Her grades were high and her friendships were still good. The only thing that irritated her was that now she had to answer some of the same questions she asked her own sister about a developing body from her friends.
It seemed like a good time in life for all of them. Mrs Field felt that her daughters had matured so much that they could be trusted more. Mr and Mrs Field finally told their daughters why they been working so much and saving so much money. They had some vacation days to use and girls would be left alone for three days at least. Holly and Heather's parents just wanted a short vacation from life and kids, to re-kindle the love they had for each other.
As they walked down the hallway it was Heather that bought up Megan, her teen identity.
"Think Megan could come over for a visit?" Heather asked her sister.
"Maybe," Holly said with a grin.
"There also something else I need your help with. Come on into my room and I'll tell you everything," Holly said on the way into her room, speaking in a way that implied a mischievous plan.
The door shut gently, and soon after a fit of giggles was heard.
Michael was happy to hear from Terry that Megan would be visiting again, despite the return of his acne. He was eating and working out more then ever before. His body was in better shape then he could remember. He was losing some more weight, but had bigger muscles to make up for it now.
Michael's friends knew that he was getting in shape in the hopes of getting a girl. A few of them were surprised at his size and wondered if getting in better shape always made a person look so different.
Mrs and Mr Field left a set of strict rules that were not to broken while there were away. They trusted the girls to keep up the housework while they were gone. They could have friends over only if there was no rowdiness and they cleaned up after themselves. Mrs Field left the part on being rowdy in the general sense to cover all the bases. She raised both her daughters well enough to trust them around boys and trusted each of her daughters to help keep the other one in line.
Heather went to her room first and took off her clothes and put on a large shirt she normally used as a nightshirt. Still holding the keys, she went to her sister's room and got the hourglass out. Since she was alone she could make her request in private.
It was an hour after their parents had left for their vacation when Heather asked if they could do it.
"Okay. Here's the key to the cabinet. I'll make the call," Holly said, handing the keys to her little sister. Then she noticed that Heather had certainly grown over the past two months.
Since Michael was nearly fifteen-years old now and she was twelve-years old, Heather decided to make a close match to his age. Michael had a birthday coming up, although Heather knew that thanks to the hourglass, he would be turning fifteen, not seventeen. Any more years taken away from Michael and Holly might notice. Heather also knew that anyone who saw her now and then Megan would figure out they were the same person. Her face had started to show the same maturity as her teen self.
"Make me fourteen-years-old," Heather whispered to the small hourglass.
Heather grew in height and her shirt pushed outward a little. Her long shirt that had hung at her knees now barely covered her privates. Heather was amazed how much she looked like her older teen self. She only lacked the mature long legs and a more oval face. She was Megan now, just a little more innocent looking.
"He's coming, sis!" Holly shouted from somewhere in the house.
Heather got dressed in her own clothes which were just her size now. She had to wear the largest sizes she had managed to get her mother to buy for her. The other shirts were tight, but not uncomfortable.
"Your new outfit makes you look younger then the last time you changed," Holly said, seeing her sister.
"I got mom to get me some large shirts," Heather answered.
"Go hide in my bathroom until I gave you the signal," Holly said.
"Okay, here," Heather said, then gave the keys to Holly. Holly set them on her dresser while she dressed.
Heather didn't wait long in the bathroom. Soon enough she heard the doorbell rang and she was ready.
Holly answered the door and Terry walked in.
"So what did you want to tell me?" he asked.
"Come back to the bedroom and I'll show you," Holly said with a smile.
All kind of thoughts entered Terry's head and he thought this was unlike Holly.
As soon as Terry was sitting on her bed she started a conversation about childhood.
"Wouldn't be great if we could have grown up together?" Holly asked him.
"Yeah, but we did meet each other in middle school," Terry replied, thinking back to that day. Back then they were only friends.
"Don't you ever wish we could have met as toddler playmates?" Holly asked sweetly.
"I suppose," Terry answered, not having any idea where this chat was going.
"Watch this!" Holly shouted.
Terry jumped when he realized that Holly was shrinking.
Holly held on to her shorts and underwear while she regressed. For Terry, it was shock to see his girlfriend getting younger. Holly's face was lost all its maturity and her shirt went against her body as her breasts shrank. Her hair shortened then thinned. She was ten-years-old and still regressing; her body was skinny with no signs that she had ever been a teenager.
"Holly? What is going on? And are you okay?" Terry asked.
"I am perfectly fine," The six-year-old Holly said in very mature tone.
She was becoming so small now. Her face was cute and her little hands were chubby. Her face was changing more and more. It was round and starting to fill in with baby fat. Her arms and legs did the same. Then Terry knew who Cindy really was when he saw her pass four-years-old. Baby fat was returning all over her body now. Then her stomach grew a little bit more and she stopped her regression
An adorable version of Holly at two-years-old stood in front of Terry. Looking closely, he saw she was still Holly in her eyes. Her shirt now pooled around her feet and she let go of her shorts. Holly's shirt was just hanging on her body now. Any younger and it would have slipped down her body leaving her naked.
"Your turn!" the two-year-old yelled, looking at him and then towards the bathroom.
Before Terry could utter a single word he felt a fire inside his body. Guessing what was going to happen, he decided to wait it out. If Holly could change her age he would just have to trust her to change him back. Terry was amazed once again to see his body changing. His broad chest was growing smaller and becoming more like his preteen's body. He touched his face and felt nothing but smooth skin. Looking around, he saw a mirror and watched his face.
His face was getting round like Holly's, but kept his boyish looks. Much like Holly he was skinny and a little stomach was showing. Terry was fast leaving childhood and entered toddler-hood now. His legs were gaining baby fat, but they couldn't be seen due to the oversized shirt covering his body. Terry had withdrawn his legs under his shirt to sit Indian style. His face was chubby and round and looked nothing like his teen self. If Holly hadn't seen him change she would have never believed that this little baby boy was her Terry.
"How did you do that?" Terry asked, and then looked puzzled at the sound of his funny voice.
"Heather," Little Holly called.
Heather was standing in the doorway and had seen both transformations. She had stepped forward in the doorway when Terry couldn't take his eyes off of Holly.
Terry looked at Heather and saw she was a lot older then he remember.
Heather, thinking it would take a long time for a two-year-old to explain what had happened, told him everything herself. Holly stepped out of her shorts and underwear and toddled over to Heather's side while she sat on bed. Holly had to be careful not to trip on her own shirt. She filled in the necessary parts and giggled when Terry's face changed expressions during the chat. It was really cute when his little face changed to different looks.
"What now?" Terry asked after hearing everything, including who Megan really was.
"Well, you two are going to spend the entire day together while I baby-sit you," Heather said.
"Yup. I talked her into it," Holly added in her cute two-year-old voice.
"What about our clothes?" Terry asked, not wanting to run around naked in front of Heather's little sister. It was ok to let Holly see him since she was in the same boat.
"We got that covered," Heather said, stripping off his shirt and then Holly's. Heather lifted Holly onto the bed to sit beside Terry. It was a cute picture to see the two toddlers sitting naked next to each other. Terry place both of his hands over his crotch to hide what was left of his manhood. He felt it was so small and smooth now.
"Stay right there and I'll get you your new clothes," Heather said leaving the room to head for the garage.
Holly giggled at Terry's covering himself. She herself showed no modesty.
"You're so cute as a baby," Holly told him.
"Look who's talking," Terry answered back at his formal teenage girlfriend, now a toddler like himself.
"I think I know what will help your shyness," Holly said, getting on all fours and looking like a cat about to spring on a mouse.
"Whatever it is, don't you dare," Terry said.
Holly jumped at him and began tickling. In a panic to get away, Terry turned his body over, landing on his back Holly pinned him down with her weight. Terry giggled so loudly he thought for sure the neighbors would be banging on the door. Unable to squirm away from Holly, Terry managed to flip over her over and begin tickling her. Terry used his larger size to pin Holly down.
At that moment, Heather arrived, and it looked to her as if Terry had started the tickle war, so Terry was in for another tickle attack from behind. After another minute they all stopped. It was only then did Terry realize he had let both girls see him naked and each had even felt his small penis by accident during the wrestling.
Heather dressed Terry first after he tried to put on his old shirt to cover himself up.
The diapers were part of a sample pack that was still sealed in plastic.
"Yeah. There are from way back, but still good," Heather said, then opened it.
"I'm not doing a number two in them," Terry said as she fixed the tabs on his diaper.
He was helpless to stop her from diapering him anyway. In Terry's honest opinion, this was turning out to be the strangest day he could remember.
Terry noticed when she put him down that he was forced to waddle like a duck because of the diaper. Terry then watched with some amusement as Heather put a diaper on the toddler that was really her older sister.
Terry wasn't sure if he liked the situation he was in, but as long as Holly was with him, he decided that he could handle it.
"Come on, into the living room the both of you," Heather said, setting down her sister. It was a funny sight to see both toddlers waddle into the living room. For Heather it was worth it to see her sister and sister's boyfriend running around in diapers and t-shirts.
"First thing you have to learn is to use your body's new hands and fingers," Heather said. In the center of the living room were some old wooden building blocks. Holly ran over and started to build a tower. Terry was not sure how to join in because this was all still new to him.
"Go on and play Terry or I'll tickle you until you wet your diaper," Heather said, and she gave him a gentle nudge.
Not wanting to be at the mercy of another tickle attack, Terry went ahead and helped Holly build with the blocks. He ended up crawling around on his arms and legs. Heather contented herself with watching them interact and watching TV.
They looked like typical toddlers. The only thing that might give them away was how quiet there were. Before too long the toddlers were able to build small buildings and towers. Holly had already learned how to use her small hands and fingers. Her only disadvantage was moving around in a bulky diaper. Terry was quick to adapt as well, not wanting to be out-done by his girlfriend.
It wasn't until Holly's stomach rumbled noisily that Heather considered making lunch. She made a quick dish of macaroni and cheese for everyone. Since the dining table was too tall, Holly and Terry sat on the floor in the living room to eat.
Terry took this time to comment on what a good babysitter Heather was. The food was really good even if it was only macaroni and grape juice. After lunch and the dishes were washed they watched some movies Holly had rented. Terry drifted off to sleep first, and then Holly did the same. It was no surprise after all that play and a filling lunch that the two toddlers needed to go down for their naps.
Terry awoke to a strange sight. When opened his eyes he was looking through a white nylon net and lying on a cold smooth surface. He sat up, looked around and realized he was in a playpen. Holly was sleeping beside him. Part of him had thought he would awake back in his bed, with the regression having been a dream.
Where's Heather? Terry thought to himself.
As if to answer his question, Heather popped around the corner to check on them.
"Finally awake, I see. I just got done with all the housework," Heather said quietly, then sat on the sofa next to the playpen.
"Where did you get this?" Terry said, patting the playpen rail.
"It was stored in the garage in a box. Neither of you stirred as I put you in," Heather said.
Terry stood up and felt a cold wetness between his legs. To his great embarrassment he had wet his diaper in his sleep. A quick glance told him that it hadn't spread any further then his diaper.
Seeing Terry's expression, Heather placed a few fingers in front of his diaper and said, "Yup, you are little wet." She lifted him out of the playpen.
Terry was too shocked with horror to say anything.
"Don't worry, I won't tell if you don't. Besides, you do have a very good excuse. You two finished off an entire bottle of grape juice," Heather said, undoing the tabs on the diaper.
"I'll be surprised if Holly is still dry when she wakes," Heather said, sliding the diaper out from under his legs. "Stay here while I get you a fresh diaper."
It was a strange sense of freedom for Terry to lay there naked and only concerned if Holly would wake up and see him. Terry amused himself while he was alone pretending to do baby kicks. Everything around him still looked so large.
"Here we go," Heather said in a sing-song voice. She bought back a warm wash rag and a new diaper.
Terry had to suppress the giggles that threaten to burst free when Heather gently wiped his diaper area. It was even worse than being tickled, and his body bucked upward.
"Not to cold is it?" Heather said.
"No, tickles," Terry managed to say, trying his best not to laugh.
"Sorry," Heather said with a smile. "Holly told me that babies need to be clean when you change their diapers," She said, lifting his legs up. She diapered him quickly, and then helped him to his feet.
"It's okay. Just let me be around when you change hers," Terry said, looking at the playpen.
"Deal. Now, come on, let's go play until she wakes up," Heather said, taking Terry's hand and leading out of the room.
Heather's idea of playing was a board game of Checkers and she was beaten by Terry a number of times. They setup the game on Heather's bed and sat on opposite ends. Heather spent the hour they had alone to ask questions as they played, mostly about what he thought of the hourglass and being so young. Terry said that he rather be a teen again then being stuck in diapers.
"But you do look cute," Heather said with a giggle.
"Your move," Terry said, in an effort to change the subject.
"Dang, you trapped me again in that corner," Heather said. "Oh well, I'm tired of this game anyway. Let's go see if Holly is awake," Heather said. She picked Terry up and held him in her arms. Terry felt a little guilty when his face was brushed against Heather's breast before she settled him on her hip.
Holly was beginning to stir as Heather sat Terry back down on his feet. Her diaper was very wet and cold, and the tossing and turning didn't help. Finally, Holly woke up when she heard footsteps. She looked up in time to see Heather reaching down to pick her up.
"Good morning, sleepy head," Heather sang as she lifted her out.
Holly didn't want to reveal that she was wet to Terry, and whispered her request for a diaper change to her sister. But Heather did the quick check, not caring if Terry was looking or not.
"You're soaked," Heather said as she withdrew her hand.
"Come on; let's get you two into some bath water. No sense in changing your diaper until afterwards, sis," Heather said, still holding her sister. Terry was standing beside her, enjoying the look of embarrassment on Holly's face.
Heather sat Holly on the bathroom counter and un-taped her diaper. Then she left her sister naked and sitting on top of a wet diaper while she ran a bubble-bath. Heather checked the water temperature with her wrist, then stood up again.
"You first sis, and then Terry. Once you're cleaned up and the dirty water is down the drain, I'll put Terry in to join you," Heather said.
Heather lifted her sister out of the dirty diaper and gave her a quick wipe down with a wash cloth in the tub while Terry watch from his seat on the toilet with amusement.
"OK, Terry, your turn," Heather said, turning her attention to him. She took off his diaper and stood him naked in the water with Holly. Heather flipped the switch to the water drain and water started to fill up the tub. Bubbles were still popping up as it filled and Heather busied herself shampooing her sister's hair first, then moved on to Terry.
"I'm going leave you two alone. Just yell if you need me," Heather said.
Terry sat right behind Holly in the tub, his little arms around her. With the water and bubbles for cover they laid back as best they could. Holly really liked Terry holding her. She used one of free hands to touch his penis.
"Hey," Terry.
"Just curious," Holly said.
"Me too," Terry said moving his right hand down between Holly's legs.
"Stop, it tickles too much," Holly said, and took his hand in her own. Both of them had sensitive skin and any movement cause at least a little tickle.
"This is fun," Holly said, looking at the water at the far end of the tub.
"We'll have to do this again soon, when we're older," Terry said slyly.
"Better behave yourself young man or I'll have Heather spank you," Holly joked.
Both toddlers laughed then Holly turned around in the tub to face Terry.
"I think you should give me a kiss," Holly said, sitting on her knees.
"Okay, a quick one, before your sister gets back" Terry said, giving into his girlfriend's wishes.
It was a funny experience for both of them. The kissing toddlers were a cute sight to see. They settled on doing a couple of light kisses before breaking away.
"We should get out now. Your hands are wrinkling and so are mine," Holly said.
"Heather!" Holly called.
Heather came back into the bathroom. "Are we ready to get dressed?" Heather said in a voice that sounded more like she was talking to two toddlers not teens.
"Yeah," Holly replied.
Heather was taking her role as babysitting very seriously. She dried Holly and Terry gently, then used the last of the diapers on them. She picked up Holly in her arms and led Terry by his little hand out to the living room. She put both of them in the playpen.
"Now," Heather said, looking down at them. "I am going take my shower and you two can stay out of trouble in there. I'll start the movie up where I stopped it after you two fell asleep so you two won't be bored," Heather said. She went over to the VCR and hit the play button.
"Enjoy," Heather said leaving to wash up. She decided to make it a quick shower since she didn't want to leave the toddlers alone for long. Although the living room was safe with the windows and door locked tight, she had a duty as a babysitter to be careful.
"Shame you can't spend the night," Holly said as they cuddled together in the playpen.
Thinking it over, Terry said, "I might be able to."
"What do you mean? Your parents will be worried if you don't come home."
"Not if I use my cell phone to send a text message to them saying I'm crashing at a friend's place," Terry said looking toward the hallway.
Holly remembered that Terry always carried a cell phone in his right pocket. The shorts were neatly folded by Heather on the edge of the bed.
"I'll get Heather to go get it when she comes back," Holly said, turning her attention back to the movie.
Heather was more then happy to get the cell phone. She was oldest now and loved the power of being in charge. Toddlers in her care were so easy to look after. Terry sent the text message to his dad's cell phone and got a response soon after. As it was Friday night, he could stay over.
"I'm going to let you out now," Heather said. "I have to put up the playpen before Mom and Dad get home." She also tidied the building blocks away.
Heather had her sister's keys in her left pocket and she locked up the hourglass. She felt safe that she wouldn't wake up their size now. Heather put away the playpen and came back with a few blankets. One was laid on the floor while the others were wrapped around them. The day was starting to cool as evening crept in. The sun was setting when they decided to watch the last movie. Heather wasn't sure which toddler went to sleep first this time. Soon after, she fell asleep as well to enjoy gentle dreams.
The next morning, the ringing of the door bell woke her up. In a panic she thought it was her parents, but if it was them they would have used their house keys. Not wanting to alarm her sister, Heather went to see who it was.
"Michael," she said, opening the door after she saw his face in the window.
He had changed in more ways than one. His body had a greater build on it and his face looked cuter.
"Megan, I was hoping to see you again. You look different with your hair down," Michael said, looking into her eyes. It was definitely Megan, but she looked younger. To his relief, she was an inch shorter then him.
"Yeah, and no make-up or dress," Heather said, smiling and letting him in.
"Where's Holly?" Michael said, wondering why she didn't answer the door instead of her cousin.
"She's with Terry right now," Heather said truthfully. ,"You can call me Heather. Megan is my middle name, I use for a nickname."
Michael knew that Holly had a sister, but he didn't know her name.
"How did you know I'd be here?" Heather asked as they walked into the living room.
"Terry told me. So why are you all alone?" Michael asked, not noticing the sleeping toddlers.
"Not exactly alone," Heather said, pointing at the toddlers sleeping on the make-shift bed.
"Who are they?" Michael asked, wondering how many cousins Holly had.
"Cindy and Billy," Heather answered, using the first two names that came to her.
"Cute," Michael said, and then he turned his attention back to Heather. "Can we talk in private?"
"Come back to my room," Heather said.
Michael was little confused when they enter Holly's little sister's room.
"I should explain that I'm not Holly's cousin, but her sister," Heather said.
"But she's years younger then you," Michael said, not sure if this was some kind of joke.
"Let's just say that I had a little help growing up," Heather said, then gesturing around the room. There were pictures of her at various ages. Looking at these pictures, there was little doubt in Terry's mind that this was the same person.
"To prove I am Megan and Heather, I still have all the e-mails you sent me encrypted and saved on my computer," Heather said.
"I believe you," Michael said. "So how old are you are really?" he said, sitting on her bed.
"Everyone thinks that I am ten-years-old, but I been passing for a twelve-year-old lately," Heather said, hoping this wasn't going to scare him off.
"And now?" Michael asked.
"Around fifteen-years-old," Heather said, hoping Michael liked younger girls.
Thinking back to the strange changes that had affected his own body, Michael asked a question he wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer to.
"Did you use whatever aged you on me to make me younger?"
"A little. I really wanted you to be closer to my age. Are you mad?" Heather asked. She looked as if she was on the verge of tears of shame. She didn't want to hurt the one she was in love with.
"No, but you could've asked. It's always nice to ask first," Michael said with a smile, not wanting Heather to cry. It was breaking his heart to see her so close to tears.
"Why did you want to be close to my age?" Michael asked.
Heather flipped her shirt over her head, leaving only her bra to cover her breasts.
"Because I'm beautiful now and we can be together since we're almost the same age," Heather said as she stood in front of him and placed her hands on his waist.
"It wasn't the teenage girl I fell in love with. It was the person I saw in your eyes," Michael said putting his hands around her.
"You love me?" Heather asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go on a date," Michael said. He wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing. After all, she was really a little girl pretending to be a teen.
Then a thought struck him: What if the toddlers were not toddlers after all?
"You said that Holly is with Terry right now. Was that Holly and Terry in the living room?" Michael asked, then grinning.
"Yeah, I babysat them last night," Heather said, laughing.
"Think we could go wake up old Terry?" Michael asked.
"Wouldn't you rather stay here and give me a kiss or two?" Heather asked him, and she sat down on the bed.
"Well, I don't know. After all you're just a little girl," Michael said in a joking voice.
"Be careful or I put you the same spot Terry is in," Heather said, leaning forward.
"But then I wouldn't be able to kiss you," Michael said before their lips came together.
"I've grown in my mind as well," Heather said in between kisses.
The little kissing game only went as far as both teens seeing the other topless, and it was Michael who stopped the fooling around.
"Look, we can't go any further. After all, what would our parents say if we did start dating?" Michael said, admiring Heather's body before he had to say goodbye to the sight
.
"Doesn't mean we can't be together. When I am old enough we can date and no one will care," Heather said pulling the covers up to cover her breasts.
"Exactly. When you're really old enough. Until then I can't date you," Michael said, almost pleading with her to see the logic behind it.
"I know, but I just want to be with you," Heather said, looking very sad.
"You know the old saying; if you love something you got to let it go," Michael said gently.
"Yeah, and it will come back to you if it is meant to be, " Heather said, remembering the quote from one of the movies she and Holly had watched.
"I promise I'll come back and see you. I don't know if we'll date or not, but I'll come back as a friend," Michael said.
"Thanks," Heather said, and then she blinked furiously to try to stop from crying.
"Come on, let's go see if Terry's up," Michael said, trying to cheer her up.
"Okay" Heather said slipping her shirt on without a bra.
"Good morning Holly and Terry," Michael and Heather said together, shaking them gently awake.
Both toddlers were shocked to see Michael there.
Holly pulled the blanket up to hide her almost naked body from Michael's view. Terry only looked at them both and wondered, what now?
"Don't worry sis, I only told him who I was and he figured out the rest," Heather said, picking up her sister and forcing her to let go of the blanket.
Michael picked up Terry up. "Can't believe this is Terry. He's light as a feather in my arms," Michael said, lifting the toddler almost to the ceiling.
"Come on, Michael, put me down," Terry said.
"You should hear your voice, Terry. You sound like Mickey Mouse," Michael said, then he put Terry back down his small feet.
"Holly, you are beautiful as ever," Michael said, and he kissed her hand.
Holly giggled. "Thanks."
"Although I did imagine you very different topless," Michael joked.
"Watch it," Terry said.
"Easy, Terry. Just kidding," Michael said.
"What do we all do now? Since two of us aren't old enough to drive," Michael asked, sitting down on the floor.
"You're right, Michael. They have nothing to wear anyway. I guess we'll just have to baby sit them until lunchtime," Heather said to play along with Michael
A strange game of hide and seek was played over the next hour as babysitters tried to find the toddlers and toddlers tried to find the teens. It wasn't until lunch time that Michael heard the entire story of the marble hourglass.
"So it's just a piece of marble stone with an hourglass craved on it," Michael said, puzzled that such a little stone could change a person's age.
"Yeah. Heather, go get it from my room," Holly said from her spot on the counter top.
Heather fetched the hourglass and gave it to Michael "Only a little bigger than the palm of my hand," he said. "Looks about one inch thick of marble and three inches wide by four inches long."
Heather set it down beside Holly but she didn't notice that her sister was close to the edge. Holly moved her arm sideways knocking the marble across the counter.
"Heather!" Holly shouted, making a wild crawl to catch it. She caught the edge of marble and then it slipped from her fingers. It was just too heavy for a toddler to hold it in one hand.
"Noooo!" from Holly was the last sound heard before the hourglass hit the floor.
The bang of marble hitting the hardwood floor was followed by the unmistakable sound of something cracking.
Everyone stared in shock. The marble was broke into four separate pieces that now only roughly fit back together.
"Okay. We just have to stay calm and glue it back together," Holly said.
Desperately hoping they would not be stuck at their current ages. Michael and Heather carefully glued it back together. Holly and Terry searched every inch of the floor for other parts of the marble, but they found nothing.
"OK. Let's try it now," Heather said once the fourth part was glued on. She touched it lightly with her fingers and made her wish to return to normal.
Nothing happened.
"Maybe the glue got too dry," Heather said hopefully.
Then Holly started to cry. It wasn't the fear of her parents or the fact she was stuck as a toddler that made her cry. It was fact she dragged her friends and sister into this as well. She apologized to the group for using the hourglass and not getting rid of it.
Terry tried to console her, saying, "It's not your fault."
Heather bent down and said, "The past two months have been the best of my life. I'll take care of you, Holly, and I'll tell Mom and Dad that it was my fault."
"No. You don't have to, sis. I should've tried harder to grab it and now everyone I love is stuck at the wrong age," Holly said crying not for herself but for her sister and friends.
It was then the marble hourglass glowed white.
"Guys!" Michael said, backing away from the hourglass.
"Look at that!" Terry said as the cracks sealed themselves.
The light faded, and then appeared in the center. The light took the shape of a thin plus sign and spread to the edges and all around to the back of marble. There was a sound like the crack of a whip, then the hourglass split into four perfect rectangles.
"Cool," Heather whispered.
"You think it might work?" Holly said with renewed hope.
"Let's try it," Heather said, putting the parts back together.
"I wish I was back to my normal age," Heather said loudly.
Her body lost height and her face changed, becoming more innocent by the second.
"It's working" Holly shouted with relief.
Soon Heather face was back to twelve-years-old.
Why didn't I change all the way back? Heather thought quietly to herself. Then she thought maybe this was the way she supposed to be now.
"We'd better change back," Holly said to Terry. "I don't want to miss our chance,"
"Michael, go to the living room and grab the blankets. I'll help them with the stone," Heather said to Michael.
Heather bent down and undid each of their diapers and then wrapped them in the blankets that Michael gave her. Heather and Michael picked up the two toddlers and they touched the stone at the same time.
Each shouted out their wish. Since their bodies were covered up by the blankets it looked like a human tent rising from the floor. The toddlers' faces changed into children's' faces and then pre-teens. The changes finally stopped when they were teenagers. Holly and Terry were back to normal.
"We better get dressed," Holly said holding her blanket tight to her body. Both she and Terry left the room.
"Is it always this exciting around here?" Michael asked Heather with a smile.
"Not always," Heather said, laughing. Then she said, "Hey, aren't you going to use the hourglass to return to your normal age?"
"I think I can be happy being this age," Michael said. He reached over to hold Heather's hand.
"What about our parents?" Heather asked.
"Well I have seen how mature you are now. You were ready to take all the blame and care for your sister. Besides, who says we have to tell them now. We'll have our dates when the group hangs out and we'll start our private dates when you are old enough," Michael explained.
"I'll talk to my mom and see," Heather said.
Heather knew that her mom would forbid it, for a while at least. Maybe in two years she might have a chance to start dating Michael.
Heather picked up the diapers and tossed then into the trash. The she returned to the kitchen table and held Michael's hand as they waited.
Holly and Terry came back in the kitchen now fully dressed and looking as if they had enjoyed a quick kiss.
"Good to be back to normal," Holly said.
"Oh, I don't know you made a cute toddler," Terry said coming in right behind her.
"I guess that means you want to be a baby again?" Holly asked.
"Well, not anytime soon," Terry said smiling, then blushing.
"Hey, sis. Why do you think the hourglass split into four neat parts?" Heather asked.
Holly took a little time to think about it then said, "One for each of us." She started to give each of them a piece.
But Michael shook his head. "You can give mine to whoever you want. It seems like too much trouble, and besides, with Heather having one I trust her" Michael said, smiling at their shocked expressions.
"Well, I suppose I can give the extra one to Jackie. She's my best friend and should be a part of this," Holly said, looking at her group of close friends.
"After a small demonstration," Holly said with a grin. "With Jackie as the star of the show, of course. I'm sure she'll believe us after that."
"Can I call her to come over, please?" Heather begged her sister.
"Alright," Holly said. Then she sat down at the kitchen table to wait for Jackie to ring the doorbell.
The End?