Time passed, and Tamara had finally fallen into a deep sleep. No more crying. No more cooing. The grip that she had on my nightdress slowly faded as she let go and let her small arms dangle to the sides of her tiny body. She yawned and stretched her little legs.

I let out a whoosh of air, relieved that my baby sister was asleep at last. It took a while for me to calm her and make her feel relaxed, but I did it. She was sleeping like a baby.

Because she was a baby.

I quietly stood up, careful not to drop her to the ground or wake her, and kissed her forehead. She giggled in response to the kiss.

"Shelly..." the baby said in her sleep.

I smirked and whispered in her ear. "Sleep tight, you cutie. Your big sister needs to go now. She needs to rest also. Tomorrow is her birthday." Tamara whimpered a bit, and I kissed her cheek and laid her down in the crib. I continued whispering. "It will be morning before you even know it. You will see your big sister again, and she will spend time with you. And seeing that we will be out for most of the day, you may get lucky to miss out on your nap." I ran my fingers through her hair, and the whimper was replaced by a giggle.

Tamara smiled. "Shelly."

I pulled my hand from the crib and stared at the sleeping baby. No more cries. No more noises coming from her.

Quickly and quietly, I tiptoed out of the room and hurried back to my room. I came in and plopped myself on my bed. I stretched my arms and legs and opened my mouth to yawn.

"You did it, Shelly," I said to myself. "Mission accomplished."

Then, I let my body sink into the mattress and my head into the pillow. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

But not for long.

I felt someone shaking me, and I opened my eyes. A figure was standing by my bed.

And it was neither Slappy nor Snappy.