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“Thanks for the letter and photos, Alice. It makes this case a little more bearable knowing that they’re in good hands. I’m sorry to hear about your arm and I hope that it gets better.”

“Thank you, L. I had a doctor check it out and he said I did well disinfecting it and removing the bullet. He also said that I can take off the sling soon.”

“Very well. I’ll be sending a letter soon. Tell everyone I send my regards.”

Alice heard a click and hung up the phone. The old year had come and gone and the children seemed to enjoyed the new year’s celebration they had: staying up until midnight, and having fun… although none of them actually stayed up until midnight. She remembered how Mello complained the next day about not staying up that late. Alice smiled as she felt something hit her head. She looked up to the top of the stairs and saw all three children dressed in bath robes, smiling. The young woman noticed the thing that hit her head was Near’s rubber ducky. She picked it up and smiled at them, “Are you three ready for your bath?” Matt and Mello grinned as Alice started up the stairs.

“So, Ali. Who called?” Matt asked as she led them to the bathroom with several towels under her arm. “It was big brother calling. He said he got our letter and he misses you guys,” Alice said, opening the door to the bathroom, “He might send us a letter as well.” Matt smiled as Alice ran the bath water. She poured some bubble bath in as bubbles began to appear. “Ok. Which one of you big boys wants to go first?” Alice smiled as Mello raised his hands and she turned off the water, “Ok, Mello. Jump in.” The blonde jumped into the tub and sighed.

“This is pretty nice, Ali. I want to soak in here for a while,” he said as Alice poured shampoo in his hair and started washing it.

“Nope. You’re getting clean and getting out. Matt and Near need to bathe as well,” she laughed as Mello grumbled a bit. Alice poured water over Mello’s head, rinsing away the suds and shampoo.

“All done. Next,” Alice said as Mello stepped out of the tub, putting his robe back on and grabbing a towel for his hair, “Come over here, Matt.” Matt hopped in with his goggles on and smiled.

“I like this hot spring. It replenishes my HP and MP,” he said as Alice washes his hair, smiling.

“True and this potion will prevent you from getting ambushed for over 200 steps,” she said, rinsing his hair, “Alright. You’re all healed up now. Make room for the rest of your group.” As Matt stepped out, he slipped and fell and his butt. Alice helped him to his feet and placed a towel on his head as he put his robe back on. Matt stood next to Mello as Alice looked over at Near.

“Your turn, Near,” she said as Near looked down at the floor, playing with his hair a little, “What’s wrong, Near?” Mello laughed, “I think he’s nervous to have a girl see him naked…” Near looked up and sighed.

“At least I don’t look like a girl.”

“What was that, you albino freak?!” Alice sighed, “Matt, Mello. Why don’t you guys go to your room and get dressed?” They nodded and left as Near sighed again. “I won’t look, Near. I’m sure you can wash your own hair,” Alice smiled, turning away from the tub. Near looked at her for a moment then got in. He washed his hair, rinsed it, and got out, putting his robe back on. “I’m finished, Alice,” he said, quietly as Alice put a towel on his head.

“Okay, then. Let’s get you dressed then,” she said, smiling, leading him to his room.

“Alice…” Near said, twirling his wet hair, “ Do you miss all your friends and family?” Alice thought for a second then said, “Yes, I do, but my job as a babysitter comes first. My parents understand as well as the headmaster at the school I attend.” Near looked up at her, “Which school do you attend?” Alice smiled and opened his door, “Wellington’s Girl Academy in northern Winchester. I think it’s only a few blocks from here. Okay, then. When you’re dressed, come down stairs.” Near nodded as Alice walked down stairs. The woman looked at her arm sling and sighed; on the sling were three different signatures in three different colors. Alice smiled then saw Matt and Mello walking down the stairs with Near following behind. Each of them wearing a uniform similar to hers. “Big sis! What the heck are these things?!” Mello yelled, walking up to her, “I don’t like it!”

“Those,” she said, sounding like L, “are your new uniforms for when you start back at school next week. L said he had to wear one so you guys wearing one shouldn’t kill you.” Mello tugged at his shirt collar as Alice fixed his tie. “You three look very handsome,” she smiled, taking Matt’s goggles off and fixing Near’s hair a little, “There. Let me get a picture of this for big brother.” As she reached for her camera, Mello moaned.

“I hate these things… we all look alike now…” the blonde grumbled as Near sighed.

“At least you don’t look like a girl now.” Mello glared at Near then pounced him, knocking Near to the ground.

“Call me that one more time, Near!! I dare you!” Mello yelled as Alice pulled him off and sat him on the couch.

“Mello, what’s gotten into you?!” Alice asked, scolding him as she turned to Near, “Are you ok, Near?” He sat up and rubbed his cheek then wiped his lip, “I’m fine. It’s not the first time Mello threw a punch at me.” Alice sighed, pulled out a napkin and gently wiped his lip, “Why would he punch you anyway?”

“Maybe he’s jealous…”

“Or you have a way of trying his patience. Either way, try to keep some of your comments to yourself, ok?” Alice smiled, putting a bandage on his cheek, “There.” She turned to Mello.

“And as for you, I’m going to take away all of your chocolate bars for a week.” Mello grumbled something under his breath.