Post timing: 5 minutes

(Did you read the first two posts in this story? If not, we recommend starting with Adoption Day.)

The sun was just peeking out above the trees as Flapjax started his climb.

He sniffed. Something smelled scrumptious – something cinnamon-sugary. Mom must be baking! But he couldn’t stop now, not even for treats. He had to get to Libby.

Flapjax couldn’t carry everything – plus himself – up the stairs…not with just two paws. So he heaved the juice up over his head until it hit the step, and then he pushed. And he said a silent prayer of thanks that the lid had been on as he heard the sloshing liquid inside.

Then he tossed up the tissue box, the purple medicine bottle, and finally, with a bit more of an effort, he pulled himself up. He was already so exhausted!

One step down…many, many more to go! But at least now he knew how to do it.

Step by step, Flapjax threw his remedies up to the next one and then jumped, grasping the shaggy carpet and pulling himself up.

After what seemed like ages, Flapjax found himself on the landing in between the floors, panting from the effort. He was halfway there! He looked back down to the bottom of the steps and grinned a huge grin. He was tired, but he was also excited. Libby was going to be so proud of him!

Flapjax began his climb again, this time in a hurry.

Orange juice, up! Tissue box, up! Medicine bottle, up! Flapjax, up!

He was on a roll…

But then it happened. Disaster.

Flapjax was mid-push when he felt the orange juice container tip. Suddenly, the juice fell with a heavy thud and the lid exploded open in a sticky, orange gush.

With a shriek, Flapjax launched himself up to the step and pulled the container back to a standing position, but not before most of the juice had spilled out down the steps like a big orange waterfall.

Flapjax shook the container, hoping there was enough left for Libby.

He ignored the mess behind him and the punishment that was sure to come and instead focus on climbing the last two steps to get to his best friend.

*****

Libby was curled up in a ball under a pile of blankets. She sneezed and wondered where Flapjax could be as she wiped her nose on her sleeve. She would search for him later, she thought as she coughed for the billionth time that morning and turned over with a grunt.

And then she gasped. Flapjax’s face popped up on the side of her bed. A big, triumphant grin covered his face.

Libby grabbed him in both arms and held him up in front of her.

“Where have you been, Flapjax?” she asked nasally, frowning at him.

Flapjax squirmed until she set him down, and then he leaned over the edge of the bed to grab his supplies.

At that very moment, Mom walked in the room with her scolding face on, hands on her hips. She had most definitely seen the mess Flapjax had left on his way to the rescue.

He prepared for punishment.

But she took one look at Libby and felt her forehead, and her anger disappeared.

“I don’t feel good,” Libby whimpered.

Flapjax had his paw around the top of the orange juice container and began to tug. His tail twitched with the effort.

“What’s this?” Mom asked as she bent down to pick up the supplies Flapjax had spent ALL MORNING getting up the stairs.

Flapjax frowned. Mom was going to get all the credit! But she just looked down at Flapjax and smiled.

“Libby, I think someone is looking out for you,” she said, patting Flapjax on the head.

Libby smiled through her sniffles. “He always does,” she said, picking him up and giving him a big bear hug, burying her face in his fur. But Flapjax didn’t mind – in fact, he kind of liked that there was a tissue box right next to her, but Libby chose him instead.

“Mama, I know it’s just breakfast time, but can we have ice cream?” Libby asked, cuddling Flapjax close.

“Well, since it’s Flapjax’s big day, I think that would be okay. As long as you take all the medicine first,” Mom said with a wink as she handed Libby a tiny, Flapjax-sized cup of the purple liquid. Libby finished it in a gulp then stuck out her tongue.

“Yuuuuck,” she coughed.

“Okay, ice cream on the way!”

Flapjax looked hopefully at Libby.

“With rainbow sprinkles? Please!” She called out, smiling at him. “Happy Adoption Day, Flapjax,” she said, hugging him tight.

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