Fara was groggily awoken by Sarah the next morning. The drive for the activity today would be pretty long so the girls had to get up and leave early. Even though Fara was put to bed early she still managed to wake up groggy. Not that she was the only one. Sarah brought Fara into the living room with the rest of the girls, who were all equally tired save for Annabelle and Rachel.

“Morning sweetie,” Rachel said in a chipper mood. Fara groaned, too sleepy to be embarrassed by being in front of her friends in the pink animal print onesie she wore to bed and her soggy diaper that had become typical for her in the morning. Though most everyone else was also too sleepy to really notice “Let’s get you changed so we can go,” Rachel quickly grabbed Fara’s hand and led her away to her room. The rest of the girls were still much too sleepy to go anywhere anyway so Rachel knew she had a bit of time.

The tired Fara was remarkably still for her diaper change, and subsequent removal of her onesie. Fara groaned as Rachel helped her into a soft yellow and pink snowsuit decorated with pink butterflies. It was a two piece outfit, though notably the pants did have a longer zipper for easy diaper changes without removing them. Despite this though it was one of Fara’s more mature outfits for this trip. Even though it was a little childish she looked more like an adult with acute sense of style than a baby. Fara began to wake up more as Rachel got into her own pure white snow suit with brown fur trim and Sarah got into a similar but less expensive brown version of the outfit.

“Oh yeah we’re going skiing today,” Fara remembered.

“Sure are,” Sarah smiled.

“What’s a trip to Colorado without some time on the slopes,” Rachel said happily. “Though it is quite the drive so we should leave soon. Rachel moved back out into the living room with the rest of the girls. Now that Fara was awake she could see all of her friends were in warm clothing as well. Annabelle was wearing a brown leather jacket with snow pants, Riley had on an athletic looking blue winter coat, Tara had a purple coat mismatched with some black pants, and Patty was in a light pink snow suit, about as childish looking as Fara was.

“It’s a shame you don’t get to wear anything cute today,” Sarah said elbowing Fara in her own dull orange jacket.

“Wouldn’t want our little one freezing to death,” Rachel pinched Fara’s cheeks.

“Definitely not gonna freeze,” Fara huffed as she was slightly immobilized by the puffy snow suit.

“Oh hush,” Rachel dismissed Fara’s complaints.

“We all ready to go,” Annabelle said eagerly, as she had been ready to go far earlier than any of the others.

“I guess so,” Tara sighed unenthused.

“Let’s hit the slopes then,” Riley said excited. “I’ve been waiting all week for this.”

Everyone eagerly made their way to their respective vehicles. Echoes was the first to leave as Rachel was struggling a bit getting Fara’s car seat adjusted the extra bulk of her snow suit, but soon Fara was strapped in and they were on their way.

“Now Fara,” Rachel warned as they got on the road to the ski slopes. “I’m not going to be able to keep an eye on you as well up here, so you’ll have to be a bit of a big girl. But that does not mean you get to misbehave. I’ll bring you right back to the cabin and lock you in your crib until we leave tomorrow if you act up. Am I clear?” Rachel’s threat was serious but she did not speaking harshly or raise her voice.

“Yes ma’am,” Fara replied with a hint of terror.

“That goes for you to pet,” Rachel added noticing a snicker from Sarah.

“Yes ma’am,” Sarah repeated Fara’s tone.

“Good,” Rachel said flatly. “I’m confident you two will be on your best behavior today. It’s our last day of vacation so let’s make it count.” The mood in the car brightened as Rachel followed Echoes toward a tall mountain. “Sarah be a dear and give baby a sippy cup for the ride up.”

“I don’t get it,” Tara complained as the car began winding its way up the mountain. “It’s just sliding on snow.”

“Aww Tara come on,” Riley spoke with excitement. “The speed, the tricks, the thrills. Boarding is hella fun.”

“Don’t waste your breathe Riley,” Patty scoffed. “Tara’s never gonna get sports.

“Well you should at least give it a try,” Annabelle encouraged. “Might be something you like.”

“I mean we’re driving all the way up here,” Tara replied. “So of course I’m gonna give it a go. I’m just not expecting much.”

“Fair nuff I suppose.”

“Well you can sit back and watch me shred it then,” Riley said with confidence.

“Or land flat on yer face,” Annabelle giggled. “Tell me how many hours of skiing do ya got under yer belt.”

“None,” Riley blushed lightly. “Like you have any more though.”

“I don’t but I’m not the one bragging about it.”

“Geez why doncha kiss already,” Tara butted in. This caused a blush from Riley and Annabelle and a giggle from Patty. Riley tuned out the scolding Annabelle was giving to Patty and Tara to look out the rear view mirror at Hocus who was close behind them. She thought of Fara, and how the whole situation didn’t feel right. Especially now that she was calling Rachel mommy. She was a little bummed that some of her time would undoubtedly have to be devoted to getting some time alone with Fara to talk to her about things. Hopefully her watchful caretaker would leave them alone enough to do that. Of all the outings they’ve done, this is the one where Rachel seemed to give Fara the most freedom, so it was a good possibility she would get her chance.

After a fairly long drive both to and up the mountain the girls finally arrived at the top, or at least the part of the mountain that housed the ski lodge and the lifts up to all of the slopes. The girls of Echoes stopped and waited for Hocus to arrive. When they did Rachel was the first to get out.

“Go on ahead!” she shouted happily. “We just need to do a quick diaper check and then we’ll be right behind you!” The four girls from Echoes quickly made their way in not wanting to be associated with Rachel at that moment, even though very few people were around.

“Mommy!” Fara complained at Rachel.

“I was serious about being on your best behavior baby,” Rachel warned as she unzipped Fara’s snow pants. Fara just huffed and blushed at the embarrassment as Rachel checked her diaper in the parking lot. “All dry. Now that’s a surprise,” Rachel commented as she zipped Fara’s pants back up. Fara flattened her coat back out. “Now you can run off on your own but you’re going to have to be a big girl and keep track of when you wet your diaper. When you wet it twice come find mommy for a change. You think you can do that?”

“I’m not that much of a baby,” Fara said quietly. In truth she wasn’t really super sure it was something she could keep track of. After all she had been going with pretty much no resistance from her body lately. She couldn’t stop herself from having accidents, and she was getting so used to it that she could see herself forgetting how many times she had gone. But two times was something she felt like she could manage.

“Fara,” Rachel cautioned, giving Fara a look.

“I mean yes mommy,” Fara corrected quickly. “Sorry I’m still not used to it.”

“That’s ok for now. Come along you two,” Sarah and Fara followed Rachel onto the ski slopes.

“You ever been skiing or snowboarding Fara?” Sarah asked as they entered.

“No,” Fara giggled. “When’s the last time you seen enough snow back home to go skiing on.”

“I didn’t want to assume,” Sarah said putting her hands up. “Mistress takes me here all the time though, I can show you the ropes.”

“You two go have some sub bonding time,” Rachel said with a smile. “I will enjoy a quick drink at the bar first.”

The girls all separated into various groups. Tara and Patty went off to the less intense toboggan hill, Fara went off with Sarah to be taught the ropes, and Riley and Annabelle were eager to try their luck.

“Basically you just switch between pizza and French fry,” Sarah said as she slowly scooted her skis over a flat patch of snow. Fara shakily mimicked her tutor.

“That’s not so bad,” Fara said happily.

“It’s really not, unless you get going super-fast. Want to give it a go on one of the slopes?”

“Already?” Fara asked shakily. “I just learned how.”

“Well how else are you gonna get experience? Come on we’ll start on the small slope.” Sarah led the way over to a ski lift. Fara chanced to see Riley and Annabelle getting on one of the higher ski lifts. Riley briefly glanced in Fara’s direction. “Those guys are gonna face plant hard if they think they can just start skiing without any experience.” Sarah commented as she and Fara sat down on a lift. Fara nodded affirmative as the lift rode them up. “Relax just take it slow and you won’t get hurt, and even if you do fall it’s into snow it’s not the worst things ever.”

“Yeah I guess you’re right.”

“Unless it gets in your diaper.”

“It can get in there!” Sarah giggled at Fara’s shocked response.

Eventually the lift made it to the top of the not too tall hill and Fara was forced to look down the slope with dread.

“Only one way down,” Sarah smiled. “Relax, it’s supposed to be fun,” she began to start her descent down the hill. With a gulp Fara followed.

She started her run very nervously, relying heavily on her pizza stance, but as she kept going down the hill she found her footing and started to get into it. While she didn’t exactly make record time she did make it down to the foot of the hill unscathed.

“Nice!” Sarah cheered as Fara arrived.

“That was fun!” Fara exclaimed.

“I know, let’s run again yeah?”

“Yeah!”

Somewhat predictably Annabelle and Riley were having less fun times at the harder slope. Annabelle grunted as she fell into the snow again on a curve.

“You getting the hang of this yet?” Riley said as she scooted past with a wobbly pizza stance.

“Nope can’t say I am,” Annabelle grunted as she stood up.

“Ugh the guys on MeTube made it look so easy,” Riley wobbled as she almost lost balance again.

“Yeah well it appears thing ain’t as easy as they oof,” Annabelle flopped over instead of standing up.

Patty and Tara were about to go down their own hill on a tandem toboggan. Tara was already seated on the front and she peered over the crest of the hill.

“I think if we stick to the left we should be able to …” Tara’s planning was interrupted by Patty.

“Paaaaaatyyyyy Niiiiiiickles!” Patty shouted happily as she jumped on the back of the toboggan sending it hurling downhill.

“Pattyyyyyyyyy!” Tara’s shouting echoed as their vehicle moved with rapid speed down the hill.

“Wooooooo!” Patty held her arms in the air and screamed as Tara struggled to keep the vehicle on track. After a few moment it came to a crashing stop at the base of the hill into a mound of snow. “Wow that was fun! Can we do that again?”

“Yes but you gotta let me know this time. No more memeing us off the hill got it?”

“I make no promises.”

Rachel emerged from the lodge just in time to see Fara and Sarah finish a run down one of the slopes.

“See you pick it up fast,” Sarah congratulated Fara.

“Probably because she has a good teacher,” Rachel moved next the two of them. “How are my two little poets doing?”

“Great!” Fara spoke with excitement. “I didn’t think this would be so much fun.” Rachel looked past Fara to see Riley and Annabelle stumbling down the last of a slope.

“I see you’ve picked up faster than some others,” Rachel giggled.

“See I told you they’d wreck,” Sarah smirked with the pride of being right.

“Hey be nice,” Fara whined. “You know how Riley is. She’ll run herself against the wall until she gets it,” As Fara said this Riley stood up from her fall and made her way back to the ski lift to try again while Annabelle remained sitting in the snow in defeat.

“She certainly has tenacity,” Rachel spoke with double meaning. “Come let’s go run one together all three of us.” The three excitedly did just that and winded up at the bottom and a giggly haze, though Fara was visibly winded at the run. “Why don’t you go rest in the lodge dear,” Rachel suggested with a smile. “I’ll come check on you in a minute, I’m sure you’ll be ready for a diaper change by then too.”

“Yeah, ok,” Fara replied in a pant.

“Go grab yourself a hot chocolate, put it on my tab.” Rachel smiled as Fara walked toward the lodge and she and Sarah made their way to another slope. They didn’t notice Riley who had also finished her run, and had seen Fara go into the lodge. This was her chance to get to Fara while she was alone and she wouldn’t miss it.