Make Me Whole

On their way to the kindergarten, the fellow diabetics go along the sidewalk, passing taller bushes in bloom, fairly high stone walls or simply stretches of grass next to it. Bee, of course, accompanies them inside of Evelyn's bag, like every time they only walk around. Candy leads the way with confidence, nearly stomping as she goes. Apparently feeling like it, she then just hops onto the curb, trying to balance on it during her walk.

Candy: I'm so excited, I just can't wait! Who is gonna join us last?
Evelyn: I am raring to find out, too! Every time another one of you entered our group was surely thrilling!
Ume: It sure will be interesting to meet our final member. So, what was that special event taking place today?
Candy: Oh, right! It's like this...

Then Candy promptly stops her monologue.
In front of the kindergarten, there is a woman around forty, with brown, braided hair and emerald green eyes. Wearing a long, loose-fitting light green dress, she is standing right behind the fence, gazing at the playing children.

Gertrud: Candy, is something the matter? You stopped speaking mid-sentence.
Candy: Sorry. It's just... the reason for today's event is standing right in front of us.
Evelyn: Eh? Really?!
Ume: You mean that woman straight ahead?
Candy: Yeah!

Said woman turns her head, smiling warmly as she spots young Candy.

"Candy, what a wonderful surprise to see you here!"

Jumping off the curb, the girl dashes ahead of the others to greet her.

Candy: Chloe! Why are you out here all by yourself?! Your party takes place inside, right?
Chloe: Yes, it does. I didn't feel so well, so I went outside for some fresh air.
Candy: Oh, again? But why didn't you just go to the outdoor area of the kindergarten?
Chloe: Well, I just thought... I keep seeing it from inside all the time, so I wanted to change my point of view.

The other three women catch up to them, making the brown-haired woman notice Evelyn, Gertrud and Ume as well.

Chloe: And who are these ladies you brought along with you?
Evelyn: Nice to meet you. My name is Evelyn.
Gertrud: And I am Gertrud.
Ume: Greetings. I'm Ume.

Chloe turns around to face their direction completely, revealing a remarkably round, big belly.

Chloe: It's also nice to meet you. I'm Chloe.

Evelyn(thought): ...Dear me, she is pregnant! I did not see it from the side!

Candy steps in between them, doing the let-me-introduce-you-pose.

Candy: As you can see, Chloe isn't really in a state to keep working for much longer. We're headed for her farewell party, before she goes on maternity leave.
Chloe: That's right! Did you want to join our lively get-together? I'm feeling much better now, you can just tag along as we get inside.
Evelyn: We would love to! Thank you so much!

Now Chloe takes the lead, gently rubbing her belly as she guides them to the entrance. In front of it, she extends her right arm to invite them in.

Chloe: Please, come in and enjoy yourselves! The more we are, the merrier it gets, am I right?

Everyone enters, and inside they see how hard everyone must have worked to enhance the atmosphere. Streamers of various colors were put up, remnants from party poppers are still scattered across the floor and some used sparklers can be found on a huge table before them.

Except for the sparklers, the table is solely set with different kinds of party snacks. Pizza buns, muffins, pretzel sticks, pre-cut cheese and fruit, even vegetable sticks are on display. Looking at the big buffet, Chloe drools a little.

Chloe: Here we are. But boy, this really isn't funny. Inside for a few seconds and I already crave everything edible I see in front of me!
Evelyn: Oh dear, poor thing. I still remember the hardships from my own pregnancy back in the days, so I can relate to that. May I ask how far into the pregnancy you are?
Chloe: Sure. I'm over eight months pregnant now.
Ume: My, then it won't be long until the time comes! Are you excited?
Chloe: Of course I am! Although, I'd rather call it "nervous".  After all, this will be my first child.
Evelyn: Understandable. Just go at your own pace and I am certain you will be fine.
Chloe: Thank you. That helps a little.

Apparently returning from outside, many children enter the room, followed by three adults. With that, the noise level skyrockets, making one of the caretakers there raise their voice.

"Hey! Keep it down! Put your outdoor shoes away neatly and wash your hands!"

A disappointed groan echoes through the room, but they obediently do as they were told. After a few seconds, a small girl with platinum blonde hair, short pigtails and green eyes runs to Candy. She wears a blue jeans dress and pulls her into a close embrace around her hip, because this is the highest she can reach.

"Big sis!"

Candy: Hi there! May I introduce? This is my adorable sister Lily. Lily, say "hi" to the ladies here!
Lily: Um... H-hi.
Evelyn: Hello there, little bud. My goodness, she is such a sweetheart!
Candy: I know, right? Do you like it here, little sis?
Lily: U-huh! The cake and snacks are yum-yum!
Candy: Is that so? Then go have fun!
Lily: Yeah!

The tiny girl loosens her grip, then just runs off back to a group of children to play catch with them. One of the caretakers, a pretty young woman, approaches Evelyn and her teammates.

Kindergarten caretaker: Chloe, good to see you have recovered a bit in the fresh air. The color has returned to your face.
Chloe: Yeah, thank you. I really feel much better.
Kindergarten caretaker: And who else do we have here? Are you here to fetch your little sister, Candy?
Candy: No, uhm... at least not right now. I wanted to visit here because Chloe also took care of me when I was still small, too.
Kindergarten caretaker: I understand. But say, what are you doing here with these ladies? They're not part of your family, right?

Candy flinches as if she just got caught committing a crime. Luckily for her, Evelyn steps in, calmly answering for the girl caught off-guard.

Evelyn: Please, do not worry. We are from the non-anonymous diabetics group that we formed just recently.
Kindergarten caretaker: ...Non-anonymous diabetics?
Candy: Uhm, yeah, just what she said!
Ume: We established this group to raise awareness of this illness, while forging bonds among all age groups at the same time.
Kindergarten caretaker: Oh, that sounds just wonderful! I really do hope you can make a difference like this!
Evelyn: Thank you. We give it our all.

At ease now, the caretaker moves on, keeping an eye on all the children dashing around. While Chloe drifted a bit away from their group, drawn by the food presented on the table and drooling even more, the chosen ones stick their heads together for a short, secret discussion.

Candy: Okay, we're here now. What's the next move?
Ume: First of all, I'll say out loud what probably everyone of us thinks... Chloe is super suspicious!! I mean, look at her!! I don't see anybody in this room who fits the description better than her!
Evelyn: I agree!
Gertrud: Me too! Can it even get more obvious?!