This story is the prequel to 'Whose daughter am I'. It will reveal the year that Mollianne, age 12, was fostered by Regina before later being adopted.
On the highway somewhere between New Jersey and Maine, twelve year old Mollianne is sulking in the backseat of her social worker's car she leans her head against the window.
"Mollie, you know I couldn't leave you in the house. Right?" Mollianne's social worker, Claire Swanson questioned
Mollianne sighed, "Of course. I just wish I didn't have to leave behind Trixie, Buck, and Hero. Especially Hero, since he's in the hospital."
"They'll be fine. Kathleen and Andrew will be fine. They're going to a wonderful children's group home. And in time Jesse will heal and then he'll be placed in a group home for teens or a foster home." Claire answered
Mollianne nodded and took a nervous, deep breath, "And what about me?"
"Your foster mom is an amazing woman. She has a son that she adopted as a baby nine years ago." Claire explained "You'll be fine. I have a good feeling that this could be your last foster home ever."
Mollianne rolled her eyes, "Yeah you've said that about the last three foster homes. I'll believe that when I get adopted. Or when I turn eighteen."
Claire sighed softly and didn't say another word.
Meanwhile in Maine at the Mills' Mayor Mansion, Regina is cleaning up the house in preparation for Mollianne's arrival.
"Bud, can you please help me clean up?" Regina asked her nine year old son Henry
"Why?" Henry questioned as he groaned, but didn't look up from his game.
Regina sighed softly, "Because Henry, we are preparing for Mollianne. For the girl who will hopefully become your sister."
Henry huffed and placed his PSP on the couch, "Fine. I'll help, but I don't even want a sister. I like being an only child." This was a lie and Regina knew it. He'd been begging for a sibling since he was five.
"Tough." Regina told him "Now start cleaning."
"I am, mom, I am." Henry replied
Back with Mollianne and her social worker Claire. It's hours later. Seven at night, when they arrive at Regina's home. Claire parks her car at the curb and then takes the key out of the ignition.
"Ready to go meet your foster mom?" Claire asked Mollianne as she turned her head to look at the preteen girl.
Mollianne shrugged, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Claire nodded, "Okay then let's go." She opened her door and got out of the car.
Mollianne sighed as she grabbed her bag and hopped out of the car.
Claire walked Mollianne up to the front door and knocked on it.
Meanwhile inside the house, Regina pauses the movie that she and Henry are watching and then she gets up and walks to the front door. She opens the door and smiles at Mollianne.
"Hi. You must be Mollianne." Regina stated "I'm Regina."
Mollianne gave a small nod, "Mollie. I prefer Mollie."
"Okay. It's nice to meet you, Mollie." Regina replied
"Alright well I have a long drive ahead of me, so I should get going." Claire said "Thanks for taking in Mollie on such short notice."
Regina nodded, "You're welcome. It's no problem." Then she smiled at Mollianne after Claire walked away and headed towards her car, "Please come in. I'm so happy to have you here, Mollie."
Mollianne stepped inside the house cautiously and looked around. She took in everything in the house in awe of how big the house is. It's almost like a castle. Mollianne is suddenly startled by Regina's son, Henry.
"Hi!" Henry exclaimed as he looked at Mollianne "Are you my new sister?"
Mollianne shrugged, "I guess. I'm Mollie. Who are you?"
"My name's Henry. I'm 9." Henry replied "I always wanted a sibling."
Mollianne laughed slightly. She's amused at this kid's enthusiasm, "Well then I'm honoured to be your sister for however long I'm here for."
"I hope that you'll be here for a long time." Regina spoke "Hopefully forever."
Mollianne smiled softly, "Thank you?" She was confused, and though she didn't show it on her face, it was evident in her tone.
"I mean it, Mollie. I want you to stay here with my and Henry forever." Regina said sincerely
Mollianne gave a nod, "Okay."
Henry turned to Regina, "Mom, can I go show Mollie her room?"
"If she would like it." Regina told her son
Henry looked at Mollianne with hopeful eyes. He really wanted to show Mollianne the room he and his mom had decorated and painted for her.
"Sure. Why not." Mollianne replied with a shrug
Henry smiled brightly, "Okay, follow me. It's upstairs."
Mollianne followed Henry and walked up the stairs. Henry opened the door to a bedroom that has jungle themed painted walls and monkey decals.
"This is your room." Henry announced as Mollianne walked inside. "Do you like it?"
Mollianne nodded, "This is a pretty awesome room." She'd never admit it, but she'd never had a room decorated just for her.
"I'm glad you like it." Henry responded
Mollianne smiled impressed, "How'd you and your mom know that I like monkeys?"
"She asked Claire, your social worker." Henry stated "Mom wanted it to be perfect for you. She really hoped you'd love it."
Mollianne blinked. She couldn't believe someone who hadn't met her yet wanted to make her happy. Then she took a breath and asked a question that had been plaguing her for a while, "Um Henry, is your mom married?"
Henry shook his head, "No. Momma said she never found the right guy."
Mollianne gave a nod, "Oh okay." She was slightly relieved. She had trust issues when it came to men. It all went back to the first man who had hurt her. Her 'papa'.
"Mollie, are you alright?" Henry wondered worried when he saw the look on his new sister's face. '
Mollianne forced a smile and nodded, "Yeah Henry. I'm fine. Just thinking."
"Okay." Henry said. He's young and doesn't know that she lied. "Now that you've seen your room, what do you want to do? We can play a game, you can eat if you're hungry, we can watch TV…"
"Um Henry?" Mollianne called as she interrupted "I'm kind of tired. I'd actually just like to go to bed."
Henry looked sad, "Oh okay."
"It's nothing personal, Hen. I've just had a long day." Mollianne explained
Henry nodded, "No, it's okay. That makes sense."
Once Henry leaves the room, Mollianne closes her door, then lays down on her bed, and looks up at the ceiling.
Meanwhile downstairs with Regina and Henry.
"Where's Mollie?" Regina inquired from her son
"She's upstairs in her room, which she loves." Henry explained "She said she was tired and wanted to rest."
Regina nodded, "Okay buddy. I'm going to go check on her."
Then Regina walked upstairs to Mollianne's room. She knocked on the door, before letting herself in when she didn't hear a response.
Mollianne turned her head to see who was coming in.
"Hey Mollie, are you okay?" Regina questioned
"Yeah. Just tired." Mollianne stated
Regina gave a nod, "Okay. Well you can go to sleep if you'd like to call it a night." Then she added, "I got you pajamas. They are in the top drawer of the dresser."
"Thanks." Mollianne replied "Um do you mind…..Will you….." Then she shook her head and turned away from Regina, "Nevermind."
Regina moved over and sat at the edge of the bed, "Mollie, honey, look at me." She waited for Mollianne's eyes to be looking at her. Then she spoke again, "It's okay. You can ask me anything. Don't be scared."
"Um…will you tuck me in, Gina?" Mollianne wondered nervously as she looked down "It's fine if you say no. I'm too old anyways.
Regince placed her hand under Mollianne's chin and tilted her head up so she could see the young girl's eyes, "Mollie, sweetheart, you're never too old to be tucked in. To want to feel safe and loved at night before going to bed."
Mollianne gave a small, nervous nod, "Okay. I'm going to change." She stands up and picks out a pair of pajamas from the top dresser drawer. Then she turned to Regina, "Where's the bathroom?"
"You can get to it from your bedroom. It's the door to the left of the dresser." Regina informed the girl.
"Thanks." Mollianne replied before walking into the bathroom. The pajamas she had picked out had monkeys on the pants and a monkey on the from of the shirt.
After changing, Mollianne exited the bathroom and laid down in bed.
Regina tucked the girl in and the comforter up to Mollianne's chest, "Goodnight, sweet princess."
"Goodnight Gina." Mollianne responded
"Do you mind if I give you a kiss? On the forehead?" Regina questioned
Mollianne shook her head, "No. I don't mind."
Regina planted a kiss on Mollianne's forehead, "Sweet dreams."
As Regina is leaving the room, she is about to turn off the light when she hears a frantic yell from Mollianne.
"Wait!" Mollianne yelled frantically "Leave the light on. Please?"
Regina nodded as she took her hand off the light switch, "Okay. Anything else you'd like?"
"Can….can you open the window a little bit?" Mollianne asked nervously. Most foster parents didn't like to hear of requests from the foster children. They took it as a complaint.
"Of course, sweetheart." Regina replied as she walked over to the window and opened it a little bit, "Is that okay?"
Mollianne sighed relieve and nodded softly, "Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome, sweet girl." Regina said " Goodnight, sweet dreams. I'm so happy to have you here."
"Goodnight Gina." Mollianne responded before relaxing and closing her eyes.
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What would you like to see happen next?
