Ella was tired of travelling from foster homes to the homes of new families and back to the foster home. She wanted to settle down in a house and have a real family. One that cared about her. As she sat in the car and stared out the window at the drifting mid-summer clouds, she thought about this new mother. There was no father or uncles/aunts or siblings. Just the two of them. That's all she knew. The butterflies were coming back, she could feel them fluttering in her stomach. The car swerved onto a road that led to a sign saying "Entering Storybrooke." Storybrooke she thought. That's a weird name for a town. She looked out at the buildings of this new, quiet old town. They pulled up the driveway of a big white house. Ella leaned forward to see better. She saw a pretty, pale woman with a short, almost black haircut in a white blouse and grey business suit. Once she zoned back in, Ms. Martin, the lady in charge of the adoption was saying "Ella, dear, we're here. Grab your bag and we'll go meet your new mother!". Ella grabbed the small backpack under her feet and opened the car door. It was hot here, but a faint summer breeze blew around her. Ella walked around the side of the car and to Ms. Martin and together they walked up the pathway. The lady smiled a beautiful, bright smile.
"You must be Ms. Mills?" Ms. Martin asked.
"Yes, that's me. But you may call me Regina," she said.
"Well, it's nice meeting you, Regina. I must be getting back so I'll hand her over to you.", Ms. Martin said. "Be good, sweetie. You can call me anytime, though I doubt you'll need to. Goodbye dear!"
Ms. Martin said goodbye to Regina and walked back to the car. Ella watched her as she turned, about to leave. She turned around and walked down to the car. She got in then closed the door and waved before driving off. Ella turned back to see her new mother.
"Hi sweetie! I guess I'll be your new mother. I'm Regina. What's your name, dear?"
"Ella," she said softly, but loud enough to be heard.
"Ella. What a pretty name. How old are you Ella?"
"Seven," Ella replied.
"Well, you're quite grown up aren't you?" Regina exclaimed with another smile. She opened her arms and welcomed Ella into the house. Ella looked around the house in awe. It was huge! "Don't worry, it's not big enough to get lost in." Regina chuckled. "Your room is upstairs, come with me." Ella walked up the stairs behind Regina. Regina opened the door to a big purple room with white drapes and a big white bed, with purple sheets. "Purple. How did you know that was my favorite?" Ella said. "Because it's my favorite too!" Regina replied. Ella stared at Regina blankly for a moment. "What is it dear?" said Regina, looking slightly worried. "It's just- I've. You're so pretty! And I'm so happy to be here. And I already feel like you're my mommy, but I've only known you for a little bit," Ella burst. "Oh sweetie I'm so glad. I already love you." She opened her arms and embraced Ella in a warm hug. Her perfume smelled like flowers.