AN: Thanking for reading this story. This is a lot longer, but I really wanted to set-up this family dynamics.


8 year old Stef Hutton got home from school to find William in the kitchen with Bill and Linda Smith. Beside Will was a girl with brown curly hair. Her face was hidden as Will and the girl were sitting with their backs towards Stef.

"Stefanie, this Lena. We have been asked to take in another child for a little while. I hope that you guys will be friends, as you will be sharing your room. We put another bed in the room. Please take her upstairs and show her the room." Linda waved her hand.

Linda and Bill Smith, were some of the nicest people that Stef has stayed with. They allowed her to eat anything that she wanted. She had a bed to herself and Linda helped her with her homework. She has been here for about 8 months now and it has started to feel like a home. Stef has never had a home but she knows that it has two loving parents and there is the feeling of safety and love.

Stef came to the Smiths when she was 7 years old. They have the prettiest house that she has ever been in. It is a two story brick house with a park 5 minutes away. The house also has a big backyard with a tree that Stef knows not climb, from experience. Stef enjoys going there and playing on the monkey bars and the big kid slide. Her room was big compared to what Stef was used to. She has a bed, closet, and a bathroom all for herself. It was everything that she has dreamed of for her room.

Linda Smith is a 35 years old event planner. She use to play volleyball in her youth so her 5'8" body is very lean and fit. She has curly short blonde hair with purple highlights. Linda is a very soft spoken women and Stef has only seen her angry twice. The first time was when she was when she had to go to the office after school, Linda got angry at her assistant who forgot to call an important person. Stef sat in the corner scared. She has never heard Linda yell. A week after that Stef was on her best behaviour.

Linda sat down and explained to Stef that she would never yell at her, unless she did break a rule knowingly. Even than Linda won't be as harsh on her as she was on the younger man. The second time was when Linda's car broke down on the way home from picking up Stef from school. They were about a 30 minute walk from home and the front passenger tire came off. Stef sat in the back waiting patiently for Linda to back into the car. The blonde could hear the older yelling and saying words that Stef were bad words. She sat there with her hands to her ears to try and block out the loud noise. Linda came back apologizing to Stef for the yelling and the bad words. Taking the 7 and half year old out of her seat and into her arms. The blonde hadn't realized that she was crying until Linda's hand was sweeping away the tears that have spilled over.

"Oh baby girl. You must learn that it's ok to get mad sometimes and be angry. You just have to learn how to release correctly. Do you understand?"

"All my other parents when they got made they hit. So what should I do?" Stef buried her face in the neck of the older women.

The women gently ran her fingers through the thick long blonde hair. "I'm sorry that that happened to you. If you ever angry and have the feeling to doing something bad than I want to count to 5 slowly in your head. You can count to 5 right?"

Stef picked her head up giggling. "No Linda I can count to 20." To prove her point she started to count to 20.

"That's wonderful sweetie. Now just remember that and you will never need to hit anyone, no matter how angry you are."

"How come you didn't do that?"

"Well sweets sometimes I forget." They sat in the car waiting for the mechanic to come and bring a new tire.

Bill Smith is 40 years old and a wood worker. Although her doesn't look 40. With a body built on muscles from the years of manually working with the wood. Golden skin that shows how long he works outside. He looks tough but inside there is a soft side. He has made her multiple items and has asked got her help.

He has a lot of equipment in the garage and in the basement. Stef isn't allowed in either of those places since the equipment is dangerous and not a toy. Stef has a homemade wooden chair that she help create. As in choosing where her name goes. It goes with the white finish homemade desk. It sits beside Linda's expensive desk, in her office. Which is where Stef does a lot of her homework, not that she has much.

He is the one that usually takes her to the park. Linda calls him her oldest child. They play tag and he helps Stef cross the monkey bars. Usually after the park they go out for ice cream. Stef's fondest memory is the first time the Bill and her got ice cream.


Stef usually wasn't comfortable with foster parents. In the past they haven't been the nicest, but there was something about Bill and Linda that she found a feeling of comfort and homey feeling with. It was the second week that she was there. After being dropped off from the bus Stef has a 2 minute walk to the Smith's house. She found Bill with the garage door open and the machines humming.

"Stef how was school today?" Bill asked as he came out from the garage. He wiped some sweat off his forehead and forearms before dropping down to be the height as the blonde. Her blonde hair in a ponytail thanks to Linda. She stops short of him still not sure about them.

"It was good. We did paintings and in gym class we played dodgeball. We got homework and I was just going to go inside to finish it." Talking a step towards the front door. Bill lightly put a hand on her arm stopping her dead in her tracks. He hasn't really been physical with her, maybe a hug here and there but that was it and it was all dependent on Stef making the first move.

"We did enough work today that I think we deserve a break. With you going to school and my wood working it was a busy day for the both of us. I heard there is a park that is just another street over.

"Um I don't know, what about Linda? Is she going to be mad that I don't have my lunch unpacked? Or that I haven't done my homework yet?" She wanted to go to the park, a lot of her kids from her class live close and go to the parks that are around. They always have a different to tell at school and usually it involves everyone but Stef. She knew that Linda was strict on the rules and didn't want to get her angry. But on the other hand Bill was the one that suggested it, plus it would be nice to either be part of the class room story or at least tell her side of the story.

"We will unpack your lunch and then I will call Linda to see what she says. I will put on speaker so that you can hear what is going. Alright?" Stef nodded her head. Bill and Stef walked inside to the grab the phone. "It's ringing." It rang twice until Linda's voice filled the house.

"Hey Bill what wrong? Did something happen to Stef?"

"Linda nothing is wrong. Actually I wanted to take Stef to the park. You know because we did so much work today, that I thought it would be good idea to run off the extra energy. I just wanted to ask you first before we went. Please." Bill looked at Stef and winked.

"On one condition. That you make sure that there is room for supper. Oh and can you make sure to visit Mr. Ross." Bill turned to Stef to give her the thumbs up. Stef returned it with her own smile.

The two ventured out the door towards the park. Once there Stef found a couple of her classmates, and went to play with them. While Bill sat down with the other parents.

It wasn't long before Stef's classmates started to leave. She went over to Bill, hoping that he could let her stay a little longer.

"Can we stay a little longer please? I know I can do the monkey bars this time." Stef asked bouncing from one to foot to another.

"How about I help you?" Stef nodded her head. "Alright you go as far as you can and I can help."

Stef started to climb and swing. She got to the 5th bar before her arms started to get tired. Bill saw that Stef started to have trouble getting to the next one. She was half way there before she started to straighten her arms and huff a little.

Bill came up behind her grabbing lightly grabbing her hips to help bring some of the pressure off her arms. "Alright now start swinging. There go! Keeping going Stef." He slowly let go of Stef at the 8th bar. She swung the rest of the way.

Getting off the monkey bars the blonde hair was swaying in the wind. Stef smiled as she ran over to Bill.

"Did you see that? I told I could make it!" Bill clapped as she jumped up and down.

"I did. You were amazing. You know we have to make one more stop before heading back to the house. I almost forgot to go and to visit Mr. Ross. You ready to go?" Bill put his hand to his side. Stef was a little worried to grab it, it two more seconds before Stef reached out in grabbed it.

They stopped in front of a small ice cream parlor. Stef's mouth dropped, she has never seen so many flavours. Walking through the door it smelt like sweetness.

"Hello Mr. Smith. How are we today?" Looking down he spots the small blonde. "Ah a new customer I see. The usual Mr. Smith and what about you little one?"

Looking back at Bill, Stef silently asks Bill if it's ok. He answered by lifting her up so that she could see all the flavours.

There was so many colours and Stef couldn't choose which one. Bill looked at the little blonde in his arms, never wanting to see this smile leave the young blonde.

"Which one is the best?" She asked Bill turning in his arms.

"Well I like chocolate mint and Linda likes strawberry. The choice is up to you kid."

"I want the" Stef took one last at her choose before point to the bottom left. "That one!" Mr. Ross had two cones in his hands. One had was filled with chocolate mint while the other was filled with cotton candy.

"Thank you Mr. Ross." Bill took out his wallet but Mr. Ross stopped him.

"No Bill keep it. This is your thank you for the new tables." Mr. Ross handed the ice cream over to Bill. Stef quickly grabbed the ice cream, with a soft thank you, before she started to eat the ice cream.


Stef lead Lena upstairs to her room. Showing her the bed that she will sleep on and the bathroom. Stef saw that Lena slowly crawled on the bed. Seeing how scared the younger looked, Stef slowly walked over to the other bed.

"You know that they aren't that bed. They are really nice. Linda is funny and kind and Bill he looks mean but he gives the best hugs." Stef said as she sat down on the bed beside Lena. The little girl said nothing. Stef walked over to the bookshelf. Grabbing one of her favourite books. "Sometimes when I'm sad and scared I read. It allows me to go into another world."

Lena said nothing. Just sitting there picking at an invisible thread in the sheets. Stef didn't know what to do. But the book beside her.

Stef took out her school books and started to complete her reading assignment. 4 pages in and she felt a shift in the bed. Looking over the top of the book she spots the brown hair and brown eyes. "Yes?" Stef looked puzzle, not a minute the girl wanted nothing to do with her.

"I… Could you… What are you read?" Lena moved closer to Stef to see the title of the book.

"It's called Purple, Green, and Yellow." She put it back up to read, before Lena started talking again.

"What is it about?" Lena moved closer every time she asked a question.

"That's what I'm figuring out."

"Can I look at the pictures with you?" Lena was now sitting shoulder to shoulder with Stef.

The blonde looked over, took a deep breath and counted to 5. She didn't want to be angry at Lena but she wanted to finish her reading so that she could read the book to Linda tonight. She wanted her pronunciation to be prefect for Linda so reading it out loud to Lena would be like practice. "How about I read to you that way you can understand what the pictures mean." With a nod of her head her and her curls going in every direction Stef moved over so that Lena would have more room.

"Better than before and almost too good to be true. But her mother said Bri-gi-id, Brigid you can't go through life like that, you're just a pic-ture, picture. Everyone will know there is something wrong.

No they won't said Brigid. Yes they will said her mother. No they won't said Brigid, I coloured daddy while he was taking a nap and you haven't noticed yet. Go-od-ness, goodness heavens yelled her mother. She ran into the living room and look at he looked even better than before, almost too good to be true.

Doesn't he look great! Said Brigid. I couldn't even tell the dif-fer-ence, difference. Said her mother. Right said Brigid, and neither will he as long as he doesn't get wet." Stef closed the book. While Lena sat on the bed laughing.

"She is coloured like the rainbow." Lena is pointing to the picture in the book when Brigid has coloured herself all over. She slowly takes a breath. "Can you read it again?" Lena asked shyly.

"Actually I'm reading it to Linda tonight. It's part of my homework. We have to read the book by ourselves and then with our parents. They also have to sign a paper and the student that reads the most gets a free book at the end of the year. I'm going to win. I already have 3 sheets filled out. I can't wait to pick out a new book!"

Before Lena could say anything Linda was knocking on the door. "Hey girls' supper is ready. Stef make sure that you and Lena wash your hands." Linda walked back down the stairs to the kitchen.

Bill sat at the set table putting the food setting the food down. Think of the conversation that they had with William once Lena and Stef were upstairs.

"All I need is for her to stay here for a couple of weeks. Nothing major until I found another home. I would also like to talk about Stef while I'm here." Both Bill and Linda nodded. "I know that you have had email me about the process of adoption. The first step is filing the right paper. I can email it to you when I get back to the office. The next step is paying for the time to see the judge."

"We have fallen in love with Stefanie over the past months that she has been here." Bill said as he opened the file of Lena.

"Yes we would like to get started as soon as possible." With that William, Bill, and Linda stood up. Bill led William to the door. "We will see you later Will." As Linda went upstairs to get the girls for supper.

It been three weeks since Lena has lived with the Smiths. Stef and Lena have slowly started to become friends, and the Smiths have started the adoption process.

The girls would go to school together and come home. Stef would read to Lena every day, with the expectation of weekend where Lena would read her short stories to Stef. Everything was going prefect with the girls and the adoption.

"Stef, Lena it's time to come wake up." Linda lightly shock the blonde who drove back under the covers. She moved over to the other bed where the light mocha girl was really coming out of her shell. Pulling the covers down from her face, Linda sees the smile of the little girl. "Lena do you know where Stef is? I can't seem to find her?" The older sat at the end of the bed, plucking the little girl out of the blankets.

"Under the covers!" Lena yelped as Linda tickled her. "They must have eaten her. What do we do?"

"Well there is only one way that the cover monster will let go of children." Lena looked up at the new voice at the door. Bill slowly walked into the room. "It is a gentle monster so we must quickly and quietly attack it. Ready on three. 1…" The three of them moved to the edge of the bed. "2…" Linda lightly placed Lena to the right of the blob. "3!" Everyone pounced on the blob, trying to get on a hand on a part of the 8 year old body.

There was a loud laugh coming under the blanket. Legs and arms came out kicking and screaming. "Stop, please." Blonde hair popped up out the covers. "Alright I'm up!" Stef huffed as she tried to take in more air.

Bill picked her up out of her bed and threw her over her shoulder. While Linda grabbed Lena bring her downstairs for breakfast. The table looked like a happy family of four sitting and eating breakfast. The girls were happy, planning the rest of the day out. Bill looked over a Linda with a sad look in his eyes.

Even when a family seems perfect and happy on the outside doesn't mean there is anything when the doors close. Bill and Linda lived happily on the outside and in front of the girls. What no one knew was that their marriage was broken and pasted the point of no return. They thought that fostering and adopting a child would bring them closer together, but there was no difference. They just didn't have the money to adopt and get a divorce. Choosing what was right was the hardest. Do they adopt a child and spend a year together before they try to get a divorce. Or do they choose their own happiness, while seeing two great girls leave their house. They choose their happiness over the kids.

Linda looked at the girls and Bill talking about going to the park. Though she and Bill both knew that that was going to be the last time. "Alright let's go wash up so that we can go to the park." Linda clapped her hands. Pushing the girls upstairs to get their play clothes on, brush their teeth, wash their hands, and a couple minutes to bring all the toys that they want.

"Linda, can't we wait until we are done at the park. I don't want their happiness to be shattered too quickly. How about at dinner?" Bill asked as he put the plates in the sink.

"No we can't do that. William is coming to get them after dinner. I asked him to give us one last family meal. Than we will start the process of dividing the assets." Linda sat down with her head in her hands. There was nothing to be happy about. They have fallen in love with Stef but don't want to put her through the storm ahead. "We will take them out for ice cream and they will get two scoops."


"Alright girls let's start packing. We want to take you out for a treat." Bill picked Lena up as Stef was finishing her last time on the monkey bars.

"ICE CREAM!" Stef yelled jumping down from the last bar. Picking up the little toys that they brought into the bag, as fast as she could. Linda laughed as Stef bounced on the balls of her feet. "Hurry up Lena and Bill. The ice cream will melt if we don't get there fast enough." The three others walked up the bouncing blonde.

"Stef, Lena, Bill, and Linda. Haven't seen the four of you here in a while. So the usual?" With a nod from Bill. The other three took a seat waiting for Bill to come back with their ice cream. It didn't take long until Bill was passing out everyone's favourite. The four sat eating their ice cream for the last time. Stef and Lena where laughing about how messy Lena is and how Stef always end up with a brain freeze.

Once home the girls settled down on the couch in front of the TV. Bill and Linda knew that they needed to talk. Once the dinner was in the oven Bill and Linda headed into the living room. The scene was too perfect that Linda didn't know if she would be able to do this. While Bill needed to take a deep breath. The two were laying on the couch watching some kid show. Stef was copying the kids on the show making Lena laugh.

"Hey girls can you turn that off please. We, um, need to talk to both of you." Lena sat worried and Stef was scared that something has happened to her adoption. Bill turned to Linda for some support.

"Lena you know how this was just temporary?" The mocha child nodded her head. "Well it seems as though William has found you a home. He will be here tonight. We will have a dinner tonight and then you will go to your new home."

Stef had tears in her eyes. Lena was silently crying. The worst isn't even over and the Smith's knew that this was going to hurt them the most. Linda picked Lena up holding her to her chest as she rocked her back and forth.

"Lena. When William comes I want you to have my favourite book, Franklin"

"Stef that is very nice of you. Lena what you do say." A small thank you could be heard from the little girl. They wanted to get everything out at once. "Stef there is something that we need tell you." Bill picked Stef up to hold her close as the news was going to break her heart.

"Stef we love you so much more than you could think. But something has come up that will make us unable to continue with the adoption. William has told us that he has already found a home for you to go to tonight." Stef wailed as her dream family was coming to an end. There was nothing that she could to stop it. Punching her hands into the chest of Bill he held her tighter bring Linda and Lena into the last family hug.

The dinner was silent. Lena was trying to hide tears, Stef was angry at everyone and everything. Linda was looking at the girls trying to remember every feature about them. The way that Stef's eye light up when she talks about her books. The way that Lena's nose wrinkles when she is reading. It was all the small features that Linda would miss the most. Bill sat waiting for the doorbell to ring.

William arrived 30 minutes later. With the girls at the door, bags in hand, tears in eyes. They walked to the car hand in hand with Bill and Linda telling them that they love them. When the door closed Stef looked over at Lena. "It's going to be ok. Whenever you feel sad just read the book and think of me. I'm going to do the same." Stef squeezed Lena hands, letting her know that everything will be ok.

The storm always seems to be the worst at the beginning because you don't really know how bad it could be until the sun shined through the clouds. The storm is starting to get worst and the little girls won't know how bad it gets until they are there.