AN: It's late, I know.

Hope you like it though!


The Light that Shines Twice as Bright.

Reilly Point of View(11 years old)

Chapter 3

They just stood there, smiling at me. I was shocked, was it a coincidence that the day after I tell them about our Halfway house, they turn up on the door step? Or was it just they got lost and wanted directions? I highly doubt that.

Surely there must be a good reason why they are here of all places.

I gave them a weary smile "Uhh... Hi" I didn't know what to say in this kind of situation. "Do you um... want to come in? I'll just go and get Cassie. Did someone forget something yesterday?" I asked them simply.

Kim was now the only person smiling, Jared was looking around, from what he could see from the doorstep. I stepped to the side and they walked in. "Hey Reilly, we are here to speak to you, actually." Me? Could it possibly be, that these people...

I blushed and looked down, "Me? What would you want with me?" I whispered and looked back up.

"Well, why don't we go and sit down and talk? Maybe you could go and grab your social worker and we'll talk in her office?" Kim asked. I nodded my head and told them to stay there. I ran to the French doors in the living room, which opened up onto the garden area.

"Cassie! There are two people here. They want to speak with you and me." I told her, as she came jogging up the stone steps and onto the patio.

"Oh, okay. Do you know who they are?" Cassie asked me with a furrowed brow, slightly out of breath.

"Uhh, yeah actually I do. At the beach yesterday, they were there." I told her as we walked through the living room, and into the foyer where Kim and Jared were waiting.

"Hello, I'm Kimberly West, and this is my husband Jared. It's nice to meet you." Kim held out her hand to Cassie, and she took it eagerly. "I would like to speak with you and Reilly, maybe somewhere a little more private than a hallway?" She laughed a little.

"Yes of course, I'm Cassie. Come this way, and we'll speak in my office." Cassie said whilst walking towards her office.


I was here a week and everything after that falls into place. I sometimes wonder, why did my parents not want me? Was I not what they expected when I arrived? Were they drug addicts that couldn't hold down a real job and don't pay rent? Were they my roots?

I don't know anything about my 'other' life, I call it that simply because I could have been that person. I could have been on the streets from a young age, or do my parents now live a very wealthy lifestyle? I will never know. But what I do know is I can control my future, I will know what goes on in 10 years time. I can marry, have children; children that I will not abandon in the cold, when they are so vulnerable, because I've been through that. But right now at this point in time, I want to choose my family. The family that I can live with and live a happy life, no crazy interference like moving across the country.

But as I sit here in Cassie's office taking in what is being said I can hardly register it. These people; these strangers, came into my life just yesterday, but are willing to open there home, one they have built after marriage, and take me in as their own. Today is my future, I can decide this, whether I want it or not. But the choices that are made can be devastating or they can amazing, the quote 'the best things in life are free' is what I'm thinking. Having a family doesn't cost a penny, unless you count the things in the houses, but the actual family part is a precious belonging in someone's life, and to be given it when you lived before with out one, is the best gift in life. I want a family and Kim and Jared are willing.

"What do you think then Reilly?" Cassie asked. I looked at her then at the smiling couple next to me and I just couldn't find the words in my voice box to express how happy I was. I beamed a smile, a real genuine one. Not just one of those little smirks you get but a mega watt one. I was happy and it was because of these two people. "They would like to take you out for something to eat, and to talk. Would you like to go?" My eyebrows raised and I nodded enthusiastically.

"We were thinking that we could go back down to La Push and go to a little diner that my friend owns, if that's okay with you?" Jared asked me then turned to ask Cassie.

"Yes, that would be fine. I need to inform Ms. Becky though Reilly, and tell her the news she will have to be down here, as you arrived here with her." Cassie looked me in eye and told me.

"Yes, sure. Anything." I told her, a little excitement in my voice.

"Okay, you want to get going?" Kim asked looking at all of us.

I just nodded her way and we got up and left the room. When I walked out Raine was in the living room door, looking at me with sad eyes,
watching me walk away. I gave her a faint smile, and I got one in return. But then she ran off before I could actually say anything to her. We walked out side and Kim and Jared got into an SUV that was sat in the driveway, I'm guessing that this was their car, I walked up to it and opened the back door and climbed in.

"So Reilly, what are you thinking?" Kim asked me from the passengers seat, looking at me through the mirror.

I look at her back "I'm happy." I told her, and smiled. She just smiled at me.

"Well that's good, because were happy too" She said as she looked at Jared, then reached her hand over and took his.

These two people, could end up being the only family I have. And I can say I'm happy. Apart from the little smile I got off Raine, I have a feeling that I'm not wanted in that place. I would be happy to go with these people and get to know them, and spend time, I 'm just happy. There's no other word for it.

I look out the window and smile.

I started to recognise the green hues of La Push and I got a little giddy. We turned off and onto a little road. At the end was a little diner, a cute red diner with flowers trimming the outside. A few cars parked off to the side and it made it look authentic. We pulled into a space and got out; I stumbled a little because for a small girl like me it was a big jump. I straightened myself out and walked around where they were both waiting for me.

"Come on" Kim urged me. Jared hasn't really said much but the way he looks at me, is like he wants to say something, but stops him self and smiles.

I fell in step beside them and we walked through the door. It was one of those bell ringing ones, where as soon as you walk in the bell above the door gives a little 'ding' to announce your arrival. It was very pretty inside with little window booths, with red chequered table cloths, I liked it.

We sat down in a window booth and no-one said anything.

"What do you want then Reilly?" Kim asked handing me the menu.

I looked through and decided on the chicken dipper with chips. Nothing crazy, I felt that I should take maybe the cheapest one as I'm just getting to know them. The waitress came over and took our orders. Now mine and Kim's orders were fairly normal, but let's just say that I don't even know how Jared put all that away, he ordered twice as much as we did, put together.

"So Reilly, why don't you tell us a little something about yourself?"Jared asked me. It was different him asking the questions but anyway. I felt a little intimidated; them sat across from me, waiting for my answer.

"Well, I'm 11 and I'm told that I was originally from New York, But obviously I can't remember, I grew up and lived with other foster families in Georgia. I was a little bit weary when Ms. Becky told me I was moving somewhere, were I don't even know. But then I went to Ridgley and everyone was nice to start but then... I don't know." I told them, bringing my head down when I said the last sentence.

"Do you feel okay living there?" Kim asked, her face panicked.

I looked up "Yeah, It's okay. But my friends, they're just being really horrible to me." I didn't want to tell them this, but if they're going to be my next family then I should at least be honest. And plus I really need to speak to someone about it, me saying this to them is me also saying it out loud to myself; trying to make sense of it all. Before they could say anything else the food arrived.

I was glad, because I don't want there being a tension or them worrying about me. While we were eating Kim kept on looking at me...

"So, Little Kota has been asking about you. Wondering when his best friend is going to come back and visit" Kim told me. I just gave them a smile thinking about the little boy, who dubbed me one of his new best friends. "So we were thinking that after we've been here, you can come to Emily and Sam's with us and go and see him, Jared need to sort some work things out with Sam anyway, so do you want to?"

"Yeah, sure it'll be nice to see him again." I said as I finished of my food. I excused myself and went to the bathroom.

I got in and looked in the mirror, somehow my face looked a lot older than what it's suppose to be. Maybe because I had to grow up too fast? But that process is going to slow down, because I want to enjoy what time I have left being young. I went to the toilet did my business and then walked out and over to the booth, both Kim and Jared were already ready to go. So I put my jacket back on and we walked outside, and got into the car.

It was only a two minute drive and we were making our way down a muddy driveway and into the garden of a beautiful two-storey house. It was one of those typical all-American houses with the white shutters and a wrap around porch with a swing. It was a beautiful house.

Jared parked the car up and we all got out the car again, and I stumbled, again. We walked up the steps to the house and he knocked and walked straight in... okay, is walking into peoples houses normal around here?

"REILLYYY! You came!" A little speeding black haired boy crashed into my waist and latched on.

"Yeah, thought I'd come and see you" I told him and hugged his little form.

He looked up at me, with his big eyes "You have to come and play!" He shouted.

"Sure! I will, what were you doing?" I asked, but before he could answer Emily came in and hugged me.

"Reilly, why don't you come and meet everyone?" She asked

"Uhh.. Yeah, of course." The house was rather full, well not in the living room as it was just Kota, playing with his toys.

I followed Emily with Kota tight at my heels. I walked into what was clearly the kitchen, and took everyone in. Okay so Reilly you'll do good, you can get to know these people, you're okay. Except for the fact that there were many people in quite a confined space, they were all rather on the large side.

Kim came up to me and then introduced me "Guys, this is Reilly she's some what of a foster child." She smiled, that sentence had a hidden meaning and I think I have an idea.

"Hi" My feet were suddenly very interesting.

"Well Reilly this is Seth and his wife Lizzie and their twins Harry and Talia, this is Embry, Brady, Collin, Jacob and his boy Achai and I think Paul is outside playing with Junior, and you know Sam." She told me pointing to everyone.

"Hi" I repeated myself. I didn't know what to do, being put in the spotlight isn't something I get often. Do I just stand here and wait it out? Or do I walk somewhere?...

"Come on Reilly come and playyyy..." Kota said tugging on the sleeve of my jacket. He lead me through the sea of people who had quit looking and started to talk to each other. Kota lead me to the back door and took me outside. Outside was obviously the other guy Paul? And Junior?

"Junior, that's cheating give me the ball now." The rather large Paul dude said to the rather small Junior dude.

"Uncle Paul it's not cheating, when I'm following the rules" They were clearly playing some sort of game, but what, I have no clue.

"Juniorrr, this is Reilly, my bestest new friend from that day we were at the beach!" Kota shouted at Junior. He whipped his head around and smiled and waved.

"Hey, Reilly? My brother can't stop talking about you." He told me, walking closer. I noticed that Paul was just stood there, not moving; staring. I smiled at him and he was shook out of his stupor and walked past me and back into the house. Happy guy, don't think so.

"Don't mind him. He's gets like that sometimes." Junior told me. "But thanks for coming, he just goes on about you. Even though you spent about an hour with him but anyway..." He ruffled his little brothers hair.

"Hey! Don't say things like that. She's my bestest friend ever, well apart from Ducky but she is! Honest!" Kota looked up at me then up to his brother, "Do you want to come and play with us Junior?"

"Naaa, little bro. I've got some homework I need to finish, but maybe next time?" He told Kota

"Okayyyy, come on lets go play Reilly!" Kota said excitedly and dragged me back into the house and into the living room, to play with his toys.


Apart from the fact I probably played about 10 different games with Kota, it was a good day/date with Kim and Jared. They got to know me a bit more and I got to know them, like everyone that was in the house has been friends or known have known each other since birth. It wasn't a small community it was a big family. I've never experienced something like that before; a family, never mind a big one. But I really like Kim and Jared, although he doesn't say much, but they look so in love, they told me they've been together for about 14 years. They tried to have a child but with no luck, so they want to adopt or foster. And me, they chose me! I was not rejected for a toddler or a baby like Bree and Mace, but I was chose simply because they like me maybe love me somewhere in the future.

When we sat down in the kitchen because Kota was eating, I looked around and noticed that everyone was just happy, and in love, well the people who were together. But to see that kind of emotion in such a small place, made me happy. The places I have been in the past, even married couples weren't as happy as these people were, like I've said before I have seen things I probably shouldn't, but what's the point in looking to the past when my future was right in front of me? And to be honoured and chosen to be apart of this big family, was like nothing I have ever felt.

When it was time to leave, I said my goodbyes to Kota and hugged Emily; told everyone it was really nice to meet them all. They all smiled and waved, I was finally being acknowledged not just some toy in the corner that a child grew out of. But I never saw that Paul dude again after he trudged off earlier, maybe everyone wasn't as friendly.

It was getting dark and would at least take another hour to get back home, I was tired so I did what anyone else would do, and I slept on the way home, the hum of the engine calming me down and settling me into a happy, peaceful slumber.

I was woken by being lifted up out of the back of the car and carried to the house. I opened my eyes to find Jared carrying me, well it wasn't going to be Kim.

"Oh... Um, you can put me down now, please." I smiled. He just nodded and placed me on the floor back on my feet. Cassie was inside the doorway.

"You have a good time Reilly?" She asked me, smiling.

"Yeah, actually it was really good! I had a fun time." I said turning to the couple and hugged them both.

Kim smiled "It was a joy having you with us Reilly. I know it's late but Cassie me and Jared would like to speak to you please, I mean if that's okay with you." She enquired.

"No, now is fine, the older children haven't gone to bed yet, Reilly you can go and watch some TV with the others, if you wish or up to your room?" Cassie asked me.

"Oh, I'll just go up to my room." I told her. I smiled at them both, and they gave me a weak smile back. I didn't know what they were going to speak to Cassie about, it could be that they don't want to see me anymore, or they want to sign documents. I walked up to my bedroom that I shared with Raine, and got into my Pyjama's and slid into bed. I ignored when Raine came in although I saw her look over to my bed.

I want to have friends here, I do. But one minute they like me the next they don't. It's giving me whiplash. But soon enough, if they accept me, I won't be living under this roof. I feel kind of bad, all the children that have been here for maybe 2 to 3 years and the first week I'm here, I go out with potential foster parents and really like them.

But at the same time, am I ready to be picked up again; move and it not work out like I expect? Well we'll know soon enough.


Thank you for being patient with this chapter. I again think it could have been a little better, more information. But I posted this because I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.

So please tell me what you think, and review. It'll make my day!

WeirdButMature x