Many hours later after arriving at the Tuohy's house, Estella and Ella walked up to the door and knocked on it. The door is answered by Michael, who greets her with a big hug and Ella actually hugs him back.
Ella smiles, "Hi bubby."
"Bunny, I missed you." Michael told her "Why'd you run away?"
"I'll get to that later, bubby." Ella replied "First I'd like you to meet my mom, Estella and my brother, Ellis."
"It's nice to meet you." Michael said "I'm Michael."
Estella smiled softly, "It's nice to meet you, Michael."
A few minutes later, Ella, Estella, and Ellis are inside sitting in the living room with the Tuohy family. Ella is standing up in front of everyone explaining everything.
"So when I was five years old, my mom turned eighteen which meant she aged out of the system but they wouldn't let her take me with her. She spent five years doing everything social services asked her too in order to get custody of me, but every time she was denied custody. By the time I was ten, they told her that it has been five years since I'd seen her and that I'd forgotten about her. They encouraged her to give up trying to get me back." Ella explained "Also the little boy she's holding is my brother, Ellis, but the story behind where he came from is quite complicated and I'd rather not explain as it's not my story to tell and it's not about me."
"How'd you find your mom?" Sean asked curiously
Ella nodded, "That's a very good question. Well I'd planned to run away for about a week and I have actually known where she's lived since last year when I stole my file and peeked inside. That's where I saw her address and I wrote it down on a piece of paper."
"Why'd you run away?" Leigh Anne asked "Did anyone of us make you feel uncomfortable or unwelcome?"
Ella shook her head, "No you all are wonderful and nice, even Sean, who I was skeptical about at first." Then she added, "I ran away because...um...I was afraid. I was afraid of growing too attached. I was cutting off all ties because I didn't want to be hurt when you decided you didn't want me anymore or when social services came and took me away. They can do that at any time and for any reason."
"Well we'll never send you away, Ella. You have to believe that." Sean explained "In fact, I thought that Leigh Anne and I would ask you again if you'd like to become a part of our family?"
"Um..." Ella started as she thought about it before looking over at her mom, who gives her a smile and nods. Then Ella looks at Sean and Leigh Anne's hopeful faces, "Um I'm sorry, but my answer is no. I don't want to be adopted because I don't want a family. All I want is my mom. She and Ellis are the only family I need."
Leigh Anne and Sean sighed softly. Leigh Anne got up and walked out of the room
"That was harsh, Ella. They love you like a daughter and I love you too. I want you to be my sister." Collins explained to Ella
Then S.J. added, "Yeah and I wanted to have you as my sister. I wanted to be your little brother. I thought you cared about us, but I was wrong!" Then S.J. ran upstairs to his room
Ella sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you all upset. I just missed my mom." Then she ran out the front door.
"I'm a horrible sister." Collins stated with a sigh
"I'll go talk to her." Michael told his younger sister as he hugged her "Everything will be fine. I promise." Then he kissed the top of her head before standing up and walking out the front door and finds Ella sitting on the front steps.
"Hey mind if I join you?" Michael asked as he sat next to Ella
Ella laid her head on Michael's shoulder as tears streamed down her face, "Bubby? Why am I such a screw up? Why am I such a terrible person?"
"Hey now, Bunny, don't ever say that about yourself." Michael told her firm but caring. "You are not a screw up, Ella. You are the kindest, most caring, loving person that I know. It's not wrong for you to want to live with your mom and brother. They're your family and you love them."
"Then why do I feel so awful?" Ella asked through her tears
Michael shrugged, "'Maybe it's because you love the Tuohy's too and a small part of you wants to be adopted."
Ella started crying and her tears started falling faster, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Meanwhile inside the house Sean is talking to Estella.
"So you were a foster kid?" Sean asked
Estella nodded, "Yeah I was. I entered the system at the age of six with my sister, Gabrielle who was ten when our parents died."
"I don't need to pry, but where is your sister?" Sean asked
Estella sighed softly, "She died protecting Ella and I a month before Ella was born."
"I'm sorry." Sean replied apologetically
Estella gave a sad smile,"It's okay. It was a long time ago. I still miss her, but it's okay. She's in heaven with my parents now."
"It's still hard to lose someone you love and no matter how much time has passed you will always miss that person." Sean explained to Estella
Estella looked down at Ellis who is sleeping in her lap. She kisses his head and hold his hand.
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What would you like to see happen next?
