Evelynn woke a few hours later and immediately checked her phone. She had one message from her mother. Unlocking her phone, she opened the message and it read;

My precious Evelynn,

These next few years will suck but just remember how much I love you and that one day we shall be together again.

I love you now always and forever

~ Mom

Evelynn set her phone down and walked from her room, down the stairs and stood shyly in the lounge doorway. John was sat reading a book while Claudia was cradling a sleeping baby.

"Come in sweetheart," John said gently as he closed his book.

Evelynn walked in and sat in one of the plush chairs that was in the room.

"Would you like to meet Sammy?" Claudia asked

Evelynn nodded and Claudia carried the little boy over to her and lay him in her arms. Evelynn looked at the tiny baby and her heart swelled. He was cute. He opened his eyes and looked at her. As if he understood, he nestled his little head into Evelynn. Gently, she stroked her finger over his cheek.

"What happened with him?" She asked quietly

"His mother passed an hour later his father went awol after that," Claudia replied

Evelynn held the little boy closer to her.

"I think he quite likes you Evelynn," John pointed out.

Evelynn smiled gently "I like him too, will dad come back for him?"

"No, he told the doctors to put him up for adoption, he couldn't handle a baby,"

Evelynn held the baby carefully as she lifted her legs on to the chair and rested him on her thighs. Sammy looked at Evelynn and gave her the biggest smile.

"Look at that, his first smile," Claudia smiled

"It's gas," Evelynn replied

"Nope, he stopped doing that about three weeks ago," John corrected

Evelynn nodded and stared at Sammy.

"How can anyone not want their child?"

"We ask ourselves that, you were lucky, your mother desperately wanted you but she needed to protect you,"

Evelynn decided there and then that she wouldn't let anything happen to Sammy. She was going to be the best big sister she could be.

"Can I help take care of him?" She asked shyly

"Of course you can Evie-Lynn," John smiled "He already adores you,"

Evelynn shifted Sammy to lay on her chest and the two fell asleep.

"I didn't expect that to happen," Claudia asked

"It's good it did, they need each other,"

John lay a blanket over Evelynn and Sammy to keep them warm while they slept.

The next time Evelynn woke up, Sammy was awake too kicking his little legs in the air. John was on the phone to someone and Claudia was in the kitchen.

"She's just woken up actually, hang on Em,"

John walked over to Evelynn's chair phone in hand.

"I'll swap you one baby for your mother on the phone,"

Evelynn nodded and John took Sammy before handing Evelynn the phone. She sat up and took a breath.

"Hi mommy," tears already in her eyes

"Hi baby girl, how are you doing?"

"I'm not ok," deciding to tell the truth

"Me either but I'll be with you again soon,"

"What do you mean?" Evelynn looked at John who smiled

"Christmas is next week isn't it?"

"You're still coming?!"

"Of course I am! Did you think I wouldn't? Come on Evelynn you know better than that,"

"You promise?"

"I promise,"

Evelynn laughed gently wiping her eyes and sniffed.

"No tears my love, by the time you get home from school next Friday I'll be there waiting for you, now Mick is insisting he talks to you,"

Giggling Evelynn nodded "Okay,"

After a quick chat with Mick, Evelynn said her goodbyes to them both and gave the phone back to John then went to her room to get changed. Once changed, Evelynn walked back downstairs to the kitchen where she found Claudia.

"Hi honey,"

"Could I have a hug please?"

"Of course! You don't have to ask,"

Evelynn walked to Claudia, who folded her into a hug.

"You miss Emily huh?"

Evelynn nodded as tears threatened to fall. Burying her head into Claudia, Evelynn allowed her tears to fall.