A/N: Huge thanks to bkerbunny, Latisha C and coors1977. The three of you gave me some wonderful feedback on the last chapter and I really do appreciate it. (A quick note to coors1977 - I like to think I take criticism well, but thanks for trying to soften the blow. I wasn't offended at all, you made a good point.) I can promise everyone that there will be some sort of resolution here before I even think of attempting a sequal. Thanks heaps for the advice and the continued support. On to the story...
Phoenix
Mark pulled up outside a Denny's and turned to look back at Aiden and Cody.
"Any objections to eating here?" He asked. Aiden looked at Cody and they both looked back at Mark, shaking their heads.
"None at all." Aiden smiled. Mark laughed to see the girls getting along so well already. As they all got out of the car, Mark pulled Sara aside.
"Looks like Cody likes her." He told his wife. Sara looked over at the girls who were playing a game of tag while they waited for the adults. Cody was giggling.
"I've noticed. She seems like a nice kid so far. What do you think?" Sara queried.
"I think Marty, Dean and Tom were right. This could work." Mark figured.
Sara nodded in agreement before following Mark and the girls into the restaurant. They were seated by a waitress named Donna who took their order straight away. While they waited for their food, Mark and Sara began asking Aiden questions.
"So, Aiden, ever spent time in Texas?" Mark asked, trying to break the ice.
"No, sir, but I hear it's a nice place." Aiden replied.
"It really is. We live on a ranch and we have a few animals. Do you know how to ride a horse?" Sara wondered.
"No, ma'am, I don't. I'd like to learn though." Aiden answered honestly. Mark chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Sara asked him.
"All the sir and ma'am stuff. You don't have to be so formal, Aiden." Mark told her.
"Thank you for saying so, sir, but I believe it doesn't cost anything to be polite." Aiden pointed out. Sara smiled as Mark conceded the point.
Their food was put on the table in front of them and Aiden waited to see what she was supposed to do. She really wanted to just bite into her burger, but wasn't sure if that would seem rude. Cody solved the problem for her.
Cody lifted her own burger of her plate and bit into it. Aiden noted that Mark had done the same while Sara was digging into her meal. Figuring it was rude to stare, Aiden picked up her burger and bit into it. Silence reigned at the table as the group satisfied their hunger. When they were all nearly finished, Mark asked another question.
"How long were you in your last foster home? And, if you don't mind me asking, why did you get sent back to the Children's Home?" He queried.
"I was there for… eight months, I guess. I got sent back because they didn't want a teenager. A week later they got someone that was about Cody's age." Aiden explained.
"It must be hard, getting used to a place and then being sent away." Sara mused.
"When I was in one of my first foster homes I decided I didn't want to get used to it because I'd just end up getting sent back to the Bethany Home. Most people after that sent me back saying I wasn't adjusting to the family very well." Aiden told them.
"Aiden, are you going to be my big sister?" Cody suddenly piped up. Mark and Sara looked shocked, but Aiden laughed.
"Well, that all depends, I guess. We'll have to wait and see." Aiden replied.
"Would you like Aiden to be your big sister, half-pint?" Mark asked Cody.
"Yes please. She's cool and she likes wrestling like you and mom." Cody answered.
"From the mouths of babes, huh?" Sara laughed. Aiden smiled and secretly thanked Cody for being there.
"I think she said it better than either of us could." Mark pointed out. Sara nodded.
"What are you saying, exactly?" Aiden asked, fear and excitement slowly rising and intermingling.
"I think he's saying that it would be an honour for us to have you join our family. No guarantees that it's going to be a permanent thing, but we'll see how it goes. What do you think?" Sara queried.
"I think you guys are amazing! Thank you so much!" Aiden yelled, getting out of her seat to hug both Sara and Mark.
As she moved to sit back down, Cody stood up and wrapped her arms around Aiden's waist. Aiden bent down and hugged Cody tightly. Finally something seemed to be going her way.
Mark and Sara dropped her back at the Bethany Home after dinner and Aiden walked in with a grin on her face. She said good evening to the lady behind the front desk before walking into the Isolation room. Kevin looked in on her ten minutes later and was amazed to see that she was doing her homework. Usually one of the staff had to sit with her to make sure she did it.
"Alright, what's going on?" Kevin asked as he walked into the room. Aiden looked up from her task and smiled.
"Homework." She replied simply.
"I see that. Why are you so happy?" Kevin wondered.
"What, is it illegal to be happy now?" Aiden queried.
"Not at all. It makes a nice change. How long do you think it'll last?" Kevin enquired.
"Not sure. Could be permanent." Aiden smiled to herself, knowing that she was annoying Kevin. Kevin merely nodded before leaving the room.
Aiden returned her concentration to her homework and was soon finished. She packed her books back into her bag and decided to work out. Instead of merely doing ten push ups and ten sit ups, she pushed herself as hard as she could. She had a lot of extra energy to burn.
After her workout, Aiden changed into her sleepwear and headed for bed. For the first time in a while, she actually felt good. Sleep that night came easy.
A/N2: Another chapter down. As I've said before, I don't tend to write in chapters so that's why it all seems a little... disjointed I guess. I know this chapter's pretty short but hopefully it's given a little more of an insight into how things are going to work with the Callaways. Who knows. Anyway, once again I'm going to ask that you leave me a review. I love to know how others think I'm managing. Feel free to criticise - it will help me become a better writer. Thanks muchly,
Phoenix