Brooke didn't know life could be so different with adopting Annabelle, she expected small changes with becoming a mother just overnight. But the new sense of love and happiness beat anything she had felt in a long time. Yes, Connor made her feel loved and happy, but with Annabelle, it was a different type from their own.
Brooke told her dad about Annabelle, he was somewhat shocked but didn't have too many objections about it. Hank had become Annabelle's favourite grandad, John promised to visit as soon as he was able. He couldn't wait to meet his granddaughter.
The one person that changed the most was Connor, he took to be a father like a duck to water. He knew just exactly what to do if Annabelle was upset or could find answers to her hardest questions in just a few seconds. He was a fantastic father and treated her with all the love and care she had deserved for over a year of being alone.
"My love, we need to leave if you want to make it on time to view the house," Connor shouted from the front door. Brooke ran out, zipping her jacket up as she rushed over. The couple had decided to get a bigger house, they wanted a garden for Annabelle and Nala, also a flat isn't the best place to raise a child.
"I'm excited for this," Brooke comments as she hooks her arm through Connors. Hank was having Annabelle for the morning, letting the couple view the house alone. They wanted it to be a surprise for her.
"Me too. A change in scenery would be the best start for our family," he replies, kissing the side of her cheek. They both had looked at some houses just a few days ago, but none caught their eye. They wanted something different and comfortable.
The house was situated on the Northside of town, not too far from Hanks or their work. The neighbourhood was quiet, kids played outside as they drove past. Each house was detached, a garden surrounding each of them. Brooke pointed out the house that they were going to view, the real-estate agent waiting outside.
"It's beautiful," Brooke comments as Connor pulls into the long drive. The house was pure white, a porch with a swing bench on the front and two massive oak trees stood at either side of the house, giving them privacy from the front of the house.
"Ah, Miss Quinn and Mr Anderson," the realtor called as they got out of the car. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you both, I'm Jennifer. The real-estate agent for this gorgeous property." She shook their hands and waved for them to follow her inside.
"What do you think?" Connor asks as he leans in close to Brooke. She waited to answer when they entered the front door. She wanted to get a feel of the house before making her decision.
Jennifer opened the door and moved to the side to let them enter first, Connor motioned for Brooke to be first. She entered and instantly fell in love, the oak wooden floors went so well with the fake brick walls in the entry hall. "I love it," she declared as Connor joined her side.
"Let me give you the full tour," Jennifer comments as she takes them to the first door to their left, the living room. "This living room is one of two you have in the house. There are also four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a garage, swimming pool and outhouse." She let them look around the spacious living room, it could hold a huge sofa and wide TV if they wished.
They viewed the rest of the house, the kitchen was Brooke's favourite, the white marble and kitchen island made her want to buy the home even more. The bedrooms ranged in sizes, from the master bedroom with a walk-in bathroom and closet and two double bedrooms then a single at the back of the house.
The swimming pool was smaller than what they would have preferred, but they had a built-in barbeque, outdoor sitting area and a hammock. Connor felt like a typical guy with the outhouse, he could already imagine so many things he could do with the space. After looking around with Jennifer, she left to give them both some time to talk.
"So what do you think?" Connor asked as they both walked back towards the kitchen. Brooke instantly went to feel around the marble countertops, they were professionally done and she could picture cooking so many meals on it.
"Oh, Connor, I love it," she replies with a smile. Connor walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "This could be our forever home," she whispers as she leans her head back.
"Just say the word and it's yours," he says with a kiss to her neck. She shivers in response, turning around to hook her arms around his neck, pulling him down closer to her level.
"I want this home for us and our daughter," she commands with a sweet kiss to his lips at the end. Connor pulled her into a tight hug, spinning them both slowly.
"Then we will take it," he says with a chuckle. Brooke nearly jumped in the air in excitement, she felt as if everything in their life was finally coming together.
After starting the paperwork process with Jennifer, they were given the go-ahead by the agency and could start the first steps in making it their new home. Connor excused himself to call hank.
"Hey, son. How did it go?" Connor leaned against the side of the car, dipping one hand in his pocket as he looked at Brooke and Jennifer going through the contract.
"It went very well, we are taking the house." Hank chuckled on the other side of the line, he had a feeling that house might be the one for them both.
"I'm glad, you all deserve a good and strong home for the family." Connor nodded to himself, the flat was a good place for them. But Annabelle mentioned multiple times that she wanted a back garden to play in and she said that Nala would definitely love that as well.
"How's Annabelle?" Connor heard a struggle with the phone until Annabelle's excited, small voice filled his head.
"Daddy, me and Hank-Hank are making cookies," she shouts with laughter. Connor smiled to himself, being called dad wasn't something he ever expected to happen. But knowing he had a little girl at home, his little girl made his life have that much more meaning.
"Wow, really! Well, save some for Brooke. We are coming to get you soon, we have some people that want to meet you." Annabelle shouted bye and passed the phone back to Hank.
"Who is she meeting?" Connor had a number of people that wanted to meet Annabelle, they didn't all know he and Brooke had adopted her. They did still deserve to know.
"North, Markus and then Gavin," he replies. Gavin and Connor had become close friends over the last few months, they joked around a lot at work and they could rely on each other.
"Oh okay, son. Well, I'll see you both soon."
Once they had finished all the paperwork and signing at the house, Jennifer gave them a moving-in date and said her goodbyes. Connor and Brooke picked up Annabelle straight after and took her to Jericho. it was still the same hotel from all those months ago, but it had been transformed into flats for androids that wished to live there permanently.
Markus and North both stood outside, waiting patiently as Connor pulled the car into the drive. "Are we meeting more people like me?" Annabelle asked from the back seat. She could sense the other androids on the network, she had never been near so many.
Brooke looked at Connor, he smiled before turning in his seat to look at her. "Yes, darling. You are going to meet Markus and North, they both freed all androids." Connor knew Annabelle didn't know everything about the revolution, she still had the mentality for a child. But was smarter than human kids her age.
Brooke got out of the car, walking around to scoop Annabelle from her seat. She clung tightly to her mother's neck. Connor walked in front of them both. "Connor, Brooke, it's good to see you both," Markus says as he holds his hand out to the other android.
"You too, Markus. Hello, North," Connor smiles at the redhead. She was much more laid back than before, but still held back, the opposite to her android partner. She offered a warm smile to them both, her eyes soon drifted to Annabelle.
"Who is this android?" she asks. Annabelle shied away from North, the woman scared her.
"This is Annabelle," Connor points out, trying to get her out from Brooke's neck. "She's... our daughter." North and Markus looked at each other, shocked.
"Daughter?" They both said in union. Brooke chuckled lightly, letting Annabelle stand on her own in the gravel drive. She still clung to her leg, scared of the new people.
"Why don't we go inside and explain," she suggests. Letting North and Markus lead them inside.
After playing twenty questions and many surprised expressions later, both North and Markus came round to the young android. Letting her ask them some simple questions and playing with Markus' knee-length jacket.
"She is very sweet," North comments. Both she and Brooke were standing by the front door, watching Markus and Connor be in deep conversation, Annabelle clung to Connor's thigh.
"She has taken my heart, North," Brooke sighed. "I never thought I could love someone so small and vulnerable, but she just wanted a family. Someone to say they loved her each day."
"I am happy for you both, you and Connor deserve a family." North looked at her, fully meaning what she said. Brooke felt close to the android, she could confide in her and it made her feel comfortable and welcome.
"Thank you, North," she replies, pulling the redhead into an awkward hug. They all said their goodbyes and went straight to the DPD, where Gavin was next to meet Annabelle. Brooke was expecting the most extravagant reaction from him.
"You had a kid?!" A voice booms from Connor's office. Annabelle sat in his chair, screaming in laughter as Brooke spun her in the seat.
"Would you keep your voice down?" Connor hissed. Not wanting to cause a scene at work. Gavin nodded, slowly sitting back down. He looked over at the kid, she smiled and laughed with a squeal as Brooke laughed along with her.
"She seems sweet," he comments. Connor turns to look at them both.
"She is. But we did not... have her. I can't have kids." He looks back at Gavin, the man had a saddened look on his face, realising no androids could parent their own children. "Brooke found her at the New Years party, she was being harassed by some kids."
"Was she homeless?" he interrupted. Connor nodded, continuing with the story.
"Her human parents abandoned her after the revolution started to get out of hand. We decided to adopt her, now she's Annabelle Anderson." Gavin smiled, liking the happy ending.
"I am happy for you both. Can I say hello to her?" he asked, looking past Connor towards her. She now stood with Brooke pointing out the different pictures hung on the wall.
"Of course. Annabelle, come here," Connor cheerfully calls. The little one skips over to him, stopping at his side.
"Yes, daddy?" she asks, looking over at Gavin, a small curious smile crept to her lips.
"This is my friend and co-worker Gavin. He wishes to meet you." Annabelle moved toward Gavin, standing in front of his knees.
"Hello, Gavin. My name is Annabelle!" she says euphemistically. Gavin looks at Connor with a wide smile, already falling for her sweet charm.
"Hello, Annabelle. Your dad has told me a lot about you," he says with a pat on her shoulder. Annabelle giggles and runs back to Brooke, hugging her mother's waist. "You are a lucky man, Connor," Gavin points out, looking behind him at Brooke and Annabelle.
Connor really couldn't believe how lucky he had actually become, the life he started with was in a test centre. The Turing test was the first thing he remembers, but now, he was will always appreciative to Markus for being able to give him a second chance at a normal life. To experience love, fortune, happiness and the growth of his family.