Maddie and I were waiting on the porch, when the car pulled up the next day. I was picking away at my fingernails and Maddie was smoking a cigarette. The tension in the air was thick; Heavy on my heart and lungs, and it took all my strength to stand up as the Sheriff stepped out of his car, straightening his hat, and looking like a man with a mission.

I'd gotten up at five that morning, and picked out my nicest dress; a pink number with a wispy skirt. I'd taken a long shower, scrubbing my skin raw with nervous energy, and after three long hours of pacing and muttering under our breaths, Maddie and I were more than ready to greet our new arrivals. Or at least as ready as we ever would be. There's no way to be prepared for that much change. The readiness I guess, comes in accepting it's arrival and doing what you can to accommodate it. And we'd done that, Maddie and I. We were opening up our lives, which were secluded and peaceful, to two people who had never known serenity.

Chris stepped out of the cop car first, tall and proud looking, frowning in the bright sunlight of the eight o' clock hour. He was tan, and strong looking, and I felt tiny and weak in comparison. He seemed much more capable of handling the situation, and I watched as he took a small, pale hand from inside the car, and helped a small, frail looking girl from the back seat. Cassie. She, unlike her brother, looked helpless, on the verge of tears. As she glanced up at me I offered her a warm smile, feeling sympathy for the little girl who'd already endured a life time of trials.

It was a sunny day and I tried my best to feel sunny as the Sheriff walked towards us, the two Chambers kids at his heels.

"Well Maddie," He cleared his throat, rocking on his heels, recognizing our unease. "You know Chris and Cassie." She nodded. "Well, then," He sighed. "I'll be going. Got to get to the office, you know. But the county will be sending by some papers, some stuff you need to sign and their birth certificates. That type of thing."

"All right." Maddie nodded. "Thank you, sheriff."

"Thank you, Maddie." He smiled, a brief, small smile. "Buh-bye. Bye Betsy. All of you have a good day, now."

And he left. The barrier that stood between them and us was gone, and nothing else could put off the mix that was destined to occur.

Maddie stepped forward. "Hello, Chris," She smiled, her eyes crinkling in a friendly way. Chris stepped forward and shook her hand.

"Hey."

"And hi, Cassie." Maddie crouched down and looked the small girl in the face. Her dusty looking blond hair was unbrushed, and her blue eyes looked tired, like she hadn't seen much sleep. But she couldn't resist my aunt's friendly face. Her tiny pink lips stretched across her pale, thin cheeks in what was unmistakably a grin.

"Hi," She squeaked.

I was up to bat. I smiled reaching for Chris' hand. "Hey." I greeted him quietly. He smiled back, taking my hand in a firm shake.

"Hey."

I had thought that saying hello would ease our obvious discomfort, but I was mistaken. With the ritual greeting over, there was nothing left to fill the long hours of getting-to-know-you time that would follow.

"Well," Maddie put her hands on her hips and straightened her back, rubber boots planted firmly in the dust just beyond our porch. "I suppose we should all go on inside, see if we can't get everything straightened out. Maybe do a little talking. Don't think I can stand much more of this silence."

Chris' face broke into a smile, and I laughed, breathing with relief. Things were going to be okay. Maddie would see to it.