Chapter 3: One Year Later

Kimberly was loving her new job. She was enjoying going back to school on the internet thanks to Captain Mitchell and her new friend Ms. Angela Fairweather who was getting her through her schooling. A year had past Kylie was growing looking like her father everyday. It made Kimberly happy and sad to see her looking like Tommy. She missed him, but she believed that he was happy with Kat.

One day, Kimberly and Dana were sitting in the living room playing with Kylie when there was a knock on her door. "Dana, could you watch her?" She asked. Dana nodded and watched as Kimberly went to the door. She opened it and her eyes widened at what she saw standing there. A girl about eleven was standing on her doorstep.

She had shoulder-length sandy-blonde hair, blue eyes, she was wearing sneakers, blue jeans, a white t-shirt, her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, and around her neck was a locket.

Kimberly watched as a red car drove off as fast as it could. "WAIT!" Kimberly shouted. She looked at the girl in disbelief. She knelt down to her level. "What's your name?" She asked.

"Hannah, Hannah Leonardo," she replied.

Kimberly placed her hand on Hannah's shoulder. "Hannah, who was that just drove off?" She asked.

"That was my mom," she replied.

"Where is your mom going?"

"She's going away. She didn't want me anymore."

Hannah had tears falling down her face and Kimberly looked over her shoulder to see Dana standing there. "Dana, call child services," she informed. Dana nodded and grabbed the phone. "In the meantime, come in," Kimberly told Hannah.

Hannah looked around the house in disbelief. It was a nice place. Kimberly was able to fix it up with the money Captain Mitchell was paying her. She sat Kylie playing in her playpen. Dana walked back over to Kimberly with the phone in hand. "Child services said they'll be on their way," she informed.

"Okay, Hannah, go with Dana she's going to get you cleaned up," Kimberly informed.

Dana led the girl away and Kimberly placed her hand on her forehead.

A few minutes later, Child Services came and talked to Kimberly and Hannah. "Hannah, why did your mom leave you on Miss Hart's doorstep?" He asked.

"Mom said that I'm in the way. She told me that she just needed time to figure out what to do and that leaving me with someone that's already got a baby can take care of me," Hannah replied.

"Is your mom going to come back?" Kimberly asked.

Hannah shook her head. "She said I'm too big of a burden to take care of anymore," she replied. Kimberly wrapped her arm around Hannah's shoulders.

"Miss Hart, we're going to search for Hannah's mother, until then, she's your responsibility," he informed.

Kimberly nodded and then she looked at Dana. "I'll get her room set up," she informed.

"Thanks, Day," Kimberly sighed.

Child Services left and Hannah was taking a short nap. Dana was able to go home and Kimberly was trying to figure out what to do. She was afraid of what to do with this little girl if she ended up having her.

(Two Months Later)

Kimberly was sitting in the living room after putting Hannah and Kylie to bed. The phone rang and she picked it up. "Hello?" She answered.

"Miss Hart, this is Detective Williams," the caller informed.

"Did you find her?"

"I'm afraid no, Miss Hart. They found her car, but it's empty. We can't find any trace of the girl's mother."

"What do I do?"

"Get approval to adopt her."

Kimberly sighed and hung up. She was getting a second child as long as the adopting agency said she can.

(Three Days Later)

Kimberly was sitting in the adopting agency with Captain Mitchell sitting on one side. "Your papers seem to check out, Miss Hart. Captain Mitchell, are you sure this young woman can take care of a child?" He asked. Captain Mitchell placed a hand on Kimberly's shoulder.

"She can take care of a baby on her own. I think she can handle a child," Captain Mitchell replied.

Kimberly nodded in agreement and she took Kylie's picture from her purse. "This is my daughter, Kylie," Kimberly informed. He looked at the picture and nodded.

Later that afternoon, Kimberly came home and found Dana watching Hannah and Kylie play. "How were they?" She asked.

"They were just fine," Dana replied.

"Thanks for everything," Kimberly told her.

"Anytime."

Kimberly smiled and then she called for Hannah to come inside. "Hannah, I don't know how you'd feel about this, but I just came back from the adoption agency. They're going to let me adopt you," Kimberly informed. Hannah hugged Kimberly with a smile.

"I was hoping you would," she told her.

Kimberly hugged Hannah back with a smile.