Chapter 10

It was lunchtime the next day both children were discharged. Zona had drawn Dr Mabel a picture, it was Doctor Mabel with her stethoscope standing next to Zona and Timmy. Zona's arm coloured pink to demonstrate the cast. She'd drawn doughnuts, chocolate and a big heart, cus doctor Mabel made her feel safe and loved and brought treats. They were all in the box, cus Zona wanted to make sure they were all safe. Doctor Mabel had been very impressed, pinning it to her wall, so everyone could see.

Daniel had taken them some clean clothes in that had been donated by his men. Timmy was wearing a navy-blue polo shirt, and blue jeans, Zona in a purple sparkly t-shirt and pink skirt with rainbow tights.

"Family photo" Mabel demanded before they left.

Barbara and Daniel sat on the bed Zona sitting on Barbara's lap, Timmy standing next to Daniel, Daniel's hand resting on his shoulder. Despite the bruises on the children's faces they appeared like the perfect family. She printed 2 copies one for her office wall and one for Barbara and Daniel. Their first family photo.

Arriving at the family home Daniel opened the door, "We made some changes," he warned his wife,

"We?" Barbara raised her eyebrow curiously,

"Jones offered to donate some stuff then others wanted to" Daniel shrugged, "So we have a bedroom for each of you" he announced walking them up the stairs.

"This is your room Zona and that's yours Timmy" he said opening the doors. Both kids gasped in delight, as his wife's mouth opened in astonishment.

It's pink, and it has fairies" Zona cried in amazement as she entered the room her fingers dancing lightly off the decorations.

"Look sharks" Timmy said just as excited.

"Jones and the guys might have made some changes" Daniel admitted. "But if you don't like your rooms, we can change them" he offered.

"This is for us Sir?" Timmy asked, Daniel nodded, "And the toys" he asked his fingers gently resting on the toy soldiers desperate to play with them,

"Yes"

Zona whispered to Timmy, "And we can sleep inside?" he asked again, repeating the question Zona had asked him,

"Yes" Daniel replied, his hand finding his wives for support. just them asking that question had broken his heart.

"And you don't hit?" Timmy checked,

"Not ever" Daniel promised,

"What if we are naughty?" Timmy asked, not believing them. Every day he could remember involved pain, ever since Zona was born 5 years ago. Each year it had got worse.

"Then its extra chores or no ice cream after dinner" Daniel suggested, "Writing lines or going on run, but never any physical violence" he promised,

"What's ice cream?" Zona asked, "Is it hot?" her obsession with hot food hadn't stopped yet. Barbara and Daniel grinned at each other, then at the kids,

"It's definitely not hot, its cold and creamy, you will love it" Barbara promised. "And it's the perfect way of welcoming you both to our home. Why don't we give you a few minutes to look through your rooms, and we'll get the ice cream ready" she suggested she could tell the children were getting overwhelmed and needed a minute.

She dragged Daniel downstairs, one away from the kids she gave him a huge kiss, "You Captain Robbins are an amazing man" she complimented "I love you"

"I love you too," he replied.

Upstairs Timmy was still eying the soldiers longingly, he had always wanted toys like this but wasn't sure what the catch was, and how he was going to protect Zona when he didn't know the rules. On his arm Zona clung to him for dear life, this was really scary a new environment with lots of things she didn't recognise, the one constant in her life was Timmy. Timmy was safe, he was her rock.

"Let's go see your room" Timmy suggested trying to be brave. He led Zona to her room, "Look horses and princess dress up" he pointed out. Zona let go of his arm, going to the princess doll on the side. She had seen people at school with Princess dolls but had never been allowed to touch one, gently she brushed its soft hair using her fingers. Scared at any minute someone would burst in and scream she was wrong, being naughty and beat her up.

"Timmy, Zona would you like ice cream?" Barbara asked from downstairs, Zona shrugged looking at Timmy.

"We should go we don't want to make them mad" he suggested. Zona nodded slipping her arm around Timmy's again, "they promised no hitting" he reminded himself, as he took his sister downstairs. Barbara and Daniel were sat in the kitchen

"We have chocolate or strawberry ice cream; you can try one or both of them" she offered. Zona whispered to Timmy,

"Zona and I would like to try both if that's okay?" he asked fearfully. Barbara nodded,

"That sounds like a great idea Zona" she complimented. She got 4 bowls out putting strawberry in one that she gave to Daniel, chocolate in the other for herself and a spoonful of each in the children's.

Timmy went first trying the chocolate, and then the strawberry giving Zona the thumbs up. With her brother's okay Zona tried it again taking a small bite.

"So, what do you think of ice cream?" Daniel asked

"It's cold" Zona said "But good cold"

"I like it Sir, thank you" Timmy replied politely.

"You are welcome, my friend has kids your age, I was wondering if you would like for me to arrange for them to come over, you can have play date" he offered. Thinking of Jones and his 2 kids, Nick and Emily. Nick was the same age as Timmy and Emily was only 1 year older than Timmy.

"Sure Sir" he said not wanting to upset their hosts.

"Great, tomorrow after they finish school." Daniel suggested, both children had the week off school, Mabel had recommended giving them time to adapt and for the worst of the bruising to heal.

"Speaking of school, we'd like to talk to you. You see your school is on the other side of town and we were wondering if you wanted to go to that school or one nearer our house?" Barbara asked, "Of course we could take you for a tour first if you wanted to see, but there is no pressure if you like your school more"

"Zona doesn't like her school her teacher is mean" Timmy said, remembering how her teacher had shouted at her for falling asleep in class and shouted because she always forgot her lunch, or her PE kit wasn't clean. She always called her Arizona too, never Zona, in fact all the kids called her Arizona at school. Zona said she didn't mind that Zona was a special name for Timmy, and now Barbara, Daniel, and Mabel. His teacher was slightly nicer and instead of shouting just gave him the disappointed look.

"She is nice sometimes" Zona protested, and she was, she read everyone stories and she didn't hit her, even when she was slow or stupid.

"What about you?" Daniel questioned, Timmy shrugged, he liked school more than home but wasn't overly attached to it.

"Okay so we take the tour, and we see if you both like it more" Barbara suggested. After speaking with Rita, they knew it was important for both children to feel like they had control. After ice cream both children made their way upstairs, Timmy began playing with the soldiers, Zona with the dolls both in the same room, it was safer that way.

Daniel and Barbara stayed downstairs discussing the plan for the week, but also wanting the children to settle into their new rooms, knowing they were both wary of adults.

After making dinner Barbara sent Daniel to collect the children, he walked up the stairs hearing lots of activity as soon as his feet hit the stairs, arriving at the bedrooms he noticed Zona's room was empty, as was Timmy's, with disguarded toys on the floor. Only whispers from the cupboard drew his attention, his heart broke as he imagined the 2 children inside hiding from him.

"Timmy, Zona, dinner is ready, can you come out and wash your hands please" he asked, nobody moved, "I promise nobody will hurt you, and I haven't broken a promise yet. Can I ask what scared you?" He sat on the floor waiting, crossed legged,

"You're going to be mad" Timmy said through the door,

"Why son?" Daniel asked patiently, "I promise even if I am mad, I won't hurt you, and you will still get dinner."

"We were playing with the toys, I know we weren't supposed to touch them and they're someone else's but they looked really fun" Timmy apologized,

"Son, they are yours, we got those for you to play with, as much as you like. Zona too," Daniel reassured, "I am not mad or angry" he promised, "Do you want me to do the finger thing?" he offered remembering the first time he had to get them out a cupboard. The door opened and a hand came out, it was Timmy's the little finger outstretched. Daniel used his little finger interlinking them. The door then fully opened despite the promise both kids appeared terrified Zona holding both her doggie and a doll, Timmy with a handful of soldiers.

"Wash your hands then come downstairs, its dinner time" Daniel said backing up giving them space, "Zona use the flannel, so you don't get your cast wet" he ordered. Both kids ran to the bathroom before slowly making their way downstairs, Daniel following,

"You took your time," Barbara whispered,

"I'll explain later" Daniel replied just as quietly, "Kids I hope you are hungry, tonight we have shepherd's pie and yes Zona its hot"

Both children sat at the table as he brought their plates over Barbara carrying theirs.

"Dig in" Daniel ordered taking a large bite, both kids followed. Barbara had given them smaller portions hoping to encourage them to finish it all Timmy managing the whole plate Zona, over half. Afterwards Daniel took the dishes to wash up as Barbara took both kids upstairs, it was bath time then she could change Zona's dressing to waterproof. She made sure the water was nice and warm, knowing it would help the bruising, and ease the aches. She also found a container of toys, bubble bath and no tears shampoo, not that she could wet their hair yet with the glue. Still, they had managed showers and strip washes for the last few days she could manage a bath tonight.

Both kids came upstairs,

"Bath time would rather go together or separate?" she asked,

"Together" Zona said holding her brother's hand, not wanting to be separated just yet.

"Okay, let me help you get undressed Zona, Timmy can you do it yourself?"

"We can do it" Timmy said, helping Zona to undress.

"I know but I need to help her with the dressings" Barbara replied, reluctantly Timmy stepped to the side. Barbara placed 2 waterproof bags over Arizona's hands, and the waterproof dressing taped over her stomach wound. She lifted her in. Timmy had already gotten in and found the boats. Zona meanwhile loved splashing and the bubbles. Barbara was now just praying everything stayed dry. After 30 minutes Barbara emptied the bath helping Zona to get dry and changed Timmy insisting, he could do it himself.

In Zona's room Daniel waited story book in hand, Barbara carried the exhausted girl in, Timmy following behind.

"Timmy you can listen to Zona's story or have a story of your own after" Daniel explained.

"Zona's" Timmy said not wanting to leave his sister alone with the 2 adults. Alone with adults meant danger

"Ok, once upon a time" Daniel started, he finished the book noticing both children were asleep. Carefully he picked up Timmy tucking him into his own bed leaving the nightlights on for both children. Barbara was waiting outside in the hallway yawning, Daniel could see after all the drama over the last week his wife was exhausted, so instead of cuddling on the sofa, he opened the bedroom door watching as she undressed and was asleep the moment her head touched her pillow. Daniel less tired lay down his mind racing, were they prepared for 2 traumatized children? Were they doing the right thing?

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