Could you turn on the oven to 375 please?", Jessica asked Gunnar.

"Sure thing!", he exclaimed.

"Scalloped potatoes are only necessary when having roast, are they not?", she asked Ivan.

"They're certainly a requirement, no doubt about it," he replied.

Suddenly, Jessica's phone started ringing; the song "Once Upon a Dream" from Sleeping Beauty echoing throughout the kitchen. When she looked at the number she saw it was the social worker calling. She didn't know whether to be excited or scared at what she might have to say. She hesitantly swiped the screen right to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jessica, this is Tatianna from social services. How are you doing tonight?"

"I'm doing well. Please tell me you have an update about my parents."

"I do... I'm sorry to say that we have a real issue. Your parents survived, but according to the doctors they have damage to their brains that they'll have to be permanently put in an assisted living home. So we need to know if you have anywhere you can go... Friends you can stay with? Any family who will take you in?"

"I have neither unfortunately... What other options are there?", she asked, voice cracking while trying to sound unfazed.

She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Ivan giving her a sympathetic look.

"Well, we can look into foster care...", Jessica winced at the thought of being moved house to house until she was a legal adult, "or you may remain where you are now. The choice is entirely yours."

Jessica looked to Ivan, Gunnar, and Khalid, seeking their approval. They all nodded with sad smiles.

"I shall stay where I am then. I've grown quite comfortable here", she said.

"Then we wil have your things sent to you in the next day or two. I'm so sorry that things turned out the way they did, but try to not let it get you down. At least they're alive."

"Thank you. I'll try to keep a pos-positive...," but she couldn't get the words out.

Before she knew it she was running to her dorm and diving onto her bed for a good cry. A few moments later, she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Jessica, may I come in?", she heard Ivan ask.

"Of course," She said softly.

Ivan stepped through the door and cautiously walked towards her, not wanting to stress her in such a delicate state.

"So you're here for good, then?"

"I am. They said the rest of my belongings will be brought here very soon. "

"In that case, I think you should have a homier bedroom, don't you?," he said smiling.

"You don't have to do that, really."

"Anything to make this easier on you. I know this will be difficult for you."

"That's very appreciated. Can we wait until my things arrive though? I'd really like some time to let this all sink in."

"Certainly. Just say the word and we'll get you moved around when you're ready."

"Thank you, Ivan. I can't thank you enough for all you've done already. I really hope I'm not a burden on you."

"Goodness, no! You see the others are a bit reclusive; you're actually a pleasure to be around. It's nice to have someone I can feel is a friend and not a responsibility."

Jessica didn't know what came over her, but she couldn't help but jump up and run to hug him. He froze for a moment, obviously not used to being shown affection.

'Could it be that I overstepped a boundary he had due to his experience with his father?'

As her mind started to panic as he didn't react, she began to pull away, but was quickly pulled back into his chest.

She began to lightly shake and tear up; he gently stroked her hair and she began to calm down. After a moment standing there in his arms, she pulled away and wiped her nose, which she saw had dripped onto his black shirt. He followed her staring and noticed the wet spot.

"I'm so sorry! Let me get you a napkin!", she began to panic.

"No, no, it's quite alright! It's not like I don't have an abundance of black shirts," he laughed.

"Well still, I'm sorry."

"Forgiven", he said with a smile.

She began to feel a little better, knowing she would be in the care of such a good person.

"You know, I have a large collection of books... Probably enough to fill that library... If you're okay with it, of course."

"Really? Well, how about the library becoming a project for you then? It's yours to fill with whatever you want."

"WHAT?? Thank you! Thank you, so so much!," she began to jump up and down.

'Giddier than a school girl', he thought to himself, not being able to help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"Well, I think it's time I get to bed, but I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Jessica."

"Jess."

"What was that?", he asked.

"Jess. My friends call me Jess." He gave her an ear -to-ear grin.

"Goodnight, Jess."

"Goodnight, Ivan," she said with an equally big smile.

He closed the door on his way out. She changed into her favorite pair of flannels and laid in bed for a long while contemplating the magnitude of what had just been dumped on her. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise; this could be a chance for her to have a clean slate. With no judgemental family members to shame her or her parents even to hold her back she could flourish and finally become her own person. Those thoughts calmed her and she snuggled deep into her blankets to settle into a near comatose sleep for the first time in a long time.

The next few days were uneventful. Jessica was very anxious to have her books and vinyl collection back in her grasp. The others gave her space, which she appreciated. She was sitting out in the garden getting some fresh air, when a car and van pulled up to the front. It was Tatianna and some movers, finally delivering her treasures.

"Thank you so much for bringing my things."

"Our pleasure, Jessica. Now that your parent's house is empty and they're not mentally fit to make decisions, it's up to you what happens to it. You can sell it and get a nice wad of cash, or you can rent it out until you decide to take it over."

Jessica thought for a moment, weighing her options. She didn't plan to stay here forever, and she liked the idea of having steady money coming in.

"I suppose renting it out would be the smartest move at the moment. How much per month should be fair to ask?"

"Considering it's a fairly clean little house in a decent neighborhood, you could easily ask £1500 a month and it would be filled probably right away."

"Alright then, let's do that. Random question, but has any of my other family made it known that they would like anything out of my parent's possessions?"

"Not that we're aware of. Based on the fact they wanted to keep out of it from the beginning I wouldn't count on them laying claim to anything. When I get back to the city I'll have a crew clean out the house and donate what's left if that's alright with you. And I'll have someone get in touch with you about listing it for rent."

"That all sounds good. The only thing I ask is that my mom's jewelry. Her hummingbird necklace in particular, since it's a bit of an heirloom. And I would like some of my dad's art left in the house for now."

"We can do that. In the meantime, try to relax and not let all this get you down."

"Jessica! Would you like me to have them put your book and little trinkets in the library?," Ivan yelled to her.

"Yes, that would be perfect. I'm anxious to start organizing and decorating it!"

"You heard the little lady, to the library!", Ivan announced.

Jessica turned her attention back to Tatiana.

"I'm happy to see you've found a niche here so quickly. Ivan is a good man," Tatianna said.

"He really is. I find him very down to earth."

"He seems to have taken a shine to you. He's up here alone with two other men that couldn't care less about him personally, then you show up; I'm sure he views you as a friend already."

"I believe so too. He's really made the transition less stressful."

"Where would you like the rest of this ma'am?", one of the movers asked.

"I believe it's mostly clothes, so the bedroom is good."

She turned her attention back to Tatianna.

"Well Jessica, good luck to you. I'll be checking in on you every now and then to see how things are going. If there's any issues at all, don't hesitate to call me."

"Thank you, I'll be sure too, but I don't think I'll need to."

"Let's hope so. Goodbye and I'll see you when I see you."

"Thank you, Tatiana. Goodbye!"

She watched as she drove down the hill out of sight. Turning back to look at her new home, she actually felt hopeful. She made her way back to her room to begin unpacking. Ivan knocked on the door before entering.

"I promise I don't have a bra out this time!," she hollered.

He let out a small laugh and walked to where she stood unpacking picture frames that held pictures of her, her friends, and her parents. He couldn't help but comment on the ones of her younger self.

"You were adorable! The platinum blonde hair, big blue eyes, and scrunched up nose are so sweet looking," he told her.

"Oh, so you're saying I'm not adorable now??," she joked.

Ivan suddenly looked very panicked and started sputtering out an apology.

"I-I never said that! I just meant you were an adorable little girl; now you're a beautiful young lady!"

She was slightly shocked. No one had ever called her "beautiful" before; not even her own dad.

"Thank you," she squeaked out, eyes lowered to the floor.

She looked back up to see Ivan smiling at her.

"Well, I'll leave you to settle in. Dinner should be ready in a little while. I'll come fetch you when it's done."

"Thank you, Ivan. I appreciate that. And you."

He had a mildly stunned look on his face.

"My pleasure. And thank you for your appreciation."

At that moment they both knew it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. She watched him walk away.

'The start of something new,' she thought to herself.