Summary: After the kids move out, Regina meets their new foster daughter.
The decision to foster had been easy one for them.
The kids had been out of the house for three years at the time, all off to college and careers, having their adventures. After more than twenty of raising them she and Robin reveled in the privacy and freedom for a while. They took their trips, enjoyed the silence, had sex with the door open like newlyweds. It was nice to take a rest but after few years it just felt like something was missing.
They loved each other with all their hearts and were proud of the life that they'd built but… there was a bit of an overflow. An abundance of love and concern that felt like it had no place to go.
After talking with Henry and visiting him at the community center he'd taken over they'd realized that they weren't done with children yet. Sure neither of them wanted another baby, but the idea of fostering an older kid, having the chance to give another child a safe space… well it felt right.
So they reconnected with their old social worker, got re-certified and became foster parents.
It was hard most of the time… that's not true, it was hard all of the time. Taking in older kids always meant that there was better chance of scars and walls. It would always take a while for them to warm up, especially to Robin. Foster kids weren't always fond of cops.
They did their best but sometimes it felt like the kids were yanked out of the house before they even really had a chance to connect. They didn't get a foster a child who lasted more than a few weeks… until Mari came along.
Mariposa Rodriguez.
Regina got the call about her while Robin was out. She arrived within an hour and from the start Regina knew she would be a challenge.
Fifteen-years old, Latina, dressed in ripped jeans and a too large grey tee, she wouldn't even look Regina in the eye at the first but when she did the walls were clear. Arms crossed and scowl permanent she wore her attitude like armor, looking around the house as Regina gave her a quick tour.
She eyed the photos of Henry, Roland and Lizzy suspiciously. "Those your real kids?"
Regina faltered before nodding. "Yeah that's Henry my oldest and Roland and Lizzy. They're all out of the house now."
Mari looked her up and down critically. "They don't look like you."
"I don't suppose they would," she replied. "They're all adopted."
Mari's eyebrows rose in surprise. "All of them?"
"Yeah, all of them."
A scoff fell from the girl's lips. "So you never had any real kids?"
"Well I wouldn't call the ones I raised imaginary," she shot back, a little more bite to her tone than intended.
For her part, Mari didn't even flinch at her reaction. Instead a smirk tugged on her lips, as if she was pleased to have gotten a rise out of her.
"Whatever," she mumbled. "Where's my bed?"
Regina showed her to the guest bedroom and left her alone to get settled. As she headed downstairs for a drink, her phone buzzed in her pocket with a text from Robin.
IS SHE THERE ALREADY?
Regina swiftly texted back.
YEP. AND SHE'S GONNA BE A HANDFUL.
I hope you enjoyed this one! Let me know if you did!
