Mariana's POV
I really don't want Cora to go home, she's cute and funny and I've always wanted a little sister. It's a total shame about her sister's attitude; she reminds me of Callie when she first came and I hate to admit it but she's also a little like myself when I was younger. As a child I was a total diva, I threw tantrums daily about how my hair sat etc, so I really hope she's not as like me as she seems. I wish they could stay, I bet they're in a bad foster home with drug dealers and creepy perverts. The thought of letting them go back to a system that fails kids left right an centre makes me uneasy. They could be going back to abuse and I'd have no way of helping, of saving the vulnerable little girls that are growing on me.
It's 10am on a Saturday morning and I'm sat on the couch watching cartoons with Cora, she begged me to find 'Noddy' on youtube and I did. It's a weird show with a really obnoxious theme song but it's keeping her quite and she seems to really enjoy it. Her sister, Kirsten is sat in the armchair trying to look disinterested and serious but it's clear she too really likes the show, her mature facade isn't as good as she thinks it is.
"Hey kiddos, I'm gonna have to take the girls down to the station soon." Mom says entering and sitting on the couch.
The chilled atmosphere is gone. My stomach drops. Cora crawls over towards me and snuggles into me, it's clear she wants to stay as much as I want her too. I can feel the wetness of tears on my shirt as she silently cries onto my shoulder. I look to my Mom for help who shrugs trying to keep it 'professional'. I try whispering soothing things into her ear while softy rubbing her back and it seems to work. She looks up at me with her big brown eyes and wipes her tears away with her sleeve, sliding over to her original position on the couch. I hear he sniffle as she settles back down/
"I hate to ask, but why do you two not want to go home?" Mom asks them both, Cora shrugs.
"Our foster parent's aren't nice they.. Em.. They take medicine and act funny and drink alcohol all the time... When they drink they get angry and they... Hit us... It's ok when it's just me but last night... Last night they hurt Cora and I could't save her... I'm meant to save her..." Kirsten says beginning to cry at the start and ends up crying hysterically by the end.
Cora gets up from her seat and rushes over to hug her sister. She tries whispering like I had done to her not long ago and when that fails she kisses her on the forehead and tells her it will be alright (I'm assuming that's what Callie done earlier). And when that fails she begins to sing a song.
"I love you, you love me,
We're a happy family
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too" She sings with her sweet little voice making me want to cry.
Mom also looks like she is going to cry too as the sweet little girl kisses her sister on the cheek and wipes her tears away with her thumbs. A proud smile on her face as she notices her sister is no longer crying. She bounces happily back over to her space on the couch. She's precocious in the most adorable way imaginable.
"Mission accomplished."I hear her whisper to herself doing a small air punch in relief.
I smile at how cute she is and go to ruffle her hair but when I move my hand towards her she flinches. Her whole body tenses as if preparing for an impact of some sort. Then she realises what she has done, she turns to face me with big guilty doe eyes. She gives me an apologetic smile and I give her a genuine one in return. She turns her attention back to the TV and wriggles further back on the couch so only her feet are over the edge.
I catch Mom staring sadly between the young girls. I know what she's thinking because I'm thinking it too: it's not fair, they're so young and sweet, they deserve to be happy and we could give them that. I really want them to stay. With that Mom sighs, stands up and leaves the room clearly torn. I decide to focus on the silly show that was on, it must not be that bad because the girls seem immersed in it. It doesn't really make sense to me.
As the end title rolls the girls quietly sing along and they both shake their heads from side to side in time, on the last note they throw both hands half heartedly in the air. It seems that they watch this show so often that they have a dance routine for the end titles.
I smirk as Callie enters the room now dressed. She takes a place on the couch and Cora greets her, she the proceeds to relay the entire storyline of the episode she just watched to Callie who was amused by the animated child.
"So then Noddy said 'Sorry' which was the right thing to do!" Cora says quickly, so I could only just make it out.
"It sure was, wasn't it?" Callie replies biting her lip to stifle a giggle
"Yeah, it was... I love Noddy and once my mum took me to go and see it with Jay and Caleb and we saw Noddy and he was right there on the stage it was so cool but Kirsten didn't come because she's a big girl..." Cora gets out without taking a breath.
"Woah slow down," Callie chuckles.
I can't help but laugh too. I look over and Kirsten rolls her eyes before giggling at her sister. Cora pouts playfully pretending we hurt her feelings. Callie decides now is the perfect time to tickle her and seconds later she's squealing with laughter.
I notice Kirsten laughing at her little sister's expense. I decide to sneak over and tickle her too. Now we've got two little girls laughing hysterically. The commotion brings Mom and Mama downstairs.
"What is going on in here?" Mama asks before taking the time to look.
We decide that the girls have had enough and let them go, they both grin from ear to ear. It's a genuine smile and the first one I've saw on the older girl's face. She's pretty cute when she smiles.
Mom and Mama look at each other and share a smile. I think I know what they're thinking, I hope I'm right. I mean, I've always wanted little sisters...
Stef's POV
As Lena and I are discussing the girls we hear shrieks of laughter coming from the family room. We decide to investigate. When we get there Lena asks what is going on but it's pretty clear that Callie and Mariana were tickling the younger girls just like big sisters. It's funny to me how 24 hours ago I never knew either girl existed and now I can't imagine them leaving, I don't want to. Lena and I want to report their former foster home and have them stay with us. Where will we put them? That's the question we've been trying to answer but for now I don't care. They're staying no matter what. They're family.