A/N: Thank you to those who have reviewed/alerted/favorited. Sorry about this chapter short, but I wanted it to stand by itself

"Pookie. Wake up." Maureen was gently shaking her partner. It had been one week since they contacted the adoption agency. Today was the day. "Pookie wake up." She whined

"Sleep." Came Joanne's muffled voice

"I can't. We're going to meet our daughter today. How can I sleep?"

"We don't even know if we'll keep her."

"You make her sound like a pet. But she's not, she's a person." And she fell back onto bed in a huff.

"I know you're sensitive about this, but we want to make good first impressions." She draped her arms over Maureen's waist "Let's get some rest."

Maureen turned in her arms to face her partner "Fine. But we are going to adopt her."

"Are you sure?"

Maureen kissed her "Just as sure as I am about that."

"Good. Now go to bed." She said nuzzling Maureen's neck

"But Pookie." Maureen whined

"What?"

"What if she doesn't like us?"

"Just go to bed. Everything will be fine." She kissed her forehead "I promise."

Maureen mumbled something incoherently

"What? Did you say something?"

"No. Nothing at all." she said in a small voice and turned away from Joanne. That night Joanne would dream of the child they were going to adopt, and Maureen would dream of the child she lost.

The grass was cool beneath their bodies. She rested her head on his chest lulled to an almost dream-stage by his gentle breathing. "The condom broke." She said in almost a whisper

"It did?" he asked looking down at her

"What's going to happen?" she looked up at him with big worried eyes

"Nothing will happen." He wrapped an arm around her for warmth, for comfort. "Everything will be fine. I promise."

"Really?"

"Yes." He kissed her on the forehead "Really." And they both drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

"What time is it?" Asked Maureen. Joanne and her were stuck in traffic on their way to the agency in Newark.

"2:40. we'll be fine."

"Stupid traffic." Maureen pouted crossing her arms over her chest "Can't it go any faster?"

"Don't worry. I know another way if traffic gets too bad. Look at her profile and tell me; how old is she in her picture."

"I don't know; maybe ten? Or a little older. Why?"

"I want to get an idea about what she looks like."

"I don't think too much can change in three years." Joanne faced her with an all-knowing look "Okay maybe they can."

"The rest of her file should tell about her personality. Can to read it for me?"

"Elsie is known for her spunk, being rebellious, emotionally detached with some kids. She is musically talented and known to spend most of her time with her guitar. She has a strong opinion and is known for her sarcastic personality. Not exactly the social butterfly, she has little friends, and just wants to be understood and loved."

She turned the page "Elsie was adopted first at the age of 13 months by the Crowe Family. She lived there until she was ten when a horrible tragedy took place and came back. From there she has been fostered by five families and had several dozen interviews." Maureen took in a deep breath "Imagine it Joanne, knowing that no one wants you, and the people that did want you are dead, or gone."

"But we want her. Don't we?"

"Of course we do." She said not looking up from the papers "None of this changes the way I feel." She said pointing to the file.

"Well I'm glad you don't let her flaws stand in our way." Joanne said. But for some reason, Joanne felt like Maureen was hiding something from her. She just couldn't place her finger on it.

The rest of the ride was in silence while Joanne stared at her directions to the agency scrawled on a scrap piece of paper, and Maureen stared at the picture of their new daughter; her new daughter. Maybe there was a God.

They entered the agency, more of a home to be honest. The walls were painted a faded pale blue, and Maureen had already found something she disliked.

"I hate this color, it hurts my eyes." Complained Maureen in a hushed whisper

"Don't worry; they can't have the whole place painted this color." Joanne whispered back and walked up to the receptionist "Hi. We have an appointment."

"Name?"

" Jefferson."

"And Maureen Johnson." Maureen piped up from behind

"Okay; Sue will be out with you in a moment. You may sit over there." The lady said pointing to a pair of dark blue seats.

The two sat down beneath a cross with a model of Jesus Christ's body. "Why do I feel like a dead person is watching me?" Maureen said jokingly

"I had no idea this place was Christian." Said Joanne suddenly nervous

"Christian or not, it's legal. So technically they have to." Reasoned Maureen

"Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson?" asked a woman walking into the room, face buried in her papers

"Mrs. Jefferson and Mrs. Johnson actually." Joanne said

"Oh." The woman looked up from her papers "I'm sorry for the mistake."

"It's not a problem. We're here for an interview with a child."

"Well okay then; but we can't just have you pick them up willy-nilly you know." She said smiling "Let me show you to the main room. Most of the children spend their days here or outside." they followed her down the hall.

"So who is it you were scheduled to meet? I mean we can't just hand the children out like free candy."

"Her name is Elsie Crowe" said Maureen

Sue tuned to face them. "You know what? Maybe we can." She thought a moment "I'll show you where she is." And though her words were meant to be funny Maureen was shocked at the behavior towards the child.

"Isn't she with the other children?" asked Joanne

"Elsie? I'd be damned." And they followed her down another hideously powder blue hall