Chapter One

She had been pacing around the house all day; her time spent cleaning anything and everything in sight. Her cleaning, however, involved the scrubbing of the counters or the organizing of her books fifty different times. She couldn't help it. She was anxious. Why?

"She'll be here any minute…"

The golden haired female fixed her beige couch pillows for the fourth time as this thought ran through her mind. Today had been the day she had been waiting to come for the last two weeks, and everything had to look perfect. Granted, she softened up quite a bit over the years with the need for everything in her life to be perfect, but the anticipation of today's events brought a few old habits back out as she just couldn't find a way to relax and sit still.

"I hope this goes all right. Did I miss something?"

-Riiing-

The sudden sound coming from the vibrating cell phone pulled her from her thoughts. Reaching over to the coffee table, she gave the screen a quick look and picked up the call.

"Hello?"

"Aubrey!"

The familiar and excitable voice belonged to her best friend Chloe, Aubrey easing a little when she heard it.

"Hey…"

"Hey you! Is she there yet?"

"No, not yet, but she will be in a few minutes. I got a call from her social worker not too long ago saying they were about ten minutes out."

"Awesome! I'm so excited! Are you doing all right?"

"Yeah…I'm just a little nervous."

"Don't be! This is going to be great for you. For both of you!"

"Yeah, I know…but, I'm worried. I was so confident about doing this in the beginning, but what if I am really terrible at this? I've never done this before."

"You're not going to be terrible at this. I mean, look at how good you are with my kids. I promise, it's going to be great."

"Yeah…" she replied, now plopping down on the couch. "You're probably right. It'll just be different, you know?"

"Are you having regrets?"

"No, no not at all. I really want this. I mean, I've always wanted kids, and every time I see yours and Beca's, it makes me want them more. And since I can't seem to form any love relationships, maybe I can form a mother and daughter one. I just want to be a good mom, you know? Well, foster mom."

"But you want to end up actually being her mother though, right?"

"Well, I'd like to. I'm fostering her in hopes of adopting her, but she doesn't know that yet. Only her social worker and I do."

"That's right. I remember you mentioning that. You think she would really freak if she found out that those were your intentions?"

"Well, her social worker said it might make things harder if she knew right now. She's not very receptive to family like things."

"I remember you saying that, too. As you put it, she was spunky, correct?"

"Yes." Aubrey replied with a small smile, her mind falling back to the day she met the young girl. "Spunky is right. Tough little thing. Sarcastic, too, but you know what? I think she is a good kid. I can see it in her even through all that toughness. I just hope she likes it here, and I hope I can make her just a little bit happier."

"I think you will." Chloe replied warmly. "See, look at that. You're putting her well-being at the top of your list. Already a great mom!"

Aubrey's heart fluttered a little when she heard this. For the last few years she had wanted kids, but with too many failed relationships, that dream was moving farther and farther away. It was Beca and Chloe who gave her the idea to foster and adopt. The married couple even helped her through the process of becoming a foster parent, and now, the big day had finally arrived.

"I just hope that-"

-Honk Honk-

The sudden sound took her off guard, causing her to jump slightly when she heard it. Turning to look out the window, she saw a small black car pulling up in her driveway.

"You all right?"

"Yeah, sorry. The car just pulled up."

"What?! She arrived? Oh my god go go go! Go see her!"

"I'm going!"

"Ok! Tell me all about it later! And like I said, you'll do great. Good luck!"

"Thanks. I'll call you tonight. Later."

"Bye!"

Hanging up the phone, she stood up and placed it back on the coffee table in front of her.

"This is it…" she whispered. The moment she had been waiting for. She would finally have a chance to take care of a child.

"And I hope it will be for good. Well, here goes nothing…"

After brushing out some wrinkles from her white skirt, she walked to the entry way and opened the door.