We pulled into our garage. I was excited. We had more presents waiting for Eliza inside. I was glad we could give her some happy things. She needed happy things. I needed happy things when I was placed. We walked inside.
"Okay. Eliza, would you like to see your room first?" Katrina asked, getting on her level. Elizabeth nodded, still scared. I smiled. She was going to like this. We climbed the stairs to the room that was a guest bedroom last week. Eugene opened the door.
"Well? Go on in!" He laughed. Eliza took a few shaking steps into the room, eyes wide. The first thing she said?
"It's purple." She smiled.
It was purple. Purple and white. The walls were white with fairy lights hanging from the ceiling. The purple bed, which sat in front of the window at the back of the room, was piled with pillows and Disney stuffed animals. The room also possessed a child-sized desk, a vanity holding a vast collection little girl's makeup and hair accessories, and a corner residing dresser. Eliza couldn't stop smiling and laughing.
"It's like a princess room!" she whispered, in awe.
"Well, that's because you're a princess."
"I am?"
Katrina nodded.
"Would you like to see what's in your wardrobe?" She asked, after letting her feel the soft bed. Eliza nodded. Eugene looked at me, then nodded towards the door. We left them alone and walked back downstairs. I went into the kitchen to find a can of the soda left over from my birthday party.
"Want anything?"
"Hm? Oh, no thank you." Eugene sighed. "Buck?"
"Yeah?"
"May I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Am I a good father?"
I paused for a moment. It was an odd question. Finally, I said, "Yes."
"Why?"
"Well, because you put mine- and now Eliza's needs and wants before your own. You take time out of your life to spend time with me. And I know that even though you weren't there when I was growing up, you still love me."
"Hm."
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just- I don't know. I suppose I just need to hear that sometimes."
"I guess don't always do the best job of saying it to you." I set down my soda. "I've never asked this before but-"
"Yes?"
"I always thought you were just to intellectual- Can I- "
"What is it?"
"Can I give you a hug?" He was clearly caught off guard.
"Why?"
"Because I want you to hug me back." He smiled, then took me into his arms.
"Thank you." He let go.
"Would more hugs make me a better father?"
"Maybe…" I said, laughing.
Suddenly, crying could be heard from upstairs. Eugene and I looked at each other, then ran up, prepared to assist.
"What happened?" I asked as Katrina closed the door to Eliza's room. I could still hear her crying.
"I- I don't know. I just touched her shoulder and she started panicking."
"Like me when I have nightmares panicking?"
"Not as loud."
"Gee thanks."
"You're welcome."
Katrina and I's relationship had recently developed a comfortable sense of sarcasm. And a day hadn't gone by in a couple weeks where we weren't poking fun at each other.
"Anyway, she started crying. I thought it was best if I left her alone."
"No," I said.
"What?"
"Can I go in?"
"I guess. Just- be careful."
"I will."
I opened the door, then quietly shut it, and walked over to Eliza. She was huddled on the floor, her face buried in her knees. She was still crying and panting. I sat down across from her.
"Elizabeth?" I said.
"Go away," She panted.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"I understand. My last guardian hurt me, too. It's hard to trust people." She took in a few hard breaths, trying to calm down.
"Hey, I'll be right back." I went over to the bathroom that had a door going into both our rooms on either side. 'We'll share it now.' I realized suddenly. 'That'll be- weird.' I returned with a box of tissues. Eliza was still trying to calm down.
"Eliza, look at me." She slowly lifted her head and pushed the hair away that had gotten in her face. She looked up at me with the most beautiful brown eyes.
"Try to take a deep breath okay? Watch my hand." I lifted it up and down, eventually her breathing matched my hand's rhythm and slowed down.
"Better?" I asked, handing her a tissue. She nodded.
"Okay. Did Katrina scare you?"
"Yeah."
"You don't have to be afraid of her. She's a safe person. She loves you." I stood up and extended my hand to her. She grasped it and then stood up with me.
"See this room?"
She nodded.
"Well, Katrina and Eugene bought everything in here, just for you! And they didn't have to let us live with them, but they decided to be our parents- at least for now- because they want the very best for us!"
"Really?"
I nodded.
"Hey, it's been a big day, hasn't it?"
She nodded, yawning.
"Well, why don't we find a nightgown in that great big wardrobe of yours, and then ask Eugene or Katrina to tuck you in, okay?"
She took a deep breath. "Okay." I showed her where the nightgowns were and then left the room.

Walking out, I met Eugene and Katrina.
"She's not crying," Katrina said, shocked.
"Nope."
"How- "
"I guess we just- connected," I said, walking downstairs, back to my soda.