Authors Note: Thanks goes to .. for reviewing. I hope you will continue to read and enjoy this story. The idea has intrigued me and I hope it will continue to do so with you.

Chapter Two: The End and The Beginning

Mrs. Cole continued to look between the two before mumbling to herself and quickly walking pass Emilia and Tom to sit behind her desk. She pulled out the boys folder and the papers that would be needed before looking up with a smile. Her eyes shifting nervously between Tom and the woman.

"Tom why don't you go up and start packing your things?" Mrs. Cole suggested eyeing the boy a little wearily. His attention snapped to her.

"But I want to stay here with Mrs. Vann." He stated. He knew what she was doing. She was going to try and scare away the nice lady who wanted to adopt him. "You can't send me away." His little tirade ceased when a slender hand slid onto his shoulder. He turned his head and looked up at the woman smiling down at him.

"It's alright Tom. I'll sign the papers while you pack. Then I'll come fetch you." She smiled reassuringly down at him and squeezed his shoulder lightly. "Promise."

His nostrils flared slightly but he looked back to Mrs. Cole, leveled her a glare that the woman standing slightly behind him couldn't see before turning and leaving the room.

"So, where shall I sign?" Emilia questioned as she smoothed out her skirt and claimed the seat near the desk. She was so excited by the fact that she was going to be a mother! Even if she hadn't carried Tom for the first 9 months of his life, she was happy to rear him.

"Listen, I think there are some things you should know about Tom before you decided to adopt him or not."

The smile on Emilia's face fell and she looked startled over at the older woman before letting a defensive smile appear.

"Alright." She said as she folded her hands in front of her on the desk. She accepted some medical records and school records of Tom's and began scanning them. She smiled genuinely again.

"Tom really is a smart boy!" She said as she looked over his school records.

"Smart yes. Manipulative and sly as well."

Her blue eyes snapped up to the other woman.

"Surely not. He's not but a child, barely out of kindergarten. Just because he's a little ahead of other children his age doesn't mean he's manipulative."

"You haven't had to live with the boy. He is. He's quiet and smart, but he draws people in. Last year while at school a little girl fell from the monkey bars and broke her wrist."

Emilia's eyes narrowed.

"Surely you can't think Tom,"

"He,"

She set the folder down and leveled a hard stare at the other woman.

"Was Tom near the girl?"

"Well, no."

"Then how can you blame him for something he obviously didn't do?"

Mrs. Cole did her best to look sheepish at the woman's harsh tone. It would seem already the woman was under Tom's control. Either that or they were cut from the same cloth.

"Tom wasn't there but Tom has a sharp tongue. He's had other children do some bad things."

Emilia rolled her eyes.

"Listen Mrs. Cole. I may not have children of my own but I helped raise my sisters children. Children do bad things. It's part of growing up. They are not perfect little angels, as much as we would like to believe they are. They can be just as cruel and malicious as adults. But unlike adults they are easier to remold. It is our jobs as adults to help these children learn right from wrong. If Tom has done things that are not to be smiled upon well…as far as I am concerned they are in the past." She stated matter-o-factly. "The moment he becomes my son he will be going with me with a blank slate. I will teach him right from wrong. Correct any bad behavior he may have picked up while living here." She sighed and reached her hand out. "Now Mrs. Cole. Please. I have spoken with Tom and he is a very charming boy. I would very much like to adopt him."

Mrs. Cole sighed heavily before handing over the papers.

"Alright."

Tom sat near the window gazing out sharply. He had a sinking feeling that it had happened again. Mrs. Vann was not the first person who had been drawn to him. But everyone before her had quickly abandoned all ideas of adopting him when Mrs. Cole got around to talking to them. All because he was a little…different. He wasn't even quite sure as to why he was different. Didn't understand everything that he over heard. But it made him angry. Bitter. He was just as good as those other children; better even. Why did he have to waste away in the dark?

He started and turned around as the door opened. He half expected it to be Mrs. Cole coming to tell him that there was a change of plans. He was mildly surprised to see Mrs. Vann enter all smiles.

She held up the folded papers and beamed down at him.

"The papers are all signed Tom." She said as she approached. She sat down on the end of the bed and looked at him. "I'm going to be your new mum." She said obviously deeply emotionally moved by the idea. Tom wasn't sure what to say. He was still in a bit of shock. "But don't worry. You don't have to call me Mum, and I don't expect you to."

He nodded. She stood and looked down at him. He gazed back curiously. She seemed to be expecting something but what he wasn't sure. She smiled and approached, leaning down slightly and wrapping her arms around him.

His eyes widened; surprised by her gesture. She released him a moment later, saving him the awkwardness of not knowing how to return the gesture.

"Alright. I'll help you with your things." She said as she picked up one of the two small bags from the side of the bed. "Is this everything?" She asked. He nodded and she grinned.

"Alright. Then we're off. Say goodbye Tom." Emilia said as Tom followed her down the walkway. He paused right outside of the gate and looked back at the dark square building. He felt the woman's presence beside him. "You'll never have to come back here again."

The faintest of smiles graced his features and he turned and looked up at her.

"I don't want to say goodbye."

"Oh?"

"This part of my life no longer matter. Why not just forget about it?"

Her smile returned.

"Well put." She reached out her free hand. He looked at it a moment before shyly taking it. Her long slender fingers wrapped around his. "Lets go."

Authors Note: Okay this chapter is the shortest of this story. I promise. The other chapters will be much, much longer. 5 Pages at least from this point on.