"On the first floor there are the living room, the kitchen, the laundry room and the dining room. The dining room is really big, and I was thinking about making build a wall in the middle to have two rooms. So that, I'd have a playing room for Betsey." she told the social worker, a young woman who looked nice.

"Upstairs there are my bedroom with the bathroom and another bathroom, that would be all for Betsey. There are two guest rooms, one of which will of course be hers."

"Alright." Ms. Stevens said, writing something on her paper. "I'll ask you some things now. May we sit down?"

"Surely." she said pointing to the bordeaux couch.

"Why did you decide to adopt Betsey?"

"I've always wanted a baby. At first, I didn't feel ready, and I told myself that it was enough seeing babies everyday for work. Then I went through a rough time, when I got divorced."

"Can I ask you when this happened?"

"Seven years ago."

"Okay."

"Six years ago, I found out I was barren. It shocked me, because I thought I would be able to get pregnant whenever. But, I was single, so I kind of ignored it. A few years ago, I had a relationship with one of my colleagues who has a son... when we broke up, I felt terrible without Lucas."

"Lucas was his kid?"

"Yes. Anyway, I still see him when he's at work with his parents, and I often baby sit him."

"You knew Betsey's parents, am I right?"

"I used to work with her father. You know, he really was a good father to her. She was so sweet..."

"Are you aware of her situation? Betsey's mother was a drug-addict, and both of her parents died. Her aunt rejected her. That girl felt like she's been abandoned from everyone in her life."

"I know. They told me she made her families send her back."

"Yes."

"Could I know what she did?"

"Those families claimed that Betsey never listened to them. She didn't do what they asked her to, and if they scolded her she talked back. You met her - knew her - as a sweet little girl, but I have to tell you that she's not like that now. She requires to do whatever she wants. And, in a few years she will be a teenager, and things will certainly become even harder. Betsey can be... infuriating sometimes."

"I understand that."

"Do you think you could handle it, Ms. Montgomery?"

"I'm sure about it."

"Why didn't you adopt her, three years ago, when her aunt took her here?"

"I guess it wasn't the right time. I'd just gotten in a relationship, and I couldn't ask my boyfriend to adopt a kid. I mean, I talked about it with him, but he didn't want to. And back then I wasn't willing to do it all by myself."

"Okay. Ms. Montgomery, I'm done here; we'll let you know."

"Alright. Thank you."

xxx

"I'm afraid they won't let me adopt her." she said collapsing in a chair of the conferences room.

"I think that at some point they'll ask Betsey what she wants to do." Pete answered her.

"Might be." she sighed, and at the same moment her cell phone rang.

"Hello?... Yes, it's me. … Okay. … Yes. … Yes, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes." she hung up. "I have to go pick up Betsey. She's staying with me for a trial of a month." she announced triumphant.

Pete smiled. "Do you want me to drive you there?"

"No, thank you. But tell the others.

x

"How are you feeling?" Addison glanced at the girl, who was sitting next to her in the car. She had decided to let her sit in the passenger sit for that time, to make her feel more comfortable. Though, she hadn't said a word yet.

Betsey shrugged.

"Are you looking forward to see Violet again?"

"No."

"Oh. And what about Lucas? He's all grown up now, he's four. He changed a lot. Like you."

She shrugged again, so Addison changed the subject. "Do you like the beach? I live exactly there, I'm sure you'll like it."

Again, nothing.

"Mmmmm... Would you rather go home immediately or stop by the practice?"

"Betsey, you need to tell me what you want to do, sweetheart. Because I don't know what I'm doing, it's all new to me. And... we're doing this together, so please... tell me what would make you feel better." she pleaded.

She shrugged one more time. "Your house, maybe."

"Okay." Addison smiled genuinely. "Let's get you home."

When they got to the house, Addison showed her around and offered her something to eat, that the girl took to her room barely speaking, and she locked the door.

"She locked herself in her room, Pete. And she doesn't talk. I didn't expect it to be that hard." she ran her fingers through her hair.

""Give her some time, Addison. It's all new to her." he tried to reassure her.

"Okay. Okay... I'm sorry for freaking out. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Addie. Anytime. You need me... I'm here."

"Thank you. Give Lucas a big kiss from me."

xxx

The next morning, Addison peeked into Betsey's room, smiling.

"Morning sweetheart." she said seeing the girl already up, sat on the bed.

She looked up, blankly.

"Did you sleep well?"

As usual, Betsey shrugged.

"I hope so. Are you used to have breakfast?"

"Only when I'm hungry."

"Are you now? I made french toast, and I have juice, milk, cookies..."

" 'm not hungry." she mumbled.

"Okay." she nodded. "Look, I have the day off today, would you like to do something?" she waited, for an answer, but decided to add details when it didn't come. "I could take you shopping, and then we could eat something out. Or we could go to the beach. Or do you maybe want to see your parents'..."

She didn't dare to say more, but the word 'graves' floated heavily over them.

Betsey lay down on the bed, pulling the sheets over her head.

"What about chocolate ice-cream? It's awesome if you're sad or scared."

The phone rang downstairs, and Addison hesitated before saying "I'll be right back."

"Aunt Addie!"

"Hey buddy!" she smiled happily. "Are you okay?"

"Aunt Addie, is she there yet?"

The redhead laughed.

"Yeah, she is. She's sleeping though." she said.

"Can I come later to play with her?" he asked hopeful.

"Not today, buddy. I'm sorry. But Betsey still needs to settle in the house, so..."

"Oh. Okay."

"I'm really sorry, buddy."

"Mommy wants to talk to you."

"Okay."

"Addison?" Violet's voice asked.

"Morning."

"I'm sorry, Lucas kicked me out of bed at half past six because he wanted to call you, and I menaged to make him wait till now."

"Awww, he's so sweet."

Violet laughed. "How is it going?"

"Good, we're all good."

xxx

"I have a gift for you." Addison said, appearing on the doorway a few hours later.

Betsey tried to hide a wave of curiosity, and stared at her blankly again.

She put a package on the bed, smiling softly, encouraging her to open it with her eyes.

Betsey slowly reached for it, and undid the light blue ribbon.

"It's a phone." she added when Betsey pulled it out of the box.

"It's not like the iPhone, but it's quite similar. I know that you're a bit young to have a phone, and that maybe at your school nobody will have it yet, but it's a way to call me if you need me and you're not with me."

Betsey stared at it, and Addison could tell that she liked it, even if she didn't want to show it.

Okay, here you are the second chapter :D Next one, coming soon, will be the last one. But, I was thinking about a sequel with Betsey teenager, lol. I would have a lot of fun writing it! I don't know when though, because as you should know I still have a lot of ffs to complete.

Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter like number one.

You make my day!