It was the following week and Ellie now really relaxed with her aunt's company. She was so relieved to be living with someone who cared for her. It was nice to be a child again. She loved how her aunt always put her first. Her aunt was on nights next week and had explained that Ellie would be staying at Faith's as Stevie didn't feel comfortable with her sleeping on her own.
"I'm away to have a shower" Ellie stated as she stood up from the sofa. Stevie nodded. She was so glad that the girl wasn't worrying and asking for reassurance all the time. She thought back as to how far the girl has improved recently and was so proud of her.
"Stevie!" Ellie shouted almost half an hour later. Stevie was pulled from her thoughts and ran to the bathroom.
She instantly tried to open the door. She was expecting it to be locked but it was not. She opened the door and noticed Ellie with a towel wrapped around her and a panicked face.
"It won't stop bleeding" Ellie cried.
"What did you do?" Stevie asked running over to the girl. The blood looked a lot worse with the water mixing. Stevie quickly grabbed some toilet roll and rolled it before holding it firmly on the girl's leg.
"Hold it here whilst I go and get you plasters" Stevie said and Ellie nodded, doing what her aunt asked. Stevie quickly returned and patched Ellie up.
"Put your jammies on and then come through for a chat" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded. She looked down not even wanting to see her aunt's face. She was so embarrassed now.
"Come here" Stevie said opening her arms as she lay on the sofa.
"Fancy telling me what that was all about?" Stevie asked and Ellie shrugged. She wasn't in the mood to talk. She looked down nervously.
"What were you trying to do?" Stevie asked. She knew the answer but wanted the girl to reply.
"Wanted to shave my legs" Ellie admitted nervously. She muttered under her breath.
"I can understand why you might want to but why didn't you just ask me?" Stevie asked not understanding what the big deal was about. Ellie shrugged. She really didn't want to speak.
"Why are you being so difficult? I don't understand" Stevie snapped. "How exactly did you think I would react? Surely it would have been easier just to ask me?"
Stevie put her hands through her hair. She was yet to snap at Ellie and was frustrated with herself for snapping over something so small. She knew how fragile the girl was. None of it was her fault, it was clearly the trauma. Ellie rolled up into a ball and was shaking in fear. She hadn't meant this.
"Oh Ellie, I really didn't mean it. I'm sorry" Stevie said trying to get the girl to unravel but she was failing. Ellie shook her head and tried to roll away from her aunt staying in a tight ball. She ran curled over to the bedroom and closed the door behind her.
Stevie instantly felt really bad. She could only last 10 minutes before she had to go and check on the girl. She couldn't wait any longer.
"Ellie" Stevie said creeping into the bedroom. She saw the girl crying into the bed and instantly lay down and pulled her into her arms. The girl was overheating on the bed.
"Come on through to the living room" Stevie said as she tried to get the girl to sit up. Stevie managed to pick the girl up and carried her to the living room.
"What was it I said? I'm so sorry" Stevie said wiping the girl's hair off of her face as it was sticking from the tears and sweat. Ellie was sniffling trying to stop crying.
"Come on, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that I know it must be so difficult for you to have someone to talk to. I understand that to a young person that speaking about anything relating to puberty is embarrassing. I just wanted it to be different for you, I don't want you to feel that way" Stevie tried to explain.
"I'm just not used to having someone. I've been so used to not having anyone to speak to. I find it tricky to change my way even though you do everything correctly" Ellie admitted, and Stevie nodded.
"I understand and I will do anything I can to help you" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded. She snuggled into her aunt and took a deep breath. She needed to speak to her aunt, but she just didn't know how to do it.
"I know there is something that you want to say. What can I do to help you?" Stevie asked finding it hard that she couldn't help the girl.
"I did it because of something that was going over and over in my head. It was something John said'" Ellie admitted nervously. She wasn't sure what to expect from Stevie.
"Do you want to tell me what he said?" Stevie asked encouraging and Ellie nervously hid herself in Stevie. She just needed some time.
"Is it what you didn't want to tell the officer last week?" Stevie asked remembering the girl saying something was too private. Ellie nodded and Stevie sank back into the sofa. She had absolutely no idea what it could be.
"You can tell me when you are ready. I'm not going to push you" Stevie explained softly as she stroked the girl's hair.
"I did want to shave my legs but that's not the main thing" Ellie admitted.
"Do you want to start by telling me about the legs then?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded.
"I just noticed that they were getting hairy, and it was darker, so I wanted to get rid of it" Ellie admitted, and Stevie nodded.
"That's a part of puberty, you get hair on your legs and under your arms" Stevie explained, "Do you want to shave there too?"
Ellie thought for a minute before nodding.
"No problem. I'll show you what to do. I'll also show you how to shave your legs properly as well. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can put a swimming costume on" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded. She liked the sound of that.
"Have you noticed hair anywhere else?" Stevie asked softly and Ellie looked up at her nervously.
"Is it pubic hair?" Stevie asked softly sensing the girl's embarrassment. The blank look told Sam that the girl didn't know what she was on about.
"Hair near your vagina?" Stevie asked and instantly Ellie hide in Stevie and the tears started and just wouldn't stop.
"Is that what this is about?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded. Stevie gave Ellie some time knowing that the girl just needed comfort.
"John told me that because I had hair there that he could do more things to me now" Ellie admitted, and Stevie held the girl even closer.
"I want to get rid of it. I don't want to think about it. I just end up thinking of him" Ellie explained, and Stevie nodded. Previously, she felt that if the girl had asked her to shave there, Stevie would have said no but she understands the reasoning for it and if it just helped Ellie, even just a tiny bit then she was willing to do it.
"You can if you think it will help but I want to be near. I need to talk you through it, I just don't feel comfortable with you doing it when I'm not around, you are too young. We can talk about options" Stevie explained, and Ellie thought for a moment before nodding. She'd let her aunt help her.
"Shall we nip to super drugs?" Stevie asked, and Ellie nodded.
"Would you also get me a swimsuit?" Ellie asked and Stevie nodded realising that she would probably need it at the most inconvenient time so they might as well get it now.
They quickly jumped in the car and it didn't take long for them to reach the shopping centre. They decided to go to super drugs first. Stevie wanted to get some more toiletries at the same time and let Ellie pick some things as well.
"Can I maybe get just a little bit of make up?" Ellie asked and Stevie agreed. She helped the girl find some foundation, powder, blusher, and clear mascara. She loved seeing the girl's face light up and she was happy for the girl to wear that.
They found new shampoo and conditioner before deciding which body wash they liked best. Stevie loved listening to the young girl's opinion and making her feel included.
"I think you'd be best to trim the area rather than fully shave, do you feel okay with that?" Stevie asked as they looked at all the shaving cream and razors. Ellie thought for a moment before nodding.
"If it doesn't turn out to be enough or you aren't happy though, I want you to let me know" Stevie said and Ellie nodded. She was so relieved as to how relaxed her aunt was about all of this.
"Do you want to go shopping or I was thinking maybe you could do a Shein spree on my phone?" Stevie asked and Ellie's face lit up.
"Guess it is the second option then?" Stevie said and Ellie nodded. She definitely agreed with that.
"Do you want to go home now, or is there anything else you want to look for?" Stevie asked.
"Home now please" She explained.
They room arrived home and Ellie pulled her aunt onto the sofa. She looked at her aunt's phone and started looking through clothes.
"So I definitely need some swimsuits. Maybe one bikini and one swimsuit?" Ellie asked and Stevie nodded. She let the girl pick from the kids section and ensured that she was happy with the choices.
"I like the two piece as it goes well together" She explained and again Stevie nodded. She was slightly surprised by what the girl was going for. She was being careful with money but still picking quite a few options.
"I didn't think you were that girly" Stevie questioned noticing the skirts and dresses being added.
"I kind of feel different now. Like a bit happier and more me. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed to be me. I can wear tighter clothes and not feel like yuck" Ellie admitted and Stevie smiled pulling the girl into a tight hug.
"Can I get a couple more bras? These ones on Shein are a bit different" Ellie asked and Stevie agreed before helping the girl picking a suitable size.
"Oh no, that is way too much" Ellie panicked as she went to her basket to see that the total came to over £200.
"Honestly, I'm more than happy to buy that for you" Stevie explained, "It includes lots of clothes that you need".
Ellie nodded but began to feel bad. She shook her head and reminded herself that she didn't need to feel bad because her aunt was treating her. She deserved to be treated.
"Do you want me to show you how to shave your legs and armpits?" Stevie asked as it moved into the evening. Ellie thought for a moment before nodding.
"Right, just keep your underwear on if it makes you feel more comfortable" Stevie said before she started running the bath. Ellie watched her aunt slightly nervously before stripping off to only her underwear and climbed in the bath when instructed.
Stevie took time talking to the girl and explaining to her the best way to shave. She helped her shave under her arm as the girl still had her arm in a cast.
"Right, it sounds weird, but it might be easier for you to trim your pubic area on the toilet because then you can flush the toilet afterwards and it won't get everywhere. You can then wash the toilet straight away as well" Stevie explained and Ellie nodded.
"Listen, I will be right outside the door, if you need my help shout. If needed I will come into the bathroom. Honestly, I don't care about seeing you there" Stevie said and Ellie nodded. She knew that she could trust her aunt.
Stevie closed the door and waited on her niece. She listened carefully through the door not wanting the girl to be scared if she didn't reply.
"Stevie," a call came through. Stevie instantly stood up.
"I've changed my mind, I want your help. I don't know if I can go closer and then I'm shaking. Would you help me?" Ellie asked and Stevie nodded opening the door.
"Hey, no need to worry. I'm here to help" Stevie said instantly trying to make the girl feel better. Ellie nodded, she was embarrassed but was really trying not to show it. Her aunt was always so kind and supportive to her.
"I also forgot how tricky this would be with only one hand" Stevie said as she helped her niece. Ellie stayed quiet but did exactly as her aunt asked her.
"Thank you so much" Ellie said, and Stevie smiled.
"No problem at all, I said I would help you, didn't I?" Stevie said and Ellie nodded.
They walked through to the living room and snuggled on the sofa.
"So I'm about to start working nights but I don't want you to worry. I don't sleep the whole time so please don't feel that you can't text or call me. On Monday, you are starting your new school so I will take you there like we planned. You are staying at Faith's house just so that the girl's are around to help you if needed" Stevie explained and Ellie nodded.
"On Wednesday, you have an appointment at 3 o'clock at outpatients to check how your wrist is healing. I will write you a note and pick you up early from school" Stevie explained and again Ellie nodded.
"Anything else?" She asked and Ellie shook her head. She liked how her aunt always made sure to include her in her conversations.
"I'm also going to have a little look at holidays. I'm hoping that maybe Faith and I can get a week off together and we can take you and her children away on holiday. How does that sound?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded.
"I like that idea, I've never been on holiday before" Ellie admitted and Stevie pulled the girl tight into her arms.
"Well, that is going to change" She explained as she held tightly onto the girl and made sure that the girl was happy, safe and comfortable before she felt the girl drifting off to sleep.