Disclaimer: I do not own the Unicorn Chronicles, the name Hunter, nor anything but my ideas and my computer.
The car, when she saw it, actually managed to give Tessan pause, startled by the sight of the sleek black machine, the tinted windows hiding the inside from view. Rose held the back door open for her, and the ten year old hesitated for a moment, before succumbing to her curiosity and clambering into the back seat. The seats were pale leather, but they had been covered in some kind of soft, dyed fur. It was so silky; Tessan couldn't help but run her fingers through it. Snuggling into it as she buckled her seat belt, she grinned at the two adults watching her, which made the two of them smile.
"Dear, I hope you don't mind if we make a few stops before going home. How about ice cream to make up for it?" Rose's kind voice floated from the front seat, and Tess's eyes lit up at the thought, nodding vigorously until Rose laughed at her excitement.
By the time they finally made it to the Hunter's rather out of the way house, Tessan couldn't remember why she felt so cautious earlier. In addition to the ice cream, they had gotten her a stuffed bear, and a new dress that brought out the blue in her eyes. The house itself was practically a present, as they guided her through the hallways and rooms, before leading her into the room obviously decorated just for a ten year old girl.
The pink and gold comforter set matched the golden sashes hanging from the curtain rods. The view from the windows was of the big yard, stretching out to the horizon. Even the closet already had clothes in it for her. Had her manners not been ground into her brain, Tessa's mouth would have fallen open.
'...For me?' She signed slowly, as if expecting this to be a big prank. The couple smiled and laughed, nodding the affirmative. And they knelt down to hug her back as she bounded towards them with open arms, lips open in a silent laugh of joy.
Once they left her to get ready for bed, Tessa threw herself onto the mattress with abandon, sinking into the plush warmth and praying that she wouldn't wake up in the orphanage. Surely this had to be a dream.
I couldn't believe my eyes the next morning – no really, I thought I was dreaming. The sun woke me up, and I sat up to find gold light streaming into the room. It was like a fairy tale. Was I a princess? Was this a castle? If this was a dream, could I speak?
Apparently, it wasn't a dream, because I opened my mouth to sing – a princess would have a lovely voice, right? – but nothing came out. No matter how hard I tried, there was no pretty tune. For the first time, I wasn't disappointed by the lack of music. My heart was singing as I bounded from the bed, slipping into the softest cotton robe I'd ever felt and slipping down the stairs.
Rose – Mum? – greeted me with a smile, and a "How did you sleep, Tessan?" I flung my arms wide before signing 'Wonderful!' with a big grin. Made bigger by the smell of bacon frying as we both walked into the kitchen. Jasper – dad? This would take getting used to – greeted Ro-Mum with a kiss on the cheek, and me with a tweaked nose and a smile.
I don't know how I managed to keep my manners about me during that breakfast. French toast, bacon, orange juice…I felt like one of those kids in a commercial.
Looking back at that first week…I should have known it was too good to be true.