Christmas Morning

Eliza's POV

I woke up as Olly rolled over in my arms, his knee going into my stomach. We'd been here only a few days and where it was a nice place, it wasn't home. I didn't see Olly very often as they tried to start separating us ready for the future. It wasn't until last night that I discovered how hard it was for Olly. He'd made friends with a few of the kids in this place. He came into my room, late in the evening, crying.

Flashback

I heard crying coming from outside my door and a gentle rap on the door. Opening the door, I saw my little brother sitting on the floor with his little teddy Bella and Edward got him for his birthday. I scooped him into my arms and sat on my bed with him.

"Hey. It's okay Olly. I got you. I got you."

"I miss you Eliza. Why can't I see you more?"

"I miss you too Olly, but I'm moving soon and it's easier this way. I don't like it either but we have to do this. You'll understand why in a few years but for now, do you want to stay with me tonight?"

"Can I?"

"Of course. I'm not letting you go anywhere."

"I love you Eliza."

"I love you too Olly. Get some sleep."

"Don't leave me."

"I won't Olly. I won't."

I held him to me until he fell asleep.

End Flashback

"Wake up Olly. It's Christmas."

He rolled over so he was facing me, his eyes fluttering open.

"Merry Christmas Olly."

I kissed the top of his head pulling him to me.

"Merry Christmas Eliza."

His little arms, wrapped around my neck as I held him to me.

"Why don't you get dressed and we can go out in the snow Olly? We can make a snowman like last year."

"Yeah and we can use a sticks for arms, a carrot for a nose and stones for eyes and a mouth."

"Of course Olly; it's not a snowman unless it has eyes and a mouth. What are you going to call him this year?"

"Edward."

I smiled down at him sadly.

"You need to forget about Bella and Edward. I'm going to find you a new mom and dad. Ones that can give you the care you deserve."

"But I want Edward and Bella to be my daddy and momma. They can take care of me."

"I know you do Olly, but they can't, they have their own baby to look after. We can't stay with them any more Olly. Can we just enjoy the Christmas today Olly?"

"Okay Eliza. I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry Olly. Go get dressed and I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"See you in a minute Eliza."

"Okay Olly. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Eliza. I love you."

"I love you too Olly."

He scrambled from the bed and ran out the door with his teddy hanging in his hand. After a while, I sighed and got ready for the day. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw my social worker and the head care worker of this place drinking coffee.

"Merry Christmas Eliza."

"Merry Christmas Shirley, Julia. What are you doing here?"

"Why don't you get your breakfast and we'll talk in the office. Who knows who could be listening?"

"What is it?"

"Nothing to worry about."

"I'll come now."

"Okay Eliza. Come on."

Following her through the house, I watched the young children running round with new toys, laughing and talking together.

"Eliza, where are you going?"

"Julia needs to speak to me quickly. Celia will help you get your breakfast then I'll be back to play outside, okay Olly?"

"Are you in trouble Eliza?"

"No, it's nothing like that Olly. Don't worry about it. I'll be back in a minute okay?"

"Okay Eliza."

"Good boy Olly."

I waited until he disappeared into the kitchen before going into the office.

"I know you and Olly want to stay together and we are trying our best to find couples that would foster the both of you, but you need to understand that it's difficult."

"I understand Julia. As long as you find some where safe for Olly to go, I'll be happy."

"I'm glad to hear it, but I've found a couple who are looking to adopt and they said they would give the both of you a chance. They are a nice couple and would take care of you both very well. Would you consider going to meet them this morning?"

"Why today?"

"They're going away tomorrow and would like to meet you before then. I really think this is the best opportunity for you to be together. There aren't that many couples out there looking to foster or adopt and to find a couple that would consider two children is near impossible."

"I'd do anything to stay with Olly, but I don't know anything about these people. What are their names? How old are they? Where do they live? Do they have any other kids?"

"Calm down Eliza. I wouldn't set up this meeting unless I was certain that they are good people. They are both in their late 20's, live in Forks and they don't have any other kids. As for their names, I'll let them tell you that. Don't worry though. They are the nicest people I may ever meet."

"When is the meeting you set up?"

"At ten. We'd have to leave in an hour and a half."

"Can I think about it?"

"I'll give you an hour. If you have any questions or doubts come and speak to me."

"Thank you Julia. I'll think about it."

"Okay. I wouldn't set this up if I didn't trust these people."

"I know Julia."

Walking out of the office, I saw Olly, sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast and talking to Dylan. I stood in the doorway watching him as I thought over my options.

I could go and see this couple alone, but miss Christmas with Olly. We could go together and risk the chance of wasting Christmas altogether. Or neither of us go. One way or another today would change our lives. If we were to go we could find new parents and stay together. If we don't go we may miss out on this chance of a new family. I want to be with Olly no matter what but do I take the chance of meeting these strangers without even knowing their names?

"Eliza, you're back. Can we go outside now, please?"

"Of course Olly. Go and get your wellies and coat on then we can go outside."

"Thank you Eliza."

"No problem Olly."

He ran out and threw his coat and boots on, jumping up and down. With a snowman in front of us, I sat down, pulling Olly into my lap. Sweeping the hair from his eyes I smiled down at him.

"Olly, I love you and I'd do anything to make you happy, but, I want to stay with you. It will be difficult for us to stay together but I'm going to do what I can."

"What's wrong Eliza?"

"Julia says she's found a nice couple that might look after us."

"We'll get a new momma and daddy?"

"Yeah, and we can stay together but I don't know what these people will be like. I don't know what to do Olly, so I thought, because this affects you. What do you want to do? Do you want to go meet them?"

"I don't know. If it means we can stay together and have a new momma and daddy, why not give it a try? Nothing bad will happen. If it doesn't work we can just come back here and try again."

"You're right Olly. When did you get so smart?"

"Thanks Eliza."

"Come on Olly. We need to go inside before we get too cold. Are you sure you want to meet them?"

"Yeah. When?"

"Today. Julia said their going on holiday tomorrow and they want to meet us before they go. We still get to spend Christmas together, just with some other people. If you want to leave at any point tell me and we can come back here."

"Okay Eliza. I love you."

"I love you too Olly. Come on."

I picked him up into my arms, placing him on my hip and walked inside. Half an hour later we climbed into the car with Julia and headed back to Forks.

"Now, I know this is the first time for you two, but I think you'll have a great time. We don't set these meetings up for nothing you know. The couple is one of the nicest you'll ever find. Just be yourself and they'll love you."

"Thanks Julia. This means a lot to me. To us."

"Thank you Julia."

"That's okay Olly. It's my job to make sure my kids are happy and properly cared for."

As we drove into Forks I couldn't help but gaze out the window as we drove past our old house, Bella and Edward's apartment and the school.

"Where do they live?"

"On the outskirts of Forks. They have a house, in the trees. They like the peace and quiet."

"Okay."

"We'll be there any minute."

As she said that she turned onto a stony driveway hidden by the trees. It took just over a minute before we left the trees to see a large three story modern house. I vaguely saw two figures walking to the door and stopping on the other side. I climbed out of the car and scooped Olly into my arms, holding him close to me before turning back to the door.