Hello Everyone and Welcome! Finally I was able to update at least one of my histories. As I said on the A/N I posted three days ago I had a awful week and I had to re-write everything. I tried my best with this chapter, I hope it worth the wait. I have to thank you all for your support and loving words, you made everything much easier. I really appreciate all your comments, Thank you so much! I hope you like this chapter.
Please, let me know what you think of this chapter!. Every suggestion, comment or review is very much welcome and appreciated!
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Thanks again for all your support and comments. I can't do this without you!
B. M. Adams
Xoxo...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from R&I. Just the plot and my Original Characters
Jane's P.O.V
May/06/2010
We had already finished the nine week training period, which passed horribly slow, a couple of month ago; the training wasn't that bad but it was mostly the same things we've already learnt by ourselves in the past eight years being mothers. But we indeed learnt thing that will probably help us. As to understand and not to judge, to be not overwhelming because as we had been told, this kids may had passed through a lot of things, bad things probably; to not push them to speak or open up, to let them come to us alone, to show that we love them, just as we love our own.
A phrase from the lecturer still rumbles on my head until today "There are not differences in love; love is love, in any of its ways… A family isn't made by blood, is made by love" It's just really meaningful for us, because of the path we're walking.
We've already being in a few meeting and interviews, no success yet. We knew since the beginning that this process wouldn't be anything closer to something easy. Our social worker, Trish already had sent us a few profiles based on our preferences, even though we marked the 'just for reference' box in our form, meaning that we wanted a kid with our specification, but we were still open to other possibilities; We had already met a few kids, but as the lecturer on the training said "You'll feel a connection, something you might be not able to explain…It's simply how its work, don't rush anything" Maura and I hadn't feel that so far.
We spoke with Trish yesterday, she told us by phone that she had found a 7 year-old girl that fulfilled our specifications on Hyde Park in 'Saint Mary: Group Home for Girls'. She said that we should meet and discuss about it. We agreed and met the next day to be informed.
"Maura, Jane, How have you been?" Trish asked politely, shaking hands with both of us.
"Great, anxious but great. How have you been, Trish?" Maura said with a beautiful smile plastered on her face.
"Fine, so here it is, this is the file" she said and handed us a folder full of papers from the kids on this group home, the first one was of course the one Trish wanted to show us, the first thing we saw was the picture of a little girl named Stefanie, shiny-hazel eyes and black straight hair, she was smiling but her eyes showed some sadness. We had seen this before, most foster kids are smiling, looking for someone that can give them what they'd lost, someone that can at least provide them with some love; for this kids, smiles aren't always a synonymous of happiness but a synonymous of possibility.
Maura searchethed the page completely while Trish and I were talking about the training and how is everything going at home with the kids and family about the fostering. After Maura finished she handed me the page and as she did I read the details of this kid. While I was reading I tried to grab my cup of coffee that I ended up spilling all aver the table, Maura managed to lift the folders before the coffee could stained them. "Oh my God, I'm sorry Trish" I said, looking pretty guilty. She just showed half a smile and waved away my apology.
Some of the pages fell from the folder due to the abrupt way Maura could take them out of the way of the coffee. I was picking the pages from the floor and one of them caught my attention, it was almost empty, just a picture of a sad-eyed looking teenager, who apparently had 15 years, but to me she looked like 13 or 14 years top, her features were pretty soft and her gaze had childlike shimmer, olive-green eyes and wavy light-brown hair, her smile was obviously forced because her eyes didn't participated into the happiness her smile showed. On the page appeared her birth-date, parents' names, blood type, some medical information, why she ended up in foster care and this one had a complaining note; must of the files had a little more of information, some personal information and hobbies and things they like, but this one just had the basics. I looked curious at Trish and couldn't resist the need to ask about this girl.
Trish noticed the questioning look in my eyes "That's Megan, she has been just 5 months in the system, nice girl but an unruly and insolent teenager as well" she just said, her face showed a little of annoyance talking about the girl. I handed the page to Maura, whose face was puzzled.
"Why is so little information about this girl?" Maura asked Trish curiously.
She sighed and took her glasses of "As I said before, she has been only 5 month in the system and she is a very reserve teenage girl" she simply said, wanting to avoid more questions about this girl. After this she stood up from the chair "Well, I have a few errands to run so I'll be going now, but tomorrow at 3 pm is our meeting at the group home. If there's any change, call me…Bye" she said, saying her goodbyes she walked away. Both Maura and I looked at each other confused by Trish attitude. It completely changed when we mention that girl, she always talked pretty good things about the children on her charge but this is the first one that she won't talk about. We were just wondering why.
We went home after this, the kids were with my Ma and they'll spend the afternoon there, probably making cookies or some unhealthy dish that Maura will probably disproof. This gave us a little time to discuss.
"She was acting weird today, don't you think?" I asked, mostly to myself.
"After we questioned her about that girl, yes, she became like annoyed more than weird, I would say" My wife answered "Now the question is to know why" she said right after, while she was changing her clothes into something more comfortable.
"She's intriguing, though" I said, looking at Maura who nodded her head affirmatively at me "Yes, she is" she just said.
"Well, tomorrow we can ask a little more" I said, getting out of the room towards the kitchen to make myself a cup of steaming hot coffee.
Maura stopped me from getting out of the room by grabbing my hand gently "Honey, I know that look on your eyes, you want to meet her, don't you?" she said; it amazing how she is the only person that can read me so easily, with just a glance she can know everything I'm thinking or feeling.
"I don't know; I'm just curious. How 'unruly' a teenager has to be to make you speechless about and to make you have that face at the mention of her name?" I said, referring to the annoyance her face showed when we asked further about the teenage girl.
Maura sighed "I'm curious too, but have to be sure about the next step we are going to take" she inquired.
"Honey, I'm not saying that we have to foster her, I just want to know why Trish acted so unlike her at the mention of that name" I said, rubbing my forehead with my free hand.
Maura pulled me a little more close to herself "Tomorrow we'll know… talking about it, we still up to meeting that girl Trish wanted us to meet, right?" She said, a little hesitant about it. The kid looked cute and happy but sometimes what your brains thinks it not what you heart wants.
"I think we should give it a shot, maybe this is the lucky strike for all of us" I said, kissing Maura's soft, yet perfect lips.
We separated "We should go down start preparing dinner, your mom and the kids will be here anytime soon" she said, grabbing my hand once again and leading me down the stairs, going into the kitchen. We made dinner in a rather beautiful silence, stealing kisses and loving glances in the meantime.
Megan's P.O.V
My alarm went off at 6 o'clock, same routine every day; wake up, classes, chores, sleep and the same every single day. It's been 5 month since I came here and nothing had change but me. Since the first couple's complaining note I had 3 interviews in all this time, none of those we're even close to be okay. Every couple was worst then the previous one. Of course, I had being a bit of an ass with everyone, just because I cannot imagine living with estrangers. The most amazing thing is that I managed to survive without my phone, Ethernet or some contact with the exterior, well I did have some contact, me and Jannet sneaked out a few more times after the first one on Christmas day.
I Went down after taking a shower and dressed up; breakfast was almost ready, so I just sat at the table and waited for the same sandwich or cereal we always used to have. As if I was able to predict the future that morning we had the same tasteless fake-cheddar and ham sandwich we had 4 times a week, the other 3 days the main menu was cereal.
After eating it was my turn to clean up the dining room and the kitchen, after I got used to this, it became less horrible and just annoying but after all I had nothing better to do. Finishing we had classes from 8 am to 1 pm with our governess or the evil version of Mary Poppins as we knew her, she had the same kind of dresses Julie Andrews used to use in the movie, her hair puller in a severe bun and awful high-pitch voice tone that gave me migraines once in a while. Right after finished classes Jannet, Kara and I went to the kitchen; it was our turn to make lunch
We cleaned and left the kitchen perfectly in order, when we were finishing two guys entered and took Stefanie with them, she had been sick for a while now, but no one really though I would require medical attention; it was just a persistent cough, they took her and put her into an ambulance to take into the nearest medical center.
Not much after we finished and I went up stair to have a most needed shower. I was walking upstairs when I saw the front door opening, Trish entered and behind her a two women couple entered, I just looked briefly and ran to the bathroom. I picked my things up from my room and got into the bathroom, turning the spray on.
In the last month I found my safe place on that group home, the bathroom; that was the only place I could be completely alone, where I could be my true self, outside that door I had to be strong, tough, indifferent, I had to shut my feeling down and to pretend not to care about nothing. The truth was that I was a young girl, who had nothing but the hope of getting out of there to feel like she worth something because the system makes you feel like you are just a file and some opinions, usually those aren't good.
Maura's P.O.V
Jane and I woke up early the next day; we had a lot of things to complete before our meeting with our possible new foster child. Jane helped Lilly to be ready for daycare while I helped Lucas for her day at school; he had an important project so I helped him to rehearsal it a little before school too. Breakfast went by quickly and after cleaning the kitchen we were ready to start out day.
"Ok, kids, you ready?" Jane said, grabbing the car keys from the kitchen island.
Both kid nodded, eager to go to their daily activities. "Did you brush your teeth?" I asked, knowing that Lucas tented to avoid that process often.
Lily once again nodded but Lucas did what he usually does, he pursed his lips and looked away from my gaze "Ok, little man, go upstairs and brush your teeth, quickly" Jane answered right after. He did as told and ran upstairs, coming down a few minutes after, smiling and showing his shinning, fresh-cleaned teeth. "Ok, little guy, if you forget this tomorrow again, you'll not be able to use that hideous videogame of yours" I said commented and he made a little pout. We all walk outside and got in the car.
Leaving the kids on their daily activities we went to work, finishing everything as fast as we could to be able to get on time to our meeting at the group home. At 1:30 pm Jane met me on my office, I was finishing clearing my desk and ready to go, the group home was at least 45 minutes from the station, so we needed to eat a quick lunch and after head there right away.
We arrived to the place; it looked pretty old and unkempt to say the least. We got down of the car and approached to the door. Jane rang the doorbell and Trish came out of the door, she greeted us politely and let us in. We got in and the interior wasn't much better than the exterior but it was at least painted properly. When Trish closed I looked up and saw a teenage girl running upstairs, I couldn't recognize her at the moment.
"Hello and welcome" a nasal voice came from a woman walking through a door on the left of the room. When she stood in front of us she held her hand towards ours to shake them. So you must be Dr. Isles and you, of course detective Rizzoli" she said as we shake her hands.
"Yes, we are. You must be Miss Tales, nice to meet you" Jane said politely at her.
She nodded her head "Yes, I am, Likewise. Please call me Agatha" she said, leading us to her office. We sat on the chair and behind us Trish entered into the office, with her phone on her ear.
"I'm so sorry, lady's but Stefanie is really sick and CPS took her to the hospital, she has pneumonia, unfortunately. We couldn't tell you before because they took her just 20 minutes ago" she said, not looking really worry for this girl.
"Oh my God, poor thing" I exclaimed, placing my hand on my chest.
"It's really a shame, I hope she gets better soon" Jane said, half a sad smile on her face.
"Well, when she gets better Trish will let you know when you can come to meet her. I'm really sorry about this, she seemed great for you two" she said politely, placing her hand intertwined on the desk.
"It's a real shame" Jane simply said. After this Trish' phone rang and she got out of the little room.
"So, Agatha. We saw a girl's file. Her name was… Megan, I think" I said and saw her smile disappearing from her face.
"Miss Ainswoth, yes. She's the newest here" she said, not giving any further information about her.
Jane looked at me concerned and puzzled "Hmm… we saw that in her file is not much information, why's that? She asked her, trying to understand why this people always changed their attitudes at the mention of the teenager.
"Well sometime takes a little more time to collect the information about the kids sent to us" she said, her voice turning darker than before.
"Is there any possibility to meet her?" I asked leaving both Jane and Agatha surprised. In Jane's face I could see a little smile drawing itself.
Agatha was stunned at my question "Hmmm…Yes, I think, we can arrange something" she said, a little hesitant about it. "May I ask why you want to meet her?" she asked.
Jane and I both looked at each other puzzled again; either of us understood why this was such an odd petition. "Because, we found her intriguing" I said drily at the old woman.
Agatha raised her eyebrows "Oh, she's not that intriguing, she's just and average teenager" she simply said. Her expression turning annoyed. "But if you really want to meet her, you can come next Thursday at 5 pm"
"Perfect, we'll be here" Jane said. She squeezed my hand and looked at me before she turned again and faced the Dean "Can we know why in her file was a complaining note?" she asked.
I saw how the woman in front of us sighed annoyed and rolled her eyes a bit. "On her first interview she has been mouthy and impolite. The couple felt attacked by her" she said. She started to type in her computer our next date. "Are you still up to meeting Stefanie when she gets better, ladies?" she asked.
"I think we can, yes" Jane answered first.
"Ok, Trish will let you know when she's better" she said, before looking at us and placed hands on the desk again "Well, we're done here, thanks for coming, see you next week" she stood up and held her hand to shake ours goodbye.
We said goodbye and started to walk towards our car "You know, every time we asked about that girl their faces and behavior change completely" I said to Jane, who was unlocking the car
"Yes, and every time we asked they say worse things about her" she said, putting her glasses on and siting in the driver's sit.
"That's also true" I stated, I sighed and buckled my seat belt "Maybe she's just defensive. You have to accept that that woman is insufferable" I said, referring to her voice tone and arrogance in it.
Jane chuckled a little a nodded "No doubt" she said while she pulled over and hit the road towards our home.
"But we can't be sure of anything until we meet her" I exclaimed after, not wanting to make guesses beforehand. "They might be saying the truth" I finished.
"I don't know, we've been known more things about the foster care system, and the more we've known the more we've discovered that the people in charge think that foster kids are worthless and disposable" Jane said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
I sighed deeply and rubbed my forehead "It's horrible, how this people think about these kids, their just that, kids. They just want someone that can love them and care for them" I said, my voice broken and sad.
Jane placed her hand on my tight "It's awful but hopefully we'll be able to give that to one of this kids, no matter if it's a teenager or a young kid" she stopped in a red light and looked lovingly at me, with a beautiful smile lighting her sharp features. I smiled back at her and placed my hand on hers, rubbing softly.
