The characters and the plots belong to Dolphinheart99, who wrote the entire original story, and to their respective owners. I got authorization from Dolphinheart99 to take some elements of her stories. I therefore own nothing, minus the names of my OCs. And for anyone wondering why, I explicitely asked for Dolphinheart99's consent to pick up elements of her stories and adapt them with mine, as I did with DieHardBrendan with his.
It was a cold December 2014 night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Everyone in the neighborhood was asleep, minus a blue-eyed dirty blonde three-year-old little girl wearing a pink nightgown with a silver whistle around her neck who was laying down by the fireplace. The little girl was named Valentina Grady and was waiting for her parents. But the more time went by, the more impatient Valentina was. But Valentina was different from other kids because she could talk to animals. But even if animals came to her, this toddler would giggle incontrolably like an idiot while plants close to her would grow or bloom near Valentina. Even if this situation was a bit strange, her parents kept Valentina's abilities a secret and therefore home-schooled Valentina to avoid other children being scared of her.
Speaking of her parents, her father was named Matt Grady. He looked a lot like his brother Owen Grady, albeit younger. While Owen was a Navy Corpsman in the US Marine Corps, Matt was an airline pilot before resigning and now working as an aerodynamics teacher at a nearby high school. Matt would also play with his little daughter but not teach her how to defend herself while Owen taught his own daughter Ava how to have a high self-esteem and self-defence, meaning Valentina was at a disadvantage when it came to defensive skills. Valentina was also a curious girl, but her curiosity always got the better of her, leading Valentina into huge trouble, like bringing a stry tiger at home or chasing a neighbor's pet dog. Valentina's mother, Alma, was a scientist who had married Matt due to the latter's sense of humor. Valentina loved her parents beyond anything conceivable and would stay by her parents no matter what, except to go to bed or going to relieve herself.
As she finished her drawing, Valentina heard footsteps from a blonde girl with a ponytail wearing a red sweater, brown pants and black cowboy boots named Abigail Starling. Abigail was living down the block alongside her brother Josh, having moved from their family's farm to study in the big city for college. Abigail was working as a babysitter for Valentina while her brother worked at a garage. They also kept Valentina's powers a secret due to them taking a liking at her. Abigail looked at Valentina and smiled.
"Hey, Valentina. It's past time for you to go to bed." Abigail informed.
"Pwease, Abigaiw. Can I stay up fow few mowe minutes? Mommy and Daddy pwomised me to wead a bedtime stowy." Valentina pleadingly asked while showing puppy eyes to Abigail.
Abigail then sweetly replied, finding Valentina too cute, "Okay. But don't forget your parents won't like it if they learn you stayed up very late."
Valentina then happpily yelled, knowing she could stay up, "YAY! THANK YOU ABIGAIW! YOU'WE THE BEST BABYSITTEW EVEW!"
"Oh snap! You're making me blush!" Abigail stated while looking at Valentina's drawing. "What is this?" she asked the toddler.
"This is a Ba-wo-sau-wus. They awe weally big pwant eatews that can eat the highest bwanches on twees. But they have stand on theiw hind wegs to gwab the highest weaves." Valentina replied.
Valentina loved dinosaurs so much so that she dreamed of going to Jurassic World with her parents just to pet them. And Valentina had stuffed dinosaurs in her bedroom and heard stories about her uncle and cousin, who both lived there since Valentina's aunt died after a five-year struggle against leukemia. But to meet Owen and Ava, Valentina had to wait a little longer since her parents were always busy with their job.
Then, Abigail said, "Alright, Valentina. I'll make your favorite hot coco while we wait for your parents."
Valentina excitedly nodded before Abigail went to the kitchen where she made the hot coco. Valentina then stood up and ran to the sofa, where she climbed and looked at the window, waiting for her parents. While Valentina was watching the illuminated streets, Abigail came back with the hot coco and gave it to Valentina. The toddler then blew the warm coco before drinking it one little sip after another while waiting for her parents. Valentina then looked at the window, hoping her parents would come home. But after a lenghthy wait, Valentina's parents still weren't home. Valentina then fell asleep with the empty mug next to her, prompting Abigail to pick her up and tuck Valentina into bed while Abigail went to wash dishes. But Abigail looked at the clock and was even more worried, since she knew Matt and Alma always came home on time unless they told otherwise.
Abigail then texted, 'Mr. and Mrs. Grady. I am texting this to inform you that you still aren't home. If you are busy tomorrow, I'll watch your daughter until tomorrow. Abigail.'
Once she sent her text, Abigail went to the couch and texted her brother she would stay at the Grady household since Matt and Alma still weren't back before seeing through the window that everyone was asleep. Abigail then fell asleep while waiting for an answer that never came. The next morning, Abigail woke up and prepared pancakes for breakfast. But she was worried that her employers still didn't come home.
Abigail then heard small footsteps and turned around to see Valentina coming into the kitchen, holding her stuffed yellow Utahraptor that she named Honey. Honey was actually custom-made by Matt and Alma, thus Valentina treasured this toy dearly and would talk to her as if it was an imaginary friend.
"Morning Valentina." Abigail greeted while helping Valentina to sit on a stool and get her breakfast.
Valentina yawned before greating Abigail, who was eating her breakfast. Abigail smiled at the toddler and was about to wash dishes when her cellphone rang. Abigail however expected to get a phone call and took her phone before going to the living room to answer it. Valentina was eating her breakfast, she heard Abigail speaking on the phone.
"Hi, it's Abigail Starling... Yes, I'm an acquaintance of both Mr. and Mrs. Grady and... Actually no, I'm their kid's babysitter... Uh-uh... What?! When did this happen?! " Abigail said.
Valentina stopped eating when she heard Abigail's voice through the door. Valentina then carefully got off her chair and went to the living room. She saw a shocked Abigail still taking on the phone.
"Thanks for informing me... I'll tell her... Thank you, Officer." Abigail replied before hanging the phone up. Turning around, Abigail froze upon seeing Valentina. "Valentina, how long have you been there?" she asked the kid.
"Not wong. Abigaiw. Who wewe you tawking with? What's wwong? And does he know whewe Mommy and Daddy awe?" Valentina asked as she came to Abigail.
Abigail then bit her lip worriedly before finally aknowledging to herself Valentina deserved to know the truth, as painful as it was. Bending towards the toddler, Abigail took a deep breath and hugged Valentina. But before Valentina could ask anything, Abigail let go and took Valentina's shoulders.
"Valentina, something happened to your parents." Abigail said.
"Awe they okay?" the toddler asked again.
Knowing her caller was actually a police officer, Abigail started, "No. Your parents have been caught in an accident and will never come home again."
Valentina's eyes widdened as she heard Abigail's words. Her mommy and daddy were gone? NO! They must be okay, they promised to come home! They promised! They have to be okay, they have to, they must! Valentina then began whinning as Abigail comforted the toddler the best she could. The caller was a cop who had been investigating the accident. The cop and two colleagues also found out what happened. Matt an Alma were driving home as usual when a truck hit them before crashing into a tree. The three cops later arrested the driver, who was found to be stinking with alcohol on charges of third-degree murder and drunk driving.
Upon hearing the news, Josh went to the police station to explain everything in the most minute details and help the cops give the bodies a real funeral. Abigail contacted Matt's brother Owen, Owen's daughter Ava and the Grady patriarch Nate. The three of them were pained, but never displayed it though.
Valentina cried until the day of the funeral, which was held in a cold and dry morning. That day, Valentina was alongside Abigail and Josh while Ava and her father were standing beneath a tree. Even Matt and Alma's colleagues, friends, bosses and students had all taken a day off to mourn them. Josh saw Ava wearing her favorite black beanie, a brown ERDL USMC shirt under a black trench coat, a pair of olive jeans and a pair of black combat boots. Valentina then place a red rose on her mother's coffin before placing a white one on her father's before Ava nodded to both coffins.
"Hey, Dad. Looks like the jocks won't be joking." Ava said referring the her uncle's students.
Owen and his father looked where Ava was looking and couldn't help but slightly chuckle before going home. Valentina then went towards Josh and Abigail before whining. Josh and several old friends of his were trying their best to comfort the toddler who was wearing her mother's favorite red scarf. And the scarf was now stained with tears as Valentina cried. Once the funeral was over, everyone went home. At er house Valentina's grandfather was unsuccessfully trying to comfort her. Owen and his daughter watched the scene unfold before Ava took her phone and read a text.
"Dad. Child Services just texted me. They found Uncle Matt's will." Ava announced.
"What?" Owen asked his daughter.
Ava then showed the text she got on her phone to her father. Owen read it aloud, getting everyone's attention, "Dear Owen and Ava Grady. Given that the two of you are responsible individuals, and given that you, Mr. Owen Grady, have managed to raise your daughter while working in the Navy then at Jurassic World, we are glad to announce you we entrust you for your niece's custody. And Matt's will explicitely states it."
Abigail realized Owen got custody over his niece from the start should things go haywire. But she and her brother still doubted Ava and her father could raise a toddler in a safe environment. As the Starling siblings looked at each other, Ava went in the garden before calling a man named Barry Sembène, a former French Foreign Legionnaire and her father's right-hand man. A few seconds after Ava dialled his number, Barry replied.
"Hello?"
"Barry, Dad and I need your help." Ava said.
"What did you do this time? Did you vandalize a police car by tagging the words 'Fuck Da Police'?" Barry answered, knowing how troublemaking Ava was as a teenager.
"Listen, Barry. Had no freaking time to vandalize anything. But you were close anyways." Ava replied.
"Because you always have problems." Barry stated.
"Got it. But this time I'm balls deep in trouble against my will. My uncle and aunt got killed by a motherfucker called a drunk driver. They left their 3-year-old kid behind and Child Service got my uncle's will. So help me and Dad turn the guest room into a kid's one." Ava politely instructed Barry.
At the other end of the line, Barry was silent. Remembering that Owen's mother died from leukemia, Barry knew Owen's father, Nate, was left with his two sons to take care of the house after his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps after the Vietnam War. While Owen was the responsible older brother, Matt would be the gentle and naive younger brother, leading to Owen being a sort of substitute mother in the house. But when Owen's wife died as Owen was still in Iraq, Nate would babysit then 7-year-old Ava until Owen came back while Nate would visit from time to time. This lasted for four years, when Owen finally got honorably discharged from the US Navy.
Barry then sighed, "Okay. I will help."
"Thanks dude. Oh, and don't worry. The kid's gonna be fine." Ava said before Barry hung up.
Ava then came into the room and saw her father talking with a timid Valentina. Ava then came near her father and crouched to face Valentina. As Valentina was waiting for her hot coco, she saw Ava's face and clothing as the teenager smirked at Valentina.
"Wakie-wakie. Here's Ava!" Ava said.
Valentina then looked away from Ava, not understanding Ava was actually trying to get acquaited with her by mimicking the famous 'Here's Johnny' catchphrase heard in the movie 'The Shining'. Then, Ava said, "You're going to go live in Jurassic World. Here, you'll see big dinos and a lot of'em."
"Is it twue I will see dinosauws?" Valentina asked shyly.
Ava, her father and grandfather all nodded as an affirmative answer. They all knew Masrani, Owen's boss, had hired investigators and lawyers to convince Child Services to wait a little longer to see if Matt left a will or not. As it turned out, one of Masrani's hired investigators found Matt's will under his desk drawer and gave it to Child Services, thus convincing them of Owen's reliability as a parent.
A day later at Jurassic World, Owen, his daughter, Barry and some employees who felt they owed the two Gradies a solid were converting the guest room into Valentina's bedroom while Ava was building the armory so a child wouldn't reach it since the teenager knew how dangerous firearms were. Owen was finishing to turn his toolshed into a childproof place while Barry and some workers were building new furniture for Valentina's room.
Just then, a white Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG parked next to Ava's M151 MUTT. A redhead woman dressed in a white blazer anda white skirt came out of the car. Ava, her father, Barry and the other workers stopped working, having recognized Claire Dearing, the Park Operations Manager of Jurassic World. She was overseeing everything going on in the park while Simon Masrani, the owner of the park and CEO of Masrani Global Corporation, was busy elsewhere.
"Hey Claire. Do you need me to give this M4 back to the ACU?" Ava aked referring to a M4 carbine she borrowed from the Animal Containment Unit.
"No. I'm not here for the rifle. I'm here for your toddler cousin." Claire said in a genuinely sorry voice.
"Oh, looks like words spread fast over here." Owen remarked as he went to his daughter.
"Yes indeed. But I want to give you some advice to take care of your niece. First, don't make iddle threats. Second don't give in at their every tantrum. Third, be stern but fair. I know what I'm talking about since I did it with my two nephews." Claire benevolently advised.
"Gee. Thanks Claire. And I bet Masrani found my uncle's will." Ava said.
"Touché. This convinced Child Services to hand Valentina's custody over to your father." Claire informed.
Claire then went back to her car, leaving Owen, his daughter, Barry and the others to finish their work. The redhead then went into her car as Ava passed by and unloaded her M4 rifle and secured it before giving it back to none other than an ACU trooper who had come back for the rifle.