by Twila

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Copyright © 2008 by Twila. All Rights Reserved.

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Andy filled her in on what she had been told. “We’ll just come back when the papers come in and sign them.”

They took care of the paperwork and were just finishing when Lizzie came back. The headmistress wished them good luck, told Lizzie good bye and they headed back to the van.

Megan was excited. “You get to come now? How did that happen?”

Lizzie didn’t know either so she just shrugged her shoulders. Before Lizzie knew it, they were at her new house.

Andy took Lizzie’s suitcase. “We’ll show you your room and you can get unpacked.”

“Can I help momma?” Megan asked.

“In a minute, hon,” Andy smiled at her daughter.

Lizzie followed them all inside a large, two story blue and white house and then followed her new parents upstairs. She gasped when Andy showed her the room. “Is this mine?” she asked in awe, staring around the huge room. It was a light purple and obviously had been decorated for her, at least she thought as she looked around, because it had posters of books on the walls. She also had a set of bunk beds, one that was a couch and a whole bookcase, half full of books.

Andy and Allie exchanged smiles. “Yes, hon.”

Lizzie couldn’t believe it. “Does Megan sleep here too?” she asked, pointing at the bunk beds.

“No, Megan has her own room.”

“Oh.”

Andy and Allie gave her a minute to look around and then showed her the closet and bathroom that connected to Megan’s room. “We’ll let you get unpacked. Megan can bring you downstairs when you’re done and we’ll show you around the rest of the house.” Allie just smiled at the awed look on Lizzie’s face as she stared at her new bookcase.

Megan joined them and, after instructions from her mom’s, sat on Lizzie’s bed while Lizzie was looking at her books. “Do you like them? Mom had a great time picking them out. She loves books too. She said you did.”

Lizzie was just stunned. The bookcase was half full of books and most of them she hadn’t read. Lizzie really wanted to start reading right now, but knew she had to unpack. She stood up and headed toward her suitcase, laying it on the bed and opening it up.

“I’ll help you,” Megan said and they got busy putting everything away in the dresser and closet.

“We need to go shopping. She doesn’t have that many clothes and I need to get something for Monday for school. Her curriculum probably won’t come until Tuesday or Wednesday.” Allie commented as they headed back downstairs and settled the younger kids with a movie.

“Okay. Let’s show Lizzie around and then we’ll get everyone drinks and bathroom breaks before we head to the mall. That alright with you?”

Allie nodded and smiled.

Lizzie was given a quick tour of the upstairs by Megan, who should her the rest of the bedrooms and told her who had which rooms, before they headed back downstairs. Her new parents showed her the rest of the house and the back yard. Everyone had a drink and were told to hit the bathrooms because they were heading out again. They loaded up and headed to the mall. Lizzie was thrilled. She hadn’t been to a mall in years. She was also shocked to realize that they were shopping for her. She hadn’t had so many new clothes in years. It was a tiring day. After clothes, they hit a book store for her mom and then to a restaurant for dinner. After picking up a couple more things, they headed home. It was showers, baths and into pajamas for everyone. Brian and Katie were put to bed right away. Molly got to hear a story with Lizzie and Megan and then she was tucked in too. Lizzie and Megan were allowed to read a little while before bed.

“Can I draw in Lizzie’s room while she reads? Please?” she implored her mom’s as they were led upstairs.

Andy and Allie exchanged looks. “I guess if Lizzie doesn’t care and you are quiet, that would be fine.”

Megan looked at Lizzie eagerly. Lizzie smiled, thrilled not to have to be alone at the moment. “Yea. I’ll get my stuff.”

Andy and Allie walked Lizzie to her room. “Will you be okay in here tonight?” Allie asked as she followed Lizzie over to her bookcase.

Lizzie turned and looked at both her parents. “I’ll be fine,” she said softly, liking the idea that they were concerned about her.

“If you need us, come get us. Okay?” Allie insisted.

“Okay,” Lizzie whispered.

“You read for a while. We’ll let you know when it’s lights out.”

Lizzie grabbed a book as her parents left and Megan joined her.

“Where are you going to read?” Megan asked.

Lizzie hadn’t really thought about it. “I guess I’ll lay the couch down, then we both can fit on that.”

“Cool.”

They fixed the couch back into a bed and got situated. Lizzie immediately got immersed in her book, only occasionally looking up to see what Megan was doing. She was quite impressed with Megan’s drawings. She was very talented. It seemed to Lizzie that she’d barely gotten started when her parents came back to tell them it was time for bed. Her mom must have seen her expression.

“It’s been almost an hour. It’s time for bed. You can read tomorrow,” Allie sat down, smiling at the surprised look on Lizzie’s face at their appearance.

“Come on, munchkin,” Andy said to Megan, holding her arms out.

Lizzie watched in envy as Megan jumped into her momma’s arms and was carried through the bathroom into her room.

“Let me grab some sheets and I’ll help you make this,” Allie said, patting the bed. She headed out into the hall, grabbed what she needed and brought them back. Lizzie was waiting at the side of the bed and she helped make the bed. Once finished, Allie sent her to brush her teeth as she finished straightening up. Andy joined her as Lizzie was climbing back into bed. They tucked Lizzie in.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Allie corrected softly.

Lizzie stared at her a minute, realized they’d done that all evening, and softly repeated it.

“Thank you.” Allie smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek. Andy sat down beside her and did the same.

“Megan’s room is through the bathroom if you need someone. We’re just down the hall. Come and get us if you need to. Okay?” Andy added, not knowing that Allie had already told Lizzie this.

Lizzie nodded.

Andy let it go. They were all tired and had been too busy to actually sit down and fill Lizzie in on the rules. They’d hopefully get to that tomorrow.

Continued in Part 5

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