There Is Enough To Go Around

Chapter 3

It was nearly five o'clock, and the whole family anticipated the little girl. The teenagers are all in their respective bedrooms, and Stef and Lena preparing dinner. Both mothers nervously cut up vegetables and prepared the lasagna. Could they do this? Was it even smart to bring a toddler in at this time? Before they could let their thoughts get the best of them and maybe try to get out of their decision, the doorbell rang.

Lena wiped her hands on a dishtowel, Stef already on her way to open the door. Bill stood awkwardly at the door, a small backpack in his right hand, and the precious little girl holding his left hand. She was very small and looked as if she was a bit malnourished by the looks of her thin arms and the lack of color of her cheeks. But she was probably one of the prettiest children either woman had seen. Her light blues shined brightly, her dark brown hair, which could be debated on if it was black if wet or hidden in the shade, brought out most of the blueness of her beautiful eyes. However, the timidness and absolute look of horror soon took the mother out of awe of her beauty. She suckled hard on the little lime green pacifier in her mouth, while her wide eyes looked warily in the new environment. Lena was the first to approach the pair.

"Hello, Bill."

"Hi...thank you so much for having her...she had stayed at the hospital the last couple of days, making sure she was completely healed from the accident."

"So she is fully recovered?"

"Yes, she has some stitches on her side though, so be wary of that. There's already an appointment made for you guys to take her in the following week."

"What is her name? I don't think that was ever brought up." Stef laughed, as she continued holding the front door open.

"Mila. Mila O'Malley."

"Is there anything else we should know before we take over?" Stef decided to take over the conversation, seeing her wife was entranced with the toddler at Bill's side.

"Well, as you can see, she is very shy and from what I have heard from the neighbors, her mother was a bit paranoid of the outside world, and rarely left. They lived in poverty, though the father sent money, the mom didn't work, hence why Mila is so small. No abuse shown..."

Bill stammered, before being interrupted.

"Anything a little more personal to this little beauty? Sleeping patterns, eating habits..." Lena spoke up, looking at the social worker.

"Oh well, I am not fully sure. I haven't known her that long. Other than her being very quiet, she is not potty trained, and that pacifier keeps her from crying all day. The nurses said she hadn't stopped crying until that was put in her mouth."

"Oh, the poor girl..." Lena said as she gazed back at Mila. Lena longed to touch her, wrap her in her arms and rock her until the girl knew she was safe, but by the look on Mila's face, the toddler was already uncomfortable with Lena being so close.

"She will warm up to us I am sure...all the others did eventually. Even Miss Thing and I thought she was mute when she first arrived." Stef joked, hoping to calm her and her wife's worries about the insecure child. Would the girl trust them? She was so young, and it seemed her mother taught her to fear everyone but her.

"I am sure she will...well here is her things, though it isn't much. Some funds to start supporting her...and I will be in touch with you guys in about a week or so to check progress and the report on how everything is going." Bill finished, as he let go of the toddler's hand. Mila didn't look eager to grab Bill's hand again, but she didn't seem too thrilled to be left by a somewhat familiar face and staying with yet again another pair of strangers. Once Bill left, Lena turned to the young girl and offered her arms out.