Arthur pov
"Oh for Christ sake tommy" I grumbled as I sat in yet another family meeting. My dear brother had decided i had to go to an orphanage in America. Apparently there had just been a fire so they had to rebuild which Tommy had agreed to pay for. Said he knew someone who as a kid used to live in that orphanage. He however couldn't go due to work so sent me. The man who doesn't have kids and am hardly trusted to look after my own nieces and nephews.
"Listen Arthur. Its important you go. I trust you to visit the orphanage, act as if you care and sign the papers so the money can be transfered" he explained
"How am I going if it got burnt down then ay?" I asked
"The sisters and children from the orphanage that burnt down have moved into another for the time being. But it's very cramped and money is scarce so they need to rebuild and fast" Tommy told me. I tried to object but he ended the meeting before I could even get a word in. I really didn't want to go but I knew I would look like a dick if I didn't
So the next day, I got a ferry all the way to America. Took me forever and the journey wasn't the best. But the sooneri get there and give em the money, the sooner I can leave. I've also been told no getting drunk around the children. Some of them have fears of it due to bad pasts which is exactly why they are in there. I planned to drink anyway but I soon realised that it wouldn't be fair on the kids. They've been through alot and the last thing they want is for me to traumatise them
It took 2 whole days but at 10am on a Saturday morning, I finally made it to the orphanage. There were children playing outside, running around chasing one another. Some fighting, some laughing. But it was nice to see although made driving alot more stressful. Thought I was gonna run over the buggers.
"Mr shelby. So glad you could make it. I'm sister Anna" a woman in her mid 40s introduced. I shook hands with her and she lead me inside. There were even more kids indoors than there were out. God they needed that new orphanage fast. It was very crowded and I could see a few kids dangling from things they probably shouldn't be dangling from.
"Sister Anna, Wilba is stuck up the tree again" a little girl who looked about 6 ran in. Her face held worry whislt her hair was a long blonde mess. Clear she had been out all morning running in the wind. When she saw me, she grew shy
"Excuse me Mr shelby. I'm afraid I must go retrieve a very stubborn cat. I won't be long. Please have a seat" sister Anna said gesturing to a room. I nodded my head as she ran off and walked into her office. I took a seat and waited for 5 minutes before I heard the door open
"Hi" a bubbly voice greeted. I turned around in shock to see a young teenage girl looking at me smiling.
"Hiya love" I said to her. She skipped in with her hands behind her back
"What you got there?" I asked her reffering to whatever she was hiding in her hands.
"You won't tell?"
"I don't need to tell the sisters anything" i replied. She smiled gratefully and took her hands from behind her back. There was a chain with many keys on it. The girl walked over to a cabinet in the far side of the room
"Sister Anna keeps the treats here" she explained. She opened the cabinet and got out a big jar of treats. She offered me one so I took a biscuit
"Ta" i thanked her. She smiled at me and nodded her head. Then to my surprise she took a seat on the chair opposite me
"I'm Lydia-Rose Anne Cassidy" she introduced reaching to shake my hand. I was taken aback by the girls confidence but admired it non the less
"Arthur Shelby" I greeted shaking her hand
"So why are you here?" She asked
"Back in England, me and my brothers have alot of money to share. And we are here to donate so we can get the orphanage rebuilt after the fire" I explained. She scrunched her eyebrows up
"But....there was no fire" she said confused. I was equally baffled
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry Mr Shelby but I think you've had a wasted journey. There is no fire. Never was" she said looking sorry for me
"Then how come there are so many of you here?" I asked now angry but trying not to show it to the innocent girl infront of me
"There have always been two orphanages here in Texas. But then the sisters realised that since we are all friends and all know eachother well, then there was no point in funding two different places and we might aswell all live together" before I could reply, I heard a male voice
"Lyds, that's enough darling. I'm sure Mr Shelby is a very busy man" the boy said. Lydia nodded
"Goodbye Mr shelby" she said happily before running out of the office. But the boy didn't leave
"The fire was real. She just doesn't know. And she won't ever know so keep your mouth shut around her" he said before walking out. Just that minute, sister Anna walked in
"Sorry. Cats a stubborn thing"
"No worries" I said choosing to believe the boy. Just hope it's the right decision. I signed everything I needed to sign but the curiosity had gotten the best of me
"Lydia- Rose. What can you tell me about her?" I asked the sister. She looked abit taken aback by my sudden question but answered nonetheless
"Well, she is a lovely girl. Always happy. Even when something awful has happened, she tries to make everyone else smile no matter how much pain she had to hide. She has a brother, Mason. He keeps her in the dark about as much tragedy as he can. She's 14 he's 15. Lydia's father left the family when Lydia had just turned 9. Her mother died a year later and for the past 4 years, her and Mason have been living in the orphanage. I'm not even sure if she knows about her father. She speaks so highly of him. But Mason knows. Probably kept it from her to save her the pain" sister Anna answered. I was more intrigued than ever
"She's special" I muttered
"Lydia has had many requests to be adopted. Once people see her bubbly personality they just want to take her home. But Mason not so much. Girls are wanted much more than boys because they can marry into rich families. Boys have to make it on their own. Lydia refuses to leave without her brother despite how much he wishes she would go live her life" I don't know why I said it. But all I know is I did
"I want to adopt them. Lydia and Mason. Take em home with me" she looked stunned to silence
"Oh Mr shelby I'm so grateful" she cried out hugging me unexpectedly
"We have all papers ready from all the near adoptions Lydia has faced so all you need to do is sign. Normally this process takes much longer but since you are from another country, the rules are a little different. Plus you have alot of money. Money brings you almost anything" not true but for the first time, I didn't argue. Sister Anna left to tell the two teenagers and I heard thudding down the stairs. All of a sudden, I was engulfed in a huge hug. It was Lydia.
"Thank you" she whispered in my ear. We let go and I smiled down at her. I turned to see Mason who was stood in the doorway leaning against the frame. He didn't say anything, nor did he have any expression on his face. He just watched his sister jump up and down in joy. I figured getting close to him would be alot harder than getting close to Lydia. But I would do everything to be the father they need
A/N
So I know this went a little fast, but I jut want to get the ball rolling so that in a few chapters, everything is set and I can't start writing more random and entertaining chapters
YOU ARE READING
The Gift- Complete
FanfictionArthur Shelby has 0 to very little experience with children. Sure he entertains his nieces and nephews but it's not quite the same as being a father. He doesn't need to take responsibility for them and he can give them as much alcohol as he pleases ...
