“Tag!” A boy shouts, “You're ‘it’ Astrid!”

A little girl around nine years of age ran after another boy, laughing, and tapped him by the shoulder.

“You're it, Derek!” She squeals, pride in her smile to catching up with the boy.

“Am not!” He runs away. “You caught my shirt!”

“Did not!” She stomps her foot. “Ash?”

“Just catch him again, Astrid.” A boy, who looks exactly like the girl only with short hair, says.

“But, he’s lying!” She crosses her arms over her chest and pouts. “I don’t want to play anymore.”

“C'mon Astrid. You just need to tag someone so we can continue.” Another boy says.

“No! I don't play with cheaters.”

The three boys shrugged, except for one boy who took Astrid's hand.

“I'm it.” He says.

“That's cheating, Damien!” Astrid whined.

“It isn't against the rules wanting to be it.” Damien argued, “Besides, Mrs. Jefferson will be calling you to meet the Matthews any minute.”

Astrid glanced at her twin. “Oh yeah, the Matthews.”

Ash forced a smile and walked up to her, “It's ok sis, I have a feeling this isn't it.”

“But what if it is?” She whined. “I don't want to leave you.”

“Why don't you ask if they want to have twins?” Jared asked.

“Yeah!” the boy named Derek says excitedly. “They can dress you up and make dolls out of you.”

“We're not dolls, Derek.” Ash rolled his eyes, tired of hearing this joke before looking back at Astrid, who is almost in tears. “Astrid…”

As if on cue,e the little girl began to cry, the boys exchanged looks before surrounding her.

"I think Jared is right." Damien nods in agreement, "You can tell them about Ash. Maybe they'll take you both."

"But-"

Damien reached for the end of her hair to stop her from arguing, "Don't be a cry baby, Astrid. If I were you, I'd be looking for Mrs. Jefferson and try to be cute."

Astrid pouted again and wiped away her tears with the back of her hands. "I am not a cry baby, and I'm always cute!"

With that, she ran off to the house.

"Man, we forgot about today." Jared shrugs.

"Astrid forgot it too." Derek pointed out, "But what if this is it for Astrid?"

They all turned to the girls’ male double.

"Well..." Ash forced a smile again, "I should be happy for her, right?"

The boys shrugged again.

"This isn't fair." Derek says, "Twins should be kept together."

"Yeah." Damien says, "But you know how hard it is to be adopted when you're almost ten, Astrid should take this chance."

"Besides, the Matthews can't be that bad," Jared says. "I'm sure they'll let her visit us, right?"

They exchanged look one more time before looking at the house they all knew too well, the Haven Orphanage.

Astrid was clean and dressed before the dreaded meeting with her possible adoptive parents; she stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, remembering the past couples that she had met.

"I'm sorry we can't afford two kids."

"We prefer twin girls..."

"They look mischievous..."

"They're too quiet..."

"They're too young..."

"They're too old..."

Astrid shrugged, "I wonder what I'll be this time."

It will be the first time she'll meet a couple without Ash, and in an orphanage, the rejection was, in a way, compliments, and the twins and their friends had heard them all.

This time would be different, though.

Before Astrid can worry more about it, someone knocks.

"It’s open," Astrid answers, knowing that it was Mrs. Jefferson.

The boys hardly knock at all. They have their heavy running feet to warn her of their arrival.

Mrs. Jefferson peeked inside with a smile, "The Matthews is here, you ready, sweetie?"

"I guess." She turns to her guardian, who gave her a look.

"Astrid, honey..."

Here it goes, Astrid thought. It wasn't the first time that she heard Mrs. Jefferson's speech before seeing a couple.

"I know you are upset that you'll be interviewed alone, but this is the only way that we can find you and Ash a permanent home."

"I know..."

She reached for Astrid's chin and made her face her. “The Matthews are good people, give them a chance.” Astrid gave a weak nod, and Mrs. Jefferson smiles again, "Now, how about giving me that signature smile of yours to finish off your attire." Astrid does as told, half-heartedly, and it was all the woman could ask for. "Beautiful, let's go."

Mrs. Jefferson took her hand and led her to the receiving room, where they met the couple and were interviewed.

Astrid kept her smile on. She had been told many times, way too many times probably, that she has such a beautiful smile, that it was one of those things that couples like about her. But then again, a smile alone isn't enough to be adopted.

"Mrs. Jefferson?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"You think I'm cute, right?"

"No.," Mrs. Jefferson says sternly that it took Astrid by surprise and stopped on her tracks. Mrs. Jefferson faced her and knelt in front of her. "You are the prettiest nine years old, I know." Astrid beamed, and Mrs. Jefferson laughs. "Now go in there and knock their socks off with your imagination."

"Yes, ma'am." Astrid salutes, and Mrs. Jefferson opens the door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, good afternoon." She greets and enters the room with Astrid hiding behind her; this may not be the first time, but meet and greet still makes her nervous.

"Mrs. Jefferson, it's nice to see you again." The woman says.

Astrid peeked and saw the most beautiful woman she has ever seen; not that Mrs. Jefferson is ugly, but this woman's beauty was breathtaking.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Mrs. Jefferson says.

"No worries, Mrs. Jefferson, I am a bit nervous anyway."

"Well, Astrid is a sweet girl, you'll like her, I'm sure."

"And is Astrid the little girl behind you?" the man asks, Astrid hides again.

"C'mon Astrid..." Mrs. Jefferson says, but Astrid refuses to move. "I'm sorry, she's really shy..."

"It's ok," the man moves toward them and kneels beside her. "Hi Astrid, how are you?" Astriddidn'tt answer and kept her face hidden behind Mrs. Jefferson. "You have a very nice name, can you tell me something about that?" she stays quiet.

"Ashton, don't force her." the woman says. The man sighed and was about to stand.

"You have the same name..." Astrid whispers.

The man looked back at her, "Who has the same name?"

"You and my twin brother..." she answers.

"You have a twin brother?" Astrid nods, "Wow, that's cool, is he here too?"

Astrid nods again, "Do you want to meet him? I promise he's nice too."

The man smiles, "Tell you what, princess, we'd get to know you first. Later on, maybe we can meet him, is that ok?"

"Ok..." was Astrid's silent reply, disappointed.

"Let's have a sit then." he lent out his hand.

Astrid stared at it for a second, then at him. Slowly, she took his hand. He smiled and led Astrid on a chair across his wife.

"Hello Astrid, I'm Julia Matthews."

"Hello..."

"And this is my husband, Ashton." the man sat beside her.

Astrid smiled, "Ash and I have never met someone with the same name as we do."

"You and your twin must be very close," Julia says.

“We are. He’s the only family I have.” The little girl answers without looking up at the couple. "Mrs. Jefferson said we were left here by some man who said a woman paid him to bring us here."

"That's a sad story," Julia says.

Astrid made a face and shook her head, "Not really, I don't want a mom who could give me away."

Mrs. Matthews laughed. "Mrs. Jefferson told us you have quite an imagination."

A small smile appeared on Astrid’s lips, "I like to write stories and tell them to the younger orphans."

"Really?" Mr. Matthews asks. "Can we hear one?"

Astrid frowned, "Mrs. Jefferson said not to do that, ‘cause I might scare you away." The Matthews laughs again, "What about you?"

"What about us, princess?" Mr. Matthews asked.

"What do you do?"

"Oh, well..." they exchanged looks, "we're archeologists."

Astrid stared at them, mouth open. "Really?"

"You know what archaeologists are?" Mrs. Matthews raised a brow.

“I've read about them." Astrid excitedly nods, "You study mummies."

The couple laughs again.

"That's true," Mr. Matthews says, "But we study other stuff too. Like old cities or hidden histories-"

"Like Atlantis?"

"Yes, like Atlantis?" Mr. Matthews nods, impressed.

"Wow," Astrid stared at them, amazed, with excitement gleaming in her eyes. "So you've seen Greece and Egypt?" the Matthews nodded, "Wow."

"Well, maybe we can bring you along with us sometimes." Mr. Matthews says.

"You would?" Astrid's eyes widened.

"Sure." Mr. Matthews says casually.

"Ash too?"

Mrs. Matthews gave an apologetic smile, not sure how to answer the little girl’s question. "We're not sure about that, but if we can, why not?"

"Oh, thank you, thanks to you, Mr. Matthews!" Astrid cheers, jumping on her seat.

Mr. Matthews stifles a laugh, "I wish you call me dad by then."

Astrid frowns, remembering where she was. Then she slouches and glances at the couple, not meeting their eyes. "Wouldn't you want twins for kids?"

The Matthews frowned and exchanged looks.

"Mrs. Jefferson already warned us that you wouldn't agree to leave without your brother, I'm sorry, princess, but we can't adopt you at the same time." Mr. Matthews explained as she takes his wife's hand, holding it with both of his hands.

Astrid stared at him. His apology was the sincerest one she had ever received, you can see it on his eyes, and also in Mrs. Matthews'.

"Why not?"

"There are some complications at home." Mrs. Matthews explains. "We'll work on your adoption first, and when all goes well, we'll come back for Ash."

"Do you promise that?" Astrid asked, doubtful. They may be good people, but a promise can easily be broken.

"If it would make you happy, princess." Mrs. Matthews says with a smile, extending her hand across the table, Astrid stared at her hand, somehow, wanting to take it but then again, not sure if she should.

Astrid looked up at the couple, studying them. She had met a lot of couples and single parents, but no one took time to listen to her about her likes and Ash as the Matthews did. So slowly, she took Mrs. Matthews' hand, which gave her a smile and her hand a squeeze.

"Does this mean you are agreeing that we adopt you?" Mr. Matthews asks.

"Isn't that supposed to be your decision?" Astrid gave them a look.

"We wouldn't want to force you, princess..." Mr. Matthews says, "If you can't stay away from your brother-"

"You promised that we'll come back for him." she says with a smile, "You were the only ones who listened to me about Ash. That's enough for me to know that you will keep your word."

The Matthews smiles, relieved to hear the little girl agreed to be adopted by them.

"We just want you to be happy, princess." Mr. Matthews says, beaming with pride.

Astrid smiled at them.

"You agreed to be adopted?" the boys, except Damien, asked in unison.

Astrid nodded, "They're really nice, plus, they promised to adopt Ash after they fix whatever it is at home."

"Are you sure about this, Astrid?"

"Yes. Besides, they agreed for me to visit you guys whenever I want."

"Wow, you got quite a catch," Jared says, recovering from the initial shock.

"No, they're luckier." Astrid says, "They get to have Ash and me as their kids."

"When are you leaving?" Ash asks.

"In a week." she says with a frown, "But don't worry, I'll be very near." She runs to the window, and the boys followed, "See that house, the one with the tall chimney? That's where I'll be."

"Big house," Derek says.

"Daddy said it's a friend's house."

"Daddy?" Jared asked.

"He told me to call him that." Astrid walks back to her bed. "Anyway, I'll just be around the neighborhood, so there's not much difference."

"Yes, there is," Derek argues. "For starters, you won't be sleeping here or eating with no more Mr. Carlton and us."

"Daddy said I'll be going to a real school, and if I miss you, I can come over after school."

The boys stayed quiet. There was nothing more to say.

"Let's go hiking," Astrid says, breaking the silence. "Daddy said there'll be a full moon tonight."

"But Mrs. Jefferson-"

"I'm sure she'll understand." Astrid jumped down her bed and ran out of her room.

Soon they were on top a hill, underneath an oak tree, lying on the ground staring at the moon.

"Wow, it looks so big," Jared says.

"Let's go up the treehouse," Ash says and runs toward the rope ladder with the other boys behind him. Astrid stood up to run after them when she noticed Damien staring at the orphanage.

"Damien?" Astrid calls out, "C'mon."

"You go."

Astrid frowned and walked toward him, "Damien, are you mad?"

"No."

"You've been really quiet."

"I got nothing to say."

"It’s not like I'll be disappearing on you guys," Astrid says.

"You'll still be leaving."

"But, I'll visit every day."

"Only until they adopt Ash, after that, you won’t..."

"That's just stupid." Astrid put her hand on her waist, "Of course I'll be visiting you guys, we're family."

Damien turns to her, surprised by her sudden outburst.

"If you think I'm that easy to get rid of, then you are wrong, Damien." Astrid pouted, disappointed at her best friend. Damien stifles a laugh then lends out a hand with his pinky up.

"Pinky promise?"

Astrid grins, wraps her pinky around Damien's, "Promise."

"Hey, I want to swear too!" Derek shouted and slid down a rope to join them along with the other two boys.

"Me too!" Jared says.

They formed a circle like they always do when keeping a group secret, but this time, it was different. It was a promise between all of them.

They all crossed their arms over their chest, raised their pinkies, and entwined it with the one beside them. They exchanged amused and excited looks.

"We promise to be friends forever." Ash starts.

"To be present at every occasion in our lives," Jared says.

"To always help each other when in trouble," Derek adds.

"To take care of ourselves and each other." Damien continues, and they all glanced at Astrid.

"And to forever love each other no matter where we are."' Astrid says with a smile because we are a family."

"A family." They say in unison, "We promise."

The whole week passed by like a blur, and the kids lived through it as of no one was leaving. But when the day came for the Matthews to pick up Astrid, they quietly stood by the window of the orphanage’s living room, Derek by the window waiting.

"Ok, Astrid, just remember everything I told you, ok?" Mrs. Jefferson says, Astrid nods; Mrs. Jefferson had tears in her eyes and beamed down at Astrid, "Oh, I'm so happy for you, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jefferson," Astrid mumbled glumly.

"They're here! They're here!" Derek shouts.

Astrid tightened her hold of Ash's hand, while Mrs. Jefferson met the Matthews at the front door.

"Well, this is it." Damien says, "You'd be ok, cry, baby?" Astrid forced a nod.

"And remember the promise," Jason says, Astrid nods again.

"We'll see you tomorrow?" Ash asked Astrid nods again.

"Astrid?" they all turned and saw Mrs. Jefferson and the Matthews join them in the living room. "Someone's looking for you."

"Hey, princess..." Mr. Matthews greets.

"Hello." Astrid mumbles.

"So, are you ready to go home?" Mrs. Matthews asks. Astrid turns to Ash, fear in her eyes. "But, of course, we won't be leaving without meeting Ash."

Astrid smiles, remembering the good time she had the last time she saw the Matthews.

"This is Ash..." Astrid pulls her twin brother beside her.

"Well, hello Ash," Mr. Matthews says, "Wow, you two look so much the same.”

The twins giggled, "That's because we're twins."

Mr. Matthews laughs, “Of course you are." he says, "Oh, by the way, we have something for you, boys."

"Really?" Derek says.

"Like a surprise?" Jared asked.

"Uhuh." Mr. Matthews says. "James?”

A man stepped inside, carrying four huge bags. Mr. Matthews took it and set the bags in front of the boys on the floor.

"Astrid told me you like to bike a lot," he said. "Among other things, so I bought you, boys, these. There is one for each of you." The boys exchanged looks and up at Mr. Matthews. "Go on..."

"The boys all ran and grabbed a bag, and opened it.

"Oh, wow! It’s the newest inline rollerblades! With full gears too!" Derek says.

"Astrid couldn't stop talking about you boys, so we thought you'd like these." Mr. Matthews says, "We even brought you these brand-new bikes, which are outside and had been tried and tested by yours truly."

Derek and Jared ran to the window and looked out.

"It's true." Jared excitedly nods, “There are bikes out in front!"

"My husband loves kids and practically is one himself." Mrs. Matthews explains to Mrs. Jefferson. "I hope these gifts are ok."

"Well, after seeing the boys' reaction, I don't think I am in any place to decline."

"Are these bribes?" Damien asks.

"Damien..." Mrs. Jefferson warns.

But Mr. Matthews laughed and shook his head. "It's alright, Mrs. Jefferson." He turns to Damien, "And no, they are not bribes, young man, I'm sure that these wouldn't be enough in exchanged of Astrid."

"We're pretty sure Astrid will be spending her time here during playtime, so we're gearing you boys up." Mrs. Matthews adds.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews," Ash says, "I'm sure that my sister is in good hands.”

"No problem Ash." Mr. Matthews says, "Also, there's little something in there..."

The boys dug into the bag, except for Damien, who hasn’t opened his bag.

"Two-way radios!" Jared pulls out the two-way radios swinging it up in the air.

"And that is strong enough to reach Astrid at home." Mr. Matthews smiles, seeing the happy faces on the three boys.

"Seriously?" Derek asks, with mouth open.

"Seriously." Mr. Matthews answers and playfully putting a serious face on making the boys laugh, "You're still missing the best surprise in their though."

They all dug into their bags again, and at the same time, pulled out an envelope.

"What's in it?" Ash asked.

"Open it up." Mrs. Matthews says, the boys hurriedly did so and pulled out similar items, "It’s a map to our home, so you'll always know how near Astrid is."

Damien stared at the maps, "You draw that?" he asked, looking at the map Ash was holding.

Damien had always been a sucker for art stuff. This isn't any different, even if he is angry.

Mrs. Matthews, "And if you look at the back, you'll find our address and our phone numbers." Mrs. Matthews kneels in front of Ash, "And I promised Astrid that you boys can call her any time you miss her."

"But she leaves only a few blocks away. Who needs a phone?" Jared asked, making the grownups laugh. "What? We can visit her, right?"

"As long as you ask permission from Mrs. Jefferson," Mr. Matthews says, "If she agrees, just give Astrid a call, and we'll pick you up."

"You'll pick us up?" Derek and Jared asked in unison.

"Or James can pick you boys up." Mr. Matthews points to the man who carried in the bags who tipped his head toward the boys.

"It would be my pleasure, young masters."

"Well, we should get going, Astrid." Mrs. Matthews says, "There are people at home who are excited to meet you." Astrid nodded and turned to the boys.

"We'll wait for you at the door." Mr. Matthews says, and the grownups left.

"We'll see you tomorrow?" Jared asks again.

"And remember our promise," Derek says.

Astrid grinned, raising her pinky and wiggles it. "Promise." then she gave Ash a tight hug. "Good night, big brother."

"Good night, Lil sis," Ash whispered and hugged her back, pushing back his tears.

While the other kids were saying their goodnights to Astrid, Damien sneaked out of the living room and saw the Matthews down the hallways, waiting for Astrid.

"Mrs. Matthews?" Damien walks up to behind her.

Mrs. Matthews turned to him with a smile. "Yes?"

"Astrid gets cold easily, and she doesn't like the dark," he says, "So, if you can just sit beside her until she falls asleep, that would help. She also likes to sing herself to sleep, she isn't that bad, but she's no nightingale, so just bear with it."

The Matthews smiled and nodded, "That's very helpful, thank you."

"No problem. I'm just happy that she found a family, and I know that you will take care of her." he says, "Thank you." with that, he turns to leave.

"Wait." Mrs. Matthews calls out, "What's your name?"

"Damien," he said.

"Well, thank you, Damien," she said, and kissed him on the forehead, " I promise to take care of Astrid always, and until you boys have not found your family, consider us as one, I think Astrid would like that."

Damien smiled and nodded, "She would"

Suddenly the others stepped out of the living room.

"There you are!" Astrid says she ran up to Damien and threw her arms around his neck. "I can't leave without saying goodbye to my best friend."

Damien smiled and hugged her.

"Silly, you’d be back here tomorrow for sure," Damien says. Astrid pulled away and raised her pinky again. Damien grinned and wrapped his pinky around hers. "Promise."

"Promise." Astrid repeated and pulled away, "I'll see you tomorrow." she walks toward the Matthews, "Bye!"

Mr. Matthews picked her up as she continued to wave at the boys, "Bye, Mrs. Jefferson!" some of the other kids in the orphanage came to see her off.

"Bye, Astrid!"

They entered the car; the boys ran out of the house and watched the car turn into the corner and out of their sight.

Astrid stares out the window until the boys were out of sight. She frowns and sat down between her new parents.

"Astrid?" Mrs. Matthews calls.

"I don't think this is such a good idea." Astrid mutters, "I miss Ash and the boys..."

"Don't worry, princess." Mr. Matthews runs his hand through her hair, "You'll be seeing them tomorrow. And hopefully, Ash will be living with us too."

"But-"

"We promised, didn't we?" Mrs. Matthews reminded Astrid, who gave a weak nod, "Then give me a smile just so I know you believe me." Astrid did as she was told, then she hugged Mrs. Matthews.

"Thank you, mommy," she says.

"Anything for my princess." Mrs. Matthews said and hugged her new daughter close to her.