Four Hundred Seventy One

Four Hundred Seventy One
"Well, Dominic and Estella are with Aunt Teresa at their grandfather's house until tomorrow evening. So really, It's been chill".
"Any rules I need to know? What is expected of me? I mean I will cook, clean, and babysit. I can make breakfast and wake up whenever you want, and go to bed when you tell me to"...
"Nope". I shake my head no
"Nope"?
"We don't expect you to cook or clean for us. We don't expect you to babysit or go to bed or wake up when we tell you to. Because we won't tell you to. It's pretty simple here. We want you to be comfortable here and to think of this as home".
"We all help out, but we don't expect you to wait on us. We all pretty much do our thing", Alicia sighs.
"So there are no rules"?
"Well obviously we treat eachother with kindness. Thats the only rule here. Once you get comfortable enough to go out with friends... then yeah there will be a curfew, but not to impose on your life, but because this is New York City and we want you safe.
We want you to live your life and make good choices".
"If you have a problem then talk to us. That is all we ask.
If you want to make dinner or breakfast thats fine if it's what you want to do. You don't have to.
If something makes you unhappy please tell us. If there's something you want to do then let us know", Alicia adds.
"So you two are like the cool parents"?
"I wouldn't say that exactly. It's just that... We both come from pretty fucked up parents and weren't allowed to live our own lives. That's something we don't want to do".
"If you want to use the studio to paint then please feel free. Feel free to anything in this house", Alicia says quietly.
"I mean I have some money left over from the diner. I can buy my own things and groceries and stuff".
"You hang onto your money for something you enjoy. We don't expect you to buy groceries.
We want you to come and go as you please. Just tell us where you will be and be honest".
"Do you do a lot of family stuff together"?
"We try".
"Like what"?
"Holidays are a big deal for us. So are birthdays. Some weekends we do things. In the summer we try to do a lot of stuff in the park and outdoors. We sometimes spend a week in Long Island. We are thinking of going to Oregon.
Estella's birthday is coming up after Christmas".
"Jonathan, I'm worried that they won't like me... your kids"...
"I think you will get along great with them. You've met Avery".
"Yes, but she knows I am not Gianna".
"She's been talked to and she won't say anything. She's quite curious about you".
"What about the other two"?
"Dominic and Estella... They're too young to know anything, but to them you will be Gianna. Until you're in the clear".
"School.... I'm scared about school".
"We will enroll you into a private school a bit further away. Maybe we can do home schooling? We really need to figure that out", Alicia ponders.
"I have social anxiety. I'm terrified around new people, and having to go to a new school with new people, and be a new person... I can't deal".
"Well school will be letting out for winter break in a few days. We have some time to decide what to do. There are options.
I'm gonna head downstairs and do some work in the den. Feel free to explore".
"Thank you".
I leave the girls upstairs to finish unpacking, take the envelope that Anthony gave me, and head into the den.
Everything looks official. I lock the documents in my lockbox and place it in the small safe in the closet of the den along with the kids important papers. About an hour later, Alicia comes into the den and sits on the couch with her phone.
"Is she all unpacked"?
"Yes. Everything is put away. She's taking a bubble bath in the hall bathroom. She was so amazed when she saw the tub.
We ordered some clothes on Thread up. I had no idea that was a thing. I may have ordered myself some stuff as well!
Her stuff will be delivered day after tomorrow". Alicia sits on the edge of my desk. "I went ahead and ordered a few night gowns, undergarments, shoes, a robe, and other girl necessities through Amazon Prime. They will be here tomorrow morning between 4am and 8am".
"Ok good".
"I'm really sorry for getting mad at you earlier, Jonathan. I was just taken by surprise".
"No. I should have told you everything as far as the plan".
"Yeah, but I mean, I asked you to help her, and you said you would, and you did. I shouldn't have blown up. I just felt... I dunno... left out".
"I didn't mean for you to feel that way. It's just... You were sick and you asked for my help. I wanted to help no matter how extreme. I still should have discussed it with you. I am sorry".
"I can't imagine how scared she must feel", she shudders.
"Yeah, I know. Hopefully this will all be okay soon, sweetheart".
"And then what"?
"Well I think we should leave the decision to her. Whether or not she wants to stay".
"What if she decides to stay Jonathan? Then what"?
"Then we need to decide if you want to do long term foster care until she is of age, of if you want to adopt her".
"But how can we legally adopt her"?
"Anthony said in a few days I will be getting paperwork for being her guardian".
"But it's not legit"?
"She's in witsec, so it is legit".
"And when we can safely call her Cecily again once this is over"?
"Honey. I don't know if it will ever be safe for her to be Cecily ever again. Let's just take it one day at a time".
"She's been through so much shit".
I shut my laptop and lean back in my chair. Her issues with anxiety... makes it even harder on her. Maybe she needs therapy".
"Well if she wants to do that... We need to find one Lisa recommends. I know doctor's are supposed to keep shit confidential, but we can't take the risk".
"I just want her to feel comfortable here, Jonathan".
"Yeah. Me too. I don't want her to think we are a pair of pretentious snobs.
Kenny is coming over tomorrow morning and we are heading to the hardware store".
"Oh really? What for"?
"To pick up a bookshelf kit. She really lit up when she saw that the kids had one in their rooms. I figure it would be a nice Christmas gift".