A PLACE IN THE FAMILY
618 Words
The weeks following their visit to Silver Hope Orphanage passed quickly.
True to their promise, Victoria and Daniel welcomed Ava into their home every weekend and during every school holiday. They bought her new clothes, enrolled her in the same school as Ariel, and made sure she never lacked anything.
To Ariel, it felt like a dream.
She finally had the sister she had always wanted.
Every morning, the two girls played in the garden, chasing butterflies and pretending to be brave wolves protecting their kingdom. Their laughter echoed throughout the mansion, bringing smiles to everyone who worked there.
Victoria often watched them from the balcony.
"They're inseparable," she said with a smile.
Ariel wrapped an arm around Ava's shoulder.
"We're best friends forever!"
Ava smiled sweetly.
"Forever."
Victoria's heart melted.
"I'm so happy Ariel has someone her age to grow up with."
One afternoon, Victoria decided to bake cookies for the girls.
The delicious smell drifted through the kitchen as Ariel and Ava raced inside.
"Mommy!" Ariel shouted happily. "Can we help?"
"Of course," Victoria replied with a laugh. "But you have to wash your hands first."
The girls hurried to the sink.
While Ariel carefully scrubbed her hands, Ava quietly glanced at Victoria.
"Aunt Victoria..."
Victoria turned toward her.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Thank you... for everything."
Victoria smiled gently.
"You don't have to thank me."
"But I want to."
Ava lowered her eyes shyly.
"Before I met you and Uncle Daniel... no one celebrated my birthday. No one hugged me when I cried."
Victoria's expression softened.
She knelt before the little girl and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You'll never have to face those days alone again."
Ava threw her arms around Victoria.
"Thank you..."
Victoria hugged her back warmly.
From across the kitchen, Ariel smiled.
Seeing her mother comfort Ava made her happy.
She truly believed her best friend deserved all the love in the world.
Later that afternoon, Victoria served the freshly baked cookies.
"There you go."
Ariel reached for one.
"They smell amazing!"
"So good!" Ava exclaimed after taking a bite.
Victoria laughed.
"I'm glad you both like them."
As the girls ate, Ariel suddenly noticed a little icing on Ava's cheek.
She giggled.
"You've got cream on your face."
"Where?"
"There."
Ariel gently wiped it away with a napkin.
"All clean."
Ava smiled brightly.
"You're always taking care of me."
"That's what best friends do."
Victoria watched the exchange with pride.
"My little Ariel has such a kind heart."
Those words made Ava pause.
She smiled, but for a brief moment, her eyes lingered on Victoria.
She liked hearing kind words.
She liked feeling important.
She liked being noticed.
Whenever Victoria praised her, warmth filled the emptiness she had carried for years.
She wanted that feeling again.
And again.
As evening approached, Victoria tucked both girls into bed in the same room.
She kissed Ariel on the forehead first.
"Goodnight, my little wolf."
Then she kissed Ava.
"Goodnight, sweetheart."
Ava smiled innocently.
"Goodnight, Aunt Victoria."
When Victoria switched off the lights and quietly closed the bedroom door, Ariel whispered excitedly,
"I'm so happy you're here."
Ava turned toward her.
"So am I."
Ariel yawned.
"We'll always be sisters."
"I promise."
The room fell silent as Ariel drifted peacefully to sleep.
Ava remained awake a little longer, staring at the ceiling.
For the first time in her life...
She had a family.
And deep inside her young heart, she wished she would never lose the love and attention they had given her.
She had no idea that this quiet desire would one day grow into something far more complicated—changing not only her own fate, but Ariel's as well.
- Writer
