The Loss of her Mate. Ella's Story

Chapter 4. Ella

It's been six months since I left. I have never been happier. I found a little house and paid for it in cash. It's small, just a three bed and two and a half bath. Small kitchen, and a small but cozy little living room. I have been trying to find out what I am going to do. I don't need money. I have plenty. I am not rich but enough so that I don't actually have to work as long as I don't spend un-needlessly. As I am walking through town. I see a billboard with posters and papers all over it. As I move closer, I see a sign that is asking for any and all who are interested to be foster parents. As I am looking at the post Willow perks up. “You want to foster kids Will, they will be human and not pups”  she wags her tail. “I don't care, let's do it, we can raise kids” I smile. I write down the location and make my way there

When I walk into the local child services location. The little bubbly girl behind the counter looks at me “Can I help you” 

“Yes, I am interested in becoming a foster parent.” She nods.

“Ok let me get you the papers and see if a caseworker is available ok.” I nod my head and fill it out. Not even ten minutes later a middle-aged man walks up to me “You the one who wants to be a foster mom.” I nod. He holds out his hand for the paperwork, motioned with his fingers to follow him as he reads it.

Once in his office, he told me to take a seat.

“You're not married.”

I let out a sigh. “No, my husband died a few months back, which is why it shows I moved across the country. Is that a problem?”

“Not really but I do have to ask? Are you planning on dating shortly? As we don't want kids to see anything they should not.” I smile

“NO. I have no intention to ever replace my husband. Hence the reason I want to foster children.” He smiles and continues the question.

“You own your home? No mortgage or anything?”

“Yes I got it with my husband's insurance money” he nods

“I see based on the information provided, money is not an issue that helps with you being single. So let's start this paperwork and see when you can be approved.” I nod. After another hour, I leave. “I'll call you as soon as the approval is done then it will be no time before you have a couple of little ones running around,” I say goodbye and go on my way.

Flash Forward. 2 weeks

I am sitting in the living room watching something not even sure what is on the stupid tv. When My phone rings, I grab it from the hall table. I hear “Is this Ella Nightingale”

“Yes,”

“This is Mr. James from Child services.” He pauses for me to reply

“Hello Mr. James”

“So I got good news, you have been approved and just in time to, I got a couple of kids, a brother, and sister, no one wants both and I was hoping….” I don't let him finish.

“Bring them over, I will see you when you get here” He lets out a chuckle. He lets me know that they will be here soon. He informs me they are five and three, a brother and his baby sister.

When they arrive I have cookies and milk for them. They are so sweet the little boy Marcus reminds me of my brother, and little Angle is just like me weirdly.

Time Skip. 5 years 1982

It's been five long years since my world turned upside down. Now I have fostered over 20 kids. I still have Marc and Angel here. But last night I got a call that their father has won his case. He was in the military when the kids were taken from his ex. And has been fighting to get them back, he has visitation and never misses one unless he is out of the country. But now that his commission is up he is coming to take the kids. You would think that I would be upset but no. He is a good guy.

I am setting the table for the kids when there is a knock. I smell Jordan. I smile and the kids are going to be so happy. I open the door. “Jordan” he smiles and Say’s “Miss Ella it's good to see you again.” I chuckle that he is a flirt but know that it will never go anywhere. 

I hear a little voice. “Dadddyyyy.” Angle comes running 

He drops to his Knees “Hi baby I got good news, can I come in please?” She nods her little head. Marc is standing by the door. “Dad,” I shake my head. It's been hard for him to understand you would think being the older one he would.

“I get to take you guys home now.” Angle starts jumping up and down. “Really daddy? We get to go home with you now.” he nods, then her little lip pops out. “But what About Miss Ella, I don't want to leave her” I chuckle

“Don't worry baby I will let you come see Miss Ella whenever you want ok?” She nods at her. Head. It doesn't take long for them to be on their way. I was a teary goodbye, I might be able to let them go but it does not change that they are my Pups. But something in me tells me that someday I will have a pup that I will never lose.

Time Skip 1992

I have fostered over 60 children in 15 years. I still see Marc and Angel. Marc just graduated from college, he decided to become a Caseworker as he put it “So that I can make sure kids get foster parents like You. Miss Ella” It still makes me happy, I look at my kids, I have pictures of them all over the place. Just as I am looking around my current fosters are three boys all brothers. Come running through the living room tossing their backpacks on the floor. “BOY'S '' they all stop and look up at me and my eyes move to their backpacks with an eyebrow raised. They huff. But move to pick up their bags.

“Sorry Miss Ella.” all three said at the same time they are Luke twelve, Caspian ten, and Mikey eight. I smile as they move them to the Hook in the Hall.

I have become known as the foster mother who always takes in Siblings. I won't let them separate no matter the age. Last year I turned my basement into a game room and tv room for the Kids they all love it down there no matter their age. And they can range from newborn to eighteen. 

I take all my kids camping every month, they love it. Of Course, it’s also so that I can shift. I need to at least once a month. Or Willow gets mad. And becomes agitated. It's almost time for our camping trip. As I am checking to make sure we have everything My phone rings “Hello”

“Miss Ella, it's Marc” I smile, the boy still says who it is.

“I know you're Marc, I raised you to remember” He chuckles. 

“Anyways, I have a little one who needs a home, She is only 2. Her mother died and his father is nowhere. So What do you say, `` got room for one more.” 

“Yeah, I'm sure the boys would love to have a new sister. I'll see you soon.”

“Yeah, I'll see you then, Love you.”

“Love you to my sweet boy,” I say, hanging up the phone. Two hours later I have another child. Her name is Casey. And is so sweet the boy's instantly, falls in love with her.