Unexpected Family

Flinched

Billie's POV

The first time I saw Skylar flinch, I almost didn't notice.

It was tiny. Barely there. I was reaching to hand her a juice box, and she jerked back just a little like my hand might sting.

She covered it up quick. Took the juice box with both hands and said "thank you" real soft, like maybe she thought I'd take it back if she didn't say the right words.

I didn't say anything. Just stood there, frozen for a second, staring at her like I'd seen a ghost.

Because that reaction? That wasn't normal three year old stuff.

That was survival.

It sat with me the whole afternoon.

Skylar was her usual self after that loud, curious, clingy when she wanted to be, independent when she didn't. She named one of the goldfish crackers "Steve" and cried when Mackenzie accidentally ate it.

She begged me to braid her hair, then screamed when I hit a knot. Total chaos. Typical toddler.

But every time I got too close, she'd shrink just a little.

Subtle. But I saw it.

I didn't know what to do with that.

Mackenzie, on the other hand, had no boundaries. He climbed into my lap like it was his default position.

Wrapped his arms around my neck, sticky fingers and all. Called me "Billy Eyelash" like it was my actual name. Didn't flinch at anything.

He was easy.

Skylar wasn't.

And maybe that's what got to me the most.

That night, after they were finally asleep Skylar curled up with her dinosaur, Mackenzie drooling on my hoodie like it was his blankie I sat in the kitchen with the lights off and just stared at the ceiling.

I'd told myself I could handle this. Two weeks. Two kids. No big deal.

But now?

Now I was starting to realize this wasn't just a PR stunt. Not to them.

These kids weren't here to make me look good.

They were here because someone thought this was better than where they came from.

And that broke something open in my chest I didn't know was still there.