Pretty Girl

Chapter Thirteen - April 26th 1999

Chapter Thirteen

Third Person Pov

Katrina - 5 Years Old

"You're going to be completely fine sweetheart."

Verona Brown, a woman in her prime who ran the foster home in the local area, bent down to her knees and looked down at the scarlet haired child with a wide smile on her face as she hugged her close to her own body.

The child's hands hesitantly went upwards to hug the lady's neck tightly as her eyes remained looking downwards in trepidation.

"Katrina. You can always call me whenever you want. Don't worry. You'll even get eggs and bacon there." Verona's euphonious voice seemed to visibly ease Katrina's distress slightly as she grabbed onto Verona's plaid top with one hand while she used the other to push away strands of wavy red hair that brushed her rosy cheeks with her tiny, gentle fingers.

Katrina's purity and lack of knowledge on wordly matters didn't allow her to understand what was happening in the current moment as she seemed to simply take Verona's words as an embodiment of abandonment once again. She clutched on to the only parental figure she had ever known tightly without wanting to let go.

Verona sighed softly as she patted Katrina's head gently and lifted her up into her arms.

"Honey, you need to start speaking up and you remember Mr. and Mrs. Bretton from the other day? They're going to be your new mommy and daddy!" Her cheerful attitude influenced Katrina to interpret her actions as though something wonderful was about to happen.

It excited her a tad bit more than usual as the trust she had placed in Verona blindly allowed her to feel confusedly merry in a way.

Verona spoke up once again but it wasn't to Katrina this time, it was to the new family that she would be joining in a mere matter of minutes.

"Oh you're already here! We were just waiting for you guys."

Verona carefully placed Katrina down as she welcomed the couple inside.

"Oh you beautiful angel! We're so excited to have you darling!" Mrs. Bretton exclaimed with glee in her voice.

Linda Bretton's dark hair swished as she moved to come forward and meet Katrina.

This instantly frightened Katrina as she moved back to the only familiar face in sight, which was Verona and spared another startled glance at the woman that was headed towards her.

Cyrus Bretton's wide frame shook with laughter as he took in the whole sight with a huge smile. He kept his dark brown eyes focused on Katrina's timid frame and spoke to Verona with amusement.

His muddy, black biker boots were oddly out of place as they made loud thuds when he walked forward, considering his attire which consisted of a freshly pressed shirt and slacks that were tailored to his slightly overweight body.

"She's adorably shy isn't she?"

"She just needs time to warm up to people and let me inform you — we've rarely heard her speak but when she does she's an absolute wonder to have around." Verona said with merriment present in her voice until she paused as though she came to a realisation. "She's brilliant at ballet by the way so if you'd be willing to, she can continue her classes here or you could put her into classes based on your preference."

"Of course. We'd love to put her in classes to see her dance and excel at anything she wants to do."

"I see you've all gotten acquainted with each other." Grita Sindler, another lady who worked at the foster home said as she took in all the people that were currently in the hall. "Verona these are the new parents you've looked over for Katrina I presume and welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Bretton. It's amazing everytime we find a new home for these lovely kids."