The Healing Process: Adopted by Olivia Benson

Chapter 8 part 2

I put my phone down, and figured we'd better go to bed, the right way, that is. Or we'd both be sore in the morning. Well, in a few hours. I scooted out from under Bristol, gently lowering her onto the couch. I brought all the bags into our perspectives rooms, and turned the lights off. Gently putting one arm under her shoulders, and one at the bend of her knees, I picked her up off the couch. My heart melted as she snuggled into me, and nuzzled her head under my chin. Carrying her bridal style into, what was now her bedroom, I frowned. It definitely needed re-done, now that a it was the room of a preteen girl. It wasn't that it was ugly, because actually It was elegant. The bedspread was black and white swirls, and almost flowers. The walls stark white, with back daily trim. Decorating the walls where words cut out of blocks of wood. The words, Family; Love; Laugh; and live on their own respective walls. In this moment I came to a revelation. Bristol was only set to stay with me for a few weeks. Yet her I was planning to redo a room, buy her a new wardrobe. Looking down at the sleeping child in my arms, I realized that a few weeks wasn't going to cut it. I want her in my life. Then the idea hit me. Adoption. I could adopt her. Yes. That's what I'll do.

   Laying her on the soft bed, I moved her hair out of her face. The moonlight shining between the curtains illuminated her doll like features. I kissed her forehead and stood up to leave. I felt her hand grab mine, as her voice echoed in the silence.

  "Please don't go." She pleaded. I layed down an a drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

  I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock blaring. I silenced it but noticed we only had an hour before the appointment. Crap.

  "Bristol baby, wake up. Bristol." I said shaking her. She opened one eye. And closed it.

   "Bristol is asleep, leave a message after the tone. Beep." She said.

    "Not funny, come on sweetheart, we only have an hour to get dressed and get there." I said. Then I got an idea. "Bristol." I said in a warning tone. Poking her side. As she flinched away, proving suspicions. I poked her again, then started tickling her sides. She shrieked and broke out in a fit of laughter. She tried to push my hands away. But I held fast.

     "Okay, I'm up, I'm up!!" Giggled trying to catch her breath.

     "Do you want me to pick out your clothes while you take a shower?" I asked her.

     "Yeah. Can I asked you a question first?" She asked innocently.

     "Of course sweety, what is it?"

*Bristol

  I used my cutest voice. "Can I asked you a question first?" I a asked her.

  "Of course sweety, what is it?" She asked.  I gave her a devilish smirk.

   "Are you ticklish?" I asked, before I attacked. I tackled her straddling her and tickling her.. She was laughing hysterically and so was I.  "What's so funny Livvy?" I asked innocently  "hmm?" I asked. She caught me off guard when she flipped us over and tickled me.

   "What so funny Bristol? Huh?" She said mimicking me before she stopped. "Okay, we really have to get moving, or we'll be late!!" She said mercifully.

    "Hmm... gettin too old Liv?" I asked, smirking and sticking out my tongue.

    "Oh hush. Here. Put these on, and brush your teeth and hair. we have to leave pretty soon."

    "Liv, can you do my hair for me?" I asked.

    "I don't know if my old bones can take it, sorry babe!" She said smirking. As my mouth fell open. "Bristol, I'm joking. Sure, get dressed, and brush your teeth. I'll get ready then do your hair." She said smiling.

    "Mmkay." I said content. I went to the bathroom as Liv went to her room. I put the clothes on. A pretty teal shirt with different tears in it. Then a pair of dark jeans with faded creases.  I washed my face. Then brushed my teeth. I looked in the mirror. Taking myself in. My big brown eyes. Ivory skin. Dark circles under my eyes made me look sick. My ponytail from yesterday was messy, so I took it out. My hair fell around my face. The natural spirals where tangled, and a bit unruly. I ran my fingers through the soft delicate hair untangling the curls. Olivia came in and showed me how to use a pick, then put my hair into another ponytail.

   "Ready to go?" She asked. I looked in the mirror.

   "Yep!" I said.