𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚍 𝙱𝚘𝚢 (𝚋𝚡𝚋)

lorianna

a/n: girl dads girl dads girl dads
one of my fav chapters ever sorry

                                                   * * *
The house was quiet, except for the sound of Oliver playing with his dinosaurs in the living room next to Kiko. She was no longer skittish and happily partook in Oli's loud playing.

Shawn and Jaxon were sitting on the couch, anticipating their newest addition. Five months had passed since Oliver had come into their lives, and now they were about to welcome another member into their growing family.

The doorbell rang through the house. Jaxon and Shawn shared a knowing glance, their chest filling with excitement and nervousness. They rose from their seats in unison as they made their way to the door.

Standing on the doorstep was Laura, the same social worker who had brought Oliver to them months before. Next to her stood a girl no older than twelve. Her expression was unreadable, though she kept staring down at her hands.

"Hi, Laura," Jaxon says, offering a small smile. "Hi Lorianna."

Laura returned his smile, her eyes softening as she turned to the girl beside her. Jaxon and Shawn exchanged concerned glances as they looked at the girl before them. She looked vulnerable and small, her shoulder slumped with her head down.

"Hi, Lorianna," Shawn says softly, crouching at her eye level. "We're so glad you're here."

Lorianna glanced up at him, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Hi," She whispers.

Oliver stumbles over to the door, smiling. "Hi. I'm Oliver, and this is Kiko, " he says as he looks down at Kiko rubbing against his legs. "Wanna pet her?"

Lorianna looks up at Shawn and Jaxon. Shawn simply nods at her as she follows Oliver into the living room. Laura gestures towards the kitchen, where the three take a seat.

"She's having a rough time," Laura began softly, taking a deep breath. "I'm aware she's met with you guys previously but...She's expressed some concerns about being moved around so much. Her last time wasn't very good. Her old foster parents were extremely unfit."

Shawn and Jaxon nod their heads. It was never easy to hear what these children have gone through.

Weeks prior, they had learned that Lorianna's father was sick for a long time with cancer. And when he passed, Lorianna's mother couldn't cope. She became very sporadic and unpredictable and abusive. She disappeared after a few months and left Lorianna with her aunt

Unfortunately, Lorianna's aunt wasn't able to care for her. She dropped Lorianna off at a shelter and never returned. She isn't aware of any other living relatives.

Shawn's heart twinged with pain when he initially heard that. He couldn't help but feel so many similarities to her situation.

"We're here to provide Lorianna a safe and loving home," Jaxon said firmly. "She's a part of our family now, and we'll do whatever it takes to make her feel loved and supported."

Laura offered them a grateful smile. "I have no doubt about that," she said softly, her voice warm and appreciative. "Lorianna couldn't have asked for better parents."

*  *  *

Lorianna wasn't an easy cookie to crack. Most days, she stayed in her room, only coming down for meals and listening to Oliver talk about Kiko. She went to therapy three times a week, and considering it was still summer, she stayed in the house unless otherwise.

Jaxon was sitting on their couch, typing away at his computer, needing to meet a deadline for one of his research papers. Oliver was sitting beside him, watching his cartoons, holding his dinosaur plushie in his hands.