I'll protect them

Chapter 4: Welcome to the Family.

"(Y/n) I think it's time to put you in a foster home" Mrs. Callie began she's your social worker and you're meeting her today for your monthly meetup.

Your eyes widen before you turn away from her. "I don't want to; this is my hometown, and I have people I care about here"

Mrs. Callie sighs "don't you want to be adopted? I know no one can replace your parents but don't you want to be part of a family?" You stay silent not wanting to even entertain the idea you already see the banners as the closest thing to family you have.

"If you want to stay here you should talk to the Banners and see if they're willing to take you in." She proposes.

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-Time skip-

It's Saturday a week after the conversation you had with Callie. You're sitting in Ashlyn's bed staring into space while you think. 'Would they even want to take me in? Would Ashlyn be okay with that? Mike and Emma are the closest things I have to parents now but..." you sigh for the hundredth time today.

Ashlyn looks at you from her spot on the floor "Alright what's got you so bothered I'm tired of hearing you sigh every 10 seconds "she states bluntly. "Well...my social worker told me it's time for me to go to a faster home...but I don't want to leave."

"Just stay with us." She deadpans as if it was obvious "eh!? Would your parents even want to take me in? I don't want to be a bother" Ashlyn sighs before sitting next to you on the bed "I've been thinking about asking them to adopt you for a while now, but I held off because I didn't know if that's something you'd want" she explains awkwardly. You stare at her as your eyes start to water "you wouldn't mind? We'd be sisters, is that okay with you?" You ask

She smiles before leaning her head on your shoulder "of course I wouldn't mind and I'm sure mom and dad would be happy to adopt you" she reassured you "Ashlyn, I love you I don't know what I'd do without you"

"I love you too (N/n) now let's go downstairs and ask, okay?" Ashlyn stands before taking your hand and leading you downstairs and calling for her parents. "Mom, dad, can we talk to you? "She yells into the kitchen before sitting on one of the couches in the living room. "What's up?" Mike says walking towards the other couch across from you with Emma right behind him, the two of them sit down waiting for what you have to say.

You take a deep breath before exhaling nervously you start to explain the conversation you had with Callie before pausing to build up the courage to ask the big question "if it's okay with you-" you start before Ashlyn puts a hand on your shoulder silently telling you to let her ask them instead you nod and take a relieved breath that you didn't have to be the one to ask. "Mom dad, can we adopt (y/n) "she asks straightforwardly.

Emma and Mike look at each other before softly smiling "is that what you want (y/n)?" Emma asks you "yes" you immediately respond. "Okay we'll adopt you, the adoption will take a while to process but we'll start working on it tomorrow "

The four of you spend the rest of the day bonding and playing 20 questions." When's your birthday?" Mike asks "June 3rd" you say, "you have the same birthday as Ashlyn!" Emma says excitedly Ashlyn's eyes widen before asking a question of her own "where were you born?"

At this time, you didn't think that having the same birthdate and place would be important, you just thought it was a cool coincidence.

"I was born on the side of the road" you replay "Wow it's like you guys were destined to meet" Mike says light heartedly "Ashlyn was also born on the side of the road" Emma informs you.

The four of you decided to go to sleep since it was getting late and because starting tomorrow the process of your adoption would take place. For the next year you and the banners would spend getting all the paperwork and legal things handled so that they could officially adopt you into the family.

Six months into the adoption process you started to call Mike and Emma, mom and dad. You knew that they could never replace your real parents, but you also knew that your parents would want you to have people who could take care and love you the way you deserved.

You also started ballet with Ashlyn. You were already really flexible so catching up to Ashlyn wouldn't take long. Another thing about you is that you've always had a higher IQ then kids your age but after your parents passed you started to neglect school so now, you're catching up on everything you missed.

Another six months passed, and you were officially (y/n) banner. The four of you went out to eat in celebration to welcome you to the family.

You smiled softly before sending a prayer up to your parents 'mom dad I found myself a family you'd like them I'm sure'

"(N/n) what are you thinking about?" Ashlyn asks, you smile at her "nothing I just love you guys"

Emma, Mike and Ashlyn smile before laughing "huh what?" You ask confused "we love you to (y/n)"