𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐞 {𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞} [𝐎𝐂 𝐗 𝐎𝐂]

♡Chapter 179♡

{Poppy's outfit}

"Alright, who finished my brownies?" Olivia asked, holding up an empty plate covered in crumbs.

Poppy and Caleb, slouched at the kitchen table, glanced at each other like kids caught red-handed.

"Well?" Olivia arched a brow, dropping the plate onto the counter.

Scarlett cracked open a soda from the fridge and smirked. "Do we even need to play detective here? Caleb's got brownie crumbs all over his lips, and Poppy's got some around her mouth."

"Tattletale." Poppy shot back, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance.

Scarlett just laughed, ruffling Caleb's hair as she passed by. "You might wanna keep it clean, babe. Can't be showing up tomorrow with chocolate face."

Caleb leaned back, smirking. "Please. I always look good."

Olivia gasped suddenly. "Oh my gosh, right! Tomorrow's the day."

Scarlett slipped her arm over Caleb's chair and nodded. "Yep. Tomorrow we finally meet the little girl we're adopting. We bring her home."

"We've seen her picture." Caleb added more seriously. "Her past wasn't easy, so I need you guys to be patient with her, alright?"

Everyone nodded.

"So, uh...what's her story?" Donte asked, not nosy—just concerned.

Caleb and Scarlett traded a heavy look. Caleb cleared his throat. "Her mom was into drugs. Dad was deep into booze. They left her alone most of the time...basically had to take care of herself."

Olivia's shoulders slumped. "Man. Poor kid."

"How old is she?" Poppy asked.

"Eight." Scarlett said softly.

"And her parents now?" Donte asked.

"In prison. For a long time." Caleb's voice was clipped, anger simmering under it.

Before the mood got too heavy, baby cries echoed from upstairs.

Poppy stood with a chuckle. "And that's my cue. Little man's up from his nap." She headed for the stairs, grinning.

<~~~~~~~~>

It was a couple of hours later.

Poppy had taken JJ out for some fresh air, so right now she was pushing him in his pram. Luckily, it was a lovely day. The air was warm enough to be pleasant, but not uncomfortable. The sun shone down between drifting clouds, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves above her head. It was the kind of afternoon that made the world feel calm and still.

Poppy smiled to herself as she looked ahead and noticed Warren sitting on a bench further down the path. She leaned down slightly toward the pram. "I see Daddy." She whispered in a soft, playful voice, as though sharing a secret with her baby. JJ, nestled in his blankets, blinked slowly, his tiny face serene, unaware of her words but comforted by the familiar sound of her voice.