Rescue Nova

First Lesson

Early that January, Nova came out of a courtroom feeling victorious. In order for the petition to be granted, she'd needed to be in adult mindset when she went before the judge. Unable to control when and where she was in headspace made Nova fearful that she would regress before or during the hearing. Fortunately, she didn't. Everything went according to plan, and it was now official. Billie Jo Stockman was no longer legally Nova's mother.

Kimberly and Leila had also accomplished something in that courtroom today. Out-of-headspace Nova had signed a paper naming them as the two people who had guardianship over her when she was unable to make the best decisions about her welfare - in other words, while she's in headspace or in any other way infirmed.

"Thank you again, Liam," Kimberly told their attorney, shaking his hand.

"You're welcome. Well, I better be going. I have another hearing in half an hour. You ladies enjoy the rest of your day."

All three of them said goodbye to Liam. Afterwards, they decided to go out to an early dinner to celebrate.

•••••••••••••••

Along with the start of a new year, January marked the beginning of a formal education for Nova. Kimberly had planned on beginning working with Nova in November and had drawn up a curriculum, but things got put off, and Kimberly wound up settling on starting after the holidays. Today, the day finally arrived. Kimberly promised Nova that her first lesson would commence as soon as Kimberly got home from work.

Nova couldn't wait. In headspace and out, she looked forward to it. But little Nova had that exuberant eagerness that comes so naturally to children, and because she was little most of today, she was especially excited. She talked nonstop about it to Leila, repeatedly asking when Kimberly would be home.

Under normal circumstances, Leila would have found the child's mirth endearing, but Leila was too tired for any real joy today. Leila had worked last night, and she'd had one of her toughest clients, too. She was beat, so when the doorbell began making its persistent, insistent rings that were only heard when Nova's little friend from down the street came to play, Leila was glad someone had come to entertain Nova.

"That's Emily!" Nova exclaimed. "Can I open it?!"

"Please," Leila replied dryly.

Nova ran to open the door. As expected, Emily was on the other side.

"Hi!" Emily said.

"Hi!" Nova greeted her friend with a hug.

"Can we play? I brought Emmie to play with Belle, too!" Emily said, holding out her favorite doll.

Nova invited her friend inside and took her to her bedroom. After settling Belle and Emmie together to "play," Nova and Emily were now free to choose what they wanted to do together. But before they did, Nova had to tell Emily the good news.

"Guess what today is?" Nova asked.

"Miss Kimberly starts teaching you today!" Emily exclaimed, happy for her friend. She remembered Nova telling her about this two days ago.

"Yeah! I can't wait until she gets home! So, what do you want to play?"

Emily thought for a moment. "...I know. Let's ride our bikes."

"Okay."

•••••••••••••••

Leila had made herself comfortable in a recliner in the living room to get some rest while Nova and Emily played. She was just drifting off when the girls came barreling back into the room, startling her awake.