Adopting twins; Zalfie.

Chapter 6

                                                                        Saturday November 10th 2017 

Erin's POV:

I looked in the mirror at my outfit. I was wearing a tight, grey jumper tucked into a knee length, black, denim skirt, tights and black ankle boots. I pulled on a big black and grey scarf and my black winter coat and headed down. I tightened my ponytail as I sat on the stairs nervously waiting. A week ago, Marion called Alexis and I into her office and told us that Zalfie wanted to 'get to know us better'. Which is code for 'they're thinking of adopting you'. I couldn't believe it. The second we got back into our room I burst into tears. This is everything that I've been dreaming for since I was seven years old. I was getting a real family again. Today, Zoe and Alfie were taking us out for the day. It was our first time getting to hang out with them outside of the foster home. 

A few minutes later, Alexis came down and sat next to me. She was wearing black skinny jeans, an over sized red and black striped jumper and black boots that stopped mid-calf. She had her hair in a matching ponytail to mine, and her cheeks had flushed red from wearing her winter coat inside. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight as the anxiety set it. I felt queasy, my stomach in knots. Finally, at 11-ish, Zalfie knocked at the door. Marion let them in and we couldn't help but immediately run and hug them. As I clutched Zoe tight I whispered, "thank you." Unfortunately, we had to wait a little while more as they were taken into an overly long meeting with our social worker Claire.

"Ready to go?" Alfie asked, emerging in the hallway at 11:30. "Yep!" I grinned, grabbing my phone and heading to the door. "I'll see you in a few hours, bye bye girls!" Marion said, pulling us both in for a hug. I felt a little sad as we walked out the door. Part of me couldn't wait to get out of the foster house, but another part of me longed to stay there forever, protected by Marion and surrounded by other children who feel the same way we did. Lost. I tried not to think about all of this as we climbed in the back of Zoe's car. "Seat belts on!" she exclaimed, turning on the radio. Christmas music blasted out, and I immediately felt more relaxed. We all sang along as we drove, the fuzzy feeling of excitement fluttering around like butterflies in my stomach.

After 20 minutes we arrived at the beach front. We got out of the car, and walked along together. Zoe linked mine and Alexis' arms as we went and Alfie wrapped his arm around my shoulders. We arrived at a 70s style diner that had been decorated expertly in Christmas decor. "It is November right?" Alfie asked with a chuckle. "Oh shush!" Zoe laughed, jokingly smacking his arm, "tis' the season to be jolly!" We were seated in a booth, me and Alexis on one side and Zalfie on the other. I picked up the menu, my mouth watering as I read each item. "What are we thinking girls?" Zoe asked. "Definitely a burger." Alexis and I replied at the same time, causing them to giggle. "That's what I'm thinking." Alfie said and Zoe nodded. 

We all ordered the same big, American-style burger with extra chocolately milkshakes. I practically drooled when it all arrived. We spent the next two hours chatting and eating our meals. We couldn't help but order desert, each having a gooey chocolate fudge cake. I couldn't have been happier, sat in a booth with the three most important people in my life. We looked like a real family. And it felt like we were. "Should we take a selfie?" Zoe asked, and we all agreed. I smiled for the many snaps, asking her to send them to me. I couldn't wait to get home and print them out to stick on our wall.

Afterward, we went down to the pier to play a few arcade games. My favourites were the grabber machines, so Alfie and I went off to play them, whilst Alexis and Zoe tried their luck on the 2p machines. After many failed attempts, we finally won a teddy. I say we, it was actually Alfie. He handed me the stuffed bear with a smile. I hugged him tightly, and we went off to find the other two. A few more hours passed and eventually we had to go back home. My heart sank as we said goodbye, but I had had the best day. The other children excitedly called us into the living room to tell them everything about our day out. That's one of the things I love about it here. The other kids weren't mad at us for being chosen, they just supported us through it. Well, maybe not Leah.