The Artist [h.s.]

twenty six

Carter and Harry visited Poppy every day for twelve months. Often, they would bring her presents and Harry would teach her something new about various types of art. The other kids were jealous, but the appearance of her new parents and their multitude of tattoos kept them away.

Poppy thought that Christmas was the best visit though, because Carter and Harry had appeared as soon as the orphanage opened and they had stayed with her until it closed. They gave her so many nice things, but Poppy valued the love and the memories the most.

When the day finally came, Poppy was bursting with excitement. She was finally leaving the dull walls and mean children behind; she finally had a real home.

Carter and Harry showed up right when the orphanage opened and helped her put her things in their car. After spending so much time with them, she learned where all the money came from. Carter had won a television show for her tattoos and Harry was continuously recognized for his works at galleries all over the world.

They'd pulled up to a nice house on the other side of town and Poppy's eyes widened.

"You live here!?"

Carter removed her seat belt and turned around only to smile at her, "We live here. C'mon, I'll give you a tour while Harry gets your things."

Poppy followed Carter excitedly, she hadn't been in a real home since she was four.

"This is the only downstairs bedroom, but it has its own bathroom. Oh! And if you don't like the things in the room, just let us know. You can have anything you want, new sheets, new paint, anything at all."

Carter let her walk around and explore the room before leading her upstairs. She stopped at the first open door, "This is our bedroom, so, if you ever need us we're in here pretty much all the time when we're home."

Poppy giggled as she peeked inside and saw that their room was a mess. "You have paint on your sheets!"

Carter smiled in return, "It happens."

She laughed and Poppy laughed with her as they walked a little further down the hall. They stopped in front of the last door on the left.

"This is the other option, it doesn't have a bathroom, but conveniently the bathroom is right next door."

Harry walked up the stairs with Poppy's belongings and smiled at the two girls, "Made it."

Carter playfully rolled her eyes, "What if she wants the one downstairs?"

Harry stood up straight and shrugged, "Then I'll move her stuff downstairs. But I'm 100% positive that she'll pick this one."

Poppy beamed as she stepped inside the room and took a long look around. Harry was right, she definitely wanted this room. However, she was curious about the door beside what Carter had said was the bathroom.

She stepped back into the hallway with a bright smile, "I want this one."

Harry grinned triumphantly as he picked up Poppy's trunk full of miscellaneous things, "Told you so."

Carter smacked his chest as he walked by and he set the trunk down immediately. His arms wrapped around her waist and she tried not to grin as he pouted, "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Poppy smiled as he dipped his head down and kissed her sweetly. She wasn't afraid of going back to the orphanage because it was very clear that Carter and Harry loved each other very much and that they planned on sharing their love with her.

Carter beamed and kissed him back. They exchanged brief 'I love you's' before Harry finished moving Poppy's trunk into her new room. He'd left a few boxes in the hall, but they followed quickly and soon everything was ready to be unpacked.