Hold Tight (Phan Adoption)

Chapter Six

 "Hello loves," I greet as Phil and Waverly appear from the steps. "Have a nice shopping trip? Anything exciting happen?" Last night, Phil and I had decided that he was to take Waverly school and clothes shopping. I figured it'd be a good way to let them bond, but by the look on her face it doesn't look like they did much bonding.

 "We got some nice things, didn't we?" Phil asks Waverly softly, setting some bags on the table. She nods her head and copies his actions. He sighs and goes off to the kitchen, clearly something is bothering him. She walks off to her room and I instantly feel so confused. Did I miss something?

I quickly scurry to the kitchen to find Phil leaned against the counter rubbing his face. "Lion.. whats going on?" I walk in front of him and rest my hands on his hips.

"She didn't say but a grand total of like three words today. I really wanted to bond with her but I just don't think she likes me." His shoulders are slumped as he speaks truthfully. I sigh and rub his arm to reassure him.

"Just give it some time.. It will all work out. She's in a weird place in her life. I will try to get her to like.. I don't start talking about the clothes she got and gradually ask her whats up okay?" I hate seeing Phil so frustrated, I'm afraid he will take it personally. He just nods his head and smiles a bit. "Now go film, it will take ages for you to edit if you don't start now." I peck his lips and retrieve the shopping bags on the table to take to Waverly's room.

The door is open when I walk in, I set the bags on the floor and sit at the end of the bed. The sound of a sink running comes from the bathroom. Its not much longer until Waverly comes from the bathroom tugging at her sleeves. She looks at me and gives me a small smile before sitting on the bed.

"Did you have fun with Lion today?" I ask again with a bigger smile. Unexpectedly, she grins really big and nods her head.

"It was really fun.. I got some nice things.." she pulls up some of the bags and begins to show me some of the shirts and leggings she got.

"I like these," I say while taking out some black Converse from a box. We continue to look through her new piles of black and purple clothing. She has quite a distinct taste I guess.

After I help her fold her new belongings, I put them away from her in the dresser. I pick up the bags as she logs on to her laptop. There is one bag hidden that she must've forgotten about.

"Hey you forgot this one," I say before opening it. I look inside and see a few small bras and many pairs of lacey underwear. Well, okay then. Girls are girls I guess.

"Um.. just set it on the dresser.." she says with a pink tint to her cheeks. I laugh softly and do as I'm told. After a few minutes of silence, I sit on the bed and sigh.

"So Lion tells me you didn't talk very much today. Are you alright?" I finally ask. She looks at me and sits her computer aside.

"I'm fine.. I didn't want to say anything stupid. I really want Phil to like me and I just.. got nervous." She looks down at her hands and fidgets a bit.

"Wave," I sigh and rest my hand on her knee. "You don't have to be nervous okay? We understand that you aren't used to being out of the orphanage and talking to people but.. we are trying our best."

"I know.. and I thank you for that. Please don't take it personally.. I just get so over whelmed and I don't know how to express my emotions and how to trust. I really just want you guys to like me!" Her exasperated sigh tells me how frustrated she is with herself. I can't help but feel this connection to her, its a level of understanding what she is going through.

"Honey we do like you! Its just a matter if you like us. Look, I know what you are going through. I get anxiety sometimes at business meetings or on the radio show because I am afraid of putting myself in an awkward position. But those are times when I have already put myself in an awkward position because I feel the way I do. The point is, we don't expect you to be a Chatty Cathy when you are upset. But please don't feel embarrassed to talk, okay? We love your little voice." At this point I can see the guilt practically seeping from her skin.