A Home For Zoe

Epilogue (In Editing)

The picture above is of Eli.

"This is our happily ever after."

Zoe

"Zoe hurry up, I'm going to be late for class." Cason calls to me.

I groan, ever since he got his driver's license he's been so annoying.

I grab my back pack off the chair. And plod down the stairs, "You know just because you have your license doesn't mean you rule my life."

"But if I didn't drive you, you'd have to take the bus."

We both shudder at the same time. I glare at him, crossing my arms, while racking my brain for a comeback.

"Face it, Sis, you owe me one, big time."

I try to keep glaring at him, but I smile instead. Just like I always do when he calls me "sis." "That's not fair, and you know it." I turn and head for the door.

"Where are you going?"

I turn and smile sweetly at him, "I wouldn't want to make you late for school." He glances at his watch and dashes after me.

I laugh as I open the passenger door. Chloe's already sitting in the back seat. "What took you guys so long?" As I climb in.

"Ask her." Cason grumbles.

"Oh, cheer up, if you miss one morning of making out with Andrea before first period it won't kill you." I say.

This causes Chloe to giggle. "It might." She whispers to me, leaning forward in her seat.

Cason pulls out of the driveway and turns toward the high school. At school we walk in side by side but Chloe spots one of her freshman friends and heads off. Calling, "Bye, Love you guys," over her shoulder.

Cason gives me one last glare, before giving in and hugging me just so he can mess up my hair.

I smooth down my braid. And shove him off towards his locker, "Go kiss your girlfriend, mess up her hair."

He winks at me, "I'll see you after school, and come outside before 4:00 today or I'm leaving you behind," he says before running off to his locker. I stand alone for a second before someone throws an arm around me.

"Zo!" Yells my best friend, Grace.

Once the Bradley's has officially become my family. I finally felt like I could get close to people here. I smile at her. "Hey, G."
___

When Cason pulls into the driveway that afternoon, I see Mrs. Anderson's car in the driveway. My first instinct is to panic, my brain jumping to the worst-case scenarios. My father is starting up the fight again. Or maybe some paper didn't get signed, and my adoption wasn't really official.

Cason glances at me. "Calm down, Zo."

"What if..."

"Zoe, what did I tell you the first time we talked?"

I think back remembering how terrified I'd been. Sure that this family was no different from all the others. "Mom never says no," I recall, smiling.

He shakes his head, "Nope."

All three of us climb out of the car and walk up the front steps. "You ready?"

I nodded. I was ready to save someone else the way the Bradley's had saved me.

Cason opens the door. We walk towards the kitchen. The twins are sitting at the center island, having their snack. Tyler in on the counter. Standing next to Mrs. Anderson is a boy with dark black hair and sad, green eyes. He doesn't look up when we come in, but Mom does, she smiles wide at us.

"Hey, you're home," She says, "I'm so glad. Chloe, Cason, Zoe," she gives me and extra big smile before continuing, "I want you all to meet Eli."