"So this is your new home, Carters. I hope everything is to your comfort"
Mary-Anne Brooks and her husband George sat the three children down in their grand living room, cornered with libraries in itself, gold plated ware displayed upon the glass cabinets. To say this was far out of their comfort was a tremendous understatement. They had never before thought to even set eyes on such a stupendous sight. And now, this was their new home.
"This is lovely, thank you very much." The hazel eyes of Nicholas Carter warmed up at the benignity of the two, holding Emma in his lap as she looked around in utter adoration as Riley sat next to them both, eyes gazing back and forth to her new adoptive family. She began experiencing conflicted emotions of both gratefulness and despair. George Brooks seemed to take notice of the girl's woeful expression.
"I know you children had just experienced such an unfortunate event the past day, and so I've heard throughout your life. But I can assure you Carters, that it has all come to an end. Mourning a loss is difficult, we both know what it's like, and we will give you all the time you need to yourselves and just know, that we are all family now, and if you ever, ever need anyone to talk to, don't be afraid to ask." George smiled at the children as his wife clutched his hand, smiling sadly at both her husband and the Carter children.
"And if you both are ready, school resumed last week, so we decided to enroll you for tomorrow. Of course, school is an unfamiliar setting to both of you, but no need to fret, Avonlea has fine young children just like the both of you," Mary-Anne couldn't help but widely grin at the glowing faces of the children that sat before her.
Bringing a sense of comfort to her, Riley raised her head up to meet their welcoming eyes. And for the first time in a while, she felt a sense of relief.
"We greatly appreciate your kindness, thank you. I've always wanted to go back to school, and Avonlea seems like a wondrous place, I wouldn't doubt the people here are just as welcoming as both of you." Her eyes darted towards her siblings, then back at the two in front of her. As intelligent as Riley and Nicholas were, they had limited experiences with schooling, having to retreat due to their father's death.
