The Way We Were

The Way We Bond in Kyoto

Quinn stared at the young girl from a distance. "You helped Nana adopt?!"

"Yes, I did." Marcy yawned as Lady Jeanne introduced Xindi to the family that was in Kyoto. They had gotten in late but Gertie had insisted on an impromptu party.

"I think it's great." Mercedes smiled. "She seems like a sweetheart."

"Tell us about her, Moppet." Laura ordered.

"Her name is Xindi and she's fifteen. Her parents died when she was ten and she had no one else. No one wanted to adopt such an old child so she'd been in that place for five years. She's a dancer and a great cook. She's got a green thumb and now she'll get to shop to her heart's content.

She is a sweetheart." Marcy liked her immensely.

"She loves shopping?" That was the only thing Quinn heard.

Mercedes squealed. "We've got to take her shopping as soon as possible!"

"Let's let her catch up." Laura advised. "She can sleep in tomorrow then after she eats, we can go shopping."

"I'll even come with." Marcy offered.

Laura, Mercedes, Quinn and Maddie squealed. "Yay!"

W.W.W.

Xindi awoke disoreinted. She was unsure of where she was because the room she was in was so much more beautiful than the room she shared with seven other girls.

She sat up and realized she was at the Chang estate in Japan. That was wild.

She got up and went to use the restroom to wash and clothe herself then wandered downstairs to see if she could find her new mother.

A butler came up to her. "Miss? If you'd follow me, your family is in the grey dining room, breakfasting and would like for you to join them at your earliest convenience."

Xindi was unused to someone speaking to her in such a manner. Was she dreaming?

He took her through the halls to the grey dining room as she gawked at the expensive mansion. When they reached the room, he announced her.

Everyone in the room looked up and at her, making her blush. She hurried to bow.

The butler showed her to a seat and sat her before bringing her a plate and bowl.

"Good morning, Xindi." Lady Jeanne smiled at her.

"Good morning, Mother." Xindi bowed her head.

"Mommy says you're our new auntie." Mickey spoke up. "Are you like Tia Mercy or Tia Quinn?"

"Neither." Marcy told her. "We like Auntie Xindi."

That broke the ice as everyone laughed at Mercedes and Quinn yelling at Marcy, who sipped her milk.

Xindi relaxed. These were normal people.

W.W.W.

"Would you like to go shopping?"

Xindi was shocked that Mercedes was talking to her. "Yes please."

"Go find a cloak and the shoes you want to wear." Lady Jeanne instructed.

Xindi left.

"I wanna shop, Mommy." Mickey pouted.

"You wanna shop?" Marcy ran a hand over her little girl's curls.

Mickey nodded.

"Okay. Go get a jacket. Take Cerise, Sola and Rye with you."

Riley sulked.