It's a Saturday morning. Charlotte is already awake. She gets dressed, preparing for the day's walk. Just then, she hears a knock at the door.
"Please come in," Charlotte calls out.
The sister enters with her usual stern expression. Charlotte wonders why she's in her room so early.
"Good morning," the sister says.
"Good morning Sister," Charlotte replies.
"Do you remember what I told you about having visitors?"
"Oh yeah, you mentioned that. I remember."
"Quickly put things in place and come to my office as soon as possible. Understood?"
Charlotte nods and watches her leave.
As soon as she completed what she was doing, she hurried to the office. There, she met a couple and greeted them politely, she even smiled, trying to make a good impression at least.
"Mr. and Mrs. E.I. Mavurian ," Sister Tina begins the introduction. "Sir, madam, you're welcome."
"Nice meeting you," Charlotte says with a polite nod.
"They're here to see you," Sister Tina continues. "They'll be adopting you and Abigail today."
Charlotte is astonished; really amazed. It was so unbelievable — could she possibly be dreaming?
"Seriously?!" Charlotte asks no one in particular.
"Yes, dear," Mrs. Mavurian replies.
"But why not just Abbie? Why me?" Charlotte still can't believe her ears. Just then, Abigail comes in and stands beside Charlotte.
"Hello."
"Awwn, she's so cute. Isn't she, hun?" Mrs. Mavurian cooed, her eyes softening as she watched the little girl.
Mr. Mavurian smiled, nodding in agreement. "Of course she is."
He turned to Charlotte, his expression warm but serious. "Charlotte, I know you're probably confused right now, and that's okay. But here's the truth. My wife and I have waited seventeen years. Seventeen long years without children. And when we finally decided to adopt, we thought… why not bring two children into our lives at once?"
Charlotte's brows furrowed slightly.
Mr. Mavurian continued, "We told Your caregiver about our plans and she recommended the both of you, You and Abby, she told us of the sisterly bond you both shared and we thought, what a perfect opportunity."
There was a moment of silence.
"So, Charlotte," he said gently, "what do you think?"
Charlotte's throat tightened. She blinked rapidly, overwhelmed. "I… I'm so happy," she whispered. "Thank you, sir. Thank you, Sister Tina. I thought no one would ever adopt me again. And Abby—she gets to be my sister? I couldn't have asked for more."
Mrs. Mavurian stood and walked over, wrapping her arms around both girls. "You're not just adopted. You're part of our family now."
Mr. Mavurian smiled and added, "We've signed all the documents with Madam Tina. And, well… we'd like to give you both new names. A fresh start."
Charlotte's eyes widened slightly.
"Charlotte, your new name will be Reana Mavurian . And Abby, sweetheart, you'll be Rose Mavurian . Is that all right with you?"
"Alright…" Charlotte said.
"Yes!" Abby chirped in unison.
Mrs. Mavurian chuckled. "And please dear, From now on, it's mom and dad, okay?"
"Okay, mom. Okay, dad," Charlotte and Abby replied together, smiling brightly.
Mr. Mavurian gave a content nod. "That's better."
"Thank you so much," Charlotte added. "And thank you, Sister Tina. Thank you for everything."
"Oh, don't mention it, dear," Sister Tina said.
Mr. Mavurian glanced at the girls. "You can go pack up your things. We'll be leaving soon."
"All right, mom!" Abby said cheerfully before dashing off.
Charlotte turned and made her way to her room. As she stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia hit her. This room held so many memories of laughter, of tears, of growing up. She ran her hand along the edge of the bed, letting herself feel the moment.
She reached for her backpack and carefully packed her most precious belongings: her diary, an old baby carrier,a written note from her birth parents which was signed with her original name, Rita M. She paused at the initials. RM... Reana Mavurian? What a coincidence. Maybe she wouldn't have to leave that part of herself behind entirely.
She added the parcel Charles had sent her, and zipped the bag shut. The necklace he gave her was still around her neck.
Taking one last look around, she whispered, "Thank you," to the room and walked out.
Back in the sister's office, Rose stood waiting with her own teddy in hand, grinning from ear to ear.
"They're ready," Mr. Mavurian said to sister Tina.
She gave each of the girls a tight hug. "Be good, children. Make us proud."
"We will, Sister Tina," they replied together.
Outside, the limousine was already parked. The driver opened the door for them, and the Mavurian family, newly formed but already full of love, stepped inside and drove away into their new beginning.