Finding Refuge

[justagirl4fun]

Tara Brennan had just picked five-year-old Alice up from her last day of school before Christmas break. They were having a snack,and waiting for Tara's husband, Kyle, who was supposed to be coming home early. In about an hour they were expecting a social worker, who was bringing three little Syrian girls, sisters who had spent the last two years in a refugee camp.

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle came home about an hour after Alice came home. Usually he didn't have to work all day, but since he knew he'd be busy with the girls, he had a lot to do beforehand. He walked through the door and hung his coat up. He kissed his daughter and wife. "How're my girls?"

[justagirl4fun]

"Daddy!" Alice squealed. She held her arms up to him.

Tara gave Kyle a nervous smile. "The social worker will be here soon," she said, trying to hide her shaking hands. She was terrified that things wouldn't go well. With Alice's medical issues Kyle hadn't been sure he wanted any more children, but she had convinced him to give fostering a shot. She hoped everything would go smoothly, because she knew if it was a bad experience he probably wouldn't want to keep the girls or be open to fostering or adopting in the future.

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle smiled and picked up his daughter. "Hi there baby." He said smiling. "Well I guess it's too late to turn back now." He said to his wife, still not sure about the whole fostering thing.

[justagirl4fun]

Soon the doorbell rang. Tara jumped up and opened the door. "Hello! Come right in, please!" she gushed and led the social worker and 3 little girls - all with olive skin, dark brown curls, and big, hazel eyes - to the living room.

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle smiled and carried his daughter to the living room. "Let's go meet your new sisters."

Maya looked around the spacious house, her thumb in her mouth and eyes wide in amazement. Having spent the last two years in a refugee camp, she didn't get out much. She was amazed by how nice and pretty everything was around her.

[justagirl4fun]

The social worker, Carol, sat on the couch with the youngest girl on her lap and motioned for the other two to sit next to her. The oldest spoke to the middle child, clearly encouraging her to do what she was told, before taking a seat.

Tara crouched down in front of the girls and held out four suckers - cherry flavored Santa faces - with a smile. The oldest girl gave Carol a qustioning glance, but took three when Carol smiled and nodded. She opened one and handed it to the youngest, then did the same for the middle girl, and finally unwrapped one for herself. "I'm Tara," she said slowly, "and that is Kyle, and Alice."

Alice held on to her father and eyed the new girls warily. "Daddy, I want one too," she whispered as her mother gave the girls their treats.

[Shy-Diapers]

"You can have one after we talk." Kyle whispered back. He smiled at the girls and waved a little.

[justagirl4fun]

"But she has another one," Alice pointed out. "Please?" Tara had meant to give it to her, so she wouldn't feel left out, but got distracted when the social worker started speaking.

"So, this is Noor. She's four and a half. She has severe PTSD - they all have it, really, but she's the worst - and doesn't talk, doesn't make eye contact, isn't toilet trained at all, takes no initiative with self-dressing or feeding...there may be other psychological and developmental issues as well but obviously that's hard to assess in her state. Next is Maya, who is six. Like I said, she also has PTSD. She is toilet trained, but has pretty frequent accidents. Amira is seven. She occasionally wets the bed, and may have an accident if she's frightened, but otherwise has no toileting issues. As you can see, they're all pretty malnourished and none have been to school for the last two years so they're definitely behind their peers. Any questions?"

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle gently took the lollipop from his wife and gave it to his daughter. "There you go baby." He whispered. He blinked a little, realizing what he got himself into. "Erm um." He stammered, unsure what to ask.

[justagirl4fun]

"No, I think that's enough," Tara said. She had basically gotten the same spiel over the phone, and knew that the agency really didn't know much about the girls beyond that. "You want to come with me, sweetheart?" she asked Noor, who was staring blankly ahead as she sucked her lollipop. The girl didn't reach for her, but didn't put up a fight when Tara took her, either. "Why don't we go see your rooms," she said, offering a hand to Maya. She knew the girls didn't speak English aside from a handful of words picked up from aid workers in the camp, but figured the more she talked, the quicker they would pick it up. Once again, Amira gave Carol a questioning look, but Carol nodded and so Amira urged Maya to take Tara's hand.

[Shy-Diapers]

Maya took Tara's hand hesitantly. She wasn't so sure of this new lady, but she trusted her big sister and wanted to listen to her. She reached for Amira's hand, not wanting to be anywhere without her.

[justagirl4fun]

"Hon, why don't you see Carol out and meet us upstairs?" Tara suggested before heading to the second floor with the three girls in tow. They came to a spacious yellow room with two twin beds,

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle nodded. He picked up Alice and walked the social worker to the door, still in shock that there family grew from three to five.

[justagirl4fun]

"Go ahead, you can look," Tara urged, gently pushing Maya forward. There was a chest of drawers with a few outfits and unearthings for each girl, and a bookcase with some books and toys. It wasn't much, but Tara had wanted to see how big the girls were, and where they were developmentally, before buying a ton of stuff for them.

"Daddy, how long they 'tayin'?" Alice asked after Carol left. "Are they gonna like me?"

[Shy-Diapers]

Maya squeaked a bit, but approached the bed. She gently reached out and ran her hand across the soft bedding. She smiled and picked up the pajamas and held them to her face. "Mmm." She smiled, liking the soft feeling of the fabric.

[justagirl4fun]

Alice bit her lip and looked away. While most of the kids at school,were friendly and welcoming, there were a few that made fun of her leg braces and the way she walked; they'd had a field day with her for weeks after she'd had a seizure in class and thrown up, and still wouldn't let her forget the time she'd messed her pull up during show-and-tell. Given that, she was naturally worried that these new girls might pick on her as well.

Amira hesitated but eventually began exploring her new room. It was nicer than anything she had ever seen. Pretty soon she was smiling as she checked out the toys.

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle frowned. "Don't worry baby. They're probably afraid you won't like them. If they're mean which they won't be you come tell me or mommy."

Maya picked up a stuffed rabbit and pet it's plush fur. She may have been six, but developmentally she was more that of a toddler, being in a camp for two years, never having attended school.

[justagirl4fun]

"You like the bunny? You can have it," Tara said with a smile. "Let's go see your sister's room now!" she suggested, mostly because she could tell the little one was overdue for a change; she really didn't expect any reaction out of her. She walked down the hall to a white and aqua room with accents of candy spple red. Like the other room this, too, had two beds but there was also a changing table. She grabbed a clean outfit from a drawer before setting Noor on the table and removing her slightly damp overalls and sodden diaper. Soon she had the girl changed and dressed.

Alice nodded and snuggled into her daddy's shoulder. "Okay."

[Shy-Diapers]

Maya took the bunny with her when they went to the other room. She held it close to her chest, stroking its ears. She smiled and held it up to her sister, trying to show it off to her.

[justagirl4fun]

"O...okay," Alice said hesitantly.

[Shy-Diapers]

Kyle smiled and carried Alice up the stairs and found his wife and the three girls. "Alice wanted to say hi."

Maya smiled and held the bunny close. Not minutes later, she had a wet spot growing around the

[justagirl4fun]

Alice spotted the aftermath of Maya's accident, but kept her mouth shut. She knew how it felt to be teased and didn't want to hurt the girl's feelings.

Tara noticed a minute later. "Oh dear, honey you better take her," she said, holding Noor out to him so she could tend to Maya.

[Shy-Diapers]

"Oh! Okay." Kyle said adjusting the girls so he had one on each hip. "Lets go sit on the bed." He said, unable to hold both girls for very long. He sat on the bed and put a girl on each side of him.

[justagirl4fun]

Alice stared intently at Noor, very interested in her new little sister, but Noor was completely oblivious.