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Looking into the brown paper bag at the items that had been purchased, Alice saw the food she used to eat for so long—always in small portions, either chopped up or mashed very well, and accompanied by water at every meal; whenever she was constipated, the remedy was a mixture of water and prunes. Maddison didn't have fond memories of the supermarket either—it was there she had once had an accident—but today was different. When she felt the urge, she told Camilla, who showed her the bathroom; Maddison went and successfully used the toilet this time, overjoyed. Camilla took the opportunity to check the girls' diapers.

great start! keep going

First of all, I apologize; English is not my native language, so I'm sorry if the translation isn't entirely accurate. With that clarified, enjoy the read.   —Hello, welcome to the children's adoption center. How can I help you?—said the receptionist.   —Hello, we have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Peralta at ten o'clock this morning—said a female voice.   The receptionist began scrolling on her computer, searching for meetings scheduled for today, Monday. She quickly found the one she was looking for at the indicated time —Mr. and Mrs. Smith?—the receptionist asked.   —Yes— they both replied.   —Mr. Peralta is waiting for you, tenth floor, the elevator is right there— said the receptionist, pointing to the elevator.   —Thank you very much, miss— said Mr. Smith.   The two adults walked toward the elevator door. Mrs. Smith pressed the button, and it wasn't long before the door opened. They both stepped inside, and again Mrs. Smith pressed the button for the floor they had been directed to.   Mrs. Smith's right hand, which her husband was holding, began to tremble. Noticing this, her husband raised his hand and kissed her, trying to reassure her.   —It's okay, Jessica, everything will be alright— Mr. Smith said in a comforting tone.   —And if they don't accept us, what will we do, Leonard? We're not getting young, we're already forty years old, time isn't taking its toll— Jessica said with a tone of worry and fear, it was inevitable that she shed a couple of tears.   —Trust me, everything will be alright, and we'll have our baby girl home soon— Leonard said, gently wiping away his wife's tears with his thumbs. His warm tone calmed her, and after wiping her away, he kissed her. That was enough to soothe her.   As their conversation ended, the elevator doors opened, and they stepped out. The hallway was short, and at the end, they saw a door with the name Peralta engraved on it. Next to it was the desk of Mr. Peralta's personal secretary. Noticing them, the secretary showed them to the chairs along the wall, explaining that Mr. Peralta was in a meeting with another family and wouldn't be long. No more than five minutes passed before the door opened, and a couple of similar age to the Smiths emerged.   —Thank you so much, miss. We'll be going now— the woman said, her voice radiating happiness.   —The pleasure is all ours. I hope your meeting was productive— the secretary said politely —You may come in now— She stood and opened the door for the couple to enter the office.   Once inside, they were greeted by Mr. Peralta, a middle-aged man of elegant bearing, who stood to welcome them. He gestured to both seats, indicating they should take them, and then immediately took his place in his luxurious chair behind his mahogany desk.   —Mr. and Mrs. Smith, it's a pleasure to see you. Before we continue, how did you hear about this place?— Mr. Peralta asked.   —My best friend, Jack Thompson, and his wife, Savannah Thompson, told us about this place. They used your services— Leonard replied.   —Jack and Savannah Thompson, Hannah Thompson’s parents, have already had the opportunity to meet the little girl. She’s delightful— Mr. Peralta said.   —Yes, she’s a very beautiful child— Jessica said.   —Don’t you find what we do here disturbing, grotesque, horrifying, etc.?— Mr. Peralta asked again, looking intently into the eyes of the Smith couple.   —No, we think you do a wonderful job helping those of us who can’t become parents through conventional methods. I think it’s lovely that you also give a home to children who don’t have one, who haven’t been able to be happy, to have loving parents— Jessica said with a cheerful and welcome tone, smiling.   —In that case, let’s continue. You sent us these photos— Mr. Peralta said, placing two photos in front of them —It’s her, isn’t it?—   The photo shows a woman who is barely one meter ten centimeters tall, an extraordinarily short stature for an adult woman. She is seen leaving a cafe wearing the uniform of the place. Her small size makes any garment fit her in a very particular way; in this case, her uniform makes it seem as if she is wearing a costume, preparing to play instead of work. As she walks among other people, she immediately stands out because of her tiny presence.   The second photo is a half-body shot in which her face is clearly visible. She has a surprisingly youthful appearance, to the point that many people estimate her to be about ten years younger than she actually is. Her features are soft and delicate, with a naturally tender and innocent expression that gives her an almost childlike air. Her cheeks are slightly rounded, her nose is small and fine, and her lips have a discreet and harmonious contour, completing a sweet appearance.   She has a slender build, with a slim and proportionate body for her height. Her shoulders are narrow, her waist is small, and her limbs are thin, which further accentuates her light and delicate appearance. Her bust is a 30A cup, a discreet size that is well-balanced with the rest of her figure.   Her black hair falls a few inches below her shoulders; it's straight, thick, and shiny, reflecting the light with dark highlights that contrast with her fair skin. In the photo, you can see that she wears it loose, framing her face with strands that accentuate her youthful features. One of the most striking features of her face is the numerous freckles that adorn her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Far from being a discreet detail, they form a visible pattern that adds personality and a very distinctive charm. In sunlight, they become even more evident, perfectly complementing her sweet expression. Her eyes are an intense green, bright and expressive. The contrast between the green of her irises, the black of her hair, and the freckles on her skin makes her gaze especially memorable. Her eyes usually convey curiosity, serenity, and warmth, and when she smiles, they acquire a sparkle that further accentuates her youthful appearance.   —It's her— Jessica said as she took the photos in her left hand and began to run her finger over the half-body shot.   —Her name is Reyna Baker, she’s twenty years old, born on July 15, 2005, an orphan with no close relatives. Her highest level of education is high school. She lives in a small apartment ten blocks from her job, currently working at the Summer Solstice Cafe. She lives alone— said Mr. Peralta as he read from the sheet containing all of Reyna’s information.   —We already know most of her personal life. We hired a private investigator some time ago to find out more about her. It breaks my heart that the poor girl couldn’t have a loving childhood… I’m sure my husband and I can give her the love she needs— said Jessica, smiling gently at Reyna’s photo.   —It seems to me that you both want to do something very kind for the poor girl, to give her the chance at a second life in a loving family— said Mr. Peralta.   —How long would the process take?— asked Leonard.   —Once the baby is at our center, it will take us five days to complete the process. We could pick her up today— Mr. Peralta replied to Leonard’s question.   —That’s not much time. I’m not sure if her room will be ready in that time… I suppose we could hurry so everything is ready for her arrival— Jessica said, a hint of concern in her voice.   —So, we start today?— Mr. Peralta asked.   —Yes, we’ll make sure we have everything we need for our daughter— Leonard said, looking at his wife and giving her a smile.   —Perfect, we’ll pick her up today, start the whole process tomorrow, and we’ll be bringing her home Saturday at noon— Mr. Peralta said.   —Yes, that sounds perfect— Jessica said with a huge smile on her face.   Mr. Peralta handed Leonard a card —You can make the deposit here; it's marked with the requested amount—   —I'll make the deposit right away— Leonard said, taking out his phone to make the payment.   —While your husband makes the payment, there are a few more points we need to discuss. At what age do you want us to support your daughter?— Mr. Peralta asked.   —I was thinking, is it possible to combine physical and mental development?— Jessica asked.   —Yes, it's perfectly feasible— Mr. Peralta replied to Jessica's question.   —I'd like her to have the mental age of a one-year-and-three-month-old, the teeth of a one-year-old—by the way, is that possible?—and the motor skills of a one-year-and-three-month-old, but with the ability to walk of a one-year-old— Jessica said.   —That sounds perfect, Mrs. Jessica. Give me a moment, and if possible, we'll fit her with dentures appropriate for a one-year-old. But with them, she'll always need to be fed foods suitable for her teeth to avoid any problems— said Mr. Peralta, quickly handing her a sheet with a list of characteristics for a one-year-old —For the paperwork, will you keep the name Reyna or change it?—   List of psychometric and psychomotor skills of a one-year-and-three-month-old baby.   Cognitive Skills   Recognizes family members and close friends.   Understands simple one-step instructions (e.g., “Bring me the ball”).   Identifies some everyday objects when named.   Points to one or two body parts when asked.   Imitates adult actions, such as sweeping,   combing hair, or talking on the phone.   Begins to engage in simple symbolic play, such as feeding a doll.   Explores how objects work through trial and error.   Finds hidden objects and remembers where they were placed.   Understands simple cause-and-effect relationships.   Maintains attention for a few minutes on activities that interest them.   Shows curiosity about discovering new ways to play.   Gross Motor Skills   Walks independently with good stability.   Stands up and sits down without assistance.   Begins to walk faster and may attempt to run, although still with limited coordination.   Bends down to pick up objects without losing balance.   Pushes and pulls toys while walking.   Climbs stairs with help or by crawling.   Climbs onto low furniture.   Throws a ball forward.   Can occasionally kick a large ball.   Fine Motor Skills   Builds towers of 2 to 4 blocks.   Spontaneously scribbles with crayons.   Turns the pages of a board book, although several at a time.   Puts objects in and takes them out of containers.   Uses a pincer grasp accurately to pick up small objects.   Begins to use a spoon with fewer spills.   Drinks from a cup with minimal assistance.   Points to pictures in a book when named.   Places large pieces into stacking toys.   Language and Communication   Says approximately 3 to 10 meaningful words, although some children may say more.   Understands many more words than can be expressed.   Points to objects to request them or to share interest.   Imitates new words and sounds. Responds when called by name.   Uses gestures, such as pointing, waving, or shaking their head, to communicate.   Social and Emotional Development   Seeks the company and approval of caregivers.   Shows affection through hugs, kisses, or smiles.   May experience anxiety around strangers or when separated from parents.   Enjoys imitating adult activities.   Begins to show preferences for certain toys or activities.   Starts to want to do some things independently, such as trying to feed themselves.   —That sounds perfect, and no, we won’t be keeping the name Reyna— Jessica said.   —What name will you choose for your daughter?— Mr. Peralta asked. They looked at each other intently, searching for an answer. Leonard told his wife that she could choose their little girl’s name, since she had longed to be a mother for years, and today she could begin her journey to motherhood by choosing her daughter’s name.   —Her name will be Bonnie— Jessica said, smiling and shedding a tear.   —It’s a very beautiful name, Mrs. Jessica. From today onward, little Reyna Baker will be called Bonnie Smith— Mr. Peralta said.   The sun was beginning to set, the day was drawing to a close, which meant Reyna's shift at the coffee shop was almost over.   Her workplace was a typical neighborhood coffee shop, a nice place with a serene atmosphere, at least when it wasn't rush hour. As eight o'clock approached, she began taking inventory of the day's sales.   —How was your weekend?— a female voice asked.   —Quiet, I just did my laundry and cleaned the apartment. How was yours, Emma?—Reyna replied.   —I went out for a walk with my boyfriend—Emma said.   —That's nice. I wish I had someone to spend the weekends with. By the way, I appreciate that Mondays are usually quiet— Reyna said.   —Don't worry, you'll have someone to spend the day with someday. Oh, and I almost forgot, your parents didn't come for coffee today. That's strange— Emma said.   —There you go again. The Smiths are just nice, a little creepy, but nice nonetheless. I find it strange that they didn't come today; they've been coming every day we're open for the past two years— Reyna said, letting out a little laugh.   —You never told me if you ended up accepting their invitation to go out with them?— Emma asked.   —I did accept, but I always made excuses to reschedule. It’s not that I wanted to be rude to them, it’s just that I feel awkward… going out with someone— Reyna replied.   — I suppose it’s because of your parents, right?— Emma said.   —Partly. And have you tried to contact them since you turned 18?— Reyna asked.   —They both text me, but honestly, I’m not sure… my therapist told me I have to take it one step at a time. They’ve even been seeing a therapist for a couple of years… so maybe one day—Emma replied.   —Ladies, I don’t mind you chatting during work hours, but I would appreciate it if you also worked— their boss said.   —Yes, Mr. Wood— the two young adults replied.   At nine o’clock at night, the two young women’s shift ended. They both hurried to clean the place, the bar, the utensils used during the day, and the restrooms so they could leave at nine-thirty.   —See you tomorrow, Emma. See you tomorrow, Mr. Wood— said Reyna.   —See you tomorrow, Reyna. See you tomorrow, Mr. Wood— said Emma, and she kissed Reyna goodbye.   —See you tomorrow, ladies— said Mr. Wood as he closed the shop.   They each went their separate ways.   When she was eight years old, Reyna lost her parents in a car accident. She was the sole survivor. Having no extended family, and being an only child like her parents, she also had grandparents on both sides who had passed away a couple of years before the accident. As a result, she entered the foster care system. For the next ten years, she moved between several residences. Her experience was depressing, as she genuinely felt unwelcome in none of them. They only saw her as a source of extra income for the household, since the state provides foster families with money to cover the children's needs. She never felt like she didn't belong anywhere.   Upon reaching adulthood, she was released from the foster care system. The state provided her with a small amount of money to support herself and put her in touch with a building that rents low-cost apartments to young people recently released from foster care. They also connected her with her current employer, who is enrolled in the government's "My First Job" program. This program provides employment to young people recently released from the system in exchange for a tax deduction. The owner of the building hires and trains these young people.   About ten minutes later, young Reyna arrived at the building where she lived. The building had clearly seen better days; the almost nonexistent paint revealed the red brick from which it was built. But for the price she was paying, she couldn't expect much. Upon entering, she saw that the security guard, an elderly man, was asleep. She couldn't blame him; with the miserable salary he surely earned, one couldn't expect him to actually keep an eye on the place. The reception area was more of the same, an old and neglected place. It was a miracle the lights still worked. She walked until she stood in front of the elevator. Miraculously, it was working today. She was deeply grateful, as climbing ten floors was exhausting.   Stepping out of the elevator, the hallway is more of the same: old, peeling walls, flickering lights. But for the price, you can't expect much. Her door, branded with the number ten, is always a bit of a hassle to open; the old lock keeps her key stuck. After a couple of tries, she finally manages to open it and goes inside.   Unlike the rest of the place, Reyna has made her apartment feel like home. Lilac-painted walls, functional lighting, and although the place isn't overflowing with furniture, it has more than enough to feel comfortable. She puts her backpack on the coffee table, takes out the leftovers from the cafeteria—one of the perks of her job—and places them on the stovetop. Suddenly, she feels a gust of wind. She turns toward the large window, only to realize she's left it open.   —Damn it, I left the window open? I can't be any more of an idiot— Reyna says to herself and proceeds to close it.   After closing the window, she went to her room and began to undress. She took off her work polo shirt, revealing her size 30A sports bra. She removed it, showing the circumference of her chest, which measures 64 centimeters, plus the 6.5 centimeters of her bust. Next, she removed her black leggings, her favorite garment, the only one that helps to accentuate her legs and small buttocks. One of the things that bothers her most is the difficulty in finding underwear that fits, so she ends up wearing underwear from the girls' department. She's wearing My Little Pony panties, her favorite cartoon character. She takes them off, as she's getting ready for the shower.   One of the few things she hates about her apartment is the full-length built-in mirror in her room. She tries to remove it, but it's impossible. When she passes by it, she can't help but look at her naked body. At twenty, her growth has stopped at an intermediate point, as if time has decided to forget her too soon. Her extraordinarily white skin is sprinkled with freckles scattered across her shoulders, arms, legs, and part of her face. They are small constellations that others find charming, but which she interprets as another collection of imperfections impossible to hide, especially since they accentuate a childlike appearance. The dark hair that covers her legs and arms grows rapidly, although she tries to ignore it. One look in the mirror is enough to make her feel that her body disobeys the image she longs to project.   Her chest was modest, barely a 30A cup, so small that many garments fell shapelessly upon it. Every fitting room was a new disappointment: dresses that seemed empty, blouses designed for a silhouette she didn't possess. It wasn't the size itself that pained her, but everything it symbolized. She had learned, from a young age, to measure her worth by someone else's standards, and she always ended up feeling incomplete. Her equally small buttocks contributed to this feeling of absence. In front of the mirror, she saw neither harmony nor delicacy; she saw a body that, in her mind, seemed incapable of occupying the space she desired. No pose, no garment, and no effort could reconcile her with her reflection.   There were days when hatred was born even before she opened her eyes. She hated the height that forced her to rely on stools and steps to reach a shelf, she hated having to listen, over and over again, to the same questions and the same jokes disguised as curiosity, she hated that the mirror reflected an image that felt strange, inadequate, and alien. It wasn't an impulsive hatred, but a patient, silent one, cultivated over years of comparisons and impossible expectations.   However, this rejection didn't come solely from her own body; it was the echo of all the voices that had taught her how a woman "should" look to be considered an adult, attractive, or worthy of admiration. She had ended up making those voices her own, and now she was the one who uttered the cruelest words every time she looked at her reflection. In a fit of rage, she grabbed her cell phone charger and threw it at the mirror, shattering it into a thousand pieces.   —Damn it, this isn't going to be cheap… goodbye to part of my salary— Reyna said.   Leaving her room, towel and pajamas ready, she headed to the bathroom. She was about to reach the door when she felt something bite her neck. The first thing that came to mind was a mosquito—blame her for leaving the window open. Touching her neck, she realized it wasn't a mosquito. From the bite, she removed what appeared to be a dart.   —What the hell?— Reyna said, immediately feeling exhausted. She looked around, searching for the source of the bite. She caught sight of two people, two adult men. This filled her with panic. She tried to run, but her legs gave way —No, no, no, no, don't fall asleep, Reyna! Can't you see they're going to kidnap us, damn it!— were the last words she managed to say before taking a few steps. She fell to the side. One of the men reacted immediately and caught her, preventing her from hitting the floor.   —The girl is in our custody, ma'am— said the male voice of the man who had grabbed Reyna.   —Good, bring her to the center— said a female voice from the kidnapper's earpiece.   —Doctor, should we take her just like this? She came out of her room naked. If we take her out like this, we'll attract a lot of attention— said the kidnapper.   —Find some of her clothes— said the doctor.   The two kidnappers helped her put on the clothes she was carrying to avoid any complications. After dressing her, one of them carried her like a baby. They hurried out of the apartment, avoiding the elevator and taking the stairs. They quickly reached the ground floor and saw that the security guard was still asleep. They left without any problems. Two blocks away was their vehicle, an SUV. They placed Reyna in the second row of seats, put her in a car seat, and fastened her with a five-point harness. Immediately, one of them got behind the wheel while the other stayed with the girl to watch over her, in case the sedative wore off too quickly and caused them problems.   —Doctor, we're on our way back downtown— the kidnapper said.   —Perfect, I'll see you at the bay— the doctor said and hung up.   The doctor started looking for another number on her phone. When she found it, she dialed instantly; it didn't take more than two rings before someone answered on the other end.   —Mrs. Smith, this is Dr. Taylor. She called to let you know that your Bonnie is already on her way to our facility— Dr. Taylor said cheerfully.   —Thank you for keeping us updated, Doctor— Jessica said happily.   —Yes, I'll be sending you updates and photos of the procedure over the next few days— Dr. Taylor said.   —Yes, that's fine. I'll be eagerly awaiting the updates and photos, Doctor— Jessica said.   —Goodbye, Mrs. Smith— Dr. Taylor said and hung up.   —Who called you, honey?— Leonard asked.   —Dr. Taylor. She's the one who will be in charge of Bonnie's procedure. She informed me that Bonnie is already on her way to her facility— Jessica replied to her husband's question with a cheerful tone and a big smile.   —I'm so glad to hear that— Leonard said and proceeded to hug his wife.   —Honey, you're going to get me covered in paint— Jessica said.   —How's the baby's room coming along?— she asked.   —See for yourself— Leonard replied.   They both entered the room designated for their future daughter. It was empty at the moment; the only progress so far was that the walls were painted Lily, Bonnie's favorite color. They had discovered this when they hired a private investigator to learn more about her.   —It's turning out beautifully, honey— Jessica said, and a tear began to roll down her cheek.   About half an hour later, the SUV arrived at the adoption center. A large gate at the back of the building opened, allowing the vehicle to enter. It quickly positioned itself in the cargo area on Reyna's side. After turning off the engine, both adoptive parents got out. The driver opened the rear door, and the other removed the baby car seat. The doctor was already waiting for them at the inner door. They took Reyna out of the car seat and placed her on the examination table. Dr. Taylor immediately injected a pink liquid into her arm.   —The process has begun— said Dr. Taylor —I must admit she is a very beautiful girl, she has a lot of potential, in the end she will be the most beautiful baby that has ever come out of this place—

Did Buffalo Wild Wings earlier. Likely Arby's after church. I do have a strange feeling that I may get in a call to work to finish out tonight shift.My relief called about 30 minutes ago.She wasn't sounding good.