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Violet sits on the floor leaning against the couch. Overhead, a comforter spans the distance between the back of the couch and the two chairs deemed the entrance to the fort. Pillows fill the gaps between the floor and the comforter, like fabric masonry. She closed the book she was reading aloud, as she realized no one was left awake. The fire was on its last legs, but there was no way she could get up. Their son Kel was sleeping peacefully on her left leg.
Violet met him after an apartment fire left Kel an orphan. Violet was on duty and got called in to assist. She went up to comfort him, and he didn't let go of her for hours. When Caitlyn arrived and saw them both sitting on the street corner, she already knew. He only spoke to Violet for the first few weeks, but he slowly learned to trust Caitlyn and Tobias. He often asked to sleep in Violet and Caitlyn’s bed because of his bad dreams. Little did he know this calmed Violet's bad dreams as well.
On her right side between her and Caitlyn is Cassandra, and sleeping on the couch lightly
snoring in her ear is Vander. Caitlyn and Violet met the twins right after they became foster parents. Their mother tragically passed during childbirth, and she had no family to speak of. Upon meeting them, Violet and Caitlyn immediately fell in love, and they decided to adopt them outright. They had a dificult time at first, but Tobias was happy to step up and be the best grandpa he could.
Vander enjoyed reading along during bedtime stories, so he decided to lay his pillow behind
Violet’s head on the couch. He always wanted to wrestle Violet and Kel, which usually just devolved into tickles or flying pillows. This was the reason Violet’s body was so sore, but the joy it brought her was well worth it.
Cassandra, on the other hand, latched onto Caitlyn. She was very inquisitive, and constantly asked questions to anyone who would listen. She was becoming a very opinionated four year old. Her opinions weren't very well articulated yet, but that didn't take away from their
importance.
The latest member of their family was 14 year old Maxine, who fell asleep curled up in one of the chairs. She mostly just observed the events of today, which was a major improvement compared to her first month with them. All they were told about Max is she came in off the street seeking shelter, but she refused to speak about her background. She had been with two other
foster families before, but those placements didn’t go well. Violet immediately saw herself in Max, but they still got off to a rocky start. A few days ago, Violet asked Max if she wanted to learn how to box in an attempt to connect with her. Max agreed and said that would be ‘pretty cool’.
When they went down to the gym, Violet instructed Max to roll up her sleeves so she could wrap her hands. This made Max visibly uncomfortable, as she started rubbing her left wrist. Violet saw this, and somehow she just knew.
"Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone,” Violet said. She showed Max how to properly wrap her hands so she didn't have to wear long sleeves all the time.
“Max, I've been where you are right now… If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm right here,” Violet said. Max’s eyes started to water. Violet put her hands on Max's shoulders.
“You're safe now. I promise.” Max broke down and fell into Violet’s arms. Violet and Caitlyn
started the process to oficially adopt her the next day.
Violet looked over at Max as she stirred in her chair. Max itched the wrap on her left wrist as she looked over at Violet with sleepy eyes. They both shared a quick smile as Max adjusted her pillow and closed her eyes again.
Violet had realized that today marked the ten year anniversary of Caitlyn releasing her from
Stillwater. She convinced Caitlyn to take all the kids out of school and have a day about town. They brought the kids to the playground, went out for lunch and ice cream, went shopping on the bridge of progress, and saw some bands play at the Zaun music festival. They attempted to
make s'mores in the back yard, but the rain forced them to use the fireplace instead.
With his fresh sugar rush, Vander decided it was time to show everyone how tough he was. This evening's match featured Vander versus Violet and Kel, with Tobias, Caitlyn and Cassandra officiating. Max sat off to the side pretending to read a book, but was clearly watching the match intently. After Cassandra declared her brother the winner, she also declared that they needed to make a pillow fort.
Violet finally looked over at Caitlyn. She saw that Caitlyn was actually awake staring lovingly at Cassandra as she slept.
“Cupcake,” Violet whispered, being careful not to wake anyone. Caitlyn looks up.
“Thank you,” Violet said. Caitlyn has a puzzled look on her face.
“What for?” Caitlyn asked. Violet looks lovingly at all their children sleeping around them. She looks back at Caitlyn and grabs her hand.
“Everything.”