Lucy joins at Hannah's level

Lucy took a deep, shaky breath on the other end of the line. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Okay… I’ll come stay with you. I… I don’t know if I’m ready for all of it, but I don’t have anywhere else to go. I trust you, Brian. And… thank you.”

Hannah practically squealed with delight, her hands clapping together. “Lucy! You’re gonna be my sister now! I’ll even share Mr. Fluffy with you,” she added, referring to her favorite stuffed bear.

Brian chuckled warmly. “That’s the spirit. Lucy, hang tight—I’ll come pick you up. Just text me your address, and we’ll be there soon.”

As he hung up, he turned to Hannah, who was beaming but fidgeting nervously. “Looks like we’ve got a big sister mission, Little One,” Brian teased, reaching for a bag he’d stashed near the couch. “But first, let’s get you properly dressed for our adventure.”

Hannah’s cheeks flushed as Brian pulled out a frilly pastel dress, its design playful and childish, complete with a matching pair of knee socks. “Daddy,” she whispered, her voice a mix of shyness and excitement. “Do I have to wear that outside?”

Brian crouched in front of her, placing a reassuring hand on her knee. “Of course, sweetheart. You’re my little girl, and you look perfect just the way you are. Don’t you worry about what anyone else might think—I’ll be right there with you. Okay?”

Hannah nodded hesitantly, a small smile creeping back onto her face. “Okay, Daddy.”

Once dressed, Brian led her to the car, where Hannah stopped in her tracks, staring in awe at a bright pink car seat strapped into the back seat. “Daddy! You… you got me a car seat?”

Brian grinned, ruffling her hair. “Of course I did. Littles need to be safe, don’t they? Although,” he added with a teasing smirk as he buckled her in, “now it looks like I’ll need to get a second one for Lucy.”

Hannah giggled, squirming as he tightened the straps. “I can’t believe you thought of this.”

Brian kissed her forehead. “I think of everything, Little One. Now let’s go get your sister.”

Hannah giggled at the thought, her initial nerves melting away under his playful reassurance. “You’re the best, Daddy.”

Brian gave her nose a gentle boop before closing the car door and getting into the driver’s seat. As they pulled out of the driveway, Hannah glanced out the window, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and anticipation. They were about to bring Lucy into their little family, and despite her earlier nerves, she couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.