Fostered

"Damn. She's a good kid, but I can't just take her in like this. I'd really have to talk about it with my husband." Rachel pondered solemnly.

"Not to worry, Ma'am. The foster family has an amazing reputation, and it's a pretty big household. She'll be well taken care of and have lots of friends. Besides, you can always adopt her later if you decide to."

That settled it for Rachel.

"Alright, she's there's now. I'll miss her." Rachel started to walk away but was interrupted by the pitiful sight of Lauren crying, running towards her on waddling legs.

"No, please! Don't leave me!" Lauren at least felt safe with Rachel. Who knows what sort of nut jobs she'd wind up living with at a foster home? They could be cruel task masters or insane hippies, or worse for Lauren- poor and stupid. She had to get Rachel to take her.

"Oh, Lily, I'm sorry. I can't take you home with me, or my husband might get mad at me. But don't worry, you'll be taken care of, I promise."

"But... but... you don't understand..." Lauren tried to express herself but she was overcome by so much emotion from all the day's excesses, she started bawling like a baby again.

"Aww, sweetie. Don't cry. Come here." Rachel picked Lauren up effortlessly into a big embrace, and rocked her in her arms, till Lauren stopped crying. Rachel set Lauren down and ruffled her bowl haircut, then walked away. Lauren was about to call after her, but the venom swelling got irritated by her tears and all she could do was cry out sounds and nothing more.

"Don't worry, young lady. Your new family will take great care of you. Let's go meet your new parents. "