Simon

"I'm not sure." Simon shook his head and chewed the inside of his cheek.

"What is there to not be sure about?" Deidre asked.

"Well we're just randomly taking in a little girl from who knows where, and after the last child we ran into I'm in no mood to become a temporary dad for -"

Deidre cocked her head to the side. "What other child?"

"Right." Simon mentally kicked himself.

"I promise I'll be good." The little girl cracked the door open to look into the hallway where Simon and Deidre were discussing things.

"That's okay sweetie," Deidre turned to look at her. "Just go back inside and wait."

Deidre had always wanted a little sister or even an older brother (but only if that was the only sibling she could have) but after two miscarriages, her parents pretty much gave up. She took up babysitting early and loved hanging out with kids so it was no surprise she was on the little girl's side of things.

Simon sighed. "Fine," he said. "But only for a little while. If any voodoo magic bumps along then I'm out."

Deidre smiled and hugged him and they went back inside.

________________________________________________

Rosemary, the little girl had proclaimed herself, was eight and a half - thank you very much - and was not going to tolerate being treated than anything younger.

After a quick bath and trying to find something for her to wear Simon realized her hair wasn't as red as he'd thought. It was a bright strawberry blonde color, and with the cap removed it trailed down to her shoulders in loose curls that relaxed in not carrying around dirt and dust. Her green eyes were still huge and curious as if taking in every detail she could process; every detail.

"Do you have any food?" She asked sheepishly as she rubbed her arm. The dress they had found for her was too long but seemed to be long on purpose. It was a grand white with a thin veil across the layer that had little sewed on flowers, and the top was a thick white velvet with thick straps covering both the girl's shoulders.

There was a knock on the door and Deidre replied, "Yes. Now we have food."

Sorry this is short but I'm doing a different sort of writing for the next chapter.