The Ties That Bind

Ties That Bind- Chapter 2

I'm really sorry about the over descriptiveness but it ends after this chapter- i just needed to set the tone and the foundations for the relationships but the story is going to start now :) well after this chapter :)

Thank you so much for reading this...xx

Jo was around thirty, her too pale skin held only a few wrinkles and even those were from smiling. She had been working at The Willow since she was around twenty five years old. She wasn’t able to have kids of her own so she could appreciate what some people didn’t.

At the time she was only looking to adopt but when she came to visit five years ago, she couldn’t choose. She seemed to feel as though we all needed her, in our own way. Just a young girl with a big dream wanting to make an impact, I remember. I was there; it was the first time I was placed at The Willow.

“Morning Belle, couldn’t help with the twins could you?” she asked, offering me a smile as she struggled getting the twins down. Her straight blonde hair pulled into a low ponytail behind her head and caring deep brown eyes had constant bags under them as they focused on the twins in her arms.

“Yeah sure Jo,” I said as I got up from my place and moved around the huge dining table and lifted Andy out of Jo’s arms. At least I think it was Andy.

“How’s it feel? Being back?” she asked smiling at me as we strapped the twins into their high chairs. They were both prematurely born and smaller than average for their age but not by too much. They were well looked after but prone to getting ill very quickly.

“Strangely comforting,” I muttered lowly so that the others couldn’t hear me admit that, “I know weird, right?” I added at her surprised expression.

She laughed, “No actually,” she said in the same quiet voice as mine, “Come see me in my office okay? Anytime, my door’s always open. Besides something has come up for you and it would be great if we could discuss it.”

I nodded as she smiled at me and made my way back to my seat, settling in as Matt, a part time carer brought a fresh pile of toast to the table. I reached for the Cheerios. God knows I needed cheering, especially today. A nudge in my side caused me to slosh a little milk on the table.

“Whoops, soz.” I could hear the smirk in his voice. He probably planned that. I rolled my eyes at the idiot, “What do you want, squirt?”

“Are you okay?” he said in a low voice trying to be discreet. It wasn’t easy to keep secrets in a place like this. I looked into his concerned blue-green eyes and considered lying but I couldn’t. This was Liam. He was the only person in the world who really knew-except Jo, but that didn’t really count. She had to know.

I sighed, “I will be. At least I hope so.” I said softly attempting to smile.

He nodded giving me a small genuine smile, “Good, one of us has to stay sane, sis.” He muttered, successfully making me laugh.

“Thanks Lee.” I ruffled his black hair, almost identical to my own charcoal locks. When we lived here before and attended the same school, we used to pretend we were siblings. It wasn’t that hard for us and better than the truth. But the teachers never suspected a thing. Unless they read our files, of course and it wasn’t even difficult to pull off, we both had dark blue eyes, but his were greener than mine as well as the same colour and texture of hair but of course, mine was curlier.

“Hey, don’t touch yeah? Do I look like a dog?” he exclaimed as he swatted my hand away, but I could see the humour present in his eyes as Tiff burst out laughing.

“So Lee, what are you doing today?” I heard Paige ask from across the table.

“Don’t call me that!” he snapped. I rolled my eyes giving Liam a look. Honestly, rude much? I couldn’t remember Paige; she was definitely a new addition but I remembered Honey. She was the sweetest girl in the world growing up. She reminded e a lot of Tiffany. In some ways she still did, but I wasn’t sure if she remembered me.