chapter nine// Love
It was the night before Evelyn's first day at riverside high, and it would be a huge understatement to say that the teen was nervous — her stomach had been in knots all day!
In order to distract herself from her anxious state she offered to help Maya and Carina with household chores (like emptying the trash and putting away the weeks grocery shopping) throughout the day when she wasn't occupied caring for Faith
Speaking off, the blonde was currently having a difficult time controlling the energetic toddler due to her sugar high, that second slice of chocolate cake was definitely not a good idea but who can say no to that pouty lip? she was too cute!
she ran a warm bubble bath with lavender soap in hopes it would work it's magic and aid her in calming the two year old down, "c'mere Fai, bath time" she shouted towards the toddler who immediately came running, well more wobbling towards her
"bath?" She asked
"yes bath, it's almost night night" she explained as she carefully placed the girl into the bath, Faith looked up confused towards her mother tilting her head slightly, "no get in?"
Evelyn stifled a laugh at her daughter's cuteness, "sorry baby but no, we haven't got time" she pouted back sadly mimicking the younger blondes expression, "next time tho, okay? I promise" she smiled leaning down to kiss her curls
"o'tay" she nodded feigning sadness before a smirk over took the toddlers face and within a second Evelyns face and upper body were covered in suds and bubbles from the bath
"hey—" she warned playfully "— the water stays in the tub", that seemed to do nothing to faze the girl as she erupted in a fit of giggles continuing to soak Evelyn aswell as the bathroom floor
is fifteen too young to start getting grey hairs and wrinkles?
within two hours Faith had finally fell asleep after haven pressured Evelyn to read 'Hattie harmony worry detective' twice, a bottle of warm milk and snuggles with Evelyn as well as a quick cuddle from both Maya and Carina which of course they could never say no to
As soon as Faiths eyes closed and her head hit the pillow Evelyn hopped into the shower doing her usual routine of washing her hair, exfoliating and shaving wherever necessary before stepping out and wrapping herself in a warm, fluffy towel to continue her nightly routine
After doing her skin care (thank you carina!), brushing her teeth and drying her body as well as moisturising she quickly dressed herself in a short green and white pyjama set coupled with a pair of fluffy white socks
Then she attempted to tackle her hair and failed — miserably!!
Thus she reluctantly headed towards her foster parents door hesitating a moment before knocking the already slightly ajar door, "you can come in bambina" called out the sweet voice of one of her foster moms
Timidly the blonde entered the room standing at the door, Carina sat with her back against the headboard already dressed in her silk pyjamas with a book in her lap, and judging by the sound of the shower running from the en-suite Maya was in the middle of getting herself ready for bed
"everything okay Evie?" she questioned showing a caring smile to the girl, her eyes dripping to the hair brush in her foster daughters hands "want me to do your hair?" asking gently, although she was secretly excited haven anticipated this moment again since she braided the blondes hair before her doctors appointment
Evelyn bit her lip, awkwardly shifting on her feet, "please, if you don't mind"
"non mi dispiace affatto, niente per mia figlia" she shook her head, standing up and walking towards her dresser pointing to the comfy looking white chair, "come sit bambina"
Following her foster mothers instructions Evelyn sat down on the chair watching through the mirror as Carina plugged in her Dyson and began to dry her blonde hair gently being mindful as to not burn her
Once her hair was dry the Italian carefully brushed through her hair getting rid of any tangles, "do you want me to braid your hair?"
Evelyn nodded, she had been too scared to ask Carina to do that not wanting to disturb her anymore than she probably already had, "how many?"
"two please" she smiled at her through the mirror, "sì nessun probelma— did Faith go down okay?" She asked picking up the comb to part her hair
She moved her head backwards to allow Carina to have more access and begin braiding, "yeah, only took about a hundred hours" the teen groaned sarcastically, Carina laughed , "she's a jittery Tesoro"
"your telling me, when she was a baby she barley slept" Carina smiled again although her heart broke as she was once again reminded of how young Evelyn was when she had faith and was made to take care of a newborn presumably all by herself, she could only hope as the teen become more comfortable with her and her wife she'd allow them to help out, after all she was still a kid herself
Carina tied the end of the first braid moving on to the second, "so how are you feeling about starting school tomorrow, Evie?"
"Scared" she answered honestly, Carina frowned "what are you scared about bambina?"
Evelyn began to fidget with the bottom with her pyjama shorts shirting her eyes downward, Carina tried to catch her eyes through the mirror, "you can tell me, give me some of that anxiety"
"I'm scared t-that I won't make any friends —" Carina listened patiently as her foster daughter opened up her worries to her "— or my classes will be hard and you and m-maya will see how stupid I am"
The brunette fastened the elastic band to the end of the second braid before standing up to face her Forster daughter, "Evie, I have no doubts that you'll make friends. I know I haven't known you for that long but I already know you are the most kind, gentle, Caring and funny girl ever, anyone would be lucky to call you their friend" Evelyn blushed as she listened, " and as for your classes being hard, it's only the third week of school so it won't be that hard to catch up, and of course Maya and I will help you with anything you need — word of warning though, if it's math never go to Maya" she joked eliciting a small, watery laugh from the teen "and you are not stupid, quite the opposite"
Evelyn sniffled, "t-thank you", Carina shook her head, "it's my job, can I give you a hug Evie?" She ok asked unsurely but the nod of approval from the blonde was enough to make Carina warm her arms around her girl
Carina squeezed the teen one last time, inhaling her strawberry scent placing a kiss to the side of her head before letting go, god she thought I love this girl so much
They could hear the shower turn of off from the en-suite, the sound of Maya opening and closing the shower door prominent, "why don't you go and finish getting ready for bed, Maya and I'll be right in okay, dolcezza"
"okay, see you in a bit" Evelyn smiled closing the double doors of the bedroom behind her. Almost immediately the en-suite door opened revealing Maya wrapped in her royal blue satin dressing gown and hair damp
Carina looked towards Maya smiling knowingly as eshe watched Maya quickly get changed into her pyjamas, "how much of that did you hear?"
The firefighter looked guiltily towards her wife, Carina rolled he eyes playfully swatting her arm before grabbing her hands, "c'mon let's go say goodnight to our bambina"
The next morning after she had went on a run, picked up some more groceries for what Carina claimed to be 'necessary' for the most perfect first day of school breakfast, showered again and got ready for the day as-well as somehow by some miracle dragging her wife out of bed both she and Carina found themselves stood in the doorway of their foster daughters room
"I don't want to wake her" Maya admitted feeling guilty as she watched Evelyn sleep peacefully, well sorta— Faith like usual was sprawled across the bed in a star fish position hogging most of the blankets while Evelyn was huddled in the corner with her stuffed lamb tucked beside her which both women found utterly adorable, they just hoped they'd soon be able to convince the girl that she and Faith could have their own rooms
Carina kissed Mayas shoulder, "I know Bella, but it's almost 6:30 we have to leave soon if she wants to come with us to drop of the Tesoro at daycare"
Maya knew she was right, like always so they both walked towards the bed sitting down on it near their sleeping teenager — Carina was scared she knew if anyone had tried to wake her as a teenager, or now even would be facing her wrath
"Evelyn" Maya called out smoothing the girls hair out of her face, "Ev baby, it's time to get up"
A groan fell from the girls lips before she now half asleep dug her face further into the pillow "five more minutes" her voice almost completely inaudible
Maya and Carina laughed at this," Scusa Bambina we don't have five minutes" she said sadly
Another moan of discontent sounded from the girl before she tiredly sat up against the headboard rubbing her eyes "fine"
"there's those pretty eyes" Maya teased once Evelyn finally fought her sleepy state opening her eyes, "morning" the teen smiled shyly back not quite used to compliments
"Buongiorno Evie, ready for school"
"no" she replied, her foster moms hiding a laugh at her blunt response caused most probably by her tiredness, "do I have to go today? I can start tomorrow instead?" she asked pulling at the bedsheets her anxiety about the day showing clearly
Maya wanted so desperately to allow Evelyn to stay at home and have a movie day with her but she couldn't — that would just be delaying the inevitable and making Ev's nerves about starting a new school a whole lot worse. Plus both she and Carina were due back to work after taking a week familial leave
(shocking right?)
The faces of station19s firefighters were one of complete shock after learning their own captain 'the queen of the clipboard' had by her own accord took time off work. But they were happy nonetheless, she deserved the family both she and her wife had dreamed of no matter how many times the blonde firefighter had claimed kids weren't in the picture for her
"I'm sorry kiddo but no, you gotta go to school — you'll be fine I promise" she smiled sadly before tapping her leg through the bed sheets signalling to the girl it was time to get up "come on, up and at 'em"
The teen groaned once more following her foster mothers and standing up from the bed, "I can get Faith ready for you sweets, to save you some time if that's okay" gesturing towards the toddler who was still deep in her slumber, not haven moved a single inch since Maya and Carina came into wake Evelyn
"Oh, y-you don't have to" the teen shook her head, on one hand she didn't want to burden them with the responsibility of getting faith up (she could be moody) and dressed for the day, it was her job even if it would make her late for school. Veronica already thought of her as an incompetent mother, she didn't need Maya and Carina thinking it as-well.
On the other hand, despite growing to trust the two women slightly over the past week she was still hesitant to leave Faith alone with them— she knew all too well how quickly things could change, she'd never forgive herself if she allowed Faith to fall victim to that
"I don't mind, really" Maya reassured the teen although it did little to nothing to ease her nerves, yet she nodded her head reluctantly "h-her clothes are on the desk folded" she said pointing to the pile of Faiths clothes set out for the day; a pink romper and white and pink under tee along with her shoes
"I'll go get breakfast sorted" Carina announce leaning over to peck her wife's lip before placing a kiss to her foster daughters forehead in comfort to show her that everything would be fine
Evelyn had yet to move from her spot once Carina had left, Maya watched her with a look of sadness hating who had ever caused her foster daughter to have a lack of trust this bad, "Ev if you're uncomfortable with the idea, I don't have to get Faith dressed, just say the word"
"n-no it's not that" the teen disagreed not wanting to disappoint her blonde foster mother "s-she can just be grouchy when she gets woken up — so good luck" she tried to joke to mask her unease but maya could see through the teens lies but decided to let it go if it meant Evelyn would feel better
"don't worry I'm an Olympic gold medal winner and a firefighter I can handle a two year old"
Maya didn't know what was more embarrassing that it took her twenty minutes to wake Faith up or that she had to get assistance from her wife to control said toddler, persuading her with a lollipop to get dressed and not run around naked
Evelyn wasn't lying when she said the two year old could be a hassle, it was the understatement of the century. But she wouldn't let Evelyn know that
speaking of, Mayas head turned from her seat at the island where she was trying Faiths shoes when she heard footsteps from the stairs and Ev walk into the kitchen "you look cute" she complimented once she got a look of her foster daughter
Evelyn had decided to take the braids out Carina had done the previous night leaving a slight wave in her hair which she'd decided to pin half up out of her face with a clear blue claw clip. She was wearing a blue bandeau top (which gave Maya the urge to tell her to go and change, but decided to let it go just for today— it was already hard enough for her to get the teen to go to school) paired with a pair of urban outfitters white linen trousers that Carina had picked out and a simple pair of new balances
The teens face reddened at the compliment, "thanks"
Faith looked up at the sound of her mothers voice, "momma pretty" she grinned, Evelyn immediately went over and scooped her up in her arms the toddler giggling at her, "thank you baby, you look very pretty too" she said kissing her chubby cheeks,
"thank you for getting her ready"
Maya shook her head, "it's no problem, I'm happy to help— now let's go Carinas been shouting that foods been ready for at least the past five minutes"
"hey, you'll be fine" Maya said from the drivers seat reaching her hand across to squeeze her foster daughters in reassurance. After checking Faith into the hospital daycare Carina unfortunately was almost immediately paged into an emergency c-section and this couldn't be there to drop the teen of for her first day and couldn't feel more guilty about it but promised that over a pint of shared ice cream to hear all the details about her day
Evelyn nodded "I know" although her tone wasn't one of complete certainty, after all they had been in the schools peking lot for the past fifteen minutes; thank god for Mayas I need to be at least a half an hour early to everything, "I - I should probably get going now, right?"
"Probably" Maya laughed slightly tucking a stray piece of the girls hair behind her ear "If you feel you want to leave at any minute don't hesitate to call me okay?— I'll be straight here"
"Okay" she smiled nervously grabbing her tote bag as she reached over to the car door
"Have a great day sweets, I love you" Evelyn paused at that, Maya had never said that before. None of her previous foster parents had said that to her before (quite the opposite really) and she was almost positive her birth mother had also never said those three words. In fact no one had said them to her, ever, apart from Faith of course
How could Maya love her in such a short space of time when even her own biological mom deemed her unworthy of love?
The ever present thoughts in the back of her mind didn't stop the small flutter inside her tummy and how she swore her heart enlarged as a hopeful smile took over her face as she dared to say the words back she had unknowingly been feeling for both her foster mothers since the day they had meet just over a week ago
But she couldn't, "o-ok, bye"
Fuck she thought as she closed the car door behind her, I hope I don't screw this up
Doubtful. Maya probably just felt sorry for her
Nervously gripping her schedule she pushed open the door to room 103 which the page had indicated her home room was— it wasn't too hard to find
She kept her head down as she entered the room full of other teenagers her age, thankfully none of them paid her any mind either too busy in their conversations with friends or occupied by something on their phone as she found a free seat in the far left corner of the room
While waiting for her home room teacher, Miss Kennedy, Evelyn distracted herself from the nerves of the day ahead by memorising her schedule in hopes of making the day move easier
Today for first period she had English, then History followed by AP Biology (how she got into that the girl had no idea) She then had Lunch at 12:30, Algebra 1 and lastly study hall before home time
It was fair to say her day was jam packed and she wasn't looking forward to it
About two minutes after the final bell the door opened and a fairly young woman rushed into the room "sorry, im late guys my car wouldn't start" she let out an exhausted laughed setting her purse down onto her desk before turning to face the class
"how was y'alls weekend, do all your assignments?" she questioned earning mixed responses of yes, no's and grunts — Evelyn kept quiet
She logged into her computer pushing her glasses into her face , "great, well as far as I can see there is no new announcements. Other than Friday nights football game which has been pushed to next week due to weather — sorry boys" she said although she
didn't seem sympathetic in the slightest which made Evelyn want to laugh, she also hated football
"Oh" the woman grinned remembering something "we also have a new student joining us Evelyn" the brunette pointed to her almost immediately spotting the new blonde in her class, Evelyns cheeks heated up as the whole class turned to look at her "I won't make you do the embarrassing introduction—"
She sighed in relief "— but you are very welcome in my class I'm sure we'll get along well" she smiled kindly towards the teen who timidly smiled back "and I trust everyone else will do their best to make you feel welcome also"
Miss Kennedy checked her watched, "okay, we've got about five minutes before first period so talk amongst yourselves" finally taking her attention of Evelyn — thank god. Although it could of been way worse, at least the woman didn't make her stand up announcing three random facts about herself
"can I sit?" A girl who looked oddly familiar asked walking up to Evelyn pointing to the empty seat beside her, Evelyn nodded prompting the girl to sit down, "I'm Athena, this might sound totally creepy but I swear I was waiting your table last week? At district one? You were with two older women, your parents maybe and the cutest little blonde?"
Evelyn smiled at the mention of Faith, her kid was cute and she wasn't shy about knowing it "oh my god, yeah I thought I recognised you from somewhere— I'm Evelyn by the way"
"Nice to meet you" the curly haired girl expressed "so are you new here? To Seattle, I mean" Athena clarified not wanting Evelyn to think she was a total idiot — I mean of course she was new to the school!!
The blonde laughed, "uh — yes, I just moved from Wicklow about a week ago"
"Lucky" the girl pouted playfully showing her jealously, "I wish I could move, like at least once but no my parents are set on us being stuck in Seattle forever"
Evelyn wouldn't count herself as lucky for moving quite a lot, but she couldn't blame Athena she didn't know her nor the reasons for her frequent moves so she decided to stay silent on that one not wanting to scare the girl she'd just met away
"Anyways could I see your schedule — to see if we have any classes together?"
Evelyn had never handed someone a sheet of paper faster, maybe Maya and Carina were right that everything would be fine
a note from the author<3
Thank you so much for ready chapter nine of to build a home!! I appreciate it alot, I hope you enjoyed — drama incoming next chapter <333
question— I don't remember if I asked before, but would anyone like to see a potential love interest for Evelyn? If so boy or girl?
As always requests for this story are always open and I'll try my best to include them all!!
next chapter ...