It was 8:30 Saturday morning and Karen had just woke up. She looked over at Jimi who was sound asleep and snoring up a storm. She laughed to herself and rolled out of bed. She went to check on Emma. She knocked on the door and when there was no answer she opened the door slightly to find Emma still asleep. Karen closed the door and went downstairs and started a pot of coffee. Then she decided to make breakfast. She wasn't sure what Emma likes so she made the works, pancakes, eggs and bacon.
Jimi woke up to the smell of breakfast and rolled out of bed and walked downstairs and saw Karen cooking up a storm. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Smells amazing babe" he told her. "Thanks, I wasn't sure what Emma likes so I just made everything" She replied. "I'm sure she will love it" Jimi stated. "I hope so" Karen said.
It was 9:15 and Emma woke up. She smelled something amazing. She got out of bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. "Morning kiddo" Jimi said as he saw Emma walk into the kitchen. "Good morning" Emma replied. "I'm not sure what foods you like to eat so I made pancakes, eggs and bacon. There is also fruit, bagels, toast and cereal if you don't like it." Karen said. "I'll eat whatever I'm not picky" Emma told Karen. "Great, breakfast is almost done, Jimi can grab some plates, silverware and some cups?" Karen asked Jimi. "Sure" he replied. "Do you need any help?" Emma asked. "I've got everything under control, you can just have a seat at the table." Karen replied. "Ok" she replied back. Jimi set the table and filled everyone's glass with orange juice. Karen brought the food over to the table and they dug in and ate. "Hey Emma, I was thinking about doing some shopping today before our show at the opry tonight do you want to come with me?" Karen asked. "Um, sure, sounds like fun." Emma replied. "I'd watch out, Karen is a power shopper." Jimi stated and Karen nodded in agreement. Once they finished eating Jimi offered to clean the kitchen so the girls could get ready for their shopping day. Emma went upstairs she went into Karen and Jimi's room. "Is it alright if I take a shower?" Emma asked. "Of course sweetie, I'll show you where the towels and shampoo and conditioner are." Karen replied. They walked into the bathroom. Karen grabbed a towel and washcloth and handed it to Emma. Then she went to a different closet and had Emma pick out what shampoo, conditioner, and body wash she wanted to use. "Before you get in the shower how about we put a new Band-Aid to cover your stiches on your forehead. "Thank you" Emma said. "No problem." Karen replied. Karen walked back to her room to get ready for the day. Emma hopped in the shower. When she was done she turned off the water and wrapped the towel around herself. She got her toothbrush and toothpaste out of her backpack and brushed her teeth and then picked out her clothes for the day. She put on some jeans that had a hole in the knee from being worn so much, and a plain light blue V-neck t-shirt. She brushed out her hair and let it dry naturally. She walked out of the bathroom and put her backpack on her bed. She went downstairs and sat on the chair. Jimi just finished cleaning up the kitchen and came into the living room and sat down on the couch. Jimi and Emma were talking when Karen came downstairs. "Are you ready to go Emma?" Karen asked. "Yep." She replied. "Phillip and Schlap are coming over to watch the game in about an hour" Jimi told Karen. "Ok, just make sure you clean up after yourselves." Karen told Jimi. "Yes Mom." Jimi said in a five year old voice. Karen laughed then kissed him. "We're gonna head out." Karen said. "Alright have fun. I love you." Jimi said. "I love you too." Karen replied.
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Karen and Emma got in the car. "I was thinking we could head over to the mall and then some smaller shops downtown." Karen told Emma. "Sounds good to me." Emma said. Karen started the car and pulled out of the drive way. She turned on the radio. The ride to the mall was fairly silent with some small talk. The got to the mall and Karen parked the car in the parking garage. They got out and walked down the stairs and across the street and entered the mall. The firs store they went into was Macy's. Karen found a pair of shoes, two pairs of jeans and a shirt. Emma was just following Karen around and Karen was asking for Emma's opinion on a few things. After Karen was done looking around she wanted to shop for Emma. "Emma did you see anything you like." Karen asked her. "I don't have any money." Emma said. "I can buy you whatever you want I don't mind." Karen said. "You don't have to do that" Emma said. "I want to" Karen said and smiled. "Alright" Emma said and smiled. They walked over to Emma's sizes. Karen picked out a few things for Emma to try on. "Aww that looks adorable on you!" Karen said as Emma walked out of the dressing room. "You think so?" Emma replied. "Absolutely." Karen said. Emma smiled and walked back into the dressing room and changed back into her clothes. Emma walked out to where Karen was sitting. "So do you want to get it?" Karen asked Emma. "I guess so" Emma replied smiling. "Alright lets checkout and head to the next store." Karen said. "Sounds good to me" Emma said. The checked out and went to a few other stores and then left the mall to go out to lunch. "What are you in the mood for" Karen asked Emma. "Um... how about Italian?" Asked Emma. "Sounds good to me." Karen replied. They went to Olive Garden. Once they were seated they ordered their drinks. Once the waitress came back they ordered their food. Karen ordered Chicken Alfredo and Emma ordered stuffed ravioli. "Are you having fun today?" Karen asked Emma. "Yeah! I have never been shopping before." Emma replied. "Are you serious?" Karen asked. "Yeah. Every once in a while, my foster mom Kelly takes me to a thrift store when I need new clothes because the clothes are cheap enough so she can pay for it in cash so my foster father won't know since he monitors her credit cards and gets mad if she buys stuff for me." Emma told Karen. Karen didn't say anything for a few minutes. "Well I'm glad you're having fun." Karen said. "Me too." Emma said smiling. "Thank you for taking me and buying me new clothes." Emma told Karen. "I have loved every minute of it" Karen said back. They finished their lunch and put what they couldn't finish in to-go boxes and then paid for their food. Once the waitress returned with Karen's credit card they left the restaurant and headed to the car to finish up their day of shopping. They hit a few stores downtown and it was about 3:30. They headed back home to get ready for the Opry. They got home and the football game had just ended and Phillip and Schlap were just leaving. "Hey did you ladies have fun?" Jimi asked. "Yeah" They said at the same time. "That's good" Said Jimi. "Emma we have to leave for the Opry in about an hour." Said Karen. "You're taking me to the Opry with you?" Emma asked excitedly. "Yeah" Jimi said. Emma went upstairs and set her new clothes on the bed and laid down for a little bit.
Karen set her bags down on the floor and sat on the couch next to Jimi. Jimi put his arm around her and Karen laid her head on his shoulder. "What's the matter?" Jimi asked Karen. "It's Emma" Karen replied. "What about Emma?" Jimi asked. "She told me told me today that this was the first time anyone has ever taken her shopping for new clothes. Her foster mom takes her to the thrift store so she can pay in cash so her foster dad won't find out that her foster mom is buying her clothes because he monitors the credit cards." Karen said sadly. "I'm sure she really appreciated you taking her today." Jimi said and kissed the top of her head. The two of them sat there in silence until it was almost time to head to the Opry.
Jimi walked upstairs to check on Emma who had fallen asleep in her bed. Jimi walked in and shook her lightly. Emma jolted up and gasped. "Sorry kiddo I didn't mean to scare you." Jimi said "It's ok" Emma said breathing heavily. "We are going to leave in about 10 min" Jimi told her. "Alright I'll be ready" Emma said. Emma got up and grabbed her brush and went into the bathroom and brushed out her hair and pulled it into a low side ponytail then she changed the band aid on her forehead and headed downstairs. Karen and Jimi put on what they were going to wear that night and went downstairs to meet Emma. "Ready to go?" Karen asked. "Yep" Emma said excitedly. They got in the car and headed to the Opry.
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They met the rest of the band there and they found their dressing room. On their way to the dressing room Karen said to Emma "I have a surprise for you." And open the dressing room door. Karla the band's stylist was in the dressing room with a rack of outfits that were for Emma. "Is all of this for me?" Emma asked. "We figured you would need something to wear if we were bringing you to the Opry." Karen said. "This is amazing! Thank you so much!" Emma said and gave Karen and Jimi a hug. "You're welcome sweetie" Karen said. "Alright Emma are you ready to pick out something to wear?" Karla asked. "Yeah." Emma said. Emma picked out black skinny jeans that had a little sparkle to them and red flowy tank top and red sandals with gems on the top. Emma changed into her new outfit then Emma got her hair done and the makeup artist put a little bit of makeup on since she is only 10. "Emma you look beautiful" Kimberly and Karen said at the same time. "Thank you" Emma said. Everyone was all ready to go. The band introduced Emma to some of the other performers that night. It was almost time for Little Big Town to go on and Rebecca and Schlap took Emma out to their seats to watch the set. Once the set was over they headed back to their dressing room to get ready to go home.
It was around 11:00 by the time they got home. Emma went upstairs and changed out of her clothes and into athletic shorts and a t-shirt. She walked across the hall and knocked on Karen and Jimi's door. "Come in" she heard. She opened the door slowly and saw that Karen was in their bathroom removing her makeup. "What do you need kiddo?" Jimi asked. "I was wondering if I could borrow some makeup wipes." Emma said quietly. "Sure! Come here sweetie" Karen said. Emma walked over to the bathroom and Karen helped her take her hair out while Emma used the wipe to get off her makeup. They both finished "Thank you" Emma said. "No problem" Karen said. "Do you want me to change your band aid?" Karen asked. "Yes please" Emma said. Karen changed her band aid. "Thanks" Emma said and Karen smiled. There was a few moments of silence "Thank you for letting me stay with you this weekend. I'm not used to people treating me this nicely." Emma said. "You're welcome sweetie" Karen said. "I think I'm going to go to bed" Emma stated. "Goodnight" she said as she walked out of the bathroom. "Goodnight kiddo" Jimi said. Emma walked into her room and closed the door, shut off the light and climbed into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
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It was about 9:00 the next morning and Karen was the first one up again. She went downstairs and started a pot of coffee. Once the coffee was done she poured herself a cup and sat on the couch and started thinking about Emma. How she loved having her here. How she didn't want to take her back home today. How bad she felt because of what Emma has to go through every day. How badly she wanted to have that little girl live with them. Karen was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt someone sit down on the couch next to her. "Whatcha thinking about?" Jimi asked. "Emma" she replied. "I really don't want to take her back there Jimi" "I know, but we have to" he said in a calming voice. "Jimi what if we become foster parents?" Karen asked. "We could help Emma or other kids like Emma" she stated. There were a few moments of silence"Is this something you really want to do?" Jimi asked seriously. "Yeah" Karen responded. "Then I am all for it" Jimi said. "Really?!" Karen asked surprised. "Yeah really" Jimi said. Karen kissed Jimi then they heard small footsteps coming down the stairs. "Morning Emma" Karen said cheerfully. "Morning" Emma replied. "What do you want for breakfast?" Karen asked Emma. "What do you have?" Emma asked. "Eggs, waffles, pancakes, cereal, toast, bagels" Karen listed. "Can I have a bagel?" Emma asked. "Of course" Karen replied. Karen got up off the couch and put Emma's bagel in the toaster. Emma walked into the kitchen. "What time do you need to be home today?" Karen asked. "Well my foster dad usually leaves at 5:30 for the bar, so around 5:30 I guess." She replied. "Alright 5:30 it is." Karen said. Karen put cream cheese on Emma's bagel and handed it to her. Emma ate it then went upstairs to get ready for the day. She went into the bathroom replaced her band aid and hopped in the shower. Once she was done she got out and wrapped the towel around her and brushed her teeth and brushed out her hair. Then she put on one of the new outfits that Karen bought her yesterday. She put her stuff in her backpack and walked back to her room. She pulled out all of the clothes that Karen bought her yesterday and folded them and put them in her backpack. Emma's weekend of bliss was coming to an end.
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Emma walked downstairs and saw Karen and Jimi sitting on the couch. She went and sat next to Jimi and the three had a movie day. They watched two movies then Karen ordered them a pizza for lunch. They watched a few more movies and then it was 5:00. It was almost time for Emma to go home. Neither of them wanted her to go home. "Alright sweetie it's almost time to get you home." Jimi stated. "Yeah I know." Emma said. Emma went upstairs and grabbed her backpack. She came back down and Karen and Jimi wanted to talk to Emma. "So you have a doctor's appointment on Thursday at 4:00 for your stitches, do you want us to take you there?" Karen asked. "That would be great." Emma said. "Do you want us to pick you up somewhere?" Jimi asked. "Could you pick me up at my school?" Emma asked. "Sure, what school do you go to?" He asked. "Jackson Middle School." She replied. "What time do you get out of school?" he asked. "3:15" Emma replied. "Alright we will pick you up after school at 3:15 on Thursday" Jimi said. Karen made Emma a sandwich and cut up some fruit for her to eat before they left anticipating she won't be fed tonight. "Emma, here is my cell number and Jimi's cell number. I want you to call either of us if you ever need anything, if you are in any sort of trouble and you don't feel safe, or you want to get away from home. I mean it. We will be here and if we're not we will figure something out ok." Karen said seriously. "Thank you" Emma replied. They both gave her a hug. "It's time to head out" Jimi stated. Emma grabbed her backpack and the three of them got in the car and headed to Emma's foster home. They pulled up to Emma's house and Karen turned to her "I mean what I said earlier" "I know" Emma said "Thank you" and she got out of the car and walked in the house.