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Gather all your things, when you are done...Come and find me down the hall.

Looking down at the paper, Elijah frowned. Why did he have to pack everything up? The young Kumiho looked down at his feet. Elijah was nervous, visibly displayed as he nibbled on his bottom lip. The hallowed child's short tails hung behind him as he rubbed his hand over his sleeve in a restless fashion. What if he had done something wrong! It seemed impossible. He had been practicing adding AND subtracting his numbers..even his writing wasn't as bad. He'd find out soon enough. Mustering up what courage the child had, he made his way from the safety of his own space within the care center.

Scampering down the hall, he reached up for the door handle. Taking a deep breath, peeked inside to investigate. Elijah wore a cautious, albeit curious expression on the child's freckled face.

Elspeth had come by the school several times to accompany her friend that she was interning with. They cared for the little ones at the school and made sure they were healthy. However, finding another career path, Elspeth ended up dropping from the internship but not before she had decided to adopt one of the kids. She had spoken with the adoption agents and they selected the perfect child for her. She had already read all about him in his files and couldn't be more excited to meet him... She wondered if he was excited to have a home and a mother who will love him to the sun and back... or if it would take a lot of time to be able to show her care and love to him.

After a moment of waiting outside, the agent told her that he was in there... waiting for her with his things. After taking a deep breath, she let it out then opened the door and walked in. Closing the door behind her, she looked over the little boy before her. He was shy and kind looking... So adorable too. He didn't have many belongings but he still looked pretty happy. Elspeth moved to kneel in front of him, "Hey Elijah, do you happen to know who I am?" She asked him, gently brushing the hair from his face with a warm and inviting smile.

The child had waited patiently to see what would happen. Those that looked over the children here could be trusted, so he knew to not be afraid.

Elijah had sat down after investigating the room. There wasn't much to it beside his possessions. When the graceful kind lady with a warm smile came the boy watched her with wide eyes. She had such a warm smile. It made his heartache. Before he could open his mouth...He heard her clear, inviting tone of voice. The Kumihos ears perked up. Who was this person? His tails rustled as he examined her. One of his small hands touched her hand that had brushed his hair away. "No...But you know my name?" He asked. Elijah watched her closely as he stayed still before her. His bright golden eyes finally looked away before mumbling shyly. "I'm sorry if I should..." He added before glancing at her with a smile of his own.

Elspeth smiled a bit bigger, "oh, that's alright. You see, I've always wanted to be a mother and I've worked at this school before.. there are so many sweet kids that don't have a family.." she explained, "I was hoping that you would like to have a family... I'm Elspeth, I'd like to be your mother." She told him, putting her hand out for him to take it he wanted. Elspeth continued, finishing her explanation, and offer of bringing him ho "If you are ready, we can walk to the teleportation portal together and I can show you your permanent home." She smiled warmly at the small boy, waiting to see what he would say. The truth was she would give Elijah as much time as he needed. Elspeth knew he was scared, but she would be there to guide him.

The disbelief and shock were obvious on the boy's face. Elijah felt his knees wobble as he had to plant himself firmly in place. His mother... she wanted to be his mom? "W..what you want me? But... don't you..wouldn't you want someone.." He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Not a hallowed?" Elijah asked tentatively. When she offered her hand he tentatively touched her palm...his smaller fingers curving around hers tentatively.

"I...I would like that..!" He added in a rush of excitement. Tears had begun rolling down his cheeks. Was she sure she wanted a son like him? Nodding his head despite his fears he looked at her with a wide-eyed expression. "If..It's really okay...I want to. A-as long as you are sure?" Elijah's hand gripped hers... doubt and fear in the child's eyes as he looked at her with a mixture of awe, hope and understandably so, with the uncertainty.

How did he know of the truth of her words?

Elspeth gave him a gentle smile, "being hallowed, means you are extra special. Why would that bother me?" She told him, moving to scoop him into her arms. "Your mommy... Will love you no matter what, sweet boy." She reassured him, "I'll show you home." She reminded him, leaning down to grab his stuff. She already had signed the paperwork so all that was left, was getting him home.

She made her way, with him in her arms, to the portal... Teleporting to her portal at her house. It wasn't large by any means and it only had two bedrooms... A master and a spare bedroom which would now be Elijah's. Elspeth set the boy down, "This is home. Go on, look around." She encouraged him, moving to set his stuff in his room.

Elijah quickly wiped his eyes dry with his sleeve. Was Miss Elspeth right? Was he more special because he was hallowed? He was made fun of often...And lacked friends to confide in. As she scooped him up, Elijah clung to the older being. Nuzzling into the crook of her neck he clung to her for all he was worth. The young boy was in shock. How had he gotten so lucky?! Was he dreaming? "Momma...? Thank you for giving me a home." He flushed as he squeezed her in a big hug meant to express his appreciation.

The trip home was simple enough.

Yet to Elijah everything was new. He had a family! He was going home! His home which made it even better! "I never dreamed my mommy would be as nice as you...or have such a beautiful home!" He gasped. Being set down he shuffled behind her slightly at first, clinging to the end of her dress ruffle. Taking a deep breath, he gradually pulled away and began exploring as asked. "Thank you..." He mumbled as the child ducked into the kitchen first as it had caught his eye. An expression or wonder crossed his features. he just had to check one more time. Just to make sure he wasn't really dreaming! "I...really live here too?" He whispered in disbelief, amber eyes watching her closely.

Elspeth watched him roam around, nodding to him. "You sure do, this is our home. After school tomorrow, I will take you shopping to get some new clothes and stuff for your room." She told him, "So start thinking about what you would like your bedroom to look like." She added, moving to the fridge and opening it. She then pulled out a little-colored box and sat it on the counter. "Come here, you." She teased, picking him up and setting him in one of the bar stools by the breakfast bar. She then carefully opened the box and pulled out a little cake, enough for two to share. The cake was chocolate but the outer frosting was orange with white flowers to decorate it. There was also yellow writing that said, 'Welcome Home Elijah!' on it.

Elspeth poured them each a glass of milk and grabbed two forks. She set the milk next to her son, moving to sit in the chair next to him. She sat his fork in front of him, smiling softly. "Welcome home, Elijah." She told him, softly brushing some of the smaller nightmare's hair from his face. She then waited for him to take the first bite.

Elijah turned to look up at her as she mentioned what tomorrow would be like. Such news every day to take in. The hallowed everyday life had revolved around school, and the place she had just taken him from. "O..okay!" He added peering at her with wide, curious amber-golden eyes. Elijah had never thought about a decorating a room before...it sounded like fun, however!

His ears perked up at her calling him. The young fox made his way over to the other nightmare, peering up at the fallen with searching expression. "Ahh!" The child laughed as she scooped him up, before settling down on the tall chair. While shorter than most, his small-multi tails began to sway excitedly as he realized why she had called him over.

His eyes squinted at the letters, slowly sounding them out. Elijah felt his heart begin to race wildly. "T..thank you.." He added quietly at first before looking to Elspeth. She was really his new Mom. It wasn't his imagination. He felt tears welling up, but it was not from loneliness or sadness. "So much!" He added with a bright, wide smile. For a moment he admired the cake before he sheepishly reached for his fork she had brought him.

Taking a generous bite of the cake, the small Kumiho's feet began to lazily swing back and forth. After his bite he took a quick drink of milk. Grinning like the delighted child he was. Elijah was quick to get another bite of cake. Glancing at her shyly he quickly looked back down at his cake. Maybe he could make her a picture..that would be a nice way to thank her right?

Elspeth watched as the other ate the cake, smiling softly. He really was such a good fit for her, it amazed her that no one had taken him in before her. He was so kind and sweet... With such a big loving heart. She took a bite of cake, enjoying the sweet treat before sipping some milk. "Thank you for completing what I needed... A family." She kissed his forehead, eating the cake with him. Elspeth could not believe her luck, her house now felt even more like a home. Elijah truly did complete her life, and this was only the first of many more to come!