Watching Shelia walk out Sarah felt conflicting emotions well up inside her. No one had ever been this nice to her. She looked around amazed at everything around her especially the claw foot tub Shelia had filled for her. There was even bubble bath in it that smelled like strawberries.
Sarah had never had a bubble bath before not even when her daddy had a decent job. According to her parents bubble bath was expensive. 'Shelia actually bought this for me based on the shampoo and body wash I picked. I hope momma let's me stay with her forever.'
Sliding into the tub she started giggling as the bubbles popped against her skin. The warm water was just the right temperature for her not scolding hot like that woman her daddy married prepared. Slowly sliding down she started feeling the pain the more her body submerged into the water. The bruises ran from her upper chest all the way down to her thighs the heaviest was on her back. Several lacerations crisscrossed against the deep purple and black bruises.
"Sarah are you almost done?" Shelia called as she knocked on the door. "I'm coming in to check on you OK? I brought the first aid kit."
Sarah had just finished washing so she wasn't afraid of being scolded by Shelia for taking too long. However the fear was still there and as she wrestled with it Shelia came in and helped her out of the tub. Watching Shelia's expression as she dried off she knew this woman was genuine in her care for her but she couldn't shake the feeling of this being too good to be true.
Shelia walked forward with medicine crying at all the marks she could see. Slowly applying the medicine she was cursing in her heart at the cruelty those beasts had shown this precious baby. Sarah's parents had went from scum to beasts in a few seconds. "Baby girl tell me if it hurts too bad and I will stop for a moment ok?"
"Yes ma'am I will. How bad is my back this time it feels like it is worse from the previous times."
Hearing that Shelia started crying even more thankful Sarah couldn't see her expression she continued putting the medicine on the wounds. As soon as she was done she pulled Sarah into a hug and whispered in her ears. "Don't worry anymore baby girl. I will fight for you to give you a home. My boss called and said your mother said she couldn't take you in again. She will be at the office bright and early to see you and sign her rights over to me. Is that alright with you?"
"It's better than you taking me to her and her throwing me out in the middle of no where. Do I have to see her tomorrow?"
"Don't worry sweetie I will be there with you. Now let's put these pretty pajamas on and go get some warm milk before bed."
Sarah looked at her with a genuine smile for the first time. "Can you be my momma from now on Ms. Shelia? Please?"
"Yes I will be. But I want you to call me momma only when you are ready no forcing it. Now come on we gotta get up early we still have stuff to do after you see your mother tomorrow." Buttoning the shirt up all the way she grabbed Sarah's hand and headed to the kitchen. Walking down the stairs she noticed how the place felt more like a home now that Sarah was here.
"Can you tuck me in tonight too Mrs. Shelia? I have always wanted to be tucked into bed but my daddy never came in to do it for me. Instead he would tuck Franklin in and slam my door shut so that I couldn't hear the stories they told him."
Her heart breaking even more she helped Sarah up onto the stool at the kitchen island. As she was taking a pan out she started talking. "Sure. I will even read you a bedtime story if you like. Just remember if you have a bad dream come across the hall to my room and I will let you sleep in my bed with me."
Sarah was shocked hearing that. She had always had nightmares to the point she often got hit for waking her daddy up. She had always assumed that was how girls got treated in every family. Suddenly something hit her hard. 'What if Ms. Shelia's husband doesn't like me? Is she even married? But daddy did say all adult women get married as soon as they adult really old enough so she has to have a husband.'
"Ms. Shelia won't your husband be mad if I came in the middle of the night because of a nightmare?"
"Oh Sarah sweetie I am not married. The pictures you saw in the hallway were my older brother John with me. And even if I was your more important to me right now then any man."
Sarah started crying at this and ran to hug Shelia's leg right as the milk was done warming up. Feeling her new mothers arms wrap around her in a hug she felt the happiest she had in her whole life. "Thank you mom." She said as she grabbed the cup Shelia handed her. Heading back to the island she climbed back into her seat. Wondering if this is how a princess felt every night.
Shelia watched her climbing up the stool as tears came down again. This child had made her cry more in one night then she had in the past twelve years. Grabbing her own glass she settled next to Sarah watching Sarah try her milk. Seeing her eyes light up like she had won a million bucks Shelia couldn't help but laugh.
Finishing her milk Sarah walked to the sink and helped Shelia with the few dishes they had messed up. Taking Shelia's hand again she headed to her new room practically skipping the whole way. Shelia started reading her a story about a princess that gets trapped with a beast. Before she made it to the part where they were dancing in the ballroom she had passed out.
Shelia kissed her forehead as she got up. "Goodnight little angel. Sleep tight." Turning on a nightlight next to the bathroom door she headed to her own room before making a call.
"John I have a child I want to protect no matter what. Can you be nice at dinner tomorrow?"