"Frankie!"Claire screamed the second I was through the door.
"Hey kiddo!"I grabbed her before she bowled me over and picked her up. I squeezed her tight and smiled happily,"I missed you sweetie."
"I missed you too Frankie."She said into my hair.

"Hey Claire."Gerard smiled as she jumped out of my arms and ran to Gerard. I sat down on my bed smiled at Lily.
"I take it you two are- happy?"She smiled, glancing at Claire who was obvlivious to everything going on.
"Yup."I winked at her and lay down on my bed,"All fine and dandy."
"I dont want to know. But uh Claire has something exciting to tell you."Lily said as Claire came and sat on my lap.

"Oh! And what would that be?"
"I made a friend! She is really nice and she wants to take me to hers for a sleep over!"Claire said happily.
"Really? What- god I'm going to kill Mrs Macy."I sighed.
"I know. Go call her now."Lily said. She reached down beside and pulled the first Harry Potter book out,"You wanna hear about Harry and Hermione taking Norbert to the astronomy tower?"Lily asked Claire.
"Oooh yes! But- Malfoy knows they're doing it. Wont he tell?"
"Well come sit with me and find out."Lily waved the book encouragingly.

"Oh fuck."I groaned as Claire crawled off of me, kicking me in the nuts in the process.
"Sorry Frank."Claire said as she snuggled up to Lily.
"Its okay. I'll be back in a minute I just wanna call Mrs Macy."

Once Gerard and I were downstairs I grabbed the phone and called the orphanage up.
"Hello? Mrs Macy speaking, how may I help you?"Came Mrs Macy's cheery voice.
"Uh its Frank."
"Oh Franklin. What can I do for you?"
"Claire said she made a friend who wants to have her over for a sleepover."
"She's got a big mouth that one."Mrs Macy laughed.

"Dont I know it. Look, why didnt you tell Lily and I that someone was interested in her? You know that we're parents in everything but blood."I sighed angrily.
"And legal documents."
"Yes whatever but- either way we had a right to know. Claire wouldnt go anywhere without being able to see us. You know that."
Her sigh rattled the phone,"There is a very good reason I didnt tell you. And I'm not going to tell you so dont bother asking."

"Dont you think you could have at least told us? Given everything that happened to us."
"I know. I know. I'm sorry for not telling you. But you dont need to worry Franklin. After all that, security has gotten a lot more serious around here. The orphanage I run is funded the least out of all the orphanages in New Jersey. But now, we're constantly having social workers over and- this woman has been proved innocent. She and Claire get on very well and Claire is really excited for the weekened with her."
"A weekend?"I groaned.
"Yes. Franklin, as much as you and Lily love her, she is still in this orphange and is still up for adoption. If no one takes her by the time you turn 21 then I'm sure the agency would be happy to let you take her if the circumstances were right, but thats not for another 5 years."

I rolled my eyes at Gerard who was silently laughing.
"Okay well just- a heads up would be nice okay?"
"Alright. I'll be sure to remember that. Goodbye Franklin."She hung up and I slammed the phone back in its holder.

"Enjoyable?"Gerard smiled up at me.
"No. I fucking hate her. She always calls me Franklin."I sighed as I sat down on Gerards lap.
"Yeah well at least you arent living with her anymore."
"Yes but Claire is. I hate to think whats happening there."
"They're hardly going to be beating the kids. Dont worry about it."Gerard kissed the tip of my nose and made me smile.
"Okay. I wont."I smiled and snuggled into his neck.