2 Orphanage

"Aranea, Elenea! Time to wake up!" the old woman shouted as she put the plates down on the dining table.

It was already morning, and a sunny one indeed! She hummed herself a song as she was setting up the table for breakfast time.

'Oh, those two... they are recently sleeping in for a few more hours than usual,' she thought to herself as she removed her apron and quickly fixed her brown curly hair into a messy bun, to keep her hair away every time she ate.

"Girls! The food is getting cold!"

Soon after, the two sleepy girls walked down the stairs slowly after the old woman called out to them for the second time.

"Good morning, mom," they groggily said in unison and they sat down on their respective seats, making the sweet slightly stout middle-aged woman look at the twins.

"My, my, my!" The old woman looked worried as she saw dark circles under Aranea's eyes. "Did you have that dream again?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing in concern.

"Yes, mom," Aranea answered and it made Aurelia, their mother, sigh.

"I think it's not normal anymore... to be having the same dream for the longest time," Elenea commented and Aurelia nodded.

"I agree. Maybe we should talk to our neighbor? He is indeed a psychiatrist," their mother suggested and Aranea just shook her head in protest, not liking the idea in the slightest.

"I don't want to tell him, though," she mumbled and the two got surprised.

"Why? This is a bit serious!"

Elenea puffed her cheeks, not understanding why her twin sister wanted to keep quiet about her dream.

Aranea gave her sister a small smile as she nudged her, making Elenea roll her eyes at her.

"It's kind of a personal dream to me. It's as if... it is meant for us?"

When Aranea said this, it made Aurelia wonder as to what she meant.

"What do you mean, dear? Like a dream having meanings?" she asked and Aranea nodded.

"I keep having this dream... but it doesn't bother me much. I mean, it does sometimes... but not to the extent of me wanting to talk with a professional about this, you know? I just want this dream to be a secret in our family," Aranea explained and Elenea sighed, then gave her twin sister a smile.

"If you say so. But if this makes you insane, don't blame me for telling our neighbor," Elenea replied making her sister giggle, feeling grateful to have such a loving sister.

"If that's what my Aranea thinks, then it is okay for me. Just... don't make me worry too much, okay? You two may be my adopted children, but I think of you two as my own," Aurelia said and the two girls smiled at their loving mother. "Now, let's eat! We have a long day ahead of us," she added and the three started eating their breakfast.

Aurelia Griffin adopted Aranea and Elenea. They were left in front of Aurelia's house without a single clue as to where they came from. Because of this, it gave Aurelia the determination to build an orphanage for unfortunate children everywhere.

With Aranea and Elenea, they also grew to love children and also cared for them. Since then, the three of them had been running this orphanage for a very long time and had no thoughts of stopping.

The three already finished eating breakfast and had cleared up the table. Suddenly, the main door of the house banged open and the children came running inside, rushing to Aranea and Elenea's side.

"Aranea, Elenea! Time to plaaaaaaay!"

The children started hugging them as they jumped excitedly for their attention. They also circled around the two, making the twins laugh at their excitement and enthusiasm.

The two of them loved every child as if they were their own siblings.

"Hey!" Aranea called for their attention, making the children quiet down for a while. "Now, what did I say when it comes to entering the house?"

The children pouted and answered in unison, "To knock first and wait..."

Elenea giggled as she carried the youngest of the children.

"Come on, sis... they're excited. You can't blame them!"

When Elenea spoke in their defense, the children giggled once more and they hugged Aranea as an apology.

"We're sorry, Aranea! We promise to be good next time," the eldest of the children said on behalf of all the other children, making Aranea roll her eyes as she chuckled. She gave in to the children's cuteness!

"As long as you help me and Elenea prepare for your snacks later on, I will forgive you guys," Aranea said, making the children nod as they started pulling the twins out of the house.

Seeing this, Aurelia grinned. "You two go on and look after them. I'll be washing the dishes. Go on," their mother suggested and the two led the children outside of the house, then into the open field of the orphanage for them to play.

The moment they were outside, the teenagers, Jack and Ralph, approached the twins and smiled at them. The two of them watch over the young children in the other house during the night.

"Good morning, Jack, Ralph!" Aranea greeted them and the two boys nodded in acknowledgment. "You're turning 15 soon, Jack! Aren't you excited?" she added and Jack showed an embarrassed smile, remembering that he is going to have his birthday soon.

"Yeah, but... I'm quite nervous. No one has ever adopted me and that's okay, but... I'd be going to school soon and I'm embarrassed, knowing that I am the eldest of my classmates," he said and Elenea showed him a sweet smile.

"Think positive, Jack. Don't let this thought hinder you. Besides... the important thing is learning, right?" Elenea comforted him and this calmed the teenager.

"Thanks. Ralph will be with me, anyway. We'll figure this out," Jack added and Ralph nodded.

"Thank you for helping us during the home study," Ralph thanked the two and the twins smiled at them, feeling happy.

It may not be much... but everyone, despite their differences, is considered part of their precious blended family.