NEW FAMILY

"Well, we've become acquainted. You're right. She's a beautiful girl." Geona praised the girl standing beside her. From the shape of their hair is different. Geona's hair is straight, reddish brown, and long, while Ozora's hair is curly, and golden brown. Her skin color was not as white as Geona.

"Am I beautiful?" Inwardly Ozora asked herself. So far the words that are recorded in her brain were illegitimate children, ugly children, unlucky, and useless.

"Thank you," Ozora said suddenly, making Geona look to the side and pay attention to her face.

"Thank you for what?" Geona was confused by the thanks that suddenly came from Ozora.

"Thank you for saying I am beautiful. No one has ever praised me like that. I'm so glad to hear that." Ozora talked frankly in front of Geona.

"From today on you will hear it often. Trust me." Geona gave Ozora a warm hug. She was a year younger than Ozora but she could act that mature. The hug was the beginning of the bond between them.

***

Aster and Bella were busy cooking in the kitchen. After so many months, finally the refrigerator was full of food supplies and the stove in the kitchen worked longer. Not just boil potatoes or cook instant noodles. This time the stove was in charge of cooking the meat and vegetables that Aster had bought.

"Why are you doing all this?" Bella was still curious about the figure who suddenly became an important guest at the orphanage.

"We want to teach the value of life to our three children. Children are great imitators? We want them to emulate the good things from us. Parents need not be so angry or patronizing. Being a role model definitely has a bigger impact for them." While stirring the chicken gravy, Aster answered Bella's question.

"You are wonderful parents." Bella praised them while her hands were also busy making mashed potatoes.

"You are also an amazing couple. You sacrifice your personal possessions to raise children who are not of your flesh and blood. It was extraordinary. I'm an orphan too. I live with my uncle and aunt. They raised me with great love."

"Is that true? I think it's the reason why you care for all the orphan children."

"Yah. You are right. Maybe because I know how their feeling."

The food was already on the table. Every child held back their saliva when they saw their plate filled with side dishes and vegetables. It had been a long time since they had enjoyed such a sumptuous meal. They must be patient because before the prayer is said the food cannot be enjoyed.

"Amen." When that one word came from the lips of a teenager who led the prayer, all the children immediately ate the food with happy faces. All the kids enjoyed it so much that they wanted more and more.

Jacob and Aster saw happiness there. They felt like crying seeing their joy and their three children eating with the others.

"I'm going to make a proposal to the hospital I work for to donate to this place," Jacob suddenly said, making the couple who own the orphanage stare at them intensely.

"What do you mean?" Ernest asked. They didn't want to be misunderstood, that was why they asked.

"I will also invite my friends to donate here." Aster also continued her husband's sentence.

"But we also want…" Jacob hung his sentence then glanced at his wife who was standing beside him.

"We also want to adopt Ozora as a foster child." Aster continued her husband's sentence.

"Did you mean Ozora Felysia?" Bella had to mention the child's full name because she wasn't sure what her guests were saying.

"Correctly. We would love to adopt her. We have talked before. Considering we also have three children, we want to adopt her as a foster daughter but she will stay here. We will pay for all of her education and daily needs."

"Why did you choose Ozora? Why didn't you choose another child?" Bella doubted the wishes of the two people.

"Because our family loves her. Can you see how our three children can sit and eat together with her? When I told the story of my meeting with Ozora, our three children were immediately excited. Our conscience also told us to adopt her as a child. We promise to help finance the orphanage." Jacob convinced the orphanage owner.

"But we doubt it, sir. The first year Ozo was here, she was always making a mess. She bullied her friend, beat them, and even locked another child in the bathroom. The teacher from the school had warned us many times. The only child who wants to be friends with her is only Cana." Bella tried to open up before Jacob and Aster were completely sure of their decision.

"We've guessed it. That's the reason why we're attracted to her. We will also send her to the same place as our three children. That girl can be anything she wants to be."

"Are you sure about this decision?" Now it was Ernest who asked because they really had doubts.

"Kids, come here for a second!" Jacob called his three children.

"What's the matter, Daddy?" Geona answered on behalf of the three of them.

"Do you like Ozora? What if we transfer Ozora to your school?"

"So, every day we can play with her?" Daven asked.

"If you agree Ozora becomes part of our family."

"Of course we will, Dad. Ozo is very kind. Just now she shared a meal with me. Even though she rarely eats meat." Daphnee joined in on the explanation. Indeed, when eating, Ozo moved the meat on her plate because in an instant the meat on Daphnee's plate had gone into her stomach.

"You saw it by yourself, right? Ozora is very nice and our kids love her. If she causes trouble then we will take responsibility."

"If you are sure, okay. We'll take care of everything right away." Ernest and Bella had no more reason to refuse. Besides, Jacob and his wife would help them raise funds for the orphanage.