Rose p.o.v

I stood behind daddy. Too scared to let myself known to the two males in front of us. I clutched daddy's shirt with my hands. Daddy was casually speaking with them until I came up in their conversation.

"So Max, Nathan, I want you to meet my girl, Rose." Daddy pried my hands of his shirt and stood beside me. I was frantically sucking my paci as my nerves grew more and more. My paci was gently taken out of my mouth to be able to speak.

Daddy nudged me. "Remember your manners Rose, go say hi."

With his coaxing I managed to build enough courage to speak up. "H-Hi my n-name is Rose."

The bigger male squatted down. He did not look that intimidating anymore like that, I thought. "Hi Rose, I'm Nathan and this is my little boy Max." He smiled at me.

The smaller boy waved at me and spoke really fast. Like really fast. "Hi Rose! I'm Max and I saw a tiger yesterday! Oh, and a lion and... and a jaguar and-"

"Max, Max, calm down buddy. How about you two go play and then you can tell all about our little trip to the zoo yesterday." Nathan suggested.

Max nodded his head frantically and smiled. He stepped forward to take my hand and lead me to box full of toys. I was startled but he seemed nice.

"What do you wanna play with?" I shrugged. "You got so many toys! Not gonna lie, I'm low key jealous... Although I did see a tiger yesterday." I nodded my head. Already knowing he saw a tiger yesterday.

"What d-does 'low key' m-mean?" I asked hesitantly. Not knowing if it was a dumb question or if he knew what it meant. I sometimes copy words daddy said without me knowing what it meant.

"Oh, uhm...you don't know?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"Oh..." Then he became silent. He had a small frown on his forehead. He looked like he was thinking really hard.

Then, "Daddy what does 'low key' mean?" Nathan looked up and looked confused. "I know what it means but dunno how to explain." Max continued.

"It means a little bit." Nathan answered.

"Thank you's!" Max then turned to me, "So that is what it means. But what you wanna do? Soccer or... ooh or baseball?

The baseball stuff looked difficult. "Soccer?"

"Yeah, that's cool. Do you know how to play?"

I shook my head again.

"That's okay, it's super easy. I'll show you." He again took my hand in his and walked over to the grass field.

• • •

Playing soccer was... difficult but fun. Way easier than the difficult words Miss Olivia was teaching me. Max was also fun and nice. I felt comfortable around him. I liked him. He was like the big brother I always wanted.

When I was home alone with my bruises, I imagined having a big brother to protect me from the next punches. I also imagined having a big sister, she would help me to take care of my pain.

When Max and I were middle of our game we were both called to come. "Daddy, daddy did you see me. I played soccer!" I cheered proudly.

Daddy picked me up and laughed, "Yes, I saw. You were very good." He kissed my forehead. "Before you tell be all about it, I want you to meet some people."

"More?" I asked in a low voice.

Daddy chuckled. "Yes, more princess, but you will like them just like you Max and Nathan." Shortly after he said that three women walked into the garden. One of them I knew, miss Olivia. I waved at her.

"Hey there, my little smarty pants, happy birthday."

"Thank you." I whispered. She smiled, I liked her smiles. She had the best smiles. Maybe even better than Daddy's.

"Rose, I want you to meet Ellis and Anna." Daddy said while pointing at the women.

"Hello Rose, it's nice to meet you. My name is Ellis, and this is my girl-"

"Anna. Mommy I told you I wanna say my name myself." The less taller girl whined. "I'm sorry dear, mommy forgot."

Daddy had put me down and as I just touched the floor with my feet I was embraced in a hug. "Hi, I'm Anna and we are gonna be the bestest friends ever!"

I was a bit startled by this. I looked up at daddy for reassurance and he nodded his head that it was okay. So, I trusted him.

"Hey Anna, wanna play soccer with us. Rose is pretty good." Max asked.

"Oh yeah, sounds fun!"

Derek p.o.v

All our littles were playing soccer on the big grass field in the backyard. They laughed, they played, they had fun. I felt happy. Happy that Rose got along with the other despite her poor social skills, happy that Rose got some kind of childhood she never had, happy that I had found my perfect little girl. I saw a future with her, a platonic future, but still I did not want her to leave my life and I hoped it was likewise for her.

"So, Derek, you were about to tell me how you met Rose." Nathan commented to get our conversation going.

"Ah yes, uhm, well..." I had no idea how they all would react. The only people who knew Rose was from the streets were Stella and Jack.

"Come on mate, did you meet her at the club?" Nathan pressured me.

"No Nathan, I did not meet her at the club. I'm not making that mistake again, no offence. I know you all met your littles at the club, and it was a successful match, but it was never with me. The moment people hear my name they can only think about the money I own." I sighed.

"No, I met Rose on the streets... where she lived."

The three of them all gasped. "Don't judge, please." I never pleaded in my life, well almost never, but for Rose I would.

"Of course, not Derek. Tell us more." Oliva responded, the others nodding along, saying they would not judge. So, I told them. I told them how she fell, how she cried, how skinny she was, how she ended up on the streets. How I am only daddy for her and no Derek Idelson. How I am only her caregiver and that we have a platonic relationship. And how much I cared for the little girl that stole my heart when she fell on her knees in the rain.

They were all supportive towards my decision. They called me reckless but still approved. "That parents can treat their children that way. It still baffles me." Nathan commented. We all nodded our heads at that. No understanding why you would hurt a child, your own child at that.

When I was done with my story, we all looked at the three of them playing together. "I think they all need a powernap." I said.

Rose was already yawing for the third time in the short period I looked at her. Anna and Max both looked tired as well. We called them to us, and I lead the seven of us towards Rose her big girl room. They wanted to stay close to each other so they could sleep in the big bed together.

They looked incredibly cute. They all hugged each other with still their stuffies in their arms and all sucking on a pacifier. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe!