Adoption Adjustment 15

The group had moved from the salon in the mall to one of the big department stores and right over to the Little Miss section where Kennedy’s eyes practically glazed over at what he presumed was a sea of lace and cutesy girly things. At his five foot nothing height he had never been able to shop in the men's department, not that he had a lot of experience shopping for clothes at all. Most of the time he had been given hand me downs from another foster kid. The last family he had been with had a new pair of jeans and four t-shirts waiting for him when he arrived, that had really been the only good thing about that home. So being taken shopping for what was described as a closet full of clothes was a new experience, one he would have been happy to have if they had been in the boys section instead.   With every passing minute he felt like things were getting worse, Abby picking out a puffy white skirt that would come down almost to his knees. Rosemarie, or aunt Rosie had gushed at how cute the tulle skirt would look and instantly it was the first thing added to the collection of clothes that only grew. He wanted to glare daggers at the red headed brat as she held up a yellow long sleeve cotton blouse that was cut to expose his shoulders, but he didn’t feel like he had the strength of will to even muster that. “Kenndy.” McKenzie whispered harshly through clenched teeth. She was feeling incredibly frustrated with her foster brother. She had fun earlier in the day, but she didn’t feel much like playing anymore. “Tell Aunt Rosie the truth.”  “I can’t… she didn’t believe me and… I can’t.” Kennedy knew he could, he could even prove he was a man… well a teenage boy. He didn’t exactly know what a girl looked like without their underwear on but he knew that girls didn’t have what he had between their legs. Doing that though would make her mad. In foster homes he had met people that were nice, or acted nice and as soon as you made them angry things changed in a bad way. Not once had he met someone like the girls’ aunt or their mom, they really did seem nicer than anyone he had been with, but he also hadn’t made them really angry… not yet, and he knew what would happen then. Back he would go… or maybe even to juvenile hall where his last case worker had said he was going to go for being a horrible brat. ‘They deserved what they got.’ The dress wearing boy thought darkly. “I just… I can’t McKenzie. Could you just help me without making her mad at me?”  Squinting her eyes at Kennedy for a second before squeezing them closed the young teen girl let out another long sigh. The kind she often reserved for dealing with her little sister when she was purposely being a problem. “She isn’t going to be mad, well maybe a little, but would you rather put on this pretty blouse? Or tell her the truth so we can get you some boy clothes.”  Kennedy’s heart sank at the question, it wasn’t just because he was positive he would be sent packing if the truth came out now. It wasn’t his fault any of this happened, he tried to tell them, he tried to tell everyone, mostly… But not being at fault didn’t mean you didn’t get in trouble, or get the belt, he had learned that lesson more than once. That was only part of the reason her words caused mental pain, the other part was because the girl's aunt seemed to have perfect timing to show up to hear things he wished she didn’t.  “Why would you want boy’s clothes honey?” Rosemarie asked, thinking the girl might just be thinking about getting some pants. Her eldest niece hadn’t worn a skirt for longer than a few minutes once she was old enough to choose what she wore.  Raising an eyebrow in Kennedy’s direction, McKenzie once more saw the short boy shake his head. ‘Fine, if he wants to look like a girl then that is what will happen!’ Shifting herself slightly McKenzie held the blouse up to Kennedy’s chest as she spoke to her aunt. “Dee Dee was telling me that all she was really given was boys clothes and was saying how she hoped she didn’t have to do that anymore.”  With wide eyes Kennedy looked between the two redheads rapidly before he settled on the thirteen year old brat. “Why did you tell her that!?”

Not for the first time today Rosemarie felt her heart break, she understood where the girl was coming from, but it was clear they didn’t share every experience. “It’s okay honey.” Rosemarie said, putting her hand on the girl’s shoulder, her hand sliding down till she had the girl’s smaller hand in her own. “Kenzie is just trying to help, I promise we all just want to help you the best we can.”  “Yeah, I’m just trying to help.” McKenzie said, stressing each word, thinking at this point if he wouldn’t tell the truth on his own or back her up then she would just push him till he cracked. When he had first shown up at their door she had done her best to be welcoming, and thought despite being a shorty he was cute, but the longer she dealt with him the more her little crush faded away.  “I ahhh, I don’t need any help and don’t need you to buy me any clothes.” He said, pushing the yellow blouse away from himself. “Don’t spend any money on me, I’m fine.”  Rosemarie’s eyes grew softer, she just wanted to pick the girl up and hold her and tell her things would get better over and over again till she knew it was true. That feeling of not wanting to be a burden on someone, because they would want something from you was a familiar one. Still holding her hand, Rosemarie pulled her once more into a large hug. “You deserve to be taken care of, you deserve love. You are not a burden and I promise that we all are here for you.”  The moment was a heartwarming one, McKenzie wasn’t sure what was going through Kennedy’s head as her aunt hugged him, but seeing the deep blush come to his cheeks caused her to roll her eyes.   “Now, we are going to get you some things today and if I have my way you will be just as spoiled as Kenzie and Abby, you are going to let me lavish you with gifts, got it?”  Kennedy nodded his head as it was pressed up against her soft chest. “Mmmm, yeah. Like the book?”  Pulling back from the girl Rosemarie kept her arms on her as she nodded and smiled. “Give me a little time and I will fill up a bookshelf for you. For now though we need to go into the changing room, I have something every growing girl needs.”  In a slight daze Kennedy followed the attractive woman, in her tight workout pants his eyes would have normally been glued to her rear end, but his mind was too distracted with the promise to not just buy him another book like she had, but to fill up an entire bookshelf for him. The idea felt ridiculous, the one book that was now sitting in the bag with whatever the girls got at the bookstore was an amazing gift, but who would buy someone like him that many books?  It wasn’t until the door to the changing room closed that he paid attention to what was going on. Aunt Rosie had been talking and he had just been nodding along, and now she was pulling up on the yellow dress he had been wearing.   “Hands up Dee Dee, lets get this off you so you can try your training bra.”  “What!? I… I don’t umm I don’t need a bra!”  “Come on.” She said gently, tugging up on the dress till she was able to get it over the girl’s head. “I know you don’t need a bra, not yet, but soon you will be seeing other girls your age blossoming to become women. Your big sister Kenzie is already wearing one.”  “Yeah, but she is a girl and I’m not going to ever grow tits!” He panicked, seeing her pick up a peach and pink piece of fabric that looked like a belly shirt version of a boy's a-frame undershirts.    “It may seem like it now, but before you know it you will have to wear a full bra yourself. Your body will change in ways you can’t imagine. Like…”  Shaking his head as rapidly as he could, Kennedy snatched the garment from her hands. “I don’t need to hear about that!” He said, with desperation in his voice knowing exactly where the conversation was going and he did not want to hear about girls peeing blood.  “It is only natural honey, here let me show you.” Rosemarie then removed her purple tank top, revealing her purple and black lace bra. Kennedy was already putting on the stupid feminine garment, afraid she was going to continue, but as the sight of her breasts came into view his pupils became pinpoints. A heavy blush came to his cheeks, and his hands went down to block the front of the panties he wore so she wouldn’t see him getting hard.   “See? As you get older…”

A few minutes later stood in the center of the changing room in a daze after the green eyed beauty talked to him about the wonders of womanhood he would soon experience. He had nowhere to go and with her topless she had his full attention. The topic was embarrassing, he remembered the girls being separated from the boys to go over sex education, but even then he hadn’t really learned anything, it was mostly just the boys making jokes. Now he just stood through a short lecture on him blossoming as she put it, but even with his cheeks constantly red from a blush that didn’t go away, he would have listened to her talk about the different colors of paint or types of grass so long as she stayed standing there with him without her shirt on. Now left with multiple hangers that had skirts, blouses and dresses on them he was left with instructions to try them on while she went to look for more things. Slowly he sat down on the little stool, breathing heavily and trying to think unsexy thoughts so his erection would go away and thanking his lucky stars she hadn’t noticed.

Exiting the changing room, now fully dressed again Rosemarie had her lips pressed into a line as she thought about her discussion. Ten years old was probably too young for the talk she just had and it was clear the girl was uncomfortable and embarrassed. Dee Dee had a constant blush and had been holding her privates, like just talking about periods would cause it to happen and that she could hold it back. Though she also knew kids in foster care didn’t get the education they should and it just seemed natural to transition from talking about her chest growing to that. Overall she thought it went well and wondered how that same conversation went between her sister Miah and Kenzie.

Stepping out into the aisle between clothing racks, her thoughts were interrupted by her youngest and blonde niece as she held up a few articles of clothing. “Can I get these!” She said her voice full of excitement, in her hands a skirt that matched the one she had picked out for Dee Dee and a pink babydoll t-shirt with an outline of a white cat.

“Looks like someone wants to match her sister.” Rosemarie said with a smile, imagining Abby had picked out the tulle white skirt for Dee Dee because she wanted it.

“Yeah!

“Those look good Abby bug, why don’t you find Kenzie and show her and then you can go try them on.”

With the girl darting off like a rocket Rosemarie started to browse the shelves and racks once more, well aware that at some point she had picked up an admirer. He was a man who looked to be low to mid twenties, around her own age of twenty five she guessed. He was blonde with a neatly kept short hairstyle, a trimmed blonde beard and deep blue eyes and was about her height of five foot eight or just slightly more. Being checked out by a man wasn’t new to her and with her upbringing it often felt good to get attention, even if it was the negative type.

She was looking for clothes in the Young Miss department, and considering the blonde man in blue jeans and a white t-shirt wasn’t looking at the clothes at all she figured he was just here to ogle her. Bending over to sort through some girls' shorts on a low shelf she gave her butt a little wiggle. ‘I shouldn’t be doing this when I’m out with the girls, I’m not working while I’m here… but I did and am spending a lot more than I expected. Hmmm maybe I should do a little work on the side?’ Rosemarie asked herself. She had no intention of picking up this guy as a client, not when she was out with her family, but having his attention on her body had reminded her that splurging on Dee Dee to make her feel at home and cared for was going to hit her bank account.

Walking down the aisle Reagan had been heading to the mens department to pick up a new tie after accidentally spilling some mustard on the only tie he had brought on his trip up north from Florida. He had been thumbing through emails on his phone mentally griping about the never ending asks and favors people wanted in the political world when all of it seemed to fade away when caught sight of a scarlet haired freckled woman with the most eye-catching green eyes he had ever seen. He found himself following her mesmerized like a child following the pied piper, his attention only becoming more focused as she bent over and shook her ass in his direction. It wasn’t until he saw her pick up a pair of white child sized shorts with a pink flower on the back pocket that he took notice of exactly where he was.

Picking up someone at a department store in a kiddie section wasn’t exactly his normal, but he had also never been the shy type. ‘What kind of alpha would I be if I didn’t pursue my prey?’ he asked himself before clearing his throat. “Excuse me, I was hoping you could help me out.” He said, a plan already forming in his head after he noticed a much younger redhead girl in the vicinity. Shacking up with a sexy milf like her on his business trip hadn’t been in his original plan when coming to the mall, but he was sure happy he had only brought one tie with him now.

“Mmmm?” Rosemarie made the sound as she snapped back up from her bent position instinctually as she felt the man’s roaming eyes, thinking he had already undressed her with them. “Looking for something in your size? Might have the wrong department, but I’m happy to help you find something pretty.” She said, giving the man a sweet pretend innocent smile.

“Hehehe.” Reagan laughed. “I think I already found something pretty.” He said giving the girl his best best. “I was actually here to find a tie and seem to have gotten lost, any chance you could show me the way to the men’s department? I was never one of those guys that refused to stop and ask for directions.”

Raising an eyebrow at the flirting man, Rosemarie was about to respond when McKenzie walked up, holding a black and pink skater dress in her hands. It made her smile, her niece was plenty feminine, not a tomboy, but she really didn’t like wearing dresses and skirts. Seeing her with one made her happy, not because she wanted to force her into something, but because she was willing to expand her horizons, that and she loved dolling her nieces up.

Glancing at the man talking to her aunt McKenzie gave the man a slight nod before speaking. “Aunt Rosie, I was thinking of this for Dee Dee, but she isn’t answering or coming out from the changing room.”

Nodding once Rosmarie gave the man a small shrug of her shoulders. “I’m sorry, but my nieces need my help. I think if you follow the path and read the signs you can find what you are looking for. You can read the signs, right?”

Tilting his head back, Reagan gave the beauty a grin. “I believe I can read the signs just fine. I’m Reagan by the way, Reagan Demir. I’m only in town for a few days, let me get your phone number. I would love to get the chance to know the beautiful lass behind that smile.”

“Lass? That is a new one, but afraid not. I’m only in town to spend time with family and before you ask after shopping we are going out to dinner. Completely booked.”

His eyes flicked to the younger version of the woman, he could have sworn they were mother and daughter, but aunt was just as good. Aunt could mean she was actually unattached and he was sure she was flirting back with him. Not the type to take a refusal he pushed on, adjusting his tactics. “Completely understand, family always comes first. I’m an uncle myself, have two nephews to my eldest sister. You said you are going out to eat, how about Chuck E Cheese, place where your nieces can eat and play. They can have fun and the two of us could have a chance to get to know one another. My treat.”

Figuring out what was going on a mischievous smile came to McKenzie’s face. Her mother was single, but she once had her daddy. While her favorite and only aunt never even had a boyfriend that she could remember. “Chuck E Cheese sounds fun!” She blurted out, already seeing the rebuttal forming on her aunt's lips.

“Kenzie…” Rosemarie said before her eldest niece called out to her sister who must have been close by.

“Abby! Do you want to go to Chuck E Cheese!?”

Almost jumping through a rack of clothes, wearing the outfit she had just asked her aunt if she could buy, Abby had a wide open mouthed grin, her arms flung up into the air. “YES! I want pizza and tokens!”

“Abby bug…” Rosemarie said with a sigh in her voice, hating that she was about to tell them both no, that they were not going there with some stranger. Though she supposed she could tell the man no and then take them there anyways.

“Aunt Rosie, did you know I went there for my seventh birthday! I got Chucky to dance with me and I asked Mommy if I could get a mouse as a pet, she said no, but then I asked for a ginnie pig and she still said no, but then Chucky gave me some extra tokens to go play games and it was sooo much fun, except when my friend Beth got sick, but she already said she wasn’t feeling good when she came and Mommy said that her Mom shouldn’t have let her come if she was sick and throwing up because it would make others sick, but I was fine, but Kenzie didn’t feel well the next day but she wasn’t throwing up, so I think it was different, but I helped Mommy make her chicken noodles soups and she felt better.”

Putting his hand over his mouth for a moment to help contain a laugh Reagan did his best to compose himself after the tiny girl went on a rant. “It sounds like we got two votes, but I’m not the type to try and force someone into anything. You said you were just in town to visit family, so neither of us are from here. I would really love to get to know you, but picking someone up like this isn’t exactly an ideal situation. Why don’t you take your nieces there, it looks like I got them worked up. So let me give you some money, you can take them out on me. I think there is a decent burger joint in the food court, eating alone isn’t a new one.”

“Aunt Rosie… don’t make him eat alone.” McKenzie said, before whispering to her aunt louder than she intended. “I think he likes you.”

Pressing her lips together Rosemarie looked at her niece, practically feeling the aura of mischief coming off of her. The two shared a hair color, but the girl reminded her of Miah when she was younger. “Do the two of you wanna go to Chuck E Cheese?” She asked, feeling defeated, already knowing the answer.

“Yes, it sounds like fun.” Mckenzie answered.

“No, I don't want to go… I neeeeed to go! I haven’t seen Chucky in forever and I promised him I would be back.” Abigail said with enough drama to win an over acting award.

“Alright, alright, go ask your sister, after we finish up trying on clothes we can have Reagan here buy us dinner. That is if he is okay, waiting. We would understand if he didn’t have the time.”

With a small shake of his head Reagan kept his normal smirk plastered on his face. “I have no problem waiting, still need to get that tie after all. Say…” He turned his attention to the rugrats. “If I bring over a few ties, do you think the two of you could help me pick out the right one for an important meeting I have tomorrow?” He asked them, his eyes flickering over to the only other adult in view. “Oh, and I heard them calling you Aunt Rosie, any chance I could have your name?”

With a half smile on her face Rosemarie nodded. If she happened to run into someone that she thought could be a client out and about she would have told them her name was Candy, but that was a life she never intended to come close to her nieces. Even if she did, Miah would string her up for even considering it. “I’m Rosemarie, most people call me Rose. This here is McKenzie and the ball of energetic drama is Abby.”

“Don’t forget Dee Dee!” Abby said helpfully.

“Yes.” Rosemarie acknowledged the girl. “My niece in the changing room is Dee Dee. Abby, that outfit looks good on you, why don’t you run off to change back and ask Dee Dee if she is okay with what we picked for dinner or if she wants to go someplace else.” When she said that last part she met Reagan’s blue eyes. The man was attractive enough, not a big muscled egomaniac man, he seemed affable enough, but would take them out if Dee Dee wasn’t comfortable in a second.