John

“Right then. I’m doing this.” John said, adjusting his bonnie hat. “I’m going to be a good parent. I’m already prepared for one.” He looked at the door of the orphanage, raising his hand to knock..

He didn’t have to though because just than an employee opened the door. “Oh, hello, sir,” she said, startled that someone was there. “Are you here for the adoption event?”

“Yes ma’am. I am here for the event…” Johnny trailed off, looking over the woman’s head, trying to scope out the interior.

John loved his team on the Task Force. He guided them and made sure they were safe. He still loved doing that but lately he wanted more in life. His sister Anne had two children Charlotte and William. He loved his niece and nephew dearly and that made him realize something. What he was missing was a child of his own. One to raise himself and give him a new purpose other than to be a soldier.

Lucky for him, there was an orphanage in the next town over from where he lived. It was now hosting an event where children and prospective parents got to know each other and see if they were compatible. John decided to take this opportunity to see if there was a child who would be open to being adopted by a man who was covered in scars but would love them unconditionally.

“Right this way.” The employee said, motioning for John to follow her. She gave him one more smile and said. “This is the way to where the event is being held.”

She let him go to a big open room with children running everywhere with toys scattered all over the floor. Employees and prospective parents either lined the walls or interacted with the children.

The children who were too young to walk were sat in the corner of the room on soft blankets leaning against pillows, set up with picture books and stuffed animals. They each had a teething toy by them just in case. Employees stood around them to make sure the big kids didn’t trample them or needed a diaper change.

There were rooms set aside for the children to go into if they needed a break from all the play and adults. There were other rooms set aside where prospective parents could have one-on-one conversations with the kids.

John looked around the room nervously, wringing his hands. His eyes flickered around the room. “That one has a lot of energy. That one looks like Charlotte. Wonder if any of them would like a captain for a dad?” He muttered to himself

He started to get lost in his head before the employee leading him spoke again. “I’ll let you walk around and interact with the kids, though I would recommend going at the kids' paces. Makes a happier and safer event.” She walked off to speak to another employee.

John looked around. There were so many people. He felt his excitement grow, but he couldn’t let it show. He reminded himself why he was here. “To give a child a loving home, to give a child a loving home.” He repeated himself.

Suddenly, he felt something slam into his side, causing him to stumble. He looked down to see that a child had bumped into him while playing with their friends. The child looked up with his eyes wide with wonder. After a few seconds, another child came up and looked at him apologetically before dragging their friend off with an apology.

“Better start with talking to the kids,” He said to himself. He just stood there looking for somewhere to go or a kid to talk to. There were so many kids, he didn’t know where to start. As he was looking around, something or someone caught his eye.