Funny, you don't look like a Susan... (Dusky Princess & Kevin)

[DuskyPrincess]

When Susan Anderson was born, chances are very good that she was christened with a name that was a different from Susan as one could get. The odds are even better that she was born in a country other than the one she was currently residing in. But through disaster, manmade and natural, couple with bureaucratic inefficiency and general bumbling, Susan found herself with an Anglicized name and subsequently dumped in a poorly regulated and overworked foster system.

Until the age of eleven, Susan found herself shuttled around between group homes (orphanages in the parlance of ages past) and foster homes more concerned with the income generated by their charges than their welfare.

And then fortune smiled on Susan when she found herself the foster daughter of the Anderson.

For two years Susan found stability and tranquility in the Anderson house.

And the Fate appeared to be ready to yank the rug out from underneath Susan, when Mrs. Anderson promptly left Mr. Anderson, stating that she needed to "discover who she really was."

Susan fully expected to be dumped back into the foster system. Instead, Mr. Anderson never flinched, but continued taking care of Susan.

Skip five years into the future, and the stability Mr. Anderson provided Susan has paid off. Granted, she is a bit standoffish, being stingy with her physical affection. And most of her classmates consider her clothing choices modest bordering on frumpy. But Susan was well liked in her senior class at high school, had friends, was considered academically gift and a talented flautist as well.

The story begins with Susan smiling at the acceptance letter she has received from a nearby private college. She will not only get to attend one of the top musical programs in the country, she will do so while remaining in the house that has been the only home and safe space she has ever known.

With a smile, she places her acceptance letter at the place where her foster father always eats dinner at, as she goes into the kitchen to begin preparing his meal.

 

[Kevinn]

They had been trying for a while before even considering adoption. Kevin Anderson and his wife had wanted a child for a while when they finally accepted to adopt one. It was a hard choice to make but in the end, they were both convinced that it had been the right one. After a long process, they finally had a daughter, Susan.

As fate would have it though, life in its many blows it dealt, two years after adopting Susan, Kevin's wife would decide to leave him with the vaguest of reasons. She left, leaving the two alone. Many people would have decided to give up on the adopted child, many would have returned her to some some but that wasn't fair. They had given the girl a home, a life and taking that awah just wasn't fair. Kevin decided he would keep his daughter, as he saw her, and raise her himself as best he could.

Kevin sat down at the table for dinner, taking his usual seat and noticed something waiting there for him. A letter. Quickly he read it, rejoicing at the news. He got up, going to see Susan. "Congratulations!" He cried with happiness as he hugged his daughter. "I'm so proud of you Susan.. Well done." A big proud smile spread across his face as he spoke.

 

[DuskyPrincess]

"Thank you, Papa," Susan said simply with a smile, returning the hug. It was a rare hug between the two, but Susan returned the embrace fully, Not that Kevin and Susan weren't affectionate toward each other. Far from it. Susan adored her adopted father, and beamed at his approval. It was just that the two had never had a physically affectionate relationship,

"The good news is, I can stay at home and make sure your supper is always on time," she teased, as she broke the hug. "And speaking of which, if you'll take a seat, I'll start serving yours."

 

[Kevinn]

Kevin was always impressed to see how his daughter had come along. She was growing up to be a far better woman than her mother had been to him. If it wasn't for her he wasn't sure where he would be right now. He wasn't quite sure what the turning point had been or when it happened but Susan began taking care of him, spoiling him even far more than she should have.

"That does sound absolutely wonderful Susan. It really does make me happy to keep you close." He gave her a soft kiss on the forehead and moved back to the table taking his seat. "Can't wait to have your food as always" he commented with a smile. "You really have become a great cook!"