Chapter 96

**Blue**


The next week is amazing. The three of us spend a lot of time eating together and adjusting to this new dynamic of our lives. Artemis is still a little awkward in the father role, but he’s been doing so well with Lilly. He is very protective of her and has even tried to buy her a new wheelchair with all sorts of bells and whistles to make sure she is thoroughly protected. I had to step in and explain to him that adding a button for her to press that release mace is a little too far.

We compromised and bought her a motored wheelchair to use when she’s at school and it does have an emergency alarm she can press if she’s in trouble. It will also alert us if she is in trouble and give us her location. We also bought her the watch we looked at so we can keep in contact with her. Artemis has chosen a very exclusive school that VIP people send their kids to because security is intense given the high profiles of the children.

She was accepted on sight and will start on Monday. Since it’s Friday now we need to take her shopping to get everything she will need. It shouldn’t be too hard since it’s the middle of the school year and no one is rushing to buy stuff before the school year starts.

“Your uniforms should be delivered today including shoes, so now we need to grab supplies.” I say to Lilly as we walk down the aisles of the local Target.

I’m sure Artemis would prefer us to shop somewhere a little higher end, but I’ve always wanted to shop here. Which was a brilliant plan because their selection of school supplies are so cute.

“Oh! You need markers too! Wow this has forty-eight!” I grab two pf those a toss them in the cart. “Wow look at these crayons! Since when do they make this many colors?”

Lilly watches me run up and down the aisle grabbing almost everything but doesn’t try to stop me. She does grab more practical items though which is very responsible of her. Bryant and Dane are with us and I hear them chuckling at my excitement but I’m not even embarrassed. This is a first for me and I’m having so much fun. Plus, Artemis isn’t here to stop me from going crazy, so I have to take advantage of it.

“Blue? Blue Rhodes?” I hear a woman say from behind me.

I turn but when I come face to face with her, I don’t recognize her. “Sorry, do we know each other?”

“No. I recognize you though. I never expected to meet you in a Target of all places.” She laughs shyly.

There is a warning going off in my head that this could turn bad since it’s clear this woman knows me from all the media attention I’ve gotten. I try to think of a polite way to excuse myself but then she does something I don’t expect.

“I just wanted to say how much courage you’ve given me.”

Uh what now?

“I had been in foster care growing up and it was a really dark time in my life. Seeing how you were able to make a life for yourself despite where you came from gave me the push, I needed to try to change my life.” She starts to cry, and I go on instinct and pull her in for a hug.

“That’s amazing. You didn’t need me though you are brave all on your own.” I whisper to her.

“Miss Blue?” We break apart at the sound of Bryant’s voice.

“I’m so sorry that I bothered you, I just wanted to say thank you.” She says as she steps away from me but stops when she sees Lilly.

“Oh! This is Lilly my daughter.” I say.

The woman’s eyes widen. “Your daughter?”

“I was recently adopted into the Rhodes family.” Lilly says proudly.

“Oh my gosh! You are so cute. This is amazing! How did I miss hearing about this?”
“We’ve been keeping things low profile so we could adjust to being a new family.” I explain.

“That makes sense. I’m so glad I got to meet you both, but I’ll let you go back to shopping.” She waves and starts to walk away but I call out to her.

“Hey! Did you want us to take a picture together?” I ask her.

“Really?” She sounds so excited that I can’t help but smile.

“You are the first person to come up to me and not shove a camera in my face. I think that’s earned you a nice picture and not one of those ugly photos they print in magazines.” I tell her with a laugh.

“Wow. Sure, that would be awesome. Thank you!” She pulls out her phone and moves back over to us.

“Miss Blue-“

I glare at Bryant, and he snaps his mouth shut instantly. That’s right buddy you stay out of this.

The woman stands next to me and presses a button so that our faces appear on the screen of her phone. Abigail says it’s called a selfie and that I should start posting some, but I can’t seem to pose like the other women on the social media apps.

“Can I be in it too?” Lilly asks.

I turn to her with concern. “You don’t mind pictures of you being shared? I don’t want to ever force you to do that.”

She nods. “I want everyone to know you’re my mom now.”

My eyes start to burn with tears, but I fight them hard so that my eyes won’t look red in the photo. “Okay let’s do this then.”
We all get into position and Bryant offers to take the photo for us instead. We pose a few different ways and then he gives the phone back to the woman.

“This is amazing! Thank you so much.”

“No problem. Continue being brave!”

“I will!” She waves to us, and I do the same.

“She was so sweet. I’m glad that there are still people who respect our privacy.” I say to no one in particular.

“It’s not private if you take photos with her.” Dane grumbles.

I turn and narrow my eyes at him with my hands on my hips. “She was nice, and I wanted her to have a moment from our meeting. It could help her feel supported even more and continue her journey. So shut it! Now Lilly which lunch box would you like?”

We were able to shop completely uninterrupted after that. Dane is carrying far too many bags when we leave but Lilly is smiling and laughing which makes it all worth it. Seeing her smile is the most important thing to me. Before we leave, I stop and take a photo of myself holding one of our bags.

“What on earth are you doing?” Dane asks.

“Abigail says I need to post photos on social media every day, so I’m taking my daily photo.”

“In front of a beige wall with a shopping bag?” He doesn’t sound the least bit impressed.

I scowl at him. “I don’t see you giving up any suggestions.”

He sighs and takes my phone. “Try to pose a little bit.”
Easier said than done. I’m not naturally graceful looking so I have no idea what he means by pose.

“Turn sideways slightly and hike your leg up a little. Keep the bag down at your side and smile.”

I attempt to do as he asks but I feel silly.

“Hold that.” He says and starts to take a few pictures. “Okay now stand straight and hold the bag with both hand sin front of you. Tilt your head slightly and smile.”

Once again, I do as he asks and when he seems satisfied I walk over to him to see the results.

“Now we edit the color balance a little and done.”

I’m in shock when I see the final photos. He made me look amazing!

“How did you do that?” I ask him.

“I dabbled in photography for a while.” He shrugs like he didn’t just blow my freaking mine.

“You’re taking my photos from now on.” He grumbles and walks away without responding but we all know he’ll help.

Dane has a soft spot for me and Lilly, and he will break eventually.

We load everything into the car and start to head home. While we’re driving, I pull up my social media account and post the new photos. When I’m done, I notice a notification so I select it and the picture of us with the woman pops up. I scroll down to her caption and smile at her sweet words.

“Just met Blue Rhodes and her beautiful daughter Lilly! That’s right, Blue adopted a little girl giving her a chance at a new life. She has inspired me so much and to see her take on a child without a family and with a disability only makes her more of an inspiration. She was so nice and offered to take this photo with me. See what happens when you show kindness and respect to those in the spotlight? They are kind to you as well. #bekind #bluerhodes #bestdayever”

Oh shoot…I’m going to start crying again. I wish I met more people as sweet as her.