Eli stood quietly beside Leo, his tiny fingers still wrapped around Leo's hand as he looked from one unfamiliar face to another. He didn't completely understand what everyone was talking about, but he understood enough to know that something important was happening.
Earlier, Granny had told him that he was going to meet a family and if they liked him, perhaps they would take him home. She had explained it gently, telling him that some children were lucky enough to find a family who would love them and take care of them and Eli had listened with wide, curious eyes, not completely understanding what it meant to be chosen.
But he knew one thing very clearly.
He wanted a family.
He had wanted one for a long time.
His eyes became slightly misty as he looked at Bella, wondering whether she liked him. He didn't know what she was thinking and the uncertainty made his little heart beat faster.
