I wake up to a few muffled noises downstairs. I silently unplug the lamp on my nightstand and take it with me while carefully going down the stairs.

My heart starts to beat out of my chest, almost drowning out the noises coming from the kitchen. Without even considering something else than a robber, I burst through the kitchen door, throwing the lamp at the 'robber'.

My eyes widen the moment after the lamp disappears from my hands, realising it's not a robber. The lamp hits the chair Casey is standing on, gaining her attention. She struggles to keep her balance, but I run up to her and catch her just in time.

Thank God my aim is terrible.

"Sorry, I thought you were-" I start to freak out, but that stops when I see the amused smile on her face. I chuckle as I carefully put her down. "Never mind. Good morning." I grin, making her laugh.

I look at the kitchen counter, seeing two plates with each a sandwich on them. "Did you make this?" I ask her surprised at the fact that she not only made herself a sandwich but made one for me too. Or she's very hungry.

She nods proudly, taking the two plates into her tiny hands before carrying them to the living area, setting them down on the dining table. I sit opposite of her, looking intently as she starts to devour the sandwich.

I take a bite, realising it's a peanut butter sandwich. The peanut butter is divided pretty unevenly, making me chuckle until I have a bite which is more peanut butter than bread.

This tastes terrible.

She looks confused at me as she finishes her breakfast. Is it even breakfast? I look at the clock to see the time, 4 am. "Why are you up so early?" I ask her curiously, earning me a shrug.

"Well we should get back to bed, it's too early to be awake." I chuckle making her nod slowly before we both stand up. I make my way out of the kitchen, but walk back when I see that Casey isn't following me. She's picking up the plates.

"We can do that later, let's go to bed." I mumble tiredly. I pick her up and carry her to the guest bedroom where she is staying for the next few days. She lays her head on my shoulder and holds me closer.

I manage to put her in bed and tuck her in. I'm about to leave but she won't let go of my hand. "Do you want me to stay with you?" I ask her, she shakes her head no before letting go.

"Are you sure?" I mumble, which she nods slowly to. She seems a bit hesitant but I decide to let it go. I walk to the door, looking back at her. "I know it's a bit scary, but please try to get some sleep. If you need anything, my room is across the door." I smile weakly before closing the door behind me.

I'm almost instantly asleep once my head hits the pillow.

I watch as Lizzie closes the door behind her. After waiting for a few moments I get out of bed, carefully going down the stairs. I clean up our plates, pour myself some water and make my way to the sofa.

I put on a movie called 'The Big Friendly Giant' and lay down under a blanket, enjoying the movie while sipping my drink.

"But Mom, I don't want to go there." Rose pouts as she crosses her arms. I look at her through the rearview mirror, holding back a slight giggle when I see her demeanour.

"I know sweetheart, but auntie Lizzie will be there and maybe you can play with Casey." I try to cheer her up, but it doesn't work.

"I don't even know Casey." She sighs, not understanding why we need to go to a small town when we were planning on going to Europe.

"Not yet, but I think you two will get along." I state as we come to a stop in front of a red light. I turn around, squeezing Rose her hand. "I promise you'll like her." I softly reassure her.

She nods her head as she holds her chin in thought. "What is Casey like?" She asks curiously.

"Well, Casey is pretty smart. And she can draw really, really well." I explain, thinking about what else I should share. "I like to draw too!" Rose exclaims, seeming a bit more excited to meet Casey.

"I know you do." I chuckle. "She likes hot chocolate and the movie Sing, but she doesn't know what I do for a living." I continue.

"We're not sure why, but she doesn't talk. So it can be a bit hard for you to communicate with her, but it's important that you treat her like you would treat any other kid."

"She doesn't talk at all?" Rose asks curiously.

"No, not at all." I answer my daughter.

"That must be lonely." I hear her softly mumble behind me, causing me some heartache. I'm just hoping I can help Lizzie to restore their special bond.

• • •

After driving the whole night, we arrive at Lizzie's a bit past 5 am. I don't want to wake her, but I don't have keys to the house and Rose only slept a few hours in the car, so she really needs to get inside.

I knock on the door, but nobody answers.

I'm woken up by loud banging on the front door. I sit up in bed, rubbing out my eyes as I take a deep breath. Another knock on the door. "Yeah yeah coming." I mumble as I stand up.

As I walk to the door I see the lights on in the living room. I take a quick look to see Casey already looking at me with a weak smile. I return the smile before opening the door.

I'm immediately tackled by Rose "Auntie Lizzie!" She cheers as she hugs my legs. I rub out my eyes once again and look at the woman standing at the door. "Scarlett?" I ask surprised.

"Did you forget we were coming?" She chuckles amused as she enters the door. "Maybe." I mumble making her laugh. Rose is about to run into the living room but Scarlett holds her back. "Rose honey, shoes."

She takes off her shoes and throws her coat at her mother before running into the living room. Seconds later she runs back to us and hides behind Scar's legs. "What's wrong?" Scarlett asks confused while taking off her own shoes.

"There's a stranger on the couch." Rose mumbles. Scarlett's eyes widen as she looks at me with a sly smirk. "I didn't realize you had company. Good for you."

I roll my eyes at her before chuckling. "It's Casey." I answer. Scarlett looks utterly confused but nods her head. Seconds later Casey comes running to us with a big smile on her face, which only grows when she sees Scarlett.

She's about to run past me to Scarlett but changes her course when she sees Rose. I can't help but laugh as she shyly hides between my legs. "Hey, Casey." Scarlett smiles.

Casey nods slowly at her in acknowledgement but her eyes remain on Rose. Scar and I look at each other with big smiles, both of us having a shy kid hiding behind us.

"That is Casey." Scarlett says to Rose, making Rose peek with a questionable smile. "The one you told me about?" She almost whispers. Scar simply nods. Rose immediately seems to relax a bit, lowering her shoulders and stepping away from her mother.

"Hi, I'm Rose." She says sweetly as she reaches out her hand for Casey to shake. But Casey simply shakes her head as she digs her nails into my skin. I feel bad for Rose, but she takes it like a champ.

"That's okay, I don't like strangers either." She says softly before letting out a loud yawn. "Mommy I'm tired." She mumbles. Scar picks her up and strokes through her hair.

"I know sweetheart, let's get you to bed." Scar says sweetly. "Are you tired?" I ask Casey who shakes her head with confidence. "Why don't you go to the living room? I'll join you in a few minutes." I state, making her nod her head before walking away.

I walk upstairs to show Rose the guest bedroom, which Casey occupied earlier. Unfortunately, there are only two bedrooms, but we'll have to sort out the sleeping arrangements later. After Rose went to sleep, Scarlett and I stepped out of the room.

"How did this happen?" She asks confused, probably referring to Casey being here. I'm about to explain it to her when she lets out a loud yawn similar to her daughters. "You need to get some sleep. Go take my bed." I say as I hug her. "Thank you for being here." I mumble into her shoulder.

She squeezes me before turning around and walking into my bedroom, probably too tired to verbally answer.

I walk back downstairs, my smile dropping when I see Casey at the front door putting on her shoes. I decide to stay out of sight a bit longer, curious as to what she's going to do. After putting on her shoes she puts on her backpack and reaches for the front door lock.

I run down the stairs, standing behind her. "What are you doing?" I ask confused. She turns around abruptly, looking like she got caught.

She slowly points to herself and then to the front door. "You don't have to leave." I say in a surprised tone of voice, confused as to why she would think that. Or maybe even hurt because she would leave without letting me know.

She shrugs her shoulders before putting on a sad face, her lower lip trembling as her eyes become glossy. "Come here." I say softly as I pick her up, carrying her to the living room.

Somewhere along the way I took off her shoes and backpack and sit down on the couch. She cries into my shoulder before calming down a bit, letting a yawn slip. "So you are tired." I smile weakly. She shakes her head before letting out another yawn.

"It's okay me too." I chuckle as I hold her close, both of us slowly drifting asleep.