The warm morning light filtered through the windows of their new home as Liora and Tessa walked side by side toward the town hall. The quiet clack of boots against stone echoed through the streets, the village slowly stirring to life around them.
Tessa clutched the folded paperwork in her hands, her grip tight but certain.
Liora glanced down at her. "You sure about this?"
Tessa gave a small nod, determination shining in her eyes. "I've never been more sure."
Inside the town hall, the clerk led them to the back office, where the village head, Elden Dawnmal, an older man with graying hair and a worn but kind face, reviewed the request. He glanced over the forms, then leaned back in his chair with a deep sigh.
"You two understand what you're asking for?" he said gently. "Miss Liora, you're only nineteen, and Tessa here is already fourteen. According to village law, she's considered of age to live independently. You aren't obligated to adopt her."
Liora opened her mouth to speak, but the village head held up a hand.
"And if I may be blunt, some folks may talk. A nineteen-year-old adopting a fourteen-year-old girl… It's unusual. It might invite misunderstanding."
Tessa stepped forward, her voice steady despite the tremble in her fingers.
"I understand," she said clearly. "But Liora has already done more for me than my real parents ever did."
The room went silent.
Tessa continued, her voice gaining strength. "They cast me out to save coin. They never looked back. But Liora… she saw me. She fed me. Trained me. Listened to me. She let me into her home and treated me like I mattered. Like I belonged."
She looked up at Liora, eyes shimmering.
"She's already my family. This is just making it real."
Elden looked between them for a long moment, then gave a quiet sigh and smiled.
"Well then… if both parties are certain," he said, pulling out a fresh form and stamping it with an official seal, "let's get it written in ink."
Later that afternoon, Aria was bouncing on her toes at the front window when the door opened.
"Liora! Tessa!" she called, rushing over as they stepped inside.
Liora smiled, crouching to lift her into a hug. "We've got some news, little star."
Tessa stepped forward, a nervous smile on her face. "I'm… officially part of the family now."
Aria blinked. "Like… really?"
Liora nodded. "We filled out all the papers. She's your big sister now, officially."
Aria stared wide-eyed for a heartbeat… then flung her arms around Tessa.
"Big sis!!" she squealed, nearly knocking the older girl off balance.
Tessa laughed, hugging her back tightly as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "Yeah… I'm your big sis now."
From the doorway, Liora watched the two of them, her heart full.
Family wasn't always something you were born into.
Sometimes, it was something you found and chose.
And sometimes… it chose you right back.