#vodkar

            They were closing down the orphanage today. After months of police investigation and court cases, they were finally able to get that god awful, corrupted place closed. The quartet stood outside the police tape as they watch the police lead some of the children to a bus waiting to take them to another location across town. The building was marked to be destroyed. Soon it would be like it was never even there. Though the memory of it was a lot harder to get rid of.

            Daniel leaned against Dave, burying his head into the others shoulder. Karkat and Roxy stood together, hands clasped tightly together. None of them necessarily had to be there. But they all wanted to see the place finally taken down. They wanted to see the children taken somewhere safe. The children all looked so scared, clutching blankets tightly for dear life, or hugging each other. Some of the older ones carried the younger ones, smiling for being able to leave this hell. The oldest child in the group being led out had spotted the quartet watching and nodded towards them, a look of pure gratitude on their face.

            After what seems like hours later, a majority of the kids had been gathered into the bus. But not all. A police officer came out, holding a small bundle of blankets holding a very small child. The officer approaches the couples. “We’re going to need you guys to take this one to a hospital. It’s burning up. There’s no way to tell how long it’s been like this. You need to take it right away,” he says, handing the bundle to Roxy. Roxy pulls away some of the blankets to see the baby’s tiny, dark face.

            “We’ll take it right now,” Karkat responds, wrapping an arm around Roxy’s shoulder and leading her back to the car. Dave and Daniel exchange glances then follow them. They drive in silence to the hospital, Roxy cradling the baby in her arms and rocking it. It was so small and so frail. Karkat kept glancing anxiously at it as he drove to the hospital.

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            The baby ended up staying several days in the hospital. Not only was she sick, but she was also extremely undernourished. The four had stayed visited several times to check up on the poor thing. There was no real need to, but Roxy made sure to drag all of their asses down to the hospital several times to check up on it. After all, the child had no one.

            On the last day before the child would be emitted from the hospital, Roxy was rocking the child in the hospital room. Karkat sat next to them, smiling at the peacefully sleeping baby. “She’s already gotten so much bigger,” he says.

            “What are they going to do with her when she leaves?” Roxy asks.

            “Probably take her to the orphanage with the other kids.”

            “That’s so sad though. This poor little girl, not having any family.”

            “It’s not like there’s anything we could do.”

            “We could adopt her,” Roxy says turning towards him.

            “Really? Are you sure we could handle that?”

            “Of course we can! And we already said we wanted to have children. And she’s so precious,” she says looking back at the baby in her arms.

            “If you’re really sure…” Karkat says, still hesitant.

            “Yes! You hear that Delilah, you’re going to have a family,” Roxy coos at the baby.

            “Delilah?”

            “Yes that’s what I decided to name her.”

            “Well it’s beautiful,” he says, leaning over and kissing the top of Roxy’s head.

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            A few days later, and tons of paperwork filled out, Roxy and Karkat were now the proud parents of one little Delilah. Roxy entered their apartment, holding a smiling bundle of joy, talking about anything and everything. “This is your new home Delilah. We’re going to have so much fun together. It may be smaller than the orphanage, but trust me this will be much better.”

            Karkat entered behind, holding a mountain of stuff. Diapers, food, blankets. They had gone on a huge shopping spree for this child. He entered and dumps the pile on the floor. Roxy continued talking to Delilah, pointing out various things in the apartment.

            Once Karkat finished bringing everything inside, he approached Roxy from behind and wrapped his arms around Roxy. He smiled at Delilah, who smiled and giggled back. “Welcome home,” he said.

            There was a knock on the door, then the door opened as the Strider brothers enter in. “No need to fear the godfathers are here,” Dave said as he and Daniel strolled in.

            ‘How’s little Delilah doing?’ Daniel signed as he peered at the small bundle in Roxy’s arms.

            “She won’t stop smiling. It’s so adorable,” Roxy said.

            “You know you could’ve helped me bring in all the stuff Dave,” Karkat said.

            “You’re a big father now Karkles, you can do it,” Dave teased.

            “Well you’re the godfather and you live right next door,” Karkat shot back.

            ‘He’s got a point there’ Daniel signed.

            “You could’ve helped too you know,” Karkat said.

            “Boys, boys, you’re all pretty. Just enjoy the moment,” Roxy interrupted.

            ‘But I’m the prettiest,’ Daniel signed.

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            “Say ‘mama’. Come on Delilah, say ‘mama’. It’s really easy. Just ‘ma’ then ‘ma’” Roxy said as she was playing with Delilah on the floor. Roxy held out a small stuffed bear as the giggling Delilah tried to reach for it.

            “You’re not going to win by coaching her,” Karkat called from the kitchen as he was making dinner. “She’s definitely going to say ‘dada’ first.”

            “Nuh uh. No way she’s saying you first,” Roxy calls back. Several months had passed since bringing Delilah home. She was already starting to crawl and babble. Now they were waiting to see what her first word would be.

            Their competition was interrupted by the Striders as they came in. “You guys are early, dinner isn’t even finished yet,” Karkat said.

            “We wanted to come early to see Delilah,” Dave said.

            ‘Where is the lil cutie?’ Daniel signed.

            “Over here,” Roxy called out.

            Daniel rushed over to Roxy’s side and smiled at Delilah as Delilah munched on the stuffed animals foot. ‘Hey there little squirt’ he signed to her. Delilah giggled and dropped the toy as she waved her hands in front of her, similar in the pattern Daniel had done.

            ‘Holy shit, are you trying to sign?’

            “Hey no swearing around the kid,” Dave said.

            ‘She doesn’t know what I’m saying,’ Daniel signed back.

            “Not yet. Maybe she’ll learn sign language early,” Roxy said.

            Delilah giggled again and waved her hands. “Dah Dah Dah,” she babbled happily.

            “So has she said her first word yet?” Dave asked.

            “Not yet. But I’m sure she’ll say dada first,” Karkat called as he was finishing up the last of dinner.

            “No way, it’ll be mama first. You’ll see,” Roxy called back.

            ‘Maybe it’ll be neither. Maybe she’ll say something random. Like bird,’ Daniel signed.

            “Maybe her first word could be a swear word. How funny would that be? Taking after her father early,” Dave said.

            “Very funny Dave. You’re not allowed to go teaching her swear words,” Karkat said.

            “Aww why not. It’ll be funny,” Dave said.

            “Dahn Dahn,” Delilah babbled more.

            “Come on let’s get you ready to eat,” Roxy said, picking her up and taking her over to the high chair.

            “Dan Dan,” Delilah babbled as she waved her arms around in the high chair. “Dan-nel. Dann-nal.”

            “Is she trying to say Daniel?” Dave said as he went over to the table.

            “Dannel!” she squealed.

            “Holy sh-,” Dave started but Roxy glared at him. “Um I mean, holy moley she’s definitely saying Daniel.”

            “No way, you’re lying,” Karkat said as he brought a pot of spaghetti to the table.

            “Dannel Dannel!” she babbled again.

            ‘She is definitely saying my name. Looks like I beat both of you,’ Daniel beamed.

            “Delilah, how could you betray mama like this,” Roxy said.

            “Daniel what did you do?” Karkat said.

            Daniel held up his hands innocently.  ‘Nothing I swear. How could I?’

            Dave just laughed. “Come on Delilah, I thought I was your favorite.”

            ‘Nope I beat all of you bitches,’ Daniel signed.

            “Now you listen here you adorable lil shit,” Dave said as he ruffled up Daniel’s hair.

Daniel makes a pouty face. ‘Hey not the hair.’

            “Dave how many times do I have to say no swearing around Delilah?”

            “Come on you can’t go restricting me like this, Roxers. Sometimes a guy just has to swear.”

            “Well you can do that somewhere else. If Karkat can do it, you can do it.”

            “How do you even do it Karkles?” Karkat just glared at Dave.

            “Well how about we all eat,” Roxy interrupts.