Ellie knew the routine, she knew it well.

She'd get put in a home, stay there was a few months before getting dropped, no one wanted a teen, especially a teen who got overly attached, had constant nightmares and a large scar on her arm.

She heard the car pull up in a parking area of the foster home, she took in a deep breath at the sound of someone walking on the gravel.

The main door opened, a man who looked in his late 30's walked in, shaking hands with the desk worker.

She watched as the worker pointed over to her, Ellie shifted in her seat anxiously as the man walked over, giving her a warm smile.

"Hey there, I'm Joel" his tone was soft, kind, fatherly.

She smiled a little and stood "Ellie, it's nice to meet you" she walked with him to one of the private rooms where kids and foster parents could talk before going home.

Ellie sat down on the couch, Joel sitting at the other side "Tess said you've had some bad homes before" he started softly, Ellie nodded a little.

"I'm going to promise you something" he spoke again, looking over at Ellie "I'm never going to hurt you, I'm never going to let you get hurt, I'm in a position where I have to protect you, no matter what situation you're in or what happened to you before"

Ellie smiled a little, giving another nod, Joel smiled softly "Do you have any hobbies? Any interests?" He questioned.

"I like carving candles, Tess used to take me out to classes for it" she spoke in a hushed tone "I like making different kinds of jewellery but it's expensive and my foster checks can't cover it" Joel frowned, standing up and offering his hand "c'mon, let's get you home" he smiled at her, she couldn't help but call him brave, she smiled back and stood, taking his hand.

She loved the idea of home, the idea of having a home, she knew it wasn't going to be a normal home, but it was going to be a brilliant home, with a brilliant dad.