[Note:  Rain is about ten years old at the time of this RP]

Rain peeks in the door. "Stelle?"

Estelle glances up and smiles. "Come here, Rainy." She pats the couch next to her.

Rain trots over and sits down. "Um...I wanted to ask you something..."

Estelle smiles encouragingly. "Well, go ahead. You know you can talk to me about anything."

Rain isn't so sure this qualifies. "Um...does it bother you that I don't call you mom?"

Estelle blinks and wonders what brought this on. "Well....no, it doesn't. That's..." She hesitates, trying to decide how to say this. She can't think of a good way, so she just says, "It's all right with me, unless you'd *rather* call me mom."

Rain leans on Estelle's arm. "Well...I mean, I kinda wanted to tell you why I don't...I don't want you to think it's cause I don't love you, I do, I really do, and you're a great mommy..." She hesitates slightly.

Estelle strokes her hair. "But I'm not *your* mother, I know."

Rain hugs her tightly. "It's just--my mommy never really got to *be* a mommy, and I feel like I'd be taking what little bit of being a mommy she had away from her if I started calling someone else mommy." She blinks for a minute. "That didn't make sense...Ohhhh..." She looks frustrated.

Estelle hides a smile at the look on her face and hugs her back gently. "It made sense to me, Rainy. I understand why you want to do that. And..." She tilts Rain's face up to look her in the eye. "I think it's a very sweet thing for you to do." She kisses Rain's forehead gently.

Rain looks relieved. "I didn't hurt your feelings?"

Estelle smiles and shakes her head. "Not at all."

Rain hugs her tightly. "I love you."

Estelle wipes her eyes quickly and hugs her back just as tightly. "I love you too, Rain."

Rain quickly resumes her usual perky nature. "Can you help me with something? I can't seem to get this drawing right."

Estelle says, "Of course I will. What's the trouble?"

Rain hops off the couch and catches Estelle's hand. "Come on, I'll show you." She proceeds to drag Estelle out of the room.

Estelle smiles and follows, allowing herself to be 'dragged.'