The morning sun spilled gently through the windows of the little house, warming every corner with a soft golden glow. For Alice, it was the first peaceful morning she could remember in a long time—no fever, no trembling, just quiet calm.
But today wasn't just any morning. Today, Elvin had a plan to make her feel truly at home.
Alice woke to the faint smell of freshly brewed tea and something sweet and unfamiliar. She blinked sleepily and looked around. Her room—the small sanctuary she'd claimed as her own since arriving in Australia—looked different.
The walls were no longer the dull cream she remembered. Instead, soft pastel pink stretched all around, catching the sunlight and making the whole space feel warm, gentle, and inviting.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. On her desk, a small vase held a single fresh daisy, and near the bed stood a new bookshelf brimming with colorful books, many with pictures she didn't yet know how to read but couldn't wait to explore.
Her gaze moved to the curtains—light pink with tiny white flowers that fluttered slightly in the morning breeze. And on the bed, a thick, fluffy blanket with embroidered hearts and stars replaced the thin, plain one she'd used before.
Her lips curved into a soft smile.
Elvin stood just outside the doorway, watching her quietly. His usually stern face softened as he saw the wonder and happiness flicker in her eyes.
"You like it?" he asked, stepping inside with a small box in his hands.
Alice nodded eagerly, still taking it all in.
Elvin carefully placed the box on her desk and opened it to reveal a set of tiny fairy lights—soft white bulbs on a delicate string. "Thought you might like a little magic for bedtime," he said quietly.
Her eyes sparkled with delight. "Thank you, Elvin."
He knelt beside her bed and began stringing the lights around the headboard, careful to make sure they were secure but not too tight. The glow from the bulbs made the pink walls shimmer even more warmly.
As he worked, Alice moved to her bookshelf, pulling out a picture book with bright, smiling animals. "Can we read this together later?" she asked.
Elvin smiled, nodding. "Absolutely."
For the first time, Alice felt like she truly belonged somewhere—not just a visitor or an orphan being cared for, but a little girl with a room made just for her.
It wasn't just the color or the decorations. It was the love wrapped in every detail. The silent promise that someone was there—watching, protecting, caring—every moment.
She hugged her stuffed rabbit tightly. "It feels like home."
Elvin's eyes softened. "You deserve that, Alice."
Just then, Chris bounded in, holding a small box of colored pencils and a sketchpad. "Hey, Princess! I brought reinforcements."
Alice giggled, happy to see her brother smiling again. "Thank you, Chris."
Together, they sat on the floor, coloring and drawing, filling the pages with flowers, animals, and silly faces. Elvin watched them, feeling a rare peace settle over the room.
Later, as the day faded into evening, Elvin switched on the fairy lights. Their soft glow wrapped the room in a gentle embrace, like a warm hug.
Alice snuggled into bed, eyes heavy but full of hope. "Thank you for my pink room," she whispered.
Elvin sat by her side, brushing a stray curl from her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Alice. Tomorrow will be even better."
And in that moment, with the pink walls glowing softly and the quiet love filling the space, Alice finally felt safe enough to believe in happy tomorrows.