Real Family Part 4- Finale free porn video

Chapter 14 Logan had been dropped off early and talked with Junior, Ethan, and Neil who all wanted to know how he was doing. Logan was feeling a lot better and was eager to move on and talk about anything else. The four walked around with Logan finally asking about how they got used to so many people. All three quickly shot back, "We are family." Ethan added, "Mom's family had a lot of members so she was used to so many cousins. Not all of them were good like our cousins and some even hated mom, Uncle John, and Aunt Leslie for no reason. You won't see most of the family for a while, probably next time at the graduations in June, if not at the adoption party next month. The tweens keep to themselves and we don't do much with your brothers and sister and the other teens so it's really four groups as part of the whole family, we just happen to be very big family." In class Logan's teacher was going easy on him that day. After the confrontation in the office earlier got around, his teacher was quickly told just who he was now living with and offered his congratulations and condolences on the large, loving family. Logan just smiled back, his teacher was trying to help him move on and accept his new life. He appreciated that, it was nice to know that his teacher understood. Throughout the day the four were being observed by the class bullies, who thought it best to pick on the new kid especially as they knew he was at his most vulnerable and they had a big issue to hold over him. The leader was Carlos Castillo, a boy notorious for going after smaller kids for no reason and who had already targeted Neil in the past. Logan, though, was used to bullies going after him, who thought that he was an easy target since his sister was considered a freak because his mom was a lesbian. During lunch, the boys circled Logan and started taunting him causing him to get up and get away from the bulk of the crowd in case they tried to do something more than taunting him. Logan didn't react to their taunting. In fact, he ignored them outside of moving to a better location. This tactic was smart as they kept at it until they got fed up and started tossing him around. This small act crossed the line, it was self- defense now. He wasn?t going to hold back any longer and struck fast. Junior went off to find a teacher and found the best one possible, Ivan King. He saw the boys pushing Logan around without Logan reacting. When Carlos finally punched him, Logan punched him square in jaw stunning him then flipped Carlos's best friend and fellow bully Adrian Hernandez onto his back, landing hard on his wrist leaving the third and fourth boys, Steven Willis and Dante Green, to try to get him in retaliation. Neither got close, Logan ducked and caused Steven to punch Dante then he kicked out both boys? knees. Neither were seriously hurt, just stunned by his sudden strikes. Ivan yelled for them to break it up, then told Logan that he saw the whole thing. The four in pain were sent to the nurse to get checked out while he took Logan to the office to tell his story. Yvette sighed and told her secretary to call Valerie while she got ready for the boys' parents to come after Logan. Yvette asked what happened with the trio defending Logan. Logan told them to stop: it was his fight, not theirs. He freely told Yvette, "I did it. I hurt them. I could have hurt them a lot more than I did. Mom taught me to defend myself and I swore I would never hurt anyone unless I had to. Junior, Neil, and Ethan are innocent. They didn't do anything, they were coming after me and ignored them." Yvette sent the trio on their way, it was clear he wouldn't let them get involved. Ivan came in and told her exactly what happened and why. The four boys were going after him simply because he just lost his mother and were trying to show him they were the bosses of the school. Logan was considered weak, and hearing he was staying with the Finns they thought they could win over the school by showing what they could do to one of the Finns. Yvette just smirked and asked where Logan learned to defend himself. He shed a tear as he told about Linda getting him lessons after kids beat him up in the first grade. It was the only thing that he could do well and it was something offered for free from the community center nearby. Kids left him alone after that, especially once he earned several belts and was in the newspaper standing over someone who lost to him in a tournament. Logan had never hurt anyone before but this was different, they actually hit him. It was self-defense and he had to stop them before they hurt him or worse- his friends. Ivan was excused then sent Logan back to class as well. Valerie was called again to get her there faster since it was going to be a mess. She immediately went to the school, knowing that it had to have been Logan without Yvette saying who was involved. Yvette didn't say anything about it, she was actually coming to set things straight with the parents and avoid further issues. Yvette called all four boys' parents and foster parents and made sure that they were coming then had Chloe Daniels come since it would be trouble for at least two of them. Chloe understood what would happen when she got there, it was likely they were going to be kicked out of their homes. She had her list of potential foster parents ready, willing, and able to house them but didn't want to do so unless it was absolutely necessary. Valerie arrived and was told what happened and why. She agreed not to press charges against the boys with the boys getting their only warning to leave Logan alone. Chloe being there surprised her but she didn't ask who she was there for, only saying she would fight for Logan if need be which Chloe didn't offer a response to it in an attempt to not show favoritism towards her. Yvette called the nurse to bring in the kids once their parents and foster parents arrived. The four were fearful with the parents angry at being called away and on the verge of hitting the kids as soon as they entered the office. Yvette tempered their anger but it was clear that the boys were going to have a tough time at home for a while. The foster parents were the worst, Chloe texted Mark to have the kids removed from their care and have the couple removed from the list as being unsuitable and abusive. The two boys needed to get away, even if they were bullies they didn't deserve to be assaulted by people who were supposed to be parents. Valerie sensed what was going on and texted they were going to get off easy and didn't deserve abuse and this may be the true cause of it for two of them. The kids were led out for a bit to get out of the line of fire with Yvette explaining to them firmly, "Mrs. Finn has agreed not to press charges against you but you are all on short leashes." The boys were silent as they awaited their fates, it was going to be a night of abuse and likely group homes for them but they accepted their punishments. They were told to return to class, they had detention for two months. Inside, the parents threatened to sue which got a laugh from Valerie. Yvette told the two couples, "She is a lawyer and there are witnesses that state your sons assaulted her foster son without provocation and he fought back in self-defense. You don't have any legal grounds to sue- he actually does, though." That shut them up but it was felt that Logan should be disciplined. Valerie countered with a firm, "He defended himself against four older, larger boys. He did nothing to them and until they laid hands on him he didn't react to them. Self-defense is a justifiable action in his case, whereas bullying isn't." There were arguments going back and forth with Valerie countering all of them. The parents couldn't win, and the more they tried the more they were made to look like they were seeking money instead of getting restitution for a wrongful act. Valerie then countered that any lawsuit would be met with one against them for twice the amount which shut up all talk about lawsuits. Yvette finally told them, "Your sons will receive detention and will have to leave Logan alone for the rest of the year. Given who the boys' relatives are they will enter the middle school with a reputation that will earn them close scrutiny by the principals. This is their only chance to counter that. Carlos is already under scrutiny as it is thanks to his father, I don't believe he wants the fears justified." The parents left with the foster parents telling Chloe they wouldn't house the boys anymore. They were angry that they couldn't sue for what Logan had caused which Chloe ignored while noting they were money grabbers seeing the boys as paychecks, not real parents. She took custody of the boys then sent the parents on their way with a note that someone would be by to collect the boys' things later and they had better be all together or there would be issues with them. Steven and Dante were upset but understood why they were being kicked out again. They had nobody and were repentant for what they had done. They only did it because they had to, Carlos and Adrian were tough on them before they joined them. It was join or get hurt horribly. They chose to join. Chloe managed to find foster parents for both boys, getting a surprisingly quick response from Graham and Riley Pierce as she asked them. The others to be asked were William and Amanda Kelly, who she had hoped could do the right thing but feared they would be too afraid to do so. William looked at the eager Amanda and tearfully agreed, it was her chance to mother another child and one who needed love more than anything. The boys were sent back to class with Chloe arranging for their possessions to be removed by Todd Flynn, David Peterson, and her husband. Mike wasn't too happy to be volunteered, but understood the need to be there to help two boys who needed a new start in life. It also helped to knock him out of his funk that he had been in for the past week since the death of Linda. After school, Chloe got the boys and took them to their former homes and gathered everything with Mike, Todd, and David doing the heavy lifting. They didn't have much, what they did have were simple comforts that none of them could blame them having such mementos of fun days and of old schools. The two were solemn and sullen and only reacted when one of the guys grabbed a bag that was quickly claimed to be personal. David saw what was inside and understood immediately what was going on, with both boys getting scared of what they would say. David didn't rat them out, but he did tell them to keep it hidden from others. Chloe asked him what happened, only getting a simple, "Private matter" from him. He didn't believe it was his place to tell her what was in the bag nor was it his place to judge, it was his job to help move the boys and if they wanted it kept hidden he wasn't about to reveal the contents. There was little drama as the former foster parents simply let the kids go and didn't bother to try to take anything especially as Todd was in uniform. The former foster parents didn't want to tempt fate by trying to claim the boys' things as their own with the men looking like they were ready for a fight on the boys' behalf. The boys expected the worst but when Steven was dropped off with the Pierces and Dante with the Kellys they tensed up more. Dante was fearful as Junior was home and outside to meet them. He knew full well why he was really there as it was no secret he was a foster kid and was involved in trying to beat-up Logan. Seeing him caused Dante to tense up, to which Chloe assured him it was going to be alright and they were the best people to help him. He was still scared and didn't ease up even as Amanda led him inside to his room. Amanda saw him clutching a bag and offered to put it away for him causing Dante to cry and tell her it was private. She let him put his things away while she went to talk with Chloe about what was going on with him but keeping an ear out just in case he tried to do something horrible. Junior told her he was in trouble earlier for trying to beat up Logan but Amanda told him it wasn't that, there was something more going on with him that involved that bag. Chloe sighed and told them, "He has kept that bag safe for a while. It's his most prized possession and whatever is inside it, he keeps under heavy guard. It isn't anything dangerous, it's something personal that only Steven and Dante know about. It's best to let him show you once you have his trust." Chloe eventually left with Junior promising to not antagonize the fragile Dante. He had no intentions of doing that, he simply wanted to do his work and leave him to get settled in on his own. Amanda though checked in on Dante frequently and spotted the bag tucked away under the bed seemingly out of sight and decided it was best to just try to find out the problem later on once he had settled down more. After he finished his homework and helped with dinner Dante went back up to his room but stopped short as he saw Junior with his bag looking at the things inside. He was going to attack Junior but when William saw Junior in there he sent Junior to his room in punishment. Dante was going to gather his things to flee but William sat him down and asked about the contents. The jig was up. Dante confessed, "They are mine. I stole them from the neighbors and wear them when I can. Carlos and Adrian caught me out dressed and threatened to have my foster parents beat me again if I didn't do what they said. I hated it. They made me do horrible sex things. I just wanted to feel pretty." He broke down, with William comforting him. It was his darkest secret but it was one William fully understood. The two waited for Amanda to come home from the studio to talk about the bag with William doing his best to assure him it was going to be alright. Amanda returned and gave Dante a big hug when she saw his tears. William showed great concern and confessed, "He has some special items in his bag that Junior found. He violated Dante's privacy and is going to be punished for the rest of the week." Amanda asked what was inside. William looked at Dante who was ashamed of himself and admitted, "It's filled with girls? clothes. He has admitted to wanting to feel pretty but not more. He also admitted that he was forced to do some horrible things to the other boys to keep his secret." Amanda showed care and asked, "Are you a girl inside?" He couldn't answer her but the tears belied his truth. She sent William away then told him firmly, "If you are a girl inside we will do what we can to help you be the girl you need to be. You have a right to be a normal person and lead a happy life and if that means that you become a girl then we will help you become a girl." He put his head down in shame. It wasn't what he expected. He was so used to people accusing him of being gay and being another tranny freak that he closed off from the world. Amanda understood what was really going on. She sighed and blurted out, "I know you are hiding the truth. You aren't the girl. He is, isn't he? Steven owns these clothes." He looked away in shame but Amanda hugged him, offering a quiet, "I know what he is going through better than anyone, I was born a boy. He needs help before he does something to harm himself. You are his friend, you would take beatings and hide his stash to keep his secret but he needs help. You have no reason to trust us but we want to help him as best we can. Please, help us help him." Amanda called Graham and Riley and told them that the boys should stay home the next day so they could have a long talk. Riley was concerned about them to which Amanda had to break confidence and explain, "They need to see a specialist. Your new foster son may be your foster daughter." That hit them hard but Amanda had expected this and added, "They are protective of one another, Dante would rather hide the truth and accept a beating than rat out Steven. I know the signs, he isn't exhibiting any of them but the only reason for the clothes is Steven is like me. He may be a girl inside." The two agreed to call for an evaluation with Amanda having Dr. Bell handle it because Alison Eliza was on maternity leave. Amanda turned to Dante and smiled, telling him warmly, "You are a true friend. You did the right thing, but he needs help nobody can give except Dr. Bell. You are his only support but I think you have a story to tell yourself. We can help you, if you let us." He started to cry, telling her, "He is my only real friend. I don't care that he is a girl inside, he has been my friend since we met in kindergarten and have always been together. I got him the clothes because his foster parents always kept a close eye on him because he is so girly. I kept them safe but now he is going to hate me for getting caught again. Please, I don't want to go to the group home!" Amanda hugged him and rocked him. He cried steadily to which she had to softly explain, "I can't send you away. Graham and Riley will get him proper help but he needs you too. This is your home now." Amanda put him to bed with a kiss on the forehead. William had a big smile on his face which she shared. It was her chance to be a mother again, to someone who really needed a mother, not just another parent. William wisely whispered, "He won't go anywhere now, he needs us. They both do." In the morning, Junior was sent off to school with Neil and Faith. Alison met with them briefly while the Pierces and Kellys met to talk about the boys. All were in agreement, they needed to have a talk with Dr. Bell to get a proper diagnosis to see if he was transgender or if he was simply a cross-dresser or transvestite or going through a phase. The boys stuck close together with anticipation of impending abuse. It never came, the adults simply talked and bided their time before they had to leave for the appointments. The two were ushered into the cars to go, with the two refusing to separate prompting both to go in with the Pierces. Dr. Bell greeted the group and asked to talk with the boys separately. She intended to get to the bottom of things as it was a complex and unique situation but one that needed addressing immediately for the boys' sake. The boys were reluctant to separate but did so as they had no choice. Steven was first and was solemn and scared. He admitted to loving to dress and feeling like he was a girl. It was a relief from his troubles, he could be a different person and not have to worry about the world. He loved Dante unconditionally and to him, he was the closest he had to a brother. Dr. Bell asked if he liked him as more than a brother, getting a sharp, "We are just brothers, not boyfriends." The more he talked, the less he was showing he was a girl inside. To her, it was him trying to escape his tough family life. He was almost a separate person, maybe with proper love and attention he may not need to become his girl self and become the normal boy he really wanted to be. Dante was the same. He loved Steven unconditionally and saw him as a brother more than anything else. He fully supported his friend, he would rather that he be happy than sad even if it meant he was a girl. He didn't care about being seen as being gay or transgender himself, all that mattered was Steven. She asked about why he was acting as a girl and got the response of, "He wants to be treated normally. People see us as being pathetic trash that you avoid. As a girl, he gets treated nicely. Everyone we met was nice to us and nobody gave him a second look. They didn't pity us, they treated us like normal." She had her recommendation but added, "What about if people treated you differently? Do you think he would be a boy?" He smiled and realized what she was getting at. He admitted, "He wants a family. It's all he ever wanted. With a mom and dad. People will stop treating him like he is diseased or should be looked down up. I am used to it and accept that I won't ever get one, but can't take the pain anymore. He just wants to be a son to someone even if it means he has to be a daughter." She called both inside and asked them, "Are you aware of the Pierces and the Kellys?" Both admitted they only heard rumors about them. Dr. Bell confessed, "They branches of the huge Finn Family. Those people are some of the most amazing people you will ever know. If they took you into their homes then they wanted to give you a chance at a stable life. I guarantee they will help you no matter what. You don't have to pretend to be something you aren't, you can be your true self and finally be happy." They started to think about what they were just told. She had them there. They had their assurances that they were getting what they always wanted in life. She took the initiative and added, "I don't believe you are really a girl. I believe you were looking for anything to escape your horrible treatment. In your 6oung mind, that was through being a girl. You are a normal boy, you just need love. You have that now. You have a true friend, and if I am not mistaken you will have many more who will join you and help you. Give it time, you don't have to be what you aren't to get what you need. You are Steven, not Stephanie or Stacy or whatever name you called yourself while dressed as someone you never were." The boys were left to ponder her statement. She talked with Riley and Graham separately as the boys were left to think. Dr. Bell gave her official statement, telling them, "He isn't a girl in any form. He is abused and neglected. He is in desperate need of a family. I recommend that you try to ease him into things as he adjusts to having you two as parents. If you can, try to have the others help them." Dr. Bell released them with both boys being assured that they were going to be fine. At the Pierce home, Graham hugged him and happily told him, "Oscar always wanted a brother but we were just too busy to give up our time to raise another baby. Give him a chance to get used to you, he's a great boy." Graham took him shopping to get more clothes while Riley made arrangements to find a bigger house to live in. Dan already had one for them, which she had to laugh at. In the usual manner, it was close to the family's inner circle, directly behind the Sylvester home. That meant that Oscar would have more chances to see his girlfriend Amy thanks to her brother and sisters dating Donald Bollinger, Michael, and Reed who conveniently lived around the corner from the house. She had to tell him that he was a saint to which he shot back, "As long as it's not a Saint Bernard" getting a big laugh from her. Graham returned and loved the news with plans for the move made as they had a nice offer on their house already from eager neighbors. They were working hard to plan things with Steven growing increasingly upset at the situation. Riley realized their mistake so she sat him down, explaining, "We need a larger house. Graham needs an office as he usually works from home and you need your own room. You aren't causing any issues, in fact, it's a good thing. He gets a bigger office and Oscar a bigger bedroom as well as a nice basement. You are going to be around people who understand you and who will look up to you. Virgil, Tyler, Logan, DJ, JD, and Julio will be looking up to you now that you are in the neighborhood." This calmed him with Graham adding, "Oscar has been begging me to convert the basement into an entertainment room, I guess I can do it now with the new house. It lets you two have your own place while we have the attic as a spare bedroom and office. Plus Dante is just a block away from you now." Over at the Kelly home, Amanda introduced Dante to her mother-in-law Danielle. She asked about the clothes in the bag in his room, getting a scared look from Dante. Danielle didn't know what was going on but if he was like her daughter-in-law she would be more than happy to help. Amanda smiled at her and happily admitted, "He was doing the most amazing act of love for his friend. He kept his friend's prized possessions safe and helped him try to be what he felt he needed to be. He wasn't really a girl, he just believed that he had to be what he wasn't to escape the scorn of people. He is being helped with his issues, all he really needed was family love which he is getting in droves." Danielle nodded in understanding. She had seen it before and seen how far people were willing to go to avoid the pain. He chose to try to be a girl, so many others turned to crime. He had support and a true friend, which she happily hugged Dante over being. At the school, Junior told Logan about the boys now living with him and the Pierces. Logan wanted to hate them but hearing Junior explain why they did what they did it wasn't far from what he had seen many other times before. He forgave them for their actions, as long as they forgot their attitudes. Neil sensed something was up which Junior refused to talk about. Even in the privacy of the Smith home, he didn't talk about it. A glance at Nichole gave a subtle clue which Ethan backed away at. After some time with the Smiths, Junior was driven home with his parents explaining what happened and why. He listened and understood with Junior telling Dante that Logan would forgive him if he dropped the bully act. He agreed, with Junior adding, "The girls may actually like you now." That sparked a grim from Amanda as Dante blushed. Junior was told, "He's too young for girls but Kylie and the others might try to get close to him now. It will be hard to avoid Kylie and the girls since she lives around the corner." This caused another blush which Junior took to mean he had a crush on them. Up in his room, Junior told him warmly, "Kylie will understand you. Nancy might be tougher but she is always protective of Kylie." He tried to deflect but Junior firmly told him, "She likes boys who are real friends, not fake friends. You were a jerk but you weren't the one who started it. She will understand why you did what you did and as long as you don't do it again she and the girls will forgive you." Logan was asked about his day which prompted him to tell Valerie about the change in the boys. She sighed and told him what she suspected, "He was doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. I saw it before, people will try to be who they aren't because they love someone and do anything they can to protect them. Miles and Jaimie did it when they started dating and it failed badly. They probably had a reason for continuing their act, something that was bad and has been corrected with their new parents." She smiled as she read a text from Riley about moving in behind the Sylvesters. She asked about the boys getting a clear, "Not TG just needs love" which she had to call about. Riley filled her in with Valerie understanding it all too well. She added, "I'll tell Logan and allay his fears, it might do the six some good to spend time together since they will be around one another now." She checked in on Logan again, telling him, "We found out why the boys were doing what they were doing. I was right, it was doing a bad thing for the right reasons. They are getting the help they need, I want you and your cousins to help them. You know one lives with Junior, the other will be moving in behind your aunt and uncle's house. It's important that you guys get along but I think you can benefit from another boy being so close and one who could use a friend who knows what he went through." He didn't give her a response, only hugging her. It was enough for her, he understood. Ella asked what was going on and was told sweetly, "Your brother was asked to give someone a chance to show they are more than just a foster kid." She walked away, but told Valerie, "Nobody liked those boys." Valerie countered with, "Some boys are good at heart but have to act badly to protect others." The next morning, the boys had to deal with Adrian and Carlos. As they had expected, both Dante and Steven were told what to do. Instead of bullying some of the smaller kids, the two walked away. They didn't make it two feet before they were knocked down and punched by Carlos and Adrian while being called homophobic names and told they would get them expelled for what they did at home. Mick and Willie pulled the boys off of them. Carlos and Adrian struck at them, hitting Mick in the eye while catching Willie in the nose. Yvette loudly told the two boys that they had earned an expulsion for their actions as they had not only assaulted the boys but two adults as well. The boys tried to act like tough guys but seeing just who they just hit caused them to lose the swagger. Willie asked Mick if he heard what they were saying to the boys, getting a simple, "Every word of it" then told Yvette, "I doubt anything will come from pressing charges but these two have earned a trip to the alternative school for their actions. As big and mighty as they act, they haven't yet met boys and girls who won't put up with their antics." The boys were led inside with the boys' parents being called again. This time they were told there was no reprieve, they had assaulted two people in addition to the assault on Dante and Steven. There were the usual threats of lawsuits but being told that one was a federal agent and the other was Willie caused all threats to end. Carlos' father tried to threaten her directly getting Yvette to tell him to try, she would gladly have him arrested for threatening her then have the boys tried for their assaults. Yvette added a firm, "They could have gotten a suspension but their homophobic slurs and unprovoked assault on Chief Pena and Agent Jones can't be overlooked. They are hereby expelled from this school and will be sent to the alternative school immediately." Yvette sent them away with word being sent to Chloe to check the children as she suspected abuse and less than ideal family situations. She hated doing it to them but sometimes imploding a family who was harming a child was what was needed. She just hoped that they had learned their lessons. The Castillos were not exactly the greatest people outside of Jorge and Juan so the boys needed backup. During lunch, Dante and Steven were approached by Kylie and the girls. Their actions that morning caught their gaze as it was so unlike them to do something against their so-called friends. The boys didn't say why Carlos and Adrian said the things that they said to them, but Kylie and Nichole figured out something was going on with them. After school, the girls cornered them and demanded to know what was going on with them. The boys looked around to see if anyone was within earshot then Steven quietly but angrily told them, "They caught me dressed as a girl. There I said it. I was dressed like a girl." The two walked away with Kylie not letting them get away easily. She told them that they were coming by to talk about it. It was unavoidable, the girls had made up their minds and would get the whole truth no matter how humiliating it was to them. In the comfort of the Kelly home, Steven finally admitted, "All of my foster parents were horrible to me. I thought that I was better off as a girl and kept dressing like a girl. Dr. Bell said that I wasn't a girl, that I just needed a mom and dad who cared about me. Dante has been my best friend ever since we were in kindergarten and kept protecting me so he kept my clothes with him. He kept Adrian and Carlos from hurting me but had to act like their bodyguard while I was their girlfriend. They didn't like that I was not going to be their girlfriend anymore. I don't need to be. I am not a girl. I never was." Kylie asked Dante if that was true, getting a somber, "His clothes are in my room, I didn?t get the chance to throw them away yet." She went upstairs and looked in the bag, laughing at the outfits then showing them to the girls. Nancy shook her head, telling him, "You can't make that color look good and it's too short on you. No wonder you were clocked." The girls agreed with her and asked if he really meant it when he said he didn't need to try to be a girl anymore. Steven shot back that he had a brother and parents now. They asked who his foster parents were and laughed at hearing it. Margaret shook her head, telling the others, "Oscar is acting weird, I guess it's because he's a big brother now and not his normal boy weirdness." Junior wisely kept away from them, letting the fifth graders handle their own situation. Neil and he talked about the girls being over there, getting a snicker from Faith and Ella as they joked that they had crushes on the girls. The boys let it go but did counter with jokes about them liking the boys in their class earning gasps and, "Eww!" responses from them. Amanda came home to find the six together in the living room. She saw the clothes out and asked about them. Kylie was harsh with her criticism of the clothes, insisting he looked better in longer skirts and blouses getting a laugh from the girls as the boys didn't say anything. She took that to mean they were alright now and took the clothes away to be donated. The kids were told to do their homework, which got groans from them but a smile from the boys. This little subtle reaction was all the confirmation the girls needed that the boys were telling the truth, they wanted someone who cared about them to show them affection which Amanda had done without knowing it. Junior finally came home and almost went back out at the girls still being there. They asked him if he did his homework which caused him to rush to finish his while they laughed at him. Riley came to pick up Steven and was greeted by the four girls who told her they knew and it was fine. The girls left with Kylie hugging Dante tight over being such a good friend. He was left with a big smile which Amanda left unmentioned but feeling pride over seeing. He got what he needed most, assurances from those he had crushes on and affection from the one he liked most. Logan watched as the girls left and saw Dante acting weird. Valerie smiled and informed him, "He is crushing on the girls. He got something special from them, he got peace of mind. They are going to be closer to him in school and befriend him. It's what he needs most, people who understand him and who want to help him." Logan got the message, she wanted him to set aside the past and be there for Steven when he moved in. He accepted the job with Valerie telling him warmly, "He will be to you what you are to JD. JD adores you, you can be the little brother he needs to give him a sense of who he is as a person. He already has a big brother but they won't be around each other as much as you and him." After Logan went to bed, Valerie talked with John about the whole situation. She hated that two boys were lost in the system but it was typical of an overworked and understaffed state agency. They were good kids, they just never experienced love that they needed. Riley and Graham were perfect parents and she was grateful that they were willing to open their hearts to someone who needed them so much that he felt the need to change everything about himself to get it. John was just glad that the others were mature enough to accept that there are people who deserve a second chance. They have seen it multiple times already and that one chance to be who they really are proved to be the greatest thing to happen to them. Scott, Iris, Francesca, Rachel, and Polly were people who the kids respected and loved, now they saw someone they knew who was in the same situation and who wanted the same outcome but with a need far greater- they needed love. Chapter 15 Things settled down for the next couple of days as the Pierces packed up everything and started the move. Oscar and his best friend Kyle Douglas were put in charge of directing everything while Steven was left to play with Dante, Logan, and the other boys. It wasn't meant to be him being pushed away, the Pierces explained that it was simply felt that he would feel obligated to do everything to earn his keep which he didn't need to do at all. Kyle's and Oscar's friends and girlfriends were co-opted to help with the move in place of the boys. The younger kids were all whisked away so the 4th and 5th-grade boys were all forced to stick with one another while the adults helped with the move. The boys spent the time in the Kelly home under the watchful eye of Sean Kelly, Junior's grandfather and the one person who could handle six eager boys without batting an eye. Dante was fascinated by the elderly man who commanded respect from all of the adults and teens while exuding love to Kylie, Reed, Billy, Benny, Francesca, and Junior. The others didn't get the fascination but Junior started to realize that he never had a grandfather and was in awe of having one now. Sean was pleased with that, it was one thing Junior took for granted and he appreciated Dante's reverence. Before Dante and Steven came over, Logan told the 4th graders to listen to the older boys: it was what their parents wanted and needed to be done for the older boys' sake. Junior understood and would do it anyway since his brother was the one doing the leading. Neil was reluctant but Junior whispered to him how he and Dante and Steven were similar causing him to give in without a fight. Ethan kept quiet about it. He understood both, especially Steven. He would do what was needed for his own sake as it brought up bad memories of his old school and the jerks there. Steven was him, only without the money. He needed someone who had been there and done that. The six played on the game system while they made little small talk. The younger four were egging on the older two turning the game into a battle of wits and jokes. The two didn't take offense to the boys? badmouthing, it was clear they were doing it to get at them in the game not to upset them. The boys moved on to the Finn home to ask the adults if they could go to the park. The younger kids heard the word, "Park" and immediately wanted to go too prompting Diego Vincent and Polly Vega to escort them. Steven and Dante saw Polly for the first time and both were immediately enamored with her, joining Ethan, Neil, and Junior in their little crushes on her while Logan was the only one not to be affected by her presence, getting her to smile at him for that. Diego smirked as she endured the six boys following her every word while the five youngest kids followed Diego's orders. The kids happily let the 13-year-old Diego direct them with Polly joking that he had them idolizing him getting a roll of his eyes as his own joke backfired. They just snickered as they were doing it on purpose to make up for his joke at Polly's expense regarding the boys, they loved Polly and knew she would appreciate the little bit of support. The park was as expected with the boys being surprised to find Ella, Nancy, Margaret, Kylie, Nichole, Daisy, and Faith playing under the eye of Todd and Astrid Flynn. The boys allowed the tweens to relax while the girls helped wrangle youngest five for them. The girls joked that only ones not there were the toddlers who were all with their grandparents. The kids enjoyed an hour in the park with Diego and Polly doing their least to keep an eye on the boys as Steven and Dante kept them in line without thinking about doing it. The foursome did as they were told and followed their lead with neither boy showing the trust was misplaced. Todd and Astrid both watched Logan and the boys following the troubled duo and couldn't help but feel that they were doing more for them just by following Valerie's request than anyone else could have done. The fun didn't last long as Carlos and Adrian entered looking for some fun. Or rather Carlos was, while Adrian looked like a broken boy as he was forced inside by Carlos who all but told him to stop being a loser and do what he said or he'd hurt him. Adrian tried to ignore it but Carlos shoved him inside then grabbed his jacket forcing him to go. The boys didn't see the 10 older kids but did see the eight younger kids. Their target was clear, they went right for Ella while chasing the younger Julio and DJ away from her. The two were unsure what to do but got a soft, "Go" from her which they used as a signal to run for the adults. Carlos dragged Ella away from the others and tried to smack her, telling her that her brother hurt him so he was going to show him who was the boss by hurting his sister. Ella was silent and accepted that she was going to get hurt but hoped help would come fast. She looked to Adrian, who was trying to fight his hardest but couldn't tell Carlos to stop. His eyes said no, but he was petrified in place unable to stop him from doing what he was going to do to her. Adrian finally pulled himself together and walked away, Ella didn't do anything to provoke him and hurting her wouldn't prove anything except that Carlos was dangerous. He couldn't stand it anymore, he walked away and waited for the inevitable to happen as Ella screamed for help and Carlos yelled multiple obscenities and slurs at her. Diego came running to protect Ella from Carlos and Adrian. He rushed past Adrian to Carlos, leaving Adrian for the others to deal with. Adrian braced himself for the beating that he expected, protecting his head and face while leaving his middle open for blows. Astrid pulled him aside, she had seen Carlos dragging Ella off but Adrian hadn't done anything and looked to be trying to stop him. Nobody was going to hurt him, he didn't deserve it. Carlos managed to give Diego the slip as he faked a punch causing Diego to duck while he rushed past him. He did something stupid as he fled though: he turned and taunted them as he ran, going right into Ian Bailey's chest and bouncing off his coat and bulletproof vest causing him to fall back on his butt and see the towering officer standing over him ready for action. Carlos punched him in the groin causing Ian to flinch but causing Todd to grab hold of him and detain him for Ian. Ian called in the crime with Todd telling Carlos that now he was going to face real criminal charges. Ian drove the irate Carlos to the station while Todd called Jorge to get in contact with Carlos' parents but the boy was not going to get out for a few hours if at all. Adrian was scared to death. Astrid tried her best to comfort him but Adrian kept saying that his father would kill him. It was enough to prompt Astrid to tell him he was safe, but just to be careful she told Todd to contact Chloe and Mark in case he was telling the truth. She had seen enough abused kids to know that Adrian was not going to last long at home, he needed to be removed. The kids went back home with the girls going one way and the boys and younger kids going another. The group was met by Mark and Valerie when they got back and told them what happened in the park. Astrid called to talk with Mark who had his suspicions that Adrian was going to be abused if he wasn't already, his reactions were right in line with classic abuse responses as Astrid suspected. Mark and Chloe made the trip to Adrian's home to check in on him and heard screaming as well as blows landing. Mark immediately called the police while Chloe tried to figure out where she could place Adrian. She couldn't find any available home, in fact, Adrian's reputation was second only to Carlos making it almost impossible to place him anywhere except a group home. Ian arrived with a backup officer and entered first, Mark's call wasn't the only one, but him calling directly from there and giving a direct commentary got them rolling fast. Ian called Mark and Chloe in right away while his partner had Adrian's parents cornered in handcuffs. Adrian was unconscious on the floor, bloodied and bruised and curled up just as described earlier except his face was badly swollen. Chloe went with Adrian in an ambulance while Mark had the parents arrested for assault and child abuse. Ian and his fellow officer added charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest for kicks and punches they received. Both sported black eyes and cuts on their faces from the couple. Mark asked him why he accepted the abuse. Ian grumbled, "Not worth the paperwork nightmare to use the Taser on them. He is more important, quicker to subdue them to get him help than taser them both." After a close examination and x-rays, Adrian had a broken nose, fractured cheekbones, and dozens of bruises. He wouldn't be scarred but he would need surgery that would likely leave him looking different than before. It prompted Chloe to need someone to stand in for Adrian as he was a minor and couldn't make this kind of decision on his own and as he didn't have a placement she was reluctant to make the choice herself. Mark and Chloe discussed the situation. Mark had found his next of kin and it wasn't pretty. The closest relative was his uncle but he wasn't on good terms with the family. Chloe sighed then told him she'd make the call, he needed to know and act quickly for Adrian's benefit. Juan hated to become involved, but Adrian didn't deserve the treatment his parents gave him. Adrian?s father was absolutely terrible to people, but Juan never dreamed his wife would do the same thing to Adrian. He didn't have the heart to refuse to help, he agreed to go to Boston to help Adrian and be his advocate until he found a permanent placement. Jorge listened in and gave him a glare. Juan looked down in fear and explained to Jorge, "We were duped. She stood up for me in court but it was only to save her own ass. As soon as it was safe for her and she got what she wanted from me she went right back to being our mother's daughter. I never once thought that she'd hurt Adrian. I screwed up badly, and he got hurt as a result." Jorge let him vent t hen told him firmly, "He needs a real man to show him what to do. You are that man. You need to stop running away from family and embrace your heritage. Your father would want you to do the right thing and that is helping your nephew through this. Man up and be that person for him." Victoria loomed in the shadows and had a huge grin on her face. Jorge had laid down the law and Juan would abide by it. His great-nephew was in trouble and his uncle was the only person who could help. Juan knew it was the right thing to do, he just needed someone to kick him in the rear to get him going. An hour later in Boston Juan officially took over for Chloe as Adrian's guardian. She assured him that he was doing the right thing for Adrian, he needed familiarity, not humiliation. She left Juan trying to figure out what to say and do as the two sat silently waiting for the other to say something. The two danced around talking for a while as Juan signed the necessary paperwork for Adrian's surgery and explained just how much trouble his parents were in. Adrian expected the worst, it was hard not to get out of hurting two officers after nearly beating him unconscious. They were saved from more awkward talk as the doctor arrived and took Adrian down for his surgery. Over in Winnisimmet, Chloe had to allay any talk about Adrian. Word had gotten around that he was in trouble with the boys assuming the worst. Once it was learned Juan rushed off they realized just how bad it really was especially as Chloe arrived to ask the dads to removed his things from his home. John, Dan, and Todd went with Chloe to retrieve everything that belonged to Adrian. In his room, they grabbed everything they could and almost missed some important things. Chloe saw them and gasped as she recognized most of what they overlooked- girls' clothing. Adrian didn't have a sister, they had to be his own clothes and the way they were laying about they had to have been discovered by his parents. The guys looked down and saw just what they had and realized the implications of it. Chloe told them to gather everything, if it really was his things then he needed them for his own peace of mind. It was another big issue, but it was one that Juan would have to address with their help. Adrian or Adrienne, the 11-year-old was getting help from them. The guys dropped off everything at Juan's house with John telling Hannah and Pete to keep an eye on the house in case anyone comes around. John didn't need to say anything else, they already knew Juan was fostering Adrian and it could get ugly if his relatives came around. They didn't believe anyone would be stupid enough to do that, but they had to do it just in case. The family settled down for the rest of the night as Steven and Dante helped put away things in the Pierce home while the other boys camped out in the Finn entertainment room. Junior has to endure Cat being affectionate which was odd for her, it was only when the others realized it was the first time she had ever been around Junior for more than a few minutes that it dawned that she was doing her best to try to make his stay comfortable earning a smile from John and Valerie for her hospitality. The boys were kept unaware of the situation brewing regarding Adrian, it was felt that it was too early for anyone to say anything especially as it was a very private matter and he didn't need them gossiping about him. Jaimie had to move talk away from what happened in the park to Adrian especially when it came to them thinking something was off about him. She had trouble biting her tongue but kept the secret about Adrian being in trouble from them with none of the other non-adults knowing yet. In the morning, Juan was told what was found at Adrian's house. Juan sat down and put his hands on his face in defeat, telling Chloe he couldn't do it. He cared about him but he wasn't a parent. He could barely sleep and struggled to keep himself together thinking about what Adrian could have gone through with nobody noticing or even caring. Chloe asked him if he had any idea what he had just said, and smiled at him. She rehashed what he told her and firmly added, "Every single thing you just said was pure parent. You did exactly what every parent does when their child is hurt. Adrian slipped through the cracks because of your mother, sister, and brother-in-law. You care about him so much so that you did something that went against your very being and took him into your home. You are a good parent and can do it, you just need to see it." Chloe sat with Juan as Adrian started to stir. Adrian looked up at him and tried to move prompting Juan to beg him to stay still, he still had IVs into his arms that he didn't want to rip out. Adrian gave in, but also shedding a tear at knowing that if he was there then he was in deep trouble. Chloe asked if he was well enough to talk getting a small nod. She sighed and asked about the clothing in his room, prompting Adrian to claim they weren't his. He looked at Juan who didn't react, expecting him to deny everything as he did. Juan realized he had to get his assurances so he told him, "They aren't your mother's size and you don't have any sisters. You don't have to lie to me, they are in your new room waiting for you. We just need to know the truth, we can't help you if you don't tell the truth." He looked to Chloe who encouraged him to tell the truth. Adrian was backed into a corner so he did the only thing he could do, he closed himself off from them. Juan was unsure what to do next so Chloe took it out of his hands and booked an appointment with Dr. Bell so he could talk with her alone. Dr. Bell had an opening that morning and was able to coax Adrian to tell her, "My cousin got them for me. He caught me dressed up with Steven a long time ago and made me dress up every chance he got. Carlos was mean to us and would do anything to make us know that he was in charge now and we had to do what he said. Steven hated it but I loved it. I would do it every chance I got. Steven lost interest and only did it because he hated being seen as a bad foster kid. He isn't a real girl though." Dr. Bell waited for him to calm himself then asked, "Are you a girl?" Adrian shed a tear and clammed up. Dr. Bell had her answer but needed him to talk. She changed course and asked why he did what he did with Steven, hoping he'd realize she was trying to help. He looked like he was trying to forget but explained, "I?d dress in mom?s clothes when she left me at home to go drinking with her cousins. I loved putting on the clothes and seeing what I looked like in the mirror. Steven would do the same when he went out because nobody knew him and thought that he was a normal girl and treated him nicely. I didn?t dare go out, mom?s family are all over the place and I would get seen in seconds. Three years ago we started to dress up on the weekends when he?d tell his foster parents that he was over at my house. We thought we were safe in our hiding spot in the woods but Carlos followed us. He beat me up then made Steven say he was his girlfriend. He kept at it every weekend, making Dante join us when he tried to protect Steven. Dante had to be Carlos? bodyguard and made everyone scared of us. We hated doing it but, Carlos always threatened us." She asked about what he did. Adrian zoned out and continued, "I kept dressing. If I did it Steven didn't have to. Carlos realized I actually liked it and kept beating me up to get Steven to do it instead. Steven thought I was doing it on purpose, but I didn't want him to do it. I hated him doing it, he wasn't a girl. He blamed me for getting him in trouble all of the time, but that was Carlos telling his foster parents on him. I didn't tell anyone, I couldn't. They'd ask how I knew and my secret would get out." Adrian was now in tears. He was trying his hardest to keep himself together but failing. He sobbed as he added, "Carlos would buy me new clothes to wear. He said I had to do what he wanted or he'd tell everyone about me. He knew mom and dad would hurt me, especially after they found out about Kylie and her family. They hate Kylie and would have hurt her a long time ago if it wasn't for Great-Uncle Jorge protecting her. They'd hurt me without a thought." Dr. Bell asked who Kylie was, unknowingly realizing that she was one of the girls who she had heard about through Trinity Eliza and Deborah Peterson. She asked why they cared so much about someone who didn't want anything to do with them, getting an angry, "They think she and her family are stealing their rightful inheritance. They aren't related to Great-Uncle Jorge by blood, it doesn't matter if they are his family through adoption. Kylie and her brothers actually are related but to mom and dad, but mom and dad think that the Penas are not family anymore because they were adopted by the Penas." Dr. Bell let him calm down then asked about his real feelings. He knew he was beaten so he finally confessed, "I have tried to battle my feelings for years that I am a girl. I hate that I am a boy on the outside. I tried to hide it but I can't fight it. Mom and dad found my clothes after Carlos told them that I had them yesterday before we went to the park, they hit me and were going to kill me before the police stopped them. I wanted them to do it, I can't take it anymore. I?m tired of being his girlfriend and doing horrible things to everyone because he is bored or he thinks he is better than everyone." He broke down completely. He would rather die than live as a boy anymore. Carlos had destroyed his life because his own life was garbage. He blamed Adrian for everything and brought him to the park just so his parents could find his clothes. Carlos getting arrested was not planned though, but Adrian's beating was. He wanted Adrian killed. Dr. Bell told him that he had to tell Chloe and Juan about what his parents had threatened. Adrian just zoned out, he had accepted that he had nothing to live for. He was going to get shipped off to a mental institution or a group home and beaten to death for what he was inside either place. Chloe confirmed that what they had threatened was what they had yelled to the police. He had no immediate relatives that would take him in thanks to the family?s longstanding hatred of Juan and their own issues with transgender people so the closest relative was Juan and he was wavering on caring for Adrian. Dr. Bell asked to speak with Juan which caught her by surprise but was agreed to. Inside Dr. Bell's office, Juan was asked his feelings about Adrian. Juan tried to deflect and not answer the question but she insisted he answer. She knew he was trying to avoid parenthood in his deflections. Juan finally answered, "He is what he is. I know that my sister and brother-in-law are of the belief that you can't change who you are no matter what you claim you are and vowed to hurt him if he dared be different. I just want him to be happy and safe, even if it?s as a girl." She asked if he was prepared to help him, getting a barely audible, "He has nobody else. I don't think I can do it but he needs someone to help him. He should have gone to Willie, Ricardo, or Alice but I was appointed by Uncle Jorge to do what nobody else is willing to do." He wasn't opposed to being the parent Adrian needed, he was scared. She sighed and admitted, "It's only one visit but he is leaning heavily towards being transgender. I believe he genuinely needs to be who he is to the point that he could harm himself in the near future. I know the others he was involved with and their stories explain a lot about him. He is a girl inside, he is really your foster daughter." She paused then continued, "I suspect that Carlos is nothing but trouble and blackmailed three severely troubled kids into doing wrong for his own enjoyment. When he realized Adrian enjoyed what he was making them do instead of humiliating him he forced it on another boy making Adrian get the blame for it causing a rift that kept the balance of power squarely in Carlos' hands. Once Carlos lost his power he retaliated causing this whole situation. He miscalculated, he didn't realize that the people who helped him would ensure he was OK so your sister and brother-in-law never finished the job that he wanted them to do. Adrian is safe because of the people who are involved with your uncle's family." Juan let it sink in. A few minutes later he asked, "So Adrian is a girl. What do I do now? I barely handle being his foster father, I wouldn't know how to deal with his new needs." She grinned and pointed out, "You have a lot of help. All you need to do is ask your family. I can rattle off a dozen names of people who would know what to do as they are dealing with it currently. Just be the father that he needs. He needs assurances, support, and love. You can give him them." She led him back to Adrian's room and told Adrian warmly, "We have talked about things and have an agreement that in the best interests of your safety you should be who you really are. You were born a girl inside, it is my medical view that you be allowed to live the life of one. You deserve peace of mind and as you have made it clear that you are a danger to yourself if you remain male you are to be treated as female. I think a new name is in order, have you chosen one?" He looked up at Dr. Bell in shock. Dr. Bell again asked if he had chosen a name for his female self, causing him to think hard. He shed a tear as he announced, "Mia. I am Mia." Dr. Bell made a note to call the newly minted girl as Mia. Juan asked if she needed anything from home, getting a soft, "My cat." He called Hannah and asked her to get it, telling her not to make an issue over what she sees in the bedroom. He had a strong feeling that the guys had put her things in Ella's old room in anticipation that it was the room she would want. An hour later, Hannah arrived with Mia's cat and some clothes. She looked at them and none of them were hers. Juan asked her who dropped off the clothes, getting a sly grin and swift, "Did you really think they wouldn't do something for her? It's bad enough you told them to stay away." Juan shook his head in frustration. Hannah added, "They wouldn't let her do without. The stuff she had wasn't right, it was worse than the things Steven had. That little bastard has a sick sense of humor." Mia tensed at hearing that. She didn't realize the problem she had caused, Juan told her, "The girls demanded to know what was going on with Steven and Dante and were shown their stash. They didn't tell them anything about you, the only ones who know are Dan Lopez, John Finn, and Todd Flynn. John paid for the clothes, despite what your parents claim he is family to us and won't let family do without so he bought you what you need not what your cousin thought you would look funny in." Hannah asked what she should tell the others. He knew Mia would have visitors, he thought about it for a minute and told her, "Tell them to give her time. She isn't 100% yet and will need a couple of days to get situated. She still has to put up with school, but I think she will have to do that from home for the rest of the year with Valerie overseeing." Hannah left to tell the others. Juan wasn't sure it was wise to do that to Valerie but felt that it was best to do it right away to get the others to back away while Mia recovered. She would have to be involved at some point but Mia needed time away from people before the family right now. Mia was released the next afternoon, with Juan driving her straight home after filling her prescriptions for antibiotics and pain relievers. She had to avoid crying as she took off her gown and placed her boy clothes in a bag as she dressed in her new blouse and jeans. Juan told her to hurry up, mumbling under his breath, "Women" getting her to shed a tear in happiness at the unintentional comment. Valerie, Todd, and Astrid met them at the house, with Hannah and Pete looming off in the background with Nancy trying hard to not get noticed but trying to see Mia. The two led her inside, telling her that it was too early to talk. She asked why Adrian was wearing a blouse and girls jeans, to which Pete and Hannah both authoritatively told her, "Later." Mia was led to her room and shown her new clothes and the other items she'd need. She was in tears as she saw the little things that meant nothing to girls but meant the world to her. Brushes, headbands, scrunchies, even some nail polish were causing her to cry for joy at being allowed to have them. Astrid and Valerie helped her get situated while Todd and Juan discussed things in his office. Juan sat down and told Todd firmly, "I asked you to do this for me because I can't do it. She needs a father and mother and I can't do it if I am going to be fighting for my life for the next few years. I got stuck with the worst luck, I got stuck with the same genetic disorder that killed my dad. She doesn't need more heartbreak, she needs parents. I can't give her that." Todd tried to get him to reconsider but he told him, "Uncle Jorge means well but I am not stupid and I know that my days are numbered. I would have taken her in easily if I was healthy. Hell, I would have married and had kids if I didn't start showing signs of the disorder after law school. I look like I am normal but the damn thing is growing larger and larger. It's inoperable. It won't kill me right away but she doesn't deserve the heartbreak in her life knowing I will die in a few years. Please, do this for her." He tried to reason with Juan, but Juan's mind was made up. Downstairs, Astrid looked at Valerie then back at Mia and sat her down to tell her the bad news. Valerie prepared for the inevitable fallout, but hoped that she understood. Astrid began by explaining, "We know that he agreed to be your foster father, but Juan got some terrible news this afternoon while you were talking with Dr. Bell a second time. He has a health issue that he feels means he can't care for you. It's an inherited condition that causes certain cancers to develop in his body. Sadly, one in his brain is causing him to deteriorate and will kill him in a few years. He inherited it from his father, it?s carried by the ?Y? chromosome so you were saved from this horrible situation by your father's genes. He will eventually die from it in a few years. He wants you to go to people who can help you too. That is if you let us help you." Mia started to cry. Valerie stepped in and explained, "Astrid and her husband were asked to care for you because they want to. They don't care about your other relatives, they only want what is best for you and that is being who you are meant to be. Nancy will come along to you being her sister, and you will get to be a big sister as well in another month. Juan is as stubborn as your great-uncle, but he is doing this out of love. He wouldn't want you to go with Todd and Astrid unless it was the perfect place for you. Please, let them care for you." She shed more tears then hugged Astrid. Astrid hugged her back, telling her warmly that she would be happy to adopt her if she wanted it. Mia nodded, she didn't want to be reminded of who she used to be and even though her uncle would be part of her life her relatives were no longer her family. The ladies led Mia up to Juan, who was enveloped in a hug from her. She kept repeating, "Thank you" to him, crying as she did so. Juan let her cry herself out, her emotions were running on high and she was doing her best to hold herself together despite a major disappointment coupled with big news. Todd asked if she was sure that was what she wanted, getting a silent nod. Valerie added a soft, "She doesn't have to like it but she accepts that you are doing this because Juan wanted what was best for her." She nodded again, hugging Todd now to show that it was true. Valerie went next door to get Nancy, then Astrid sat Nancy down to tell her what they had just told Mia. She asked who Mia was, getting a tearful, "I'm Mia" from Mia. Nancy asked for an explanation, getting a groan from Astrid then being told, "She is like Kylie and Nichole. She will be your new sister once Mark and Chloe approve the transfer to our care." She gasped as she realized what was happening. She kept looking at her then at Astrid then at Valerie hoping for an explanation to which Valerie explained, "She did what she did because she was forced to do it by Carlos. He blackmailed her, threatening to tell her parents who as you can see are animals which is why she tried so hard to keep the secret. It's why Steven and Dante were brought in, they had the same done to them but he added the twist of forcing Steven to be a girl because he knew Mia was really a girl inside. I know Adrian was horrible to you and the others but please give Mia the chance to be a different person. That was Adrian who did all of that, not Mia. Mia is nothing like Adrian." Nancy needed time to think. She had been the victim of some of their antics back when her birth mother separated from her father. She could forgive Mia but it was hard to forget just what she had done as Adrian. It would take time, she wasn't sure anyone could trust or forgive her. To Valerie, it was a good sign. She didn't refuse to be the sister Mia needed, but she didn't try to help right away. It was expected, Adrian had a long history that Mia had to overcome. The four walked up to the Flynn home with Hannah and Pete packing up Mia's things while Juan was told to rest. The two figured that they'd field a lot of questions soon from their sister and cousin but it was easier to let Valerie explain to them instead of her. She may lose her temper with them, even if Nichole was her sister she still didn't have the right to trash Mia for what Adrian did. The Flynns, unfortunately, were met by Kylie, Nichole, and Margaret waiting for them to return home. They immediately asked about Mia but were met by Valerie telling them to hold off questioning for a while. It wasn't a request, it was a rare order to them that the girls knew to abide by. Nancy helped Pete and Hannah carry in Mia's things while having to tell the girls to back away. It was a rare moment when the girls were in a disagreement but Nancy wasn't going to let Mia get hurt yet. The girls were directed to the Smith home until they were ready to talk, with Hannah telling she'd gladly ship them home if they didn't get in line quickly. Mia holed up in her new room, with Nancy unable to get her to even look at her. She was in tears, it was the worst time for the trio to come by and with Nancy not fully accepting the situation Mia was on the verge of a breakdown and escape. The four could make her life a living nightmare if they wanted to, they already held sway over the elementary schools so they would continue this on in the middle school with the 7th graders joining them. Nichole thought there was something off about Mia that the others didn't quite catch. Margaret was the first to joke that Mia acted like she was scared of them which caused Nichole to realize just why Mia was that way. They were about to go back and forth talking about Mia when Nichole blurted out, "She's like us! She's like me and Kylie!" That got the girls to stop immediately. Kylie vocalized, "I wonder who she was." Margaret added, "I hope it's not someone like Carlos or Adrian. It's bad enough that Adrian didn't go to jail, but having them around Nancy? That's terrible." Nichole gasped at the suggestion. It explained what was going on, Mia was Adrian! She boldly told them, "She was Adrian! Uncle Todd and Aunt Astrid are housing him for a reason. He can't go back home, they hate people who are different. Uncle Juan didn't know they were acting like they cared about him but only wanted to in his house. She is your second-cousin, Kylie!" Kylie shook her head, angrily saying, "She isn't my cousin. They hate us and don't want us as family. Adrian said I should be beaten for even being seen in public." Pete listened to the girls go back and forth with Nichole wanting to help while Kylie was steadfastly refusing to do anything. Margaret was caught in the middle and was unsure what to do. Pete called her parents to pick her up, adding that they should have a long talk with her about the new girl who was staying with Nancy?s family when they got home. The girls kept talking, unaware that Valerie had entered with Juan. Hannah told them what they were arguing about to which Valerie added, "They have a right to argue. What Adrian did was unforgivable. Mia is going to pay the price for it and does so knowing she is all alone now. Nichole came out and asked to go home. She tried and failed to get Kylie to listen to her. She kept on complaining about Kylie being stubborn and refusing to listen to reason, which Hannah had to hide her smirk at. Nichole was the same way, she just hid it better than Kylie. In the car, Hannah asked why she wanted to help Mia. Hannah could see the pain in her eyes and winced when she told her, "She will hurt herself. She has nobody to help her and has to stay with Nancy because nobody wants her. You won't understand not having anyone, you always had mom and Bryan and Uncle John. She doesn't have anyone, not even Juan wanted her and he likes everyone." Hannah held her tongue at that. It wasn't entirely true but it wasn't for her to explain Juan's health. When they got to the Smith home she hugged Nichole and told her to give Kylie time. Kylie had too much-unresolved baggage with the Castillos especially the Perez/Hernandez branch. They were the most vocal of the Castillos against the Clarence branch which caused everyone to abandon them when she and her brother needed family most. Nichole kept quiet, but Ethan wouldn't let her wiggle out of talking about what happened when she was out. She couldn't lie to him no matter what she said, her stroking of her favorite stuffed animal gave it away. She finally admitted, "Nancy has a foster sister. She is like Kylie and I and I am afraid she might do something because of the girls." He asked who she was, getting a somber, "She was Adrian Hernandez. She was beaten after she got home from the park and Juan had to take her in. Something happened to cause him to move her to Uncle Todd and Aunt Astrid's care. It's worse for her, Kylie is refusing to even consider doing anything for her, she even got into an argument with Nancy over Mia. She hates Mia." He was quiet as he tried to think. He loved Nichole but maybe it wasn't for the best that she befriended Mia. The others would take sides against her on it, Steven and Dante had good reasons for doing so as does Kylie. Nancy made her choice, the only one who was undecided was Margaret. Over at the Pena home, Reed saw Kylie angry and asked what was going on. Kylie screamed at him about Mia, breaking down as she did so. She hated it but it was eating at her that Mia was no different than her, only Mia didn't have the luxury of getting help before she was forced to do something horrible to others as her mother had wanted her to do three years before. She saw Mia and she saw what could have been. She saw all of the marks on her face and remembered the harm her birth mother caused her. She hated reliving the memories but Mia really was what Kylie could have been if not for the fire. Reed hugged her tight, she needed to cry herself out while she thought about what was going on. She needed to accept that her fortunes had changed and she was now the one who needed to help someone who was in the same place she was, only she had the means to help her now. Kylie needed to accept that fate had decided to give her the chance to bury the past once and for all. Their little brother Billy walked in looking for the two and seeing Kylie crying. Reed tried to shoo him away but only got him to hug her. He knew his brother was up to something but needed it then. He softly assured her that she'd figure out what to do, she always did the right thing. His mother Kennedy asked what was going on, getting the digest version of events prompting her to call Todd about the situation. If Kylie and Nancy were having issues then this was a major situation as the two were the closest of the four girls. Todd asked that she not come over until Mia gave her the OK, they were still fearful that she may do something if the wrong thing was said to her. Kennedy sat with Kylie later on to talk about Mia. Kylie was in tears again, asking her, "Why would he do it? Why would he play the bully against everyone?" Kennedy had to steel herself and didn't want to answer the question but Kylie's pleading look forced her to explain. She took in a deep breath and explained, "Steven and Adrian were caught dressed a few years ago by Carlos. Carlos used this information to get them to do whatever he wanted them to do for his own perverse pleasure. He loved humiliating them, especially as he saw they hated doing it. When he started to notice that Adrian liked being a girl he turned to Steven and made him do worse things, allowing Adrian to take the blame prompting fights and forcing Dante to try to protect Steven. He could afford to lose Dante and Steven, but Adrian had to keep doing things for him to the point that he had complete control over Adrian. When they were expelled they were going to be split up and forced apart. He no longer had control over Adrian, he lost everything he had built up." Kylie had heard much of this already but didn't know that Adrian was forced as well. Kennedy then continued, "Carlos got his revenge against Adrian by telling Adrian's parents about his clothes and his secret. When he went home yesterday after the incident in the park Adrian was beaten badly. He had to have surgery and when your uncles saw his girl clothes they told Juan and Chloe who got him help. She had to have surgery on her face to repair the broken bones. Carlos tormented and tortured her. He is a psychopath who only cared about himself and his pleasure. Mia's deepest desire was to live as a girl and unfortunately, it took getting hurt and being removed and placed with people who can help her that let Adrian fade away and allow Mia to live." She didn't understand something. She asked why Juan wasn't fostering him anymore. Kennedy tried to avoid the question, offering a solemn, "He got extremely bad news about his health. It is part of why he never had a wife or children. He will tell the family at some point but he has his reasons for giving up Mia to Astrid and Todd." Kylie went to bed with tears in her eyes. She'd help Mia but she couldn't help Adrian. Adrian was dead to her, Mia was alive. Mia needed family and Kylie was family no matter what anyone said. Chapter 16 The next morning, Nancy was dropped off at school while Todd went to work. Mia was scared of what was going to happen but was told that arrangements had been made for her for the day. She was driven to Mattapan and dropped off with her new grandparents, Joshua and Peggy Raymond, while Astrid had to go to work in Boston. Joshua gave her a hug as he left for work himself. Peggy just gave her a look-over before being told to eat breakfast. Mia was too scared to refuse, she had forgotten to eat in the flurry of activity earlier and Peggy knew that Todd and Astrid were so used to leaving quickly they never ate at home themselves. Mia was given her schoolwork by Peggy and told what to do, then allowed to go about her normal work without interruption. Peggy thought it best to just let her do as much as she could on her own, intervening when she needed help and lecturing her on the content as needed. There wasn't much for her to help her with anyway, it was mostly reading and some writing assignments but as time went on she'd have to do more work which Peggy could work around. It didn't take long for Peggy to see that she was doing well and could be a good student if she wasn't tormented by her cousin for so long. She had a natural curiosity, one that was hidden but was now being allowed to shine through. It took most of the morning but by the lunch break she had gotten to the work where she would need someone to teach her and coach her along, she was a normal 5th-grade student educationally and from what Peggy saw she could be an honors student if allowed to thrive. While Peggy was working with Mia on her schoolwork, Valerie was busy filing the paperwork for the three adoptions. Her first stop though were the arraignments of the three people who made Mia's life so miserable for so long. She hated being there, but she had to represent Mia's interests alongside Juan who was representing Mia and the rest of the family. Judge Matthews wasn't pleased to see Valerie again but didn't let it show. Whenever she was in the courtroom, someone was in for a lot of prison time and someone had been seriously harmed and was about to see justice carried out by Valerie's hands. Reading the dockets he understood, he recognized the name Castillo and thought he recognized the name Hernandez as well. Carlos was the first up for arraignment. Judge Matthews heard the list of charges against Carlos, who fought against the court officers as he was brought into the courtroom. He loudly denied all charges and vowed he'd get the people responsible for him being there no matter what. Realizing that he was to be remanded for trial for his outburst, he managed to scale the glass partition to get away. He couldn't get to the door so he lunged at Judge Matthews, who simply sidestepped him causing Carlos to fall flat on his face in a loud scream while court officers stormed in. Judge Matthews sighed and asked for a plea from his guardian and public defenders, getting a not guilty plea with Judge Matthews adding additional assault and attempted escape charges against him. Judge Matthews calmed down and called the next cases, those of Juan's sister and brother-in-law. The two saw him with Valerie and swore at them, fighting the court officer to get at them but being unable to get anywhere. Judge Matthews just grinned, if they were going against Valerie it was a losing battle. The two fought the charges and refused to enter a plea. They ignored the judge so their lawyer entered not guilty pleas on their behalf then got permission to recuse himself due to the two hampering his ability to defend them. Judge Matthews loudly told the couple that they would be under very strict bail conditions and any violation would ensure that they would face a full prison sentence. When they were led back Juan was forced to take a meeting with their lawyer. Their lawyer tried to claim that Juan had to defend the couple out of family obligation. Juan listened until he stopped, then was harsh in his critique telling him firmly, "This same family obligation that allows them to lie to me and harm their child? They have no honor nor sense of decency, I don't have to defend them simply because I am her brother. She has shown she is untrustworthy and only cares about herself. It would also be a conflict of interest so therefore I recuse myself on the basis of being biased against them and having a conflict of interest that is documented and I am proud to point out." He walked away while Valerie told him, "Any attempt to go to the bar about his refusal will backfire. There is no requirement to defend family, he doesn't have to lift a finger for them. He chose to assist their child and as their child's lawyer can't defend them while representing their child. To do so is to break the rules of the bar and to even demand that he do so opens you up to investigation." She walked away with a big grin, their scare tactic wouldn't work and would backfire already. She had drafted a counter motion before the bar refuting all claims especially as he actually was acting on behalf of Mia thus can't represent both sides. They had no help from Juan, they would have to make due with public defenders or beg, borrow, and steal to pay for a better lawyer. In Boston, Valerie was greeted by Judge Perez again. She again told Judge Perez about what she was doing and why. Looking at Mia's application she just smirked and told her, "I am refusing your request for a delay. She needs help now, not later. This is important, I do hereby grant the application for one Adrian Hernandez to be adopted by Mr. Todd Flynn and Mrs. Astrid Flynn. Further, I hereby grant a change of name, Adrian Hernandez is to hereby be named Mia Tanya Flynn." Valerie wanted to refuse but Judge Perez smirked, pointing out, "She is in a heap of trouble otherwise you wouldn't be handling this on your own. I have my eyes and ears in your city, I know my third cousins are up to trouble. And yes, I am related to them. Juan and his sister are my third- cousin?s kids. I suspect that Juan wasn't the name for the adopted father because of the family's unfortunate genetic abnormality. Out of all of the men in our family, he had to get stuck with the condition. It sucks but I believe he chose the Flynns for the right reasons." Valerie just nodded, to which Judge Perez sighed and told her warmly, "I am far enough away to be impartial but close enough to wish her luck." Valerie countered with a solemn, "She needs it, she was expelled from school due to her cousin's actions, facing seeing nine kids who hate her, and trying to avoid the wrath of other family members who blame her for the current family situation." She didn't respond to that but added, "Jorge knows what to do. He is the one person everyone knows to trust and fear. The man would have made a great judge if he had been able to go to college, but he will do what is right when the time is right. Have some faith in him." She put the paperwork away and walked out feeling like she had just done something impossible. Her first call was to Juan who just nodded at the news. Next was a call to Astrid who nearly fainted at hearing the news. Her third call was to Todd who dropped the phone causing his colleagues to laugh at his rare moment of humanity while congratulating him on his new fatherhood. The last call was to Peggy. Valerie told her she'd drive Mia back as she had some important paperwork for her to see. Peggy didn't say a word, she figured she knew what it was and awaited the arrival. At the Raymond home, Valerie sat Mia down and showed the orders. Adrian Hernandez was officially gone, by ruling she was Mia Flynn and a girl. She then showed the adoption order which caused her to weep. It was the happiest moment of her life, she was family to people who cared about her and would let her be herself. She hugged Peggy tight. Peggy hugged her back, letting her emotions drain before the inevitable crash. Valerie happily told Peggy that she had done more in 10 seconds than her biological grandmother had done in 11 years. Mia nodded silently at hearing that, it was the sad truth. Valerie drove her home, hoping to beat the other kids there so Mia wasn't forced to confront them head-on. That didn't happen, I93 traffic and a sudden closure of the Mystic River Bridge caused her to have to divert through East Boston. The two arrived to find the girls already there and talking to Hannah and Pete, each awaiting Mia's return but not knowing the history behind the four girls and Mia. Valerie directed them inside, then told them to wait while Mia got situated. Nancy went upstairs with them, she wasn't about to wait especially not with her sister needing her. Mia sat down on the bed and curled in a ball waiting for Nancy to say something, but instead hearing Valerie tell Nancy to go back downstairs. Nancy refused, telling her she wasn't leaving her sister's side. Valerie smirked as she showed Nancy the proclamation. Nancy's mouth dropped open as she read it, hugging Mia while telling her she really was her sister now. Nancy asked if her parents knew, to which Todd told her, "She called us right away. It was a surprise, but Judge Perez doesn't like to wait for things to happen and she knows more about what was going to happen than any of us." Todd went downstairs with Valerie then announced to the three girls, "Mia is officially adopted. She?s now our daughter. Judge Perez ordered the adoption due to her health being at risk. You don't have to like her, but you do have to respect that she is our daughter now. What she did was inexcusable but why she did it is no different than what Scott, Polly, and Rachel did before. She had an even worse fear. You saw her face, that could have been worse had Mark and Chloe not gotten there in time to stop them." The girls didn't respond. Kylie went upstairs to Mia's room and saw her curled in a ball, scared of them hugged her. Nichole did the same, while Margaret hugged Nancy who was starting to get overwhelmed by the gravity of the moment. The girls were quiet for a while as they tried to fight for the right words to say to Mia. They didn't need to say them, it was something that they didn't need to speak about. Kylie could see in her eyes that Mia wasn't going to be alright for a while, she still had a haunted look but it wasn't as bad as before. Nancy finally broke the silence by asking what they were going to say to Steven and Dante. The boys didn't know Mia was living there and may want to hurt her if they found out. They didn't have a chance to say anything as they were called downstairs to go to the York home to introduce Mia to her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Nichole went home while Kylie and Margaret went to Kylie's home, conveniently next door allowing them to be there for support or backup in case Mia needed it. Steven and Dante were outside playing with Junior, Logan, and Neil and spotted the car as it drove by with the new girl inside prompting the boys to go look and see who was inside. They had just turned the corner when they saw the new girl get out and quickly run inside but not before seeing her face. Junior was going to say something but Valerie called them over. She pointed at Todd approaching and asked the boys to save the interrogation for another day. Steven wasn't interested in excuses, he loudly demanded to know why Adrian was there. Todd took over and told the three boys that Adrian is no longer Adrian. He sternly told them, "Adrian is now Mia. She is our daughter. I am not talking about her being our foster daughter, I mean she is legally our daughter by adoption. You don't have to like her but you aren't going to do anything that harms her. She has been through a living hell for years, one that you will never know. The closest among you who would even understand that are Scott and Kylie. If you need to know what I mean ask your cousins and the other teens." Valerie pointed out Scott who was signaled to come over to speak with the boys. Junior tried to back out but Valerie made him stay, telling him that his grandparents would not appreciate that. She pulled out the grandparent card, with both waiting for his response as Sean stared intently at his grandson. Valerie walked with Scott until they were out of earshot of the boys and explained the situation to him. He looked like he was going to hurt someone which Valerie had to calm him over, there was nothing he could do to Carlos or the Hernandezes. She instead asked he explain his story to them and hope that they understand that kids do what they do to stop from being hurt especially kids their age. When Scott told them to follow him all of five followed. Sean shook his head at the whole turn of events but was glad that the boys had enough sense to trust Scott and Valerie. Danielle proudly pointed out that they simply needed to be told the truth, no matter how painful or how horrifying. It was easier to be honest with the kids than to sugarcoat something that needed to be learned. Scott spoke for a half hour, showing them pictures that the Finns had of the four Missouri-born kids. It was shocking to them to see Jaimie looking the way she did but even more shocking to hear that Scott was exactly the same as Mia only without being transgender. The pictures of Jaimie standing in court only a few days after surgery prompted Scott to point out that Mia was doing the same, she just didn't have the chance yet to face her demons and explain her story to them. Others were doing it for her. The boys heard Jaimie yell out, "Not those! You know I hate those pictures!" Scott shook his head then told her sharply, "Aunt Valerie told me to show them. Well, not exactly but it was the only thing I could do to get them to see that Mia isn't that different from you and me." Jaimie asked who Mia was, Scott was cut off by Steven who gave a harsh, "He is Adrian. He all of a sudden claims to be transgender when he gets beaten by his parents and gets no punishment from the adults." Jaimie was angry at what he said, asking him firmly, "So you don't believe Mia is transgender? You think that she is claiming to be transgender? Why would she do that? You might have thought that being a girl was going to be easier on you, but she is out there in public wearing clothes, trying hard to not get noticed, and being forced to meet her new family. You don't do that if you are just dressing up!" Dante told her what Adrian had done the past three years with Steven adding in what he did as well. Jaimie laughed at them, telling them firmly, "You may have believed you were transgender but Mia knows she is. Think very hard- why would she dress with you willingly if she didn't like being a girl? Why would she volunteer to dress so you didn't have to? Why would Carlos all of a sudden start forcing you to do more and more things easing up on Mia if she didn't like it? It was because Carlos didn't want her to enjoy what was going on! He wanted you two to hate Mia! Don't you see? Carlos did all of this to get you to do what he wanted! And what happened to you was tough but what happened to him was criminal. You could have gone to a different home and gotten away from Carlos but he would have died. I mean seriously- he could have died!" Scott had to settle her down while telling the two, "Aunt Valerie wouldn't have gone through all of this trouble to help her unless it was genuine. She wouldn?t have helped unless Mia needed her help. She went to court to file for adoption and got the change of name done. She?s legally Mia and legally the daughter of Todd and Astrid Flynn. This is serious, not an attempt to escape punishment. No matter what, she is still expelled from your school. She can't go to the alternative school either, they'd hurt her within minutes. She has to be home-schooled by her grandmother, who is a retired teacher. She isn't faking, if she is she is going about it the wrong way because everything she has done is only going to bring scrutiny to her. She is a girl. You have to accept it. You don?t have to like it, just accept it." Jaimie told Steven and Dante to sit down and had the three younger boys go upstairs. Scott escorted them out while Jaimie steeled herself then gave the two a long, hard discussion about being transgender since the two clearly had no idea what Mia was going through and how you can't just be another gender overnight. Scott told the younger boys firmly, "She is Mia. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise because you would be insulting Jaimie, Kylie, Nichole, Addison, Reyna, Trinity, and Aunts Kennedy, Amanda, and Katie. You know them, you love them. They are women no matter what they were born as." The three understood fully. They waited for Jaimie to send the two up but she was in a deep discussion with the two as they were trying their hardest to understand Mia especially why she would put up with so much for so long before finally asking for help. They listened from the stairs, with Jaimie knowing they were there but not saying anything, letting them listen just in case they ever had doubts about her or the other ladies. After a long hour, Jaimie emerged with the boys. She was angry which Scott added, "He will learn just how weak he truly is in juvenile detention." She nodded, hoping that he got a reality check before he ended up hurting someone who would end up maiming or killing him. The boys waited for the girls to come back out with Dante and Steven both feeling like garbage over their reactions earlier. Valerie walked them inside, it was better to get it over with now rather than delay the inevitable causing more fear and anxiety that she didn't need. At least they would be less inclined to harm her with Todd and James hovering over them, but she didn't think they would with Scott making his feelings about what was going on known. Virgil greeted them and showed them to where Nancy was waiting for them with a scared Mia. Virgil told them to be quiet or they'd wake up Louis, getting the boys to realize they were being forced to act even more on their beset behavior or risk angering the adults for something else. He had a sly grin, he knew what he was doing and manipulated things to be best for Mia. The adults waited quietly while the two boys went to where Nancy was sitting with the scared Mia. Both for the first time saw up close the swollen cheeks and bandaged nose their former, "Friend" was now forced to wear. She had none of the attitude, none of the intensity, none of the intimidation that Adrian had. She was almost a shell of a human being, nothing like the person they knew before. Steven only asked one question, "Is it true?" Mia nodded, crying as she did. Dante asked her firmly, "Why?" getting a quiet, "Because if I didn't he'd make them kill me. He finally did it Saturday. He told them about my clothes and took me to the park hoping he would hurt Logan then I'd die after." The two got up to leave, Mia couldn't face that look. Adrian didn't lie to them, Carlos always did but Adrian didn't lie. Nancy added a terse, "He tried to beat up a judge. He is a psycho, if you don't think he'd get his own cousin killed for refusing to help him that is enough proof there." The two looked at her like she was lying but Todd told them both, "He climbed over the bullet-resistant glass of the arraignment box. He tried to escape but when he was cut off he went after Judge Matthews. For an elderly man, he is quick on his feet. It will be on the news tonight." This now caused the two to see that Mia was in an even tougher place than they were. She had a genuine fear, they at least could survive other foster homes, but she would have been murdered just because Carlos didn't get what he wanted. They tried to rationalize it but the only thing they could do was ask, "Why didn't you ask for help? Your uncle could have helped you, or your great-uncle." Mia saw the genuine concern on their faces and started to smile. She sighed and told them, "Uncle Juan lived in Chicago and mom and dad would have fought him. Great-Uncle Jorge cut off all ties with our family over them being upset at him helping Kylie and her family, he wouldn't want the trouble that I brought him. It wasn't an option, I had to stay there." Valerie realized just what she was saying, the two were so isolated from the family that when Mia was in her greatest need the ones who could have helped her were too far away even though one was a half mile away from her and would have fought tooth and nail for her. She didn't have know he would do anything to help her if she needed it, it was something that he had to tell her himself. Valerie led the boys back home with Mia hugging both as they left. Steven blushed at the hug, he cared about her but he didn't like her that way. It just felt weird having a girl hug him especially one who he knew as well as Mia. Nancy noticed her lingering hug and tried to tease her, with Mia blushing but telling her, "He is too close to me. Hugging him is like hugging your brother." The Flynns and Yorks enjoyed a quiet evening together with baby Louis enjoying the attention of the newcomer. Virgil loved trying to get Mia's attention with Mia feeling like she was loved by a family for the first time in a long time. Astrid had a motherly glow as she reveled in helping Mia, being pregnant had made her more astute and aware of the kids' feelings and needs which she was using to make Mia feel both welcomed and loved along with her acceptance. Mia had met everyone except Sam York, who was out on a study date with her girlfriend Iris Sylvester. Sam came rushing inside with a big smile on her face as Iris and she kissed goodnight in the living room. Mia watched in awe as the two kissed, she was seeing two beautiful girls showing their love and opening her eyes to girls who liked girls. Nancy saw her reaction and asked if she was alright. Her only response was, "Beautiful" which Nancy giggled at. She couldn't take her eyes off Iris, with Nancy finally telling her, "It's alright to like girls. Iris's sister is dating a girl like you and Aunt Katie is just like you and she is even going to be a mom to twins next month." Mia looked at her in disbelief. Nancy happily told her, "Reyna was born a boy and started to become a girl at our age. She had surgery down there after she was hurt by some nasty men but she could be a mom like Aunt Katie because she saved her semen. Mom and dad will make you save some when you start, Kylie is going to do that too once she is able to make it. Nichole can't make any though, she had surgery before she could make it." Mia hugged her over telling her all of that. She felt embarrassed over her feelings but now felt like it was normal, not weird. Sam finally broke her kiss and hugged Mia. She asked if Nancy told her about her to which Sam told her her story, getting a shocked look. Sam loved to tell her, "Reyna and Rachel are cute together, and Rachel understands you more than you know. Give it time, the old you will fade away and get forgotten by everyone." The Flynns left with Mia hugging her new aunt and uncle then hugging and kissing Virgil who hugged her back. He loved telling her that Trinity was going to be jealous, she was prettier than her which Mia blushed at. Virgil gave Nancy and Sam a sly expression- he knew just what to say to make you feel better and for Mia, he knew remind her that she was pretty was best. Inside the Kelly home, Dante was asked about Mia, giving William and Amanda a warm, "She's just so beautiful. Why are all the beautiful women born boys around here? She just changed her clothes and styled her hair but she is beautiful." Amanda smiled and told him, "You really know how to make a mom feel better" then asked how he felt about Mia, getting a somber, "She is more man than we were, she really was a girl and we hated her for something she had to do to save herself." She hugged him tight, offering, "You know the truth. We would do anything to keep our secrets if it meant harm would come to those we love. She couldn't control what Carlos did to you, he had too much power over her but she didn't want to hurt you. You learned the truth, you saw the real person underneath. If she didn't endure the pain and suffering from Carlos exploiting her he would have moved on to you and Steven and done a lot worse. He made you do some horrible things to him for his perverse pleasures but they would have only gotten worse as you got older. Trust me on that." She smiled at him and told him the good news, "Valerie didn't just file Mia's adoption paperwork, she file ones for Steven and for you. In about a month you should become our son officially. Valerie would have done the same for you as was done for Mia, but be thankful she didn't need to." Dante went up to bed with a big smile. Junior asked if it really meant that they were going to be brothers officially, getting a snort and hug from her. She shot him a quick, "You already are brothers, it's just making it official. I am proud of you, of all five of you." Over at the Pierce home, Riley talked with Steven about the day. Steven blushed and reluctantly told her, "I can't believe she is so beautiful. She just changed her hair and clothes, but she looks like a totally different person. Adrian really is gone, Mia never was Adrian." Riley, a professional beautician, happily told him, "A lot of boys and men never realize what you just realized. You really can look like a whole new person if you change your hairstyle or color. She had neck length hair that she kept looking masculine, but with some brushing a little styling a little boy transforms into a little girl." Steven was actually curious and asked, "How?" Riley snickered then confessed, "You haven't started puberty yet. Yes, that dreaded word where boys start to become men and girls start to become women. You look almost exactly alike with only your hair and clothes being different. Unless you looked in her panties you would not notice she has male parts, just as you can't tell with Kylie. Once hormones start to kick in, you start to develop differently which as you can clearly see on Nancy and Margaret has been underway for months. She was always a girl, she is just now allowed to look like one." He smiled and hugged her, telling her, "Thank you, mom." Riley shed a tear, it was a real heart-to-heart with her son that Oscar never gave her. Steven was a more sensitive boy, Oscar was always masculine and afraid to show his true feelings. Riley felt great love for Steven, he gave her a special parenting moment that she had not realized she had missed before. Riley went to bed with a broad smile on her face. Graham shook his head and told her that it'll wear off soon and it was still mostly feelings of doing something bold for someone who needed their love. She just kissed him, telling him warmly, "They are different boys but they are so much alike. They love one another despite differences, he is the counter to Oscar and both are the sons we always wanted." Things were similar at the Finn home as Logan spent much of the evening in deep thought once the boys dispersed. Ella tried to get him to play with him but was driven off by Jaimie. She understood what he was doing, he needed to think about Mia and Scott and girls like herself. Logan fell asleep with his laptop open. Jaimie looked in and saw some of what he was looking at and had to smile. He wanted to know more about girls like her, he wanted to understand her but he didn't realize that no matter how much he researched every person was different and their experiences are never quite the same. Still, it was the thought that counts and he would at least see it wasn't all good, there were far too many girls like her who were never going to transition or prevented from doing so by people like Mia's former parents. In the morning the kids went to school, with Steven and Dante hugging Nancy. She smiled, telling them Mia was happy that they accepted her. She grinned and added that they didn't have to worry about her having crushes on them, she met Iris and Sam and heard about Reyna and showed who she may like. The boys were shocked, but the other girls showed pictures of Reyna and Rachel then of Alison and Katie. Dante mentioned meeting Alison to which Nichole shot back, "She got you two the appointment with Dr. Bell. She is married to Aunt Katie, you haven't been around long enough to have met her since she was out with Trinity, Virgil, and Tyler during the move and visiting Uncle Louis and Aunt Tamara all day Sunday. She?ll be around to meet you, she lives right next door to you." Yvette Prince stopped the six before they could enter. She let out a sigh and asked them to come with her, what she had to say she didn't want to say in front of anyone else. The six went along with her, hoping that whatever was going on wasn't serious but just in case they had Valerie on speed dial. Yvette closed the door to her office and asked about the rumors regarding Adrian Hernandez staying with Nancy. Nancy looked around and asked where she heard that, getting a shake of her head and soft, "One of the parents saw Adrian's things being removed by your uncles. They saw a kid in your mom's car yesterday. Nobody has seen Adrian for several days. I am concerned about him, I just want to know the truth in case things get serious or I have to set someone straight." Nancy asked if she could keep this a secret getting a firm, "If it's illegal or immoral I have to inform the proper people." Nancy just smiled and announced, "Adrian is no more. He went into the hospital but Mia left it. Mia is my sister now, mom and dad adopted her on Monday." Yvette tried to figure out what was going on. Nichole pointed out, "Mia was hurt badly by her parents because of that asshole Carlos. Aunt Chloe and Uncles John, Todd, and Dan found her clothes and got her to see Dr. Bell. Dr. Bell got her to confess that she was transgender. Aunt Valerie filed the adoption paperwork for Mia, Steven, and Dante but was given an immediate adoption for Mia. Judge Perez was concerned that the Castillos would do something to her. She is now Nancy's sister, she is adopted." Yvette asked if she was going to the alternative school. Nancy shook her head, explaining, "Grandma is looking after her. She is a retired teacher so she can homeschool Mia until she starts middle school. I don't know if she is going to be allowed to go with us though, but she is going to school at home." Yvette had to think. Mia couldn't return and the alternative school was the worst possible place for her. She sent the kids on their way, this was something that needed direct action before someone retaliated against Mia through the city. In class, the girls were asked if it was true that Adrian was gone for good. The rumors were flying about him being killed or running off. The girls didn't give a straight answer, only telling what they knew to be true- that Adrian was never returning. Their teacher quelled any rumor discussion with the girls getting odd looks over knowing more than they appeared but were never confronted about it. Whatever they knew wasn't for her to ask about, it wasn't worth angering their parents or aunts. At home, Mia was being forced to take several tests by Peggy. She did well, so well that she finished early and caught Peggy off guard. She was allowed to read and asked to do a book report with summaries of individual chapters forcing her to focus and think, making her smile as she did so. Valerie called to ask her to come up with a lesson plan as well as the resources she was using for her sessions. Peggy rolled her eyes and was going to say something but realized that it wasn't Valerie doing the requesting. She did what was requested and by lunch she had plans for the next four weeks with more expected as Mia finished her individual milestones. Valerie took everything with her to Yvette's office and was met by a laugh. Peggy was doing more than was needed but given Mia was getting one-on-one tutoring it was understandable. She signed off on everything, adding that Valerie should bone up on the laws and Supreme Judicial Court rulings on home school education as well as show Peggy's licensing to have full backup for Mia's education. With that out of the way, Yvette asked Valerie's impression of Mia. Valerie was all smiles as she told of Mia's transformation into a happy young lady who just needed love and affection instead of scorn and ridicule. She then explained Carlos' actions and how they directly impacted not just Mia but Steven and Dante as well. Yvette had only heard rumors about what he had done to other kids but hearing the stories about him tormenting and torturing Mia and the boys explained so much about Carlos's life. Yvette was in tears as she heard how close Mia had come to death. Her own cousin tried to have her killed simply because he was now powerless thanks to the boys standing up for what was right and getting put with families who had love to give. She asked why Juan didn't take her in, getting a delay. Valerie tried to think of a reasonable response that didn't' betray his trust. Yvette gasped then said, "Oh dear God he's dying? Oh my goodness, the poor man!" Valerie simply said, "He chose to pass on the care of Mia to someone he trusted, Todd and Astrid Flynn. He is the perfect father and would have been the perfect husband but he was cursed with a terrible gene condition that is slowly killing him. He leaves Mia with a home she needs, giving her up so she didn't have yet another disappointment and get lost in the system in a year or two." This was causing Yvette to see Juan as a saint. Valerie nodded, adding, "He saved the lives of four kids. First, it was Julio, then it was Ella and Logan, now it's Mia. He has a lot of love to give, he just shows it differently than anyone else." Valerie left with Yvette giving her blessing on Mia being advanced provided she gets approval from either Dorothy Vega or Alice Rodriguez. The two ladies were flexible in how they dealt with kids who come from troubled pasts, she knew they'd let her attend school so long as she showed she was a whole new person and that Adrian's attitude and actions were truly excised from her. In contrast to Mia's angst-filled time with her grandparents, Juan spent Monday trying his hardest to avoid a long talk with his uncle but he had to explain why he followed his order only to disobey it less than a day later. Jorge was not one to hold a grudge but it was rare for anyone to disobey him. Juan may be his favorite nephew but that could only stretch so far. At his apartment, Jorge greeted Juan then asked where Adrian was. Juan asked him to sit down, then explained, "I am sorry Tio, but I had to give up Adrian to another couple. We found out Saturday night that Adrian had a large amount of girls clothes that my sister and brother-in-law found and used as a reason to brutally beat him. When he talked with Dr. Bell she got him to tell her about his true self. My sister gave birth to a girl named Mia, not a boy named Adrian." Jorge could understand this but asked what that had to do with him giving up custody. Juan shed a tear and told him tearfully, "I'm dying. I was told the results of my latest tests when Mia was talking with Dr. Bell. I inherited dad's disease and have been fighting it for years but it finally spread to my major organs. I only have another year, maybe two at most to live. I can't do this to Mia, I can't take her in only for her to lose another loved one. She needed a new place to go, I asked Todd and Astrid Flynn to care for her as they were the ones who I could trust to get her help and raise her right." Victoria hugged him tightly. It took everything he had to tell his beloved uncle that he had to go against his wishes. Juan's phone rang and Valerie told him to great news. Juan told Jorge, "Adrian Hernandez no longer exists, thanks to a friendly judge she is now Mia Flynn. She is Todd and Astrid's new daughter." Jorge just nodded his head. She got what she needed most. Victoria snickered and asked, "Did she end up in front of your third cousin or was it another judge?" Juan asked what she meant, Victoria laughed now while Jorge explained, "I guess you never had the pleasure of being before her. Your father?s third cousin who is a judge in Family and Probate Court, she knows the family pretty well since they have been in front of her a lot in the last year. I guess she forced Valerie to accept the adoption immediately." Jorge got serious and told him, "You have done something that was the noblest thing any family member could do- you helped a young child get the family she needs. That is something your father would be damn proud of and is why you are more of a man than any of you cousins. I don't have to tell John, Willie, and Ricardo as they would all agree with me there." Juan was made to eat as Jorge asked him about his cases. Juan grinned and explained, "We have them all won. We just have to go to court in Chicago to deal with the hearings. Ricardo has been admitted to the bar out there so god forbid I pass on before these cases are through they will still go forward. I just need you to give the money that I win to Mia and her sisters, it won't do me any good but it'll mean the three are taken care of and not for want." It was Victoria's turn to laugh as Jorge tried to say the right thing. She lovingly told him, "We will abide by your wishes. The girls don't need to know about the money, but Todd and Astrid do. Besides, it'll be just like their cousins have. James will do wonders with it for them." Juan talked with them the next day about things. Jorge was trying to keep his mind occupied and away from his situation. They worked out a will and had Ricardo file it with the court. Ricardo hated doing it but Juan insisted that Valerie is his executor with Ricardo continuing as his legal representative. He handed over his Chicago condo to him with Ricardo telling him he'd sell everything as per his wishes. Ricardo thought he was off but Juan knew he was being followed as soon as he left Jorge's home the previous day. He wasn't stupid, the family was paying him back for what was perceived as his abandoning his sister against false claims. This was not going to end well for him and he wanted everything settled right away so they didn't get their hands on his estate. Jorge entertained him for hours as Victoria tried to keep Jorge from realizing Juan was preparing for the worst. She had seen his cousins walking through the neighborhood and saw the coordination. They may be his blood relatives none of them acted anything like the head of their family nor the four most vulnerable members, something he was glad that the four didn't share. They were up to no good and Juan knew his time was short. She hugged him, giving him a tearful goodbye while Jorge told him he'd see him tomorrow. Juan spotted his tail and drove home without raising suspicions. When he got there, he knew where to stand to be in the sight of several cameras and waited for the blows to start. His cousins all yelled at him then went at him with bats and chains. Juan quietly said his goodbye as the blows to his head landed while his broken arms uselessly tried to protect it. He made peace with what was going to happen, he expected it. He died in the arms of a frantic Hannah as Pete, Bryan, and Ian tried to chase down the attackers while Ian?s wife Sheila called 911. He said one final goodbye, telling her it was his cousins who had killed him as he slipped away from life. Chapter 17 Juan's death hit the family hard. Hannah broke down as she cradled Juan's lifeless body in her arms. Ian was angry that he couldn't catch any of the cousins and felt that he let Juan down in not stopping them right away. His wife Sheila could barely contain his rage, he had never failed at anything before. Ian gave his statement to his colleagues and went to the gym, needing to work off his frustrations in a private setting. Sheila instead took him home to her mother's home where he could let out his emotions with people who wouldn't judge him for crying- what he really needed to do. He couldn't say no to her loving eyes nor the pleading look of his sister- in-law Avery and mother-in-law Ruth. Bryan called Willie and had him coordinate the investigation while Paige contacted Jorge and Victoria to tell them the horrible news. Both were speechless and if it wasn't for Addison Carter being beside them outside their apartment both would have completely broken down as they shared a grief filled embrace and wailed. She took over for Bryan, this was her area of expertise and the family would know if she knew then the Castillos already knew and they would be left alone to grieve in peace. She had her girlfriend Carmen Vega keep a close eye on the two while Carmen herself tried to hold together. Addison was the farthest from the family, she wasn't related to anyone except by friendship and dating Carmen so she could serve as the one to break the bad news while everyone vented at her. It wasn't personal, she was the one who could take it best and hold herself together for others' sake. Alice Rodriguez offered to take over for the emotionally drained Addison, but she refused. Addison conceded that Alice should be the one to tell Jorge's grandchildren even though Eric, Reed, and Raul already knew. She hated having to tell the young Billy that Juan had just died but it wasn't an option not to tell him, he had understood death already but this is the first person he had met multiple times and played with at home dying suddenly. The last ones to be told were the Flynns. Todd and Astrid had taken the girls to Nancy's ballet practice so had been spared the horror down the street. They had to break the news to Rachel Douglas and Olivia Samuels, who did more consoling of Astrid than she did of them. The kids were told once practice was over. Mia wailed at hearing the news, Nancy tried her hardest but it was impossible to calm her. She had lost her uncle, the man who had made it possible to become Mia and gave her a real family and not a group of relatives who lived together and shared a last name. No amount of consoling could make up for the loss of Juan. The girls turned to Al Samuels who knew they wanted her to talk with Mia. Al steeled herself, then finally hugged Mia and explained, "Bad things happen to good people at the worst times. Juan died but he died because he wanted you to be the woman you were born to be. He doesn't want you to be sad over him dying, he wants you to live your life. Your living is his greatest gift, as long as you are Mia he will forever live on." Mia was still crying but understood what she meant. Juan had made her lifelong dream come true and through her being Mia, his impact on the world would live on. Al hugged her while nodding to the girls that Mia was going to be alright, but they would keep an eye on her. The investigation had closed down much of the area as the weapons were being found, photographed, and had fingerprints taken of. They were all found but so far flung that the neighborhood was all but closed off. It was felt that Mia should go to York home with Nancy while Astrid and Todd dealt with the state police detectives and answered their inevitable accusations about Mia that the cousins would lay against them. Todd got the expected tough questions as the Castillos claimed he kidnapped Mia and he had no right to house her. Todd showed they were both wrong and stupid as he produced the adoption order with Todd telling them firmly, "She has eyes and ears in the city and would not have done this without knowing that they were going after Juan. I'd expect she will have the DA's ear alongside the governor. If she knew then it doesn't take much investigation at all to get people to turn on them especially given his connection to the head of their family." David Peterson arrived and had a few words with the detectives. They were unaware that Willie Pena and John Finn were related to Jorge Castillo let alone Willie being his son. The fact that Willie called them in directly before the medical examiner had even gotten there was explained, with David adding that the governor knew through his grandchildren telling him- all five of them. He then added, "His eldest granddaughter and grandson-in-law witnessed the attack. The Baileys are his grandchildren through Sheila Bailey and he was told directly by his daughter and granddaughter. They are waiting for you at his daughter's house. Be prepared to explain your actions to the colonel later on." Todd didn't need to say anything further, the troopers were called directly by their colonel and told that it was to be investigated fully given the multiple connections to major people and with there being eight eyewitnesses to the attack, all of whom have strong support. When they were asked about their unnecessary inquiry into Mia, they tried to claim it was due to accusations that it was a kidnapping. That got a laugh followed by a firm order to drop that line of thought as they knew it to be false unless they were going to accuse multiple police personnel of illegal behavior all without evidence, with a valid judicial decree, and with a judge who will be keeping an eye on the case. They offered their apologies to Todd who brushed them off. Todd then told them that the perpetrators were known and if they asked Juan's uncle they'd have who they were, where they lived, where they worked, and where they were heading to next. The troopers asked how he would know, Todd just grinned and pointed out, "Jorge Castillo is their uncle and keeps tabs on his nieces and nephews. Just ask anyone in the city about him and you get your answer. And he isn't some mafia don, he is simply a man who earned respect from thousands of people in his eight decades of life." The troopers drove off to talk with Jorge as the crime scene techs finished their examinations and had procured the videos from Juan's, Hannah's, and Todd's homes. The techs were more than happy to thank Todd and Hannah for assisting with one joking that it'll only be a couple of years before they hire on their cousins. That got a needed laugh as Hannah happily pointed out the ones to look out for if their names came up on applications with the same tech adding, "They are hired the second they graduate. That's direct from the major and colonel themselves. Your cousin Rachel especially is wanted." Hannah needed that light moment as Astrid and she hugged tightly. Hannah hated losing people she cared about and having it happen in front of her eyes was simply heart-wrenching. Lilly Peterson came by to take Hannah to her house with Pete being forced to come along for support as Daisy and Claire would need the couple's support when they were told the bad news. Bryan and Paige were sent home to her mother Anne's home to be consoled by Paige's sisters while Anne ensured that Todd and Astrid were covered just in case the Castillos tried to get at them through DCF channels. At the York home, Mia was put to bed with Nancy joining her. The two hadn't said a word since being dropped off, they only cried then showered before laying down to rest. Mia was physically drained but Nancy was running on fumes emotionally. Juan was the first person she knew who had died that she had any real contact with. She had met Linda Brown twice but Juan was someone she had grown to love as an uncle and who treated her like she was family immediately after meeting her. In the morning, the kids were in a trance with Nancy going to school but not doing much during the day. None of the 13 kids were in any sort of mood to do much of anything in school. Yvette struggled with sending them home or keeping them there, opting to keep them as it would put too much strain on their parents as it was. She did offer them a chance to talk with a grief counselor but the kids kept to themselves and chose to stay close to their family members, which was understandable. She had to shed a tear as they told her that he wouldn't want them to miss school because of what others did to him, he wouldn't accept it. She released them with all being told to take things easy, the pain would pass. She walked out with them and observed someone waiting with Peggy Raymond. The girl looked very familiar but Yvette couldn't place her. The kids were surprised to see her with Nancy hugging her tight as she saw her. Yvette went over to her and introduced herself, asking her her name. Mia looked at the others who encouraged her to say something. Mia steeled herself and mumbled a soft whisper, "I'm Mia." Yvette stepped back and looked at Nancy who nodded, the little boy who had been the bully of the school and who spent hours in her office was standing before her in a dress and styled hair, complete with ribbons and earrings. She had trouble reconciling that this was the same person that she had expelled the week before, but she knew it to be true. Yvette smiled at the scared Mia, telling her warmly, "It's nice to finally meet the real you. I wish it had been under better circumstances but I understand your reasons for doing what you did and that you accepted the consequences. I hope that you don't think that just because your grandmother is teaching you that you can get away with slacking off. Mrs. Rodriguez and Ms. Vega won't accept that from their new students especially as it may give your sister the wrong idea." Mia hugged her, tearfully thanking her. Yvette hugged her back, it wasn't just her accepting her as a girl that was causing her to cry. Mia was releasing some pent-up emotions from the day and Yvette gave her the much-needed outlet. Peggy led the girls away while the boys went their own way for the day. Ivan King asked who that was, getting a somber, "She was Adrian Hernandez, now she is Mia Flynn." Ivan understood what she meant and would allay any questions about her from others. Mia didn't need tough questions yet, especially not from people who would use the information to harm her. The girls did their homework with Mia helping them, much to their shock as well as their enjoyment. It meant more to her than to them, she needed this little act of friendship and showed she was not the lazy kid who barely passed each quarter that they knew for years. She was bright and while she didn't understand everything, she at least could find the answer she needed and explain it once she found it. Dante and Steven came over to work on homework once the younger boys realized they had too much to do themselves. The boys couldn't believe Mia was so smart let alone that she knew what she was telling them, Mia never showed it in school and Carlos never did his homework so they always barely passed. Mia just shrugged, it was simply her being herself which the boys were happy to see. The adults kept a close eye on the boys with Steven and Nancy making eyes at one another while Dante and Margaret did the same. It was sweet as they didn't realize they were doing it. It was expected as the four were the most mature of the kids. Mia, Nichole, and Kylie didn't do that, Mia had eyes for girls while Nichole and Kylie hadn't found their true sexuality yet and neither really cared for the boys or even the girls in their class anyway. It was decided that the four would need, "The talk" with Mia getting dragged in as well. It was awkward enough as it was, she could unintentionally cause a firestorm if her sexuality was revealed to others. It was tough enough transitioning, but to also like girls? That would not be accepted by most people and would cause many who didn't like transgender people to use it to harm her. The four fourth-graders actually had no homework and used the excuse to get the six together. Dante and Steven needed more time with Mia and she needed as many people around her who knew her and cared about her as she could get. Sean Kelly just grinned at the four, telling them that they were good men for doing that little devious act for all the right reasons. That morning and the previous afternoon were spent searching for the Castillo cousins. Every city and town in a 30-mile radius had their particulars. It seemed like overkill but the departments took it seriously once it was learned that Juan was family to law enforcement personnel particularly a chief. Several were found trying to hide in a distant relative's apartment up in Lowell. They had thought they could blend in and lay low until the heat died down then move to New York or Miami. They guessed wrong, the police were at the apartment as soon as they arrived- Willie knew they?d head right there. They tried to claim they were innocents, but they were caught on video. They had the clothes that they were wearing at the time in their bag complete with blood and rust marks so there was no denying it was them once a match was confirmed. There was no way out for them, they were going to prison. Three more were found trying to drive to New York. A, "Be on the lookout" was immediately sent out for their truck, which was stopped just short of the state line by the State Police with members of the Connecticut State Police ready to take over the chase on their side should they try to run. They did try to run and thought they had beaten the troopers when they crossed the state line but were met by a hidden cruiser then tackled by a very eager police dog. The last three never made it outside of Winnisimmet as they went directly home. They tried to grab as much money and things that they could sell, but never made it outside their apartment building. They were mobbed by Jorge's friends and dropped off at the State Police barracks, hogtied and naked with their bloody clothes used to tie them up. The two never had a chance to change, the clothes were still covered in Juan's blood and the claims that they weren't their clothes were refuted as their own wallets were still in the pockets of the jeans. Judge Matthews read the charges and denied them bail. Their public defender tried to argue against that but Judge Matthews happily pointed out that they had had all shown that they were all flight risks and were a danger to anyone who didn't do as they asked. They demanded that charges be brought against the people who hogtied them, to which Judge Matthews pointed out that they were performing citizen's arrests on wanted fugitives who had shown no regard for the safety of others. The court burst into laughter while Judge Matthews called the next case. He phoned Valerie to get the information about the situation and was glad that Jorge's people hadn't had the chance to get to the ones who fled as they were the ones who did most of the assault and delivered the fatal blows. He had no problem telling her that the family lost someone who had done more in two weeks than most would do in a lifetime and he'd ask the superior court judge to ensure proper punishments. The week went by too fast for the kids as they were kept busy each afternoon with schoolwork and keeping the toddlers and babies entertained. Billy Pena fell in love with Mia the more he played with her to the point that she couldn't go anywhere without him following behind her. It was both flattering and amusing, she loved the attention and the girls were happy that he wasn't annoying them. Billy asked if she was a boy down there like Kylie, which she tried to look for help from the others. Billy wanted the truth, to which Mia confessed she was a boy down there but a girl everywhere else. He hugged her, telling her she was a good girl and better than Kylie which Kylie took offense to. Benny Herman did the same but did it because Mia needed a hug after Billy's shocking question. Benny didn't say anything, just kissing her and running off. It made her feel better with the girls all telling her he did that to everyone and knew what you needed when you needed it. The weekend was the toughest for everyone as Juan's wake and funeral brought out a lot of anger and fights from the Castillos over Jorge and Victoria allowing all of the family there except them. Jorge told them authoritatively he was following Juan's wishes as he spelled out in his will and would not break them because they wanted to pretend to care about Juan to get at his assets. There were threats to which Jorge grinned and told them, "Please, go ahead and try. I held back others from hurting your brothers and cousins, I can't hold them back from hurting you for threatening me." The fact that Willie, Alice, and Ricardo were there infuriated the Castillos, they weren't real Castillos in their eyes. Jorge grinned then asked what their own lasts names were with none of them carrying the name Castillo making it moot. The only ones with the name Castillo were in jail, with their wives abandoning them for their secret lovers that they pretended the ladies didn't have. Jorge was the last non-incarcerated Castillo carrying the name and as the eldest overall it was his right to force his way. The Castillos left, vowing to fight him in court. They made a mistake in saying that in front of Valerie who proudly explained, "As executor of Juan Perez's estate I can officially tell you that none of you got anything and you have no legal claim to his estate. The only person who has a claim to it is niece and what she gets will not be revealed to you as you have no rights to anything." There were more threats to sue but Valerie just grinned and pointed out, "He filed a will before he died. It states who gets what and when. Only one person is named it, his niece. She is his closest next of kin who isn't incarcerated and thus is the only member of your family who never used him for their own needs nor threatened death on him for leaving. She is well protected so don't even try to go after her as I will bring down the full wrath of the law on you without a second thought." Inside, Mia saw the casket and shed tears but didn't break down. She knew Juan was truly gone and she would always remember him. She vowed to be the girl he wanted her to be and would try with all her heart to make something of herself. It was the least she could do for her beloved uncle. The family gave her some time alone while she knelt silently in front of the casket mouthing inaudible to Juan's fallen body. They could tell she was vowing something but the smile on her face showed she was doing it with a strong will. She had released her pent-up grief and was now free. Jorge and Victoria hugged Todd tight. They talked with him about Mia and what they had done without Jorge's inclusion. Todd vehemently told him, "We didn't feel we needed your approval nor did we want it. We did what we did for Mia's sake and we would do it again." Jorge smirked, the man did as expected. Victoria just hugged him and told him, "You were thinking of her and only her. He wanted you to do it because he trusted you to do what was right. Jorge is just not used to any member of the family doing something like this without his approval. Juan did it without a second thought, just as you filed for adoption without a second thought. He only wants to be part of her life. She, Kylie, Reed, and Billy are the last members of his family who he can call family, please allow him that privilege." Astrid answered for him, telling her they'd do it for Jorge. He deserved to see her grow up just as he sees Kylie and Billy grow up. Jorge hugged them for doing that, it didn't matter to anyone else but to him, it was the world. The Castillo name may be forever tainted but the children would live on and be his legacy. A name didn't matter, the family did. The following day they experienced the same issue with the Castillos. This time though, they didn't like the response they received as multiple police officers from out of town were there to pay their respects, all of whom went to school with Juan or were related to Juan through his father's side of the family. They all embraced Jorge and saluted Willie out of respect, with Jorge telling them their uncle would be proud of showing their respect. Victoria was shocked to see Juan's friends and family there. Jorge just grinned and happily told her, "My nieces and nephews thought that they were slick in telling them not to go to the funeral, but it backfired on them. They thought they were trying to prevent them from going, it turns out they didn't know Juan had died let alone who had killed him and have come out to pay their last respects to him. I told them we had everything in hand, but they are going to ensure that his father?s side of the family keeps my nieces and nephews in order." The Perezes were eagerly greeted by Mia, who recognized most of them and all of whom recognized her. There weren't any questions about why she was dressed the way she was, they suspected that she was the way she was long before she turned into Carlos's stooge. Mia embraced several of her distant cousins while they told her how pretty she looked now that she wasn't acting like a tomboy, it was the best possible thing she could have heard from them and made her cry tears of joy. The funeral turned tear-filled once Juan was lowered into the ground. Mia held herself together as she embraced Astrid and Nancy as Todd held her shoulder for comfort. She had cried herself out, she was now numb to the feeling of pain and loss and could only silently cry. It was the last grief she had but it needed to be let out. Logan had trouble keeping himself together and finally started crying openly, he couldn't help but feel pain at knowing the man he loved as an uncle was no longer there. It was coupled with the still raw feelings over losing his mother and seeing her buried nearby only two weeks before. The two people who had been the greatest, most positive influences on him were gone in such a short span of time. Michael had to comfort him while he wept into his chest, losing his cool but being told it was alright to let it out since he knew Juan better than anyone else. Ella was flanked by Daisy and Faith and had trouble holding herself together. Daisy warmly told her to let it out, causing Ella to break down completely. Faith hugged her tight as she told both that she hated losing people especially ones who she loved. Both said the same, it was painful and rough on them. Steven and Dante felt horrible about everything. They had never known their real parents and only knew the foster system so seeing so many people coming together on such a sad occasion was both unsettling and awe-inspiring to them. Graham and Riley hugged Steven as he cried, the tough exterior evaporating as he saw the man who had played a small role in getting him a loving family was lowered into the ground. Dante realized that this was all due to family and saw that sometimes having a family isn't a good thing. Juan's own family killed him, simply because he was defending Mia against people who were trying to harm her. He felt for her, she had people who hated her while they nobody but were still safe. He finally realized that no matter what, all that mattered is love and that what his mother and father had for him was real love. He smiled and had tears in his eyes, he felt great pride in them throwing open their arms and taking in someone knowing he hadn't been the best of people especially to their own son and loved him unconditionally. They were his parents in full and he loved them for what they had done. Little Julio kept a tight grip on Dan's hip and was crying throughout the ceremony. For a little boy, he understood death as he had seen several of his grandparents' friends pass away including one who died staying overnight that he, unfortunately, found the next morning. Juan was different, he was the nicest man he had ever met and the first person to ever treat him like a person and not an unwanted baby. He kept looking up at Dan then at Melanie and finally at Joseph and Evelyn Johnson. He just couldn't fathom losing any of them let alone losing them suddenly. He didn't know why Juan died, all he knew was that he died and everyone was angry and sad at it happening. Nobody blamed Juan, he knew it wasn't Juan's fault but he felt scared that people were mad at him for some reason. Dan picked him up into a deep hug, letting him cry into his shoulder. DJ did the same with Melanie, it was too much for them at that moment. They hugged their parents tight and wouldn't let go. The ceremony broke up with everyone gathering for a memorial service that the family felt would do everyone some good. Juan's friends and paternal family went as well, with everyone getting a chance to meet each other. It was just what everyone needed, a chance to decompress and remember the man who had touched so many for so long and who had directly impacted the lives of six children in such a short period of time. Ian, Willie, Dan, John, James, and Quentin Nelson talked with their two colleagues, men who had worked alongside them before and never knew their common connection. Willie was pleased with them and took note that they were prime candidates to laterally transfer to the city. They lived there but worked in neighboring Pullen Point and would appreciate the better work and increased pay. The offer was made and accepted, they were actually being laid-off in the near future so it was a godsend to them. Juan had helped his family once again, bringing a smile to Willie's face as they both raised a glass of soda in his memory. It was just like Juan to do that, always the indirect helper. Juan was classmates with Gabby Bollinger and Lilly which was a surprise to them as they didn't remember him. Juan had actually been a year behind Gabby in both UMass-Amherst and high school but shared classes with her. Jake and Zeke Bollinger were surprised at the mutual acquaintances that they shared, it was like being back in school with several of them. They actually had a picture of Gabby in class which caused Jake and Zeke to snicker at Gabby being caught looking like she just got out of bed and heading right for class getting a glare from her and laugh from her kids. Ricardo spent much of the time formulating a plan of attack for when the lawsuits regarding Juan's will came the following day. He was knocked out of his daze by seeing someone he didn't expect to see, Judge Martha Perez. She greeted him and was met by shock and surprise but given a warm hello. Valerie came over and relieved Ricardo who was struggling for words. She didn't take offense at it, she told warmly, "I'm here for personal reasons, not business. I wanted to pay my respects to Juan." Ricardo wanted to smack his head at not seeing it but it was clear- the name Perez. Martha was greeted by her cousins and siblings who were eager to introduce her to the Finns which she had to fight a laugh at hearing. Valerie asked that she see someone in particular, taking her to where Mia was sitting with her sister and their friends. Martha said hello to Mia who introduced herself. She looked at Valerie then grinned widely, it wasn't hard to see that she favored their side of the family over the Castillo side. She told Mia affectionately, "I'm Martha, your uncle grandfather?s cousin." Mia was polite and said hello while trying to focus on what the others were doing with Martha smiling back at her. Valerie had big grin to which Martha told her, "She looks like her great- aunt. My goodness, she was never male. I swear she must have some feminine genes in her because there's no way she could be that much like her great-aunt and not have them." Valerie looked over at Richard Samuels to which Martha grinned at. It was now Valerie's next step with Todd and Astrid's blessing. Martha made her rounds and spoke with her cousins as well as Juan's old friends before finally getting noticed by the kids and teens who had been before her in court. Trinity Eliza stopped short as she saw Martha, with her having to tell Logan who she was and what she had done for so many of them. Jorge made his way over and gave her a big hug. It was unclear how he knew her but the way they talked she had met him before with the adults starting to realize the connection. There were a few groans as some of the brightest minds among the family didn't notice the connection before. Valerie sat Logan, Ella, Steven, and Dante down and told them that she was likely to be the judge who held their hearing the following month to finalize their adoptions. The boys were naturally afraid but Valerie told them that she was here for family reasons and that she was well aware of what was going on with them already. That allayed their fears but they still felt odd being around someone who held their future in the balance. Martha took note of the kids being so normal and thriving with their parents, siblings, and cousins. She spoke with her relatives about it, happy that she had been able to see so many working hard at doing what was best for so many kids. It was rare for her to see the good in her job, Juan had actually given her a gift that she needed and it was paying off as she felt a lot better about herself and her job. The next day she sent in her formal complaint about her colleague's actions in court regarding Linda Brown. She didn't hold back, she was going for the throat and she had enough ammunition to ensure that he was removed from the bench. She actually got admonished by her colleagues for rekindling the investigation against him after he got it snuffed out by friends on the judicial conduct commission but to her, it needed to be done no matter the personal cost against her. She caught the right people at the right time and her complaint was pushed forward with the governor making his own formal complaint backing her up. The Governor's Council agreed that the judge had consistently overstepped his powers and had in the case of Linda illegally threatened her. Governor Christian James took great pleasure in taking the removal before a joint session of the General Court to which he announced the removal of the judge and that the state would look into such behavior closely from then one making judges live up to the standards that were intended not their own arbitrary rules. Martha was singled out for taking her colleague to task. Christian didn't retaliate like some had wanted, instead he offered her a promotion to first justice for the probate and family court allowing her to remain where she was but ensure that she had a hand in cases being handled properly. He had discretely gotten the former first judge to retire over his inaction allowing a vacancy to open up allowing Martha to be promoted. He grinned at her as she was sworn in the following day, telling her that she had a big future in the courts especially the Supreme Judicial Court. As expected, Valerie was served with lawsuits from the Castillos over Juan's estate. Ricardo had further issues as the family tried to allege that Todd and Astrid were abusing Adrian and that he belonged with his real family. There was no indication that they knew about the adoption let alone the name change so they were trying to get custody of a boy who ceased to exist. Valerie and he had a field day as they made note of the issues with their claims. Juan left a valid will, even without a will his next of kin, since his mother and sister were going to prison, was actually Mia. To boot, he had multiple witnesses to his intent to leave everything to her with Juan having Jorge and Victoria sign statements on his behalf showing his intent. In the court, the judge laughed at the claims especially when Valerie showed when the will was signed and who signed it and more importantly why Juan had died. The judge looked at the Castillos and firmly asked, "Your brothers murdered him and you expect me to give you all of his money? If he was alive I'd call this robbery, but given that he is deceased I don't believe that you should profit from the actions of people even more cowardly than yourselves." He read the will and asked why he had filed it so quickly. Ricardo pointed out, "He feared that his family would kill him. He wanted his niece to not have to endure abuses that his family was going to give her and chose to give everything he owned to the person who mattered most to him- his niece." The Castillos' lawyer tried to argue that Juan had no niece to which Valerie produced the damning paperwork. The judge read it over, saw who signed off on it, then announced, "Juan Perez has a living niece who was adopted over a week ago by people who knew him and who he felt was best to raise her as their own. As per judicial decree, Adrian Hernandez no longer exists and is living with a loving family. As such, your claims of abuse are based on falsehoods and outright lies." There were vulgar claims and slurs hurled at Mia to which the judge grinned and added, "It is that very behavior that Judge Perez ordered the adoption. Given the laws of the Commonwealth she is the heir based on being Juan Perez's closest relative and as her former parents and his mother are all facing long prison sentences they have lost all right to lay claim to his estate. Given that he saw fit to write a will knowing that your siblings and cousins were going to kill him I have no reason to believe that it was done under duress and as it was accepted by my colleagues I have no reason to deny it." He grinned and announced, "Your claims are all dismissed. You have no actual claim to the estate of Juan Perez. In fact, the way you are acting I believe the estate may have a valid claim against you. I would offer you my condolences but I doubt you actually care about Juan in the first place." It was over. Juan's entire estate went to Mia with Valerie signing all assets over to her in care of a trust to be split between the Flynn siblings. Mia was going to share her inheritance with her sisters with none of them knowing just how much Juan had left them until they came of age in a decade. Things grew quiet for the family for the next two weeks as Ricardo awaited the next salvos from the lawsuits against the county hospital, Juan's old law firm, and against Ted Blue. Ted's lawyers tried to get the lawsuits dropped because of Juan's death but his actually being there wasn't needed, his estate had every right to continue the battle. Ricardo wasn't going to let them get away with it, they had to pay for what they tried to do to Juan. He deserved payback and this was what he was going to get. Ricardo took no mercy and refused to take any settlements. The county tried to do everything possible to threaten him, even trying to use his personal life against him. That backfired as the judge asked what that had to do with anything as who Ricardo slept with or what his children had between their legs had no bearing on the case as none of them were part of the lawsuit. The jury didn't like the attempt to discredit Ricardo one bit. Ricardo asked who they had to refute Dr. Samuels' findings, getting a list of people who had never examined a child with Ella's condition and who were using Dr. Samuels' own work as a basis for their assessment. When the doctors testified it was a bloodbath as they had done no actual research and their findings were all generalities and upon hearing that the man who had literally written the book on the disorder had both examined Ella and found fault with the hospital they had to concede they were in over their heads. If he said she was suffering from the abnormality then they could not refute it and had to support his findings. The US Marshals had to intervene at times as the hospital administrators threatened Ricardo as their own witnesses all turned on them and couldn't counter what Ricardo had brought. Things took a turn for the worse for them as their own emails detailing just how little they actually cared about her rights was revealed and how much they cared more about budgets than the welfare of their patients. The administrators tried to show that it was all fabricated but Ricardo sent an email to the address listed and to the shock of the court- it appeared on the phone of the administrators. He then asked the judge to inspect the phone and showed that the emails were still there and were the same as the ones presented by Ricardo. The judge just told the jury to disregard the claims about fabrication but the damage was already done and Ricardo had all but sunk them. Ricardo went for the throat and asked point blank why they refused the surgery. The same, "It was too expensive? and, "It was unnecessary" was used. Ricardo showed just how much it would actually cost with a year by year increase as Ella grew older. These started to include hormone replacement that wouldn't work, specialist visits to endocrinologists to try to fix her hormones, costs of emergency surgeries for testosterone-related side effects, finally the inevitable visits to psychiatric doctors who would have to deal with the issues related to mental health that was directly impacted by the forced hormone regime. The last one was the cost of a wrongful death lawsuit which coupled with the statement that she was, in fact, female internally and would have died sometime in the next five years shattered any claims of it being either. Even the most hardened juror was sickened by the emails and claims by the administrators. They spent hours debating but in the end, they all agreed to a guilty verdict. The judge had to hold back a smile as he announced that this was the second time in a year that the county had violated the rights of a patient with a similar birth defect that could easily have been fixed at little expense to the hospital. The fact that they were directly related was irrelevant and in fact was unknown. It wasn't the first time it had happened and if the review of the county hospital was finished he expected more cases to be found. He awarded Ella treble damages, tripling the amount Juan had originally sought. The judge simply grinned and offered his condolences on Ricardo's loss and hoped Ella had a good life now that she was getting what she needed. Ricardo didn't respond, he simply thanked him and left. He spent the next few days selling Juan's car and arranging to sell his condo. He next appeared in state court to battle the law firm over Juan's wrongful termination. Again Ricardo had to endure an attempt to dismiss the case based on Juan being deceased, but the judge noted that just because he was dead did not change the fact that he filed the case before his death and it is not connected to it so it still stands. Ricardo was vicious and went right for their throats, showing that they targeted Juan based on nothing more than baseless accusations by a man who was a proven liar and who had already cost the firm millions in revenue while Juan had never shown anything except loyalty and had saved them from ruin multiple times over his tenure. It was beautifully done, with Ricardo giving an inspiring speech that had the jury captivated. There was no real counter to it, the firm was going on reputation and intimidation but Ricardo was not intimidated and their reputation was damaged when it was shown Juan had built much of the reputation and their informant was sitting in jail awaiting trial for using the firm to funnel money to people who were known organized crime figures. Ricardo went at them over breaking their own charter in trying to get rid of a full partner. He showed emails that painted a trail directly to the top with all involved trying their hardest to get rid of Juan before he caused their house of cards to crumble when their lack of assets was revealed. The firm's reputation took a massive hit with dozens of clients ending their relationship and many supporting Ricardo's claims regarding Juan's worth to the firm. The trial lasted three days with every dirty secret coming out as Ricardo found multiple people to support the conspiracy to get rid of Juan before Juan exposed the firm's shady dealings further. Ted being used as a source was laughed at by multiple junior members of the firm as they brought their own stories about Ted doing everything Juan was accused of doing. The worst was using Judge Hoffa as support for the claims, Judge Hoffa was brutalized by the media over his arrest and his connections to Ted were not overlooked especially as he had serious federal charges against him. The firm lost badly and had to pay the full amount, with the amount being transferred immediately to Juan's bank account as the firm chose not to appeal. They were forced to file for bankruptcy and had to liquidate with the partners going their separate ways once they distributed all of the proceeds from the liquidation to every partner including Juan. The employees that they would be forced out of business for moths and had already gotten new jobs with more reputable firms. The last lawsuit was against Ted. His lawyers tried to fight hard against Ricardo, but the evidence was damning. Ted was forced to testify about the whole situation and was put under heavy scrutiny by Ricardo. Ted's story fell apart and holes showed immediately. He tried to blame Marlene, but his own words in his emails showed it was all his idea and he was the one who got the trio involved in shady deals that Juan had uncovered and shut down then used Marlene to try to frame Juan. The FBI and US Attorney kept close eye on the testimony. Ted was under oath and was forced to admit that he took money from known criminals to funnel to other places and people and that he was given a small percentage of the transactions as a fee. The money added up and at some point, he had to bring in Marlene and Judge Hoffa to help cover his tracks and give him a second and third source for stashing the money. When Juan intervened and destroyed his chance of getting a partnership and using the law firm directly to funnel the money, he went after Juan. Ted had unknowingly assured a conviction for himself in court. Ricardo got him to admit to having Marlene set up Juan's trip while they would incriminate him. He was going to have Juan fired and arrested, thus clearing him for advancement and setting his plan back in motion, but things fell apart that faithful Thursday. Ricardo grinned as he told Ted, "Your little plan backfired. By pure luck, Juan had been at the right place at the right time to help a little boy and in doing so set in motion events that would lead directly back to Chicago and his own situation. Your own greed and vanity caused the misfortune, not Juan. The jury watched as Ted was shown pictures of Julio, then of his own sister, niece, and nephew with their deceased sister's sons and daughter and granddaughter, then finally of Linda's funeral. Ricardo growled, "Your own vanity led directly to the murder of your sister and death of your lover!" Ted's face went white as he learned of Marlene's death and lost all swagger and arrogance. He didn't care about Linda dying, but losing Marlene was too much. The judge asked the relevance of the pictures. Ricardo announced, "They are images of people who were directly impacted by Ted Blue's actions. The little boy is Julio Lopez, he was saved by Juan Perez from freezing to death and abuse by his grandparents and placed in the care of his aunt and uncle. The next are of Ted's sister, niece, and nephew. They were forced to move east when Ted's relationship with Marlene Saunders was discovered and Ted and Marlene were incarcerated. Finally, the last picture is of his sister Linda's funeral, she was murdered by a man who was seeking the money Ted and Marlene had held for him. They are relevant as the actions taken against Juan Perez directly impacted all of them changing their lives. His own sister was murdered due to his actions against Juan Perez yet he shows no remorse, no regrets, no sympathy- just sadness that his lover got caught in the backlash." The jury ruled against Ted in only two hours. Ted lost $25 million of his $100 million. The federal government agreed to release it to Ricardo with the money eventually going into Mia's bank account. Ricardo called Todd and Astrid and told them that the girls were getting a large sum of money with both insisting that he set it aside for them with him telling them that was exactly as Juan wanted. Ted didn't last long in the jail. He was taken out by someone who worked for the organized crime family whose money had been stolen and Ted had been shifting around. The group was angry that they had been exposed so much thanks to Ted's actions and felt there was no choice but to take out a loose end especially when it was learned that he had his own sister killed to recover the money. Ted was found curled up in his room with his underwear shoved down his throat and a noose around his neck, nobody saw him die and there was no evidence of anyone conducting it but it was clear that he was taken out by someone who knew what they were doing and didn't leave a trace of evidence behind. At Ricardo's hotel room a note was left that simply read, "Silvio Nero went rogue, nobody messes with women and children. Nobody." Ricardo understood what it meant, Silvio was going to face justice by the same rules that he was supposed to abide by. He broke one of the biggest in killing Linda, someone who had done them no wrong. Silvio would pay the ultimate price for doing that. Silvio Nero was found the next morning hanging from his cell. The cameras in the cellblock were all shut down for a period of time, right when Silvio died. There was no forensics evidence and the US Marshals sent to investigate hit a dead end. Silvio's death was unsolved but anyone in the federal law enforcement community could tell that it was a hit against him for what he did to Linda. Nobody shed any tears as he was returned to his family but quickly cremated and forgotten in an attic as they refused to even acknowledge his death due to the dishonor he brought on himself. John's foundations received two anonymous $1 million donations that were untraceable but had a note asking that the money be used to do some good. Each was in the name of Linda and Juan, John didn't like that they came from shady people but it was legitimate money. He accepted it and used it to help victims of crimes start new lives. Ricardo was unsure what to do now that his new right-hand man had died, leaving a gaping hole in his life and in areas he had little legal experience in. Juan was tough to replace, but encouragement from his sister-in-law Kennedy and best friend Katie saw him offering the chance to join him for two new law school graduates. They were young people who were no different than Juan and just needed a chance to show their stuff. The fact that both were transgender didn't matter, one was a strong willed young man named Cameron Byrne and the other a lady with a mind that was matched only by Kennedy and Katie named Savannah Ward. Once the flurry of trials died down the whole family turned out for the adoptions of Ella, Logan, Dante, and Steven. The bulk of them waited outside the courtroom with Martha joking that they could have held it outside but it would have caused too many traffic headaches. That got the kids snickering which was what she wanted. The first up was Steven. Martha happily told him, "You deserve a chance at happiness and your parents and brother will give you that." She proudly proclaimed, "You are no longer Steven Willis, you are hereby Steven Pierce, son of Riley and Graham Pierce." Steven was in tears as he hugged Riley and Graham with Oscar trying his hardest not to cry as he hugged Steven as well. Martha moved on to Dante and proclaimed, "You certainly showed you are a true friend and are the older brother of a young man who has been through a lot in such a short time. You are no longer Dante Green, you are hereby Dante Kelly, the son of William Kelly Sr. and Amanda Kelly." Dante tried to keep himself together but cried as Amanda cried with Junior smiling brightly at having Dante as the older brother he had always wanted. Ella and Logan were called before Martha, with both shaking in fear. Martha0 looked at both then happily told them, "Tragedy happens far too often to good people, but those people sometimes have the foresight to ask others to do things for them that help others. Your mother may have died, but she asked two of the most amazing people in this country to take you in as their own. I hereby proclaim you to be Ella Linda Finn and Logan John Finn, the daughter and son of John and Valerie Finn." The two hugged John and Valerie tight as their brothers and sister circled them with their own hugs. It was tough but Martha kept herself together. The sight before her was just so inspiring, two children had just won life's lottery in becoming part of the family that all families should be modeled on. The family separated and let the kids get settled in. Logan hugged Michael tight with Ella doing the same with Jaimie. Both kids were thrilled to be family to them and carry a name that meant the world to people in their city. Miles wisely stayed away, with JD and Cat playing with him as the four calmed their nerves and adjusted to permanently being siblings. It was quiet for several weeks for the family. The trials of the Castillo cousins went on as scheduled and featured dozens of people coming forward to testify against them. Most of them weren't needed as the video evidence as well as the clothing and fingerprints were enough to convict them. Their defense tried to blame it all on Juan, but the witnesses in their own family who weren?t involved in the murder showed it was premeditated and done out of malice. Juan had had no contact with the family outside of Mia so there was no reason whatsoever to go after him. The fact that his own sister had brutally abused her only child and Juan had protected Mia showed just how nasty the family was and why Juan stayed away. The ones caught up in Lowell were the least involved and turned on their cousins to save their own skins. They plead guilty to 2nd-degree murder and given 20-year prison sentences and testified against the others. The other cousins were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole and sent to different prisons. They got off easy but they would have to endure people knowing where they came from and who they were related to and what they did and come to fear the punishments that they would be forced to endure from other inmates. Juan's mother and cousins were sentenced to five years in prison each for assaulting a police officer as well as criminal threats charges. Mrs. Perez swore she'd get back at Jorge and the family but that only ended up earning her another year added onto her sentence. She grew to resent everyone and was a horrible prisoner who endured multiple beatings over her actions against others. Mia's parents were sentenced to 10 years each for child abuse and attempted murder as well as assault on a police officer and resisting arrest as their own words were too much for their defense attorney to counter, especially as Ian and his backup officer went toe to toe with him and made him back off from his claims of bias against them. They had to endure constant harassment and assaults from prisoners as their crimes were known among the prisoners. They broke the code of not harming children and to do so then getting others to kill their own sibling was too much. They were lucky that they weren't killed but they endured a long sentence. Carlos Castillo was a horrible inmate and couldn't be rehabilitated. He simply could not control himself and endured constant fights with fellow juvenile detainees. He had multiple mental health evaluations and it was clear that he wasn't wrong mentally, he was simply a sociopath with an overinflated sense of himself who had no way of controlling how he acted around others. Carlos was sentenced to confinement until he turned 21. He was disowned by his remaining relatives with his own father being sent to prison for life for murdering Juan. He would eventually dive into a deep depression and would slowly start to see that his life was over and he was never going to be the gangster, mobster, or business tycoon that he thought himself to be. With the trials out of the way, the 5th graders got into a groove where they did their homework then spent their time playing in one house or another. Mia had a positive influence on them to the point that their grades improved. Their teacher tried to get their secret but she had to be told discretely to back away as some things were private prompting her to realize that they were getting help from someone who is best left forgotten by the school. Valerie did as Martha suggested and got Mia evaluated by a geneticist. To their shock, Mia didn't have any abnormalities: she was simply naturally feminine looking. Mia was concerned but the geneticist explained that perhaps it was best for her as she could father children as some genetic disorders make it extremely tough if not impossible to father kids. Mia took the news hard but understood just what he meant. She had a shock the next night as she endured a sad realization that she was starting to become a man physically when she had a nocturnal emission. She was consoled by Dr. Bell who had her realize that it was a huge step for her as it meant that she could plan for her future. She, Astrid, and Todd had her do as Katie, Addison, Reyna and Kylie had done and stored her sperm for the future with multiple samples being taken and stored so that she had multiple chances to become a mother to her girlfriend?s child. Mia was able to start blockers and low-dose hormones after the storage of her semen. She was in tears as her endocrinologist administered the first doses of both, with Mia tearfully hugging Astrid and Todd for allowing her to take them. She was disappointed that the changes would take a while to see, but she was happy to be on track with Kylie and Nichole. Both girls were doing the same and shared a special bond that Margaret and Nancy couldn't understand. All five girls were close but the special bond was evident. They were alright with that, neither girl could understand being born in the wrong body nor having a desire to change themselves the way the girls needed to do. They weren't looking forward to the next step in womanhood and were glad that the trio was not going to experience that, even if the trio wished that they?d be able to experience it. The day of Ella's surgery finally arrived. It was tough on the Finns but Ella was a bundle of energy as the time approached. Valerie had to take her as John was a nervous wreck and could only be calmed down by Cat and JD keeping him distracted. Logan was happy that John cared enough about them to do more with them just to take his mind off Ella's situation. The surgery was a complete success with the family preparing everything for her return. The twins were upset that they couldn't go to the hospital to visit her during the two days that she was recovering there, but were happy to play with Julio and Willow while their parents retrieved Ella. Ella was treated like a queen for the next week, with everyone doing everything for her and her friends coming by every day to see her to keep her mind occupied as well as help her do her homework. When she returned to school after missing two days to recover after April vacation ended, Ella was enthusiastic and wanted to learn. Her teacher appreciated the enthusiasm and used her to do much of the classwork giving the kids a chance to calm themselves and learn more. She also made note to thank Yvette for giving her Ella, Daisy, and Faith to her class and have strong words with Ms. Twit over her actions towards the three girls. Things were going well for the family as they started to gear up for the final stretch before the 14 teens graduated high school and the family would start to split up as the older teens began their lives away from home. The teens had a lot of minor battles and surprises as they worked hard to get the right colleges, earn their own scholarships, and plan their futures more in-depth. Their next steps in their lives would be the biggest steps and ones that would change things for them forever. The End.