A Friend In Need Part 1 free porn video

It was Early June of 2045 and two men talk alone at a bar, oblivious to the people around them. They laugh and smile at one another in a constant tug of war with their emotions. It was cute to their friends, as if something was right with the world when the two were together. Isaac Barker was average height and weight, his recent boyfriend Brent Jones was just as average but looking somewhat effeminate in how he looked. Neither would get a second glance from the bar's few patrons as the two were just too normal to the point of being lost in the crowd. That was how they liked it, being unnoticed by everyone else. Finally, the night drew to a close. The two kissed but after a second of thinking Isaac stopped. He had a look of shame, something was bothering him that he had to get out. When Isaac finally gathered his wits, he explained to Brent, "I want to go further but before I do I have to tell you something. I'm not biologically a male, I'm transgender. I have only been in transition for a year, I'm 'all woman' below and bind my breasts tightly. I won't go further as I don't want you to be upset at me when you find out the truth. Please, this is your chance to walk away from me." Brent looked away then laughed. He calmly and authoritatively explained, "I knew the whole time that you were biologically female. I grew up around people who are the same and saw a lot of the clues that you might not have noticed. You go away for four days a month so that you don't upset me. I can see the vest that you use to compress your breasts under your shirt. You try hard to hide it but I can see that you wanted to tell me something important. It added up. I knew the truth almost immediately." Brent sighed then added, "I don't care. I honestly don't care. I am happy that you are telling me even if it's moot. You deserve peace of mind and if we aren't compatible as a couple then you at least have a friend who understands you. I'm happy to be your friend, no matter what happens to us as a couple." He kissed Isaac again and led him off, with their friends looking away in shame as they hadn't had the chance to warn him about the news that they thought would break them apart. Several didn't want the couple to last, in their eyes one was just a fake man and the other a fraud for liking "Her." They weren't alone that night as each had brought a friend with them to celebrate a night on the town at the expense of Brent's uncle. They hated to take the money, but none wanted to offend their benefactor as it was hard to resist his logic when talking about having a night out at no expense when they rarely had a matching schedule. The fact that the couple had gotten even closer was a plus, especially as both had a lot of doubts that they would survive the big reveal. The couple's "Escorts" abstained from alcohol and talked while the couple were too busy kissing or out on the dance floor to notice them. One was a married woman named Daria Lewis who protected her big brother as much as she could and the other was a happy bachelor named Marcus Sylvester who had to frequently protect his best friend from trouble. The duo talked for hours and slowly nursed their drinks, with the bartender not bothering to demand that they leave as the owner of the bar would have a big issue: his nephew would be the one thrown out. As the group left the bar, a call came in that caused Daria to scream and hug Isaac. Both looked upset, with Issac explaining to Brent, "My brother-in-law Jimmy was just killed. His car crashed into a tree on the parkway while they were driving home from his parents' house. My nephew is in trouble. They kept it quiet but it sounds like it's life and death for him." The two sprung into action and led the duo to the hospital to see what was going on and why. Isaac and Brent were visibly upset, with Daria in tears as Marcus asked about the young boy on Daria's behalf. It was tough to wait, but they had little choice but to await word from the doctors in a private room. Eventually a doctor entered followed by several State Police troopers. The duo realized that it was more than it seemed and likely going to involve their family indirectly so the two told the troopers, "We need to hold off any questioning for a bit as legal counsel is sent for. This isn't a request: you'll have to tell our cousins why you chose to ignore our request then deal with their outrage as well as the Colonel's." Brent happily showed his ATF badge, while Marcus firmly stated, "Captain Peterson and Lt. Finn are on their way. I am also of the belief that representatives from the Department of Children and Families are also coming here to talk with the mother of the victim. I know the on-call social worker and she won't let you bully the widow around. FYI: the widow herself is DCF so don't threaten her with them." He smirked as the troopers cringed. He happily added, "Dad retired, but he still has the ears of the brass at DCF and won't hesitate to invoke multiple rules and regulations while leaving our cousins to force you to explain your actions. They know not to mess around, he'll happily work the media against you if you interfere. And a word to the wise: do not force your views on others, it'll only end badly for you." The troopers exited and waited. A doctor came inside and asked to speak with Daria. She was told, "Your son suffered massive groin and hip injuries. He dislocated one hip and suffered a small fracture of his pelvis. That isn't the worst of it, his testicles were severed and his penis mostly torn apart. All but two of the ligaments have been severed and there is no blood flow to the tip. I hate to say it, but there isn't any way to repair his genitals. It's simply cosmetic surgery, we can't help him." She asked what the options were. The doctor looked ashamed and explained, "Three options. Option one is to remove everything and reroute his urethra leaving him with no genitals at all. Option two is to try to cosmetically build a penis. It won't be able to 'get hard' and is only for show. It won't grow any larger than it is now. Option three is the worst one: make a vagina and raise him as a girl. He's young enough to adapt, provided that he gets help. I'm not keen to do this, but I can't stop you from doing it." She looked away in shock. Isaac whispered to her, "I know that it hurts to realize it, but he's not a boy anymore. Being a girl is the best option, she'll be your daughter even if she started as your son. I'm certain that it's the only way to live for her, everything else harms her." Brent looked at Marcus then explained, "Our cousin-in-law's sister had that happen to her. It's going to be fine when she heals. She'll live a normal life, even if she won't have biological children. It isn't a death sentence and kids will get over the shock of her past, especially if she's like her mother." She looked at Marcus for help. He sighed and told her, "The girl who had that happen grew to be one of our uncle's top business people. She's a mother through her husband. Your daughter might be a lesbian, but it's not a horrible thing. My own sister-in-law is transgender, she had kids with her wife and is a great mother. Your new daughter could be too, if she lets herself accept that she's a girl now." Daria saw the sadness in their eyes and chose the only option that would help her child: she told the doctor, "Make her into a girl. I would rather my son live as my daughter than have to endure harassment for the rest of his life. I know how hard it will be, I've seen it in my brother's eyes. I'd rather that he be a girl and live as a girl than be hurt by those who refuse to understand what happened." The doctor wasn't happy with the choice. He tried to dissuade her but he was quickly told by one of his colleagues, "You are overruled and removed per order of management. You aren't doing the surgery, it's being handled by a specialist who volunteered to conduct it due to their uncle's request. You were only here to do an assessment and now that it's done you are finished. Don't try to go to DCF or the media, you are bound by HIPAA and legal contracts. DCF is fully aware as are the police." The doctor left and was visibly angry, when out of earshot he ripped into his colleagues over what they were about to do to a child. They let him talk then happily laughed as he realized that he was standing in front of several hospital board directors, with one angrily telling the doctor, "You do realize just who is out there? Both of those men with the family are nephews of John Finn. His daughter was called in to speak with the patient after recovery, his niece is en-route to speak with the family, and his son is here to talk with the troopers assigned to the accident. One of them is standing just out of view and heard all of what you are saying and will be happy to place you under arrest if you try to go after the victims." Captain David Peterson walked out, showed his badge, then explained, "You are hereby warned to stay away from the victim and his family. Any attempt to go to the media will result in arrest for civil rights violations and violation of HIPAA. You are also barred from this hospital until the victim is released. It is also our belief that you are forcing your views on patients so a review of previous patients is due." The doctor stormed out, with David simply telling the board, "Yes he knows and yes he will be keeping a close watch on what's happening. He won't interfere unless he has to, this is something that he can't do and you know why. DCF are calling the shots, one of theirs is involved and he knows not to bother to influence them. Not that he ever did, they know not to break the laws with our family around and if they did their own would go after those responsible from within. He knows the surgical team, he did the only thing that he could in asking them to help the child. He will be pleased that you chose to be a true medical director and not a puppet for a few with deep pockets." He walked out to where the group was waiting. He turned to Brent and told him, "Jaimie will be by when she's able to see her. Al will be expecting a talk, you can't keep her away. Only she knows what she is about to go through. And Willow will come by in the morning once the reality sets in." Turning to Marcus he explained, "Your father will be staying away, but if he senses trouble he'll be on the commissioner's back about it. He thinks there will be some, he knows the family through political connections and it isn't going to be pretty. You know who's going to help, don't push them away." Turning to the distraught Daria, he explained, "You know Willow Lopez already. Your colleagues are a mix of idiots and sycophants so she is the one to get assigned the case by default. She won't take your new daughter away unless it's absolutely necessary. She knows the facts, she won't be threatened and it will only hurt your in-laws to fight you over custody. They have no say in this, not with what happened. It was your husband's fault that they crashed. I'm sorry, but he was drunk- he was with them when they were drinking so they didn't dissuade him from driving thus causing the accident indirectly." She nodded and asked about her in-laws. He smirked and explained, "They don't have a leg to stand on as there is no abuse, her injuries were so severe that action was needed immediately, and you felt that it was best to do what was easiest of her over the rest of her life. Their arguments are all punitive, they're going to try to get your daughter through the courts but the courts will be alerted. They have to have a reason, they don't have one. The laws are clear, they don't have a right to your daughter. They can see her, but given the situation you know that Willow will refuse to allow visitation by them." The group left, with the distraught Daria being driven home only to find that it was being torn apart by several people. David happily laughed, called the police, then led his cousins inside and announced to the shocked people, "You are under arrest for trespassing." He got the expected claims that he had no right to be in their son's house. David happily told them, "I'm here with the rightful owner of the house, the widow. You, however, have no right to be here. You have no claim to anything here and are trespassing. But as you have torn the place apart you are under arrest for burglary. And before you claim otherwise, you weren't expected nor have you have any right to be here as your daughter-in-law is the legal heir of your son's possessions per the law." He happily told the arriving Kensington Police Department officers, "These two are under arrest for the burglary of this home. I'll be riding in with you to the station to charge them and ensure that the DA is aware of the charges so that they don't 'mysteriously disappear' before their hearing in Winnisimmet District Court in the morning. The chief knows not to fool around with me, I might be assigned to the Attorney General's Office but I'm still a captain and my department is more than willing to rip him to shreds for violating the laws of the state. Now if you would, remove the prisoners." The officers left with the distraught Daria crying over seeing that her things were packed away as if it was going to be her leaving forever. Her son's things were boxed as well, with her crying over seeing the smiling boy and father together in the carefully packed pictures. She could barely stand, Isaac held her tight while Brent packed her things. Finally, she was told by Marcus, "You're going to stay with me. It isn't safe here, I don't trust any of the Kensington cops to not go after you again for some falsified charge. Mom and dad won't let me not ask you to come, and you'll be in need of a place that can accommodate your daughter. My cousin would have put you up, but I don't want her to intimidate you especially with her husband and his friends." She nodded, almost numb to the situation. Brent laughed and happily told Isaac, "He means well, even if he doesn't realize it might come off wrong. He wants to help them, and being close to our family is the best for your sister and niece especially since nobody dares bother us." Most things were packed and moved to their cars, with the house then sealed and an order placed on the front and back door stating that anyone entering would be arrested. It would stop most people trying to get at the family, but some would still try to go after them regardless of the repercussions. The few that tried to go after the grieving widow and new daughter would find that they were up against the Finns- a family who would stop at nothing legally to protect friends and family, which the two now were. The group broke apart once Isaac put his sister to bed. He hugged and kissed Daria before he did the same to Brent. The two were exhausted so went to Brent's home, with the two not in the mood for sex but feeling the need to be close to one another for the night. The two enjoyed their closeness of one another that night, with neither going beyond hugging but still loving being close to one another. In the morning they did enjoy the joys of sex, with Isaac giving into his natural urges and letting Brent enter his vagina giving Isaac a taste of what all women enjoyed but doing so as a man making love to another man. He loved it, but could see that Brent did it out of need to please him and didn't care for it. The two got dressed, with them finally getting the urge to talk to one another. Brent finally told him, "I did what I did because you wanted it. I didn't mean to make you feel feminine, I accept if you never do it again. I have had sex with girls before, but I don't like females that way. I'm a gay man, I always knew that I was gay. I'd do it again with you if you want, but I won't do it just because I can. You are a guy, you always were a guy, and you will always be a guy. I love you, and I want to marry you." He was in tears, a shocked Isaac happily told him, "I love you too. I did it because I wanted to. I'm not afraid of it anymore. I want a penis, but I accept that you can give me something that means more to us than any penis ever will. I'll happily have your baby, if you'll let me. I love you, Brent Jones." The two kissed and enjoyed sex again, this time the, "Traditional" way that males have sex. Brent was a happy man, but did tell his fiance, "I have to tell mom and dad. They won't mind that you're trans, they just want to know that you love me. They'll happily accept you as their own son-in-law. My sister may be a pest about you, but only because she loves needling me. My brother won't care, he's fine as it is." Isaac nodded and got dressed, telling Brent, "I don't know if I'm still fertile. I'll talk with my doctor to see if it's right to have kids with you. I don't want to rush, I don't want to undo what I have become." Brent happily nodded then added, "Just because you have a baby biologically doesn't make you any less of a man. You're a man. I told you about the people that I met who're trans men- each had babies the natural way. Only one transitioned after, the others were in transition. Just because you have something growing inside of your body isn't going to to change who you are. I love you, I fell in love with your personality and want to be married to you. Be my husband, even if you have my children naturally." The two drove to Marcus' home and were met by the groggy Marcus and a still asleep Daria. Marcus had to shoo his parents away, with Isaac being told, "They're trying to help but she needs rest. Jaimie is on her way to talk with her in a bit while Willow is waiting until Jaimie finishes and will go with Daria to the hospital to talk with the doctors about what happened then clear Daria from DCF investigation." Isaac was relieved to hear that, he went upstairs to where Daria was sleeping and helped her get ready to talk with Dr. Jaimie Samuels. Daria was in a daze but started to come around when she saw that she wasn't at home and Isaac had a sad look on his face. She sobbed further, with Isaac telling her, "It's time for breakfast. You need the energy, you have a lot to do today. Jimmy Jr. needs his mom today." Daria was walked downstairs and immediately hugged Marcus. He let her hug him, then led her to eat a light meal before settling down to talk with the awaiting Jaimie. Isaac and Brent left, leaving Marcus to deal with Daria while his parents did their best to avoid interfering in the situation. Dr. Jaimie Samuels entered and explained to Daria, "The surgery went well and your daughter should be out of it for a bit but might be lucid enough to talk about what happened. The good news is that there weren't any splinters in her abdomen and she had only a small fracture making her recovery time only a few weeks. She should be fine by mid-July, and will walk around normally in four months." Daria asked about her bigger issue. Jaimie sighed and explained to her, "It's a tough thing to accept, but her old life is over. She can still do whatever she did before, but now has to use the female restrooms as she wouldn't last long among boys and men. I know that it's traumatic to think that her old life is over, but she is young and can learn how most girls act. She might be a tomboy, but she'll be a girl in time. I would prefer that you don't force her to be feminine, let her choose her lifestyle." Daria looked away in shame and explained, "The boys hated him because he was smaller and didn't like a lot of the things that they liked. The girls hated him because he was a boy. He played dolls and put on dresses to pretend to be a girl. Jimmy hated that our son would willingly act like a girl, his parents had a strict with punishment if Jimmy Jr. acted like that at their house. I know that Jimmy Jr. will adapt, he's a girl at heart even if he was a boy. He understood them, I hate it but he was an honorary girl." She was crying heavily now. Jaimie softly told her, "He might have been trying hard to be friends. I saw it before with my cousin Julio, Willow's husband. I saw it with my nephews. It's common. He wanted to be friends and did whatever they wanted. Unfortunately, it ended up being prophetic. Now he has to be a girl for the rest of his life. He is she now, she'll accept it over time even if it hurts emotionally." Daria asked if it was true about her sister-in-law. Jaimie smiled and happily told her, "She was lucky that she found a family who understood her and loved her right away. She was only going to be fostered, it ended up becoming more for her. She is an amazing woman: dancer, cheerleader, athlete, mom. She's a great person who found the love of a boy who overlooked her beginning to love the person that she was and himself found his true family. We are proud of who she became, especially as she gave two kids a home before she forced her husband to have his own biological child via surrogate." Daria stopped crying while Jaimie added, "She knows about what happened, Willow asked her to speak to your daughter when she was able to. Al is great with kids, especially ones who need love. She's the best to tell her what to expect, especially from 'friends' as kids will try to get to know her just to get her to do something that they can benefit from. Al had several friends, your daughter might need some. If it is OK with you, your daughter might benefit from my nephews befriending her. Maybe my nieces too." Daria realized what she was talking about, Jaimie happily told her, "Aunt Leslie will want you to stay so you don't have to rush home. More than likely you'll have to sell your old home and move away, it's going to take a while so she'll offer you a place until then. You already know my brother and sister-in-law so it is only a matter of your daughter meeting the kids. My son and cousins' kids are happy come by to help her, but JD's kids will want first crack as they're the same age." Daria had to think. Jaimie hugged her deeply leading to Daria weeping. Jaimie instinctively told Daria, "It's going to be alright. She just needs time and love. She has you, she has her uncle, she has Marcus and Brent. She has help around her, the kids will want to help her. It'll pass in time, she's the same kid you brought home from the hospital and the same one whose diapers you changed. Nothing is different about her, just what's in her pants. She's a girl now, and you're her mother." Jaimie and Daria drove to the hospital and were met by the surgeon and attending doctor. Both had a look of concern which Daria dreaded. Jaimie nodded at them to tell them what happened, leading to the surgeon explaining, "We were able to perform the surgery and found some masses inside of your child's abdomen. We examined them closely and determined that they were malformed testicles. They never had the chance to descend. I'm sorry, but it looks like your son would never have fathered children. He never had testicles. He's intersex, and as Dr. Samuels can tell you it can present in multiple ways." Jaimie smiled and proclaimed, "She could have lived as either easily with the right hormones, she was in a biological limbo. It's cosmetic surgery now, your son was externally male but is genetically both. She is being given a new lease on life, she can start over as a girl a lot easier now." The attending doctor asked if she still wished to have Jimmy present as female. Daria looked at Jaimie then told him, "Jimmy Jr. is finished as male. I would rather my daughter start life on her own terms and be a girl that she wants to be than try to be what she isn't. She has a vagina, treat her as a girl." Jaimie wisely told her colleagues, "She has experience with transgender children so knows a lot of what it takes to transition. My niece was one of her clients 17 months ago. Her older brother is transgender so she has seen the impact on a loved one firsthand. She'll get the help that she needs from now on." Daria was led into a private room and saw Jimmy Jr. hooked up to multiple machines. She saw that Jimmy had a cast around her pelvis and legs which caused the attending doctor to tell her, "We had to put it on after surgery. It's beneficial to her as it keeps her still while also helping her vagina heal. She'll see it in a few days, but it's going to be tough on her to get used to urinating sitting down." Jimmy Jr. started to stir as soon as she heard voices. She opened her eyes and saw Daria's crying face, she tried to speak but Daria calmly explained to her, "You are in the hospital. You were in an accident on the way home. Your daddy was killed and your privates were badly damaged. You had to have surgery. I'm sorry, Jimmy, but you are a girl now." Jimmy Jr. was crying while Daria hugged her. Jimmy Jr. softly asked if there was any way to undo it, it took all of her strength but Daria sadly explained, "No. I'm sorry but the damage was bad. The doctors found out that there was something else the matter with you: remember how people always called you a girl as you looked so much like one? It's because of your privates. You are both boy and girl inside." She looked at Jaimie for an explanation. Jaimie moved forward and explained to her, "My name is Dr. Jaimie Samuels and I'm your new gender therapist. I specialize in kids who are like your uncle Isaac, I was asked to help you by my cousin Brent who is your uncle's fiance. What your mother said of you being boy and girl inside is true. You are what is collectively called 'intersex' in that you're both boy and girl. You would never grow to be a man like other boys and you would never grow to be a big woman like your mother. You'd be different, smaller and looking like both. Now you can be a girl as it would take looking deeply into your privates to tell the difference. Trust me: my sister-in-law had the same done to her because of an accident and she is happy to be a mom and married to a firefighter." Jimmy Jr. looked away in shame. Jaimie explained to her, "You are too young to know more, but you have a vagina now- just like your mom and uncle has. Your uncle will eventually have surgery to close it up and give him what boys have but you had the opposite happen: turn into an innie. You have a vagina, it looks just like every other girl's vagina and nobody can tell you that you aren't a real girl." Jimmy Jr. whispered softly, "I like being a girl. The girls are nice to me. The boys hated me. I want to be a girl so I don't have to be like them anymore. I'm a girl now, I have to be." Daria shed a tear and told her, "You can be the girl that you want to be. I love you no mater what, I will love my little girl as much as I loved my son. I just want you to be happy." Jimmy Jr. asked if they could change her name, with Daria asking, "Would you like to be called 'Joan'? It was my grandmother's name and Isaac hated that name. He would be happy for you to have it." Jimmy Jr. nodded and told Jaimie, "I'm Joan now. I can't be Jimmy anymore, I don't want to be him. I hate boys, I hate being a boy. I'm happy that I'm not one anymore." Jaimie nodded and quietly left, with Daria sitting with Joan as the little girl fell asleep. Jaimie called the upset Marcus and told him to tell Isaac that his niece had a new name. Marcus nodded and told her, "It's been taken care of. He is happy that she chose the name, it means more to her than it did to him." Jaimie asked about Brent and Isaac. Marcus cringed and told her, "They had sex. Brent doesn't really do vaginal sex but Isaac wanted it. It's more for Isaac's sake and from it he had a big revelation about his lift. He might be leaning towards a family with Brent, made the old fashioned way." Jaimie blushed and saw Daria looking at her funny. Jaimie explained what happened causing Daria to tell her, "He is trying to fight his urges but he was always a great parent to Joan and to me. He'll make a great father, even if he's technically the mother. Brent must really love him to participate willingly." Jaimie received a text and smiled. She happily told Daria, "Aunt Leslie has everything that Joan needs at the house. She went through Joan's things and got the right sizes, our nieces had a bunch of clothes ready to go to charity shops that fit her so it saved them the trip. She doesn't have any panties yet, that will have to wait until she's out of her cast. We hope that it's only a short time since it's not too bad of a fracture, but you never know with pelvic injuries. She'll have to wear skirts anyway so it won't be too hard of an introduction once she is able to get around on her own." Daria asked if her aunt was trying too hard to help them. Jaimie chuckled and happily explained, "She's the big sister to all of our aunts and uncles. She is the second-oldest, only Judge Perez and her wife are older than Aunt Leslie. She wants to help you. She knows that it's a tough time and you need help that a mom could give, but lack one. Isaac is like a nephew to her because of Marcus, so through him she's the mom or aunt that you need. You're known to her as well, how you treated her great-niece made her see that you are someone who is worth helping no matter how distant you might be to her." Daria sighed and shot back, "I was doing my job with Angel Finn. I didn't want to upset your uncle. I'm just glad that I didn't get taken out in the aftermath, I was called in for questioning and raked over the coals for not letting go of the case. I don't want him to be upset because we're staying there." Jaimie countered, "Uncle Mark is proud that you stood your ground. There's a reason why those folks in the office who acted like that towards you were fired or moved elsewhere. He is proud of you sticking to your guns and ensuring that Angel was safe and happy. Aunt Leslie is proud to help repay you for it, I know that she wants Marcus to start dating so seeing a widow with a child might spark him to go out and date. With Brent marrying your brother, it only makes things tougher on Marcus." Jaimie left Daria to head to work and allow Daria to keep a silent vigil over Joan's bed. Marcus came by to check on her and see Joan, as well as drop off some of the clothes for Joan. Daria was grateful, it was a nice distraction and gave her a chance to see just how involved the family was. Looking over Joan, Marcus shook his head and offered a solemn, "Al said that she was going to come by tomorrow. She wants to give Jaimie a rest so she doesn't go overboard babying her, Jaimie might be transgender but she doesn't know the same trauma as Al and Joan. Losing your testicles is nothing like completely losing your manhood. Al understands her, even if she was leaning feminine for a while." Marcus sat her down and told her, "Al did a few things that were clearly feminine before she was in her accident: dressed as a girl, started to have feelings for boys, wore makeup. She hated to admit it, but the girl in her was strong and even if she never became female she would likely have been gay. Joan isn't Al, nobody is. But Al understands what she will be feeling and wants to help her deal with it." Joan started to stir and asked for daddy. Daria was in tears which caused Marcus to hastily leave. Daria had to tell the little girl, "That was your new uncle's friend. I'm sorry, Joan, but your daddy died." Joan was in a haze and told her, "Can he be my new daddy? Old daddy hated me. I don't want him to be my daddy anymore. He told grandma and grandpa that he wanted to leave you and take me with him. I don't want to go with them, mommy. Please, can he be my new daddy?" Daria was in tears, it was from her heart even it hurt to hear. She didn't answer, Joan was drifting off to sleep again and wouldn't hear her response. Marcus reentered and asked what was wrong, with Daria in tears as she told him, "She wants you to marry me so she has a new father. Jimmy wasn't an easy man, I never knew that he wanted to hurt her to make her be more of a boy." Marcus shook his head in disbelief and told her boldly, "I'll talk with dad about this and see what we're going to do. Your in-laws just caused themselves to lose any chance of seeing her, that's something that had to have been occurring for a long time to get that kind of response from her." Smiling, he told her, "She loves you enough to want you to move on. It's her way of telling you to find her a father who will love her. She wants you to be happy, not mourning a man who hurt her." Daria was upset over Joan possibly being hurt but felt that she needed to investigate further to see if the claims were true and if the man that Daria had loved had not been the man that she knew. Jimmy was an OK man with her, but how he acted around others might be something entirely different as had been the case for far too many people that she had encountered since becoming a social worker. Daria sat looking at the sleeping Joan while Marcus stood near her. He was there for her, despite them having only just recently met. She felt grateful for that, he was trying to be a friend to her. Eventually she asked him why he wasn't at work. Marcus blushed and mumbled, "I got time off to help you with Joan. I'm only a location scout and production assistant, specializing in period pieces for all of the productions done in the area. I did most of the work already so it's just double-checking. I was owed a couple of weeks of vacation so was given the time off to use it to help you." She nodded but asked why he worked at all. He shook his head and shot back, "For the same reasons my parents worked: because we need to. Dad needed to help others, mom needed to teach kids, I need to be part of the productions even though I'm just a lowly scout. It's my way of helping make the movies and TV shows look good without producing them. I know I don't have to work due to wealth, I just want to do something worthwhile and have an impact on something long lasting." He sighed and added, "Aunt Chloe will call you later to tell you that you're on compassionate leave. It's for your own good, you can't help kids if your mind isn't in the right place. You'll have a lot of help, it is simply so that you don't do anything drastic to hurt people who might not be guilty of harming kids." She looked disappointed but he countered, "It's standard procedure. You just lost your husband, then in the same accident you almost lost your child. You need time to grieve and help Joan recover, you can't do any good if you can't focus. You earned a break, you haven't had one in a long time- dad said so." Joan started to stir again and called out for daddy. Daria went right to her but she wanted Marcus. He did the only thing that he could think of and hugged her, letting her settle her fears and sleep again. Daria was in tears, Marcus solemnly told her, "It hasn't sunk in yet. She needs time to accept that he is gone. I don't mind helping her, it's for her benefit. I don't want to replace him, just be there for her." Marcus stroked Joan's hair like he had seen JD Finn do with JD's daughter Angel. It was sweet and did a number on Daria as he showed compassion and care while letting Joan settle again. Joan seemed to be at peace with him there, while Daria felt an urge that she hated feeling: wanting to get to know him. Marcus eventually left to get Daria food while Joan had her bandages changed. Daria thanked him for it, even if it wasn't necessary. He wanted to help her, especially as Joan needed her close by. Joan awoke while Marcus was away. Daria hugged her and asked her about calling Marcus, "Daddy." It took a few minutes but eventually Joan explained, "Uncle Isaac likes him a lot and his family is one of the best ever. I don't want you to be alone, I want you to have a husband. I want a new daddy. I want a daddy who is OK with me now that I have to be a girl. I want Marcus to be my daddy now." She was in tears as she confessed that. Daria sighed and explained to her, "You can't force people to be together. Your grandparents pushed your dad and me together in college after I became pregnant with you. I'm not in a rush to replace your father, I want you to be safe and happy first. Marcus has his own life, he deserves to be unburdened by a widow and daughter with former in-laws who hate her. He is a good man, but it isn't right to force two people together. You mean well, your heart wants someone who knows what it's like to have a child like you. But we only just met. Isaac likes him, but we might be incompatible. We may only be friends. Being friends isn't enough to build a relationship on." Joan was in tears but Daria hugged and kissed her. Marcus entered and hugged Joan, kissing her cheek and whispering to her, "She needs time to accept that your daddy died. She will have a lot of guys who want to date her. You're a special kid, they'd be fools to not want to be your father." Joan and Daria ate in silence while Marcus gave them privacy. When he returned he was with a young woman who smiled at Joan. He shook his head and explained to Joan, "This is Al Douglas. She wanted to talk with you for a bit about what happened. She had the same thing happen to her. She was older but it was still a sudden shock to have to become a girl. She's happy to listen to you, we'll be outside." Once alone, Al explained to Joan, "It's hard to realize that your life has changed, but it has. You're now a girl physically, you need to think of yourself as a girl and leave the boy you in the past. You'll have to wear different clothes and in a few years you'll grow boobs. Mine are all-natural, hormones took to me fast and heavy. My birth mom was big, my birth dad was tall. I got a lucky mix of both so now I'm so sexy that my husband can't stop trying to have sex with me." Joan giggled at that, Al happily told her, "You'll find out what you like at a later time. I wasn't sure but I learned quickly when the last of the boy hormones were flushed from my body that I liked boys. You're too young and you might end up liking girls. Marcus' sister is married to a girl like us, they even have a couple of kids. I have a son through my husband and we both adopted two kids in need of a home. We were going to do it a third time, but it's taking time to find the right girl or boy. We'll find that kid, we know that there's a child in need of a home who's out there who's perfect for us." Joan looked away in shame. Al happily told her, "My daughter is a year older than you. Marcus' cousin JD has a son the same age as you, his twin sister has fraternal twins, a boy and girl, who are your age. I think she'll be a good fit with you as she's like her mom: a pain in the neck regarding discipline but is a caring young lady. JD's daughter is like us only she's a little younger and is still 'intact'. You won't be the only transgender girl on your block, there's several who live on the block. Three are older but they are more than happy to help you adjust. They also have siblings and relatives who are transgender so it isn't something that they haven't dealt with before." Joan asked about the girls. Al grinned and happily blurted out, "Angel Finn, Megan Bailey, and Grace Pierce live next door and behind your house. Denise Herman lives across the street, and Wendy Nelson lives two houses down. Across the street are the Millers and Penas who have transgender family. Most likely you won't see Wendy due to working and dating but Denise is around." Joan was astonished. Al happily added, "That's not counting Uncle Mark and Aunt Leslie who asked you and your mom to move in with them and Marcus. They know all about girls like you: my sister-in-law Jaimie is your new gender counselor and is their niece. Plus you have me and my husband- Megan is my husband's cousin's daughter. We're all happy to help you adjust, especially Marcus." Smiling she added, "He doesn't mind being called 'daddy' by you. He wants you to feel better and if it's making you comfortable then he'll gladly be called that. He wants you mom to feel better, even if it'll be a while until she gets better. It stinks, but your father passed away and you have accepted it." Joan whispered, "Daddy hated me. I didn't like going with him but mommy said I had to go. He told me that I needed help to cure me of being girly, grandma and grandpa told him that they'd remove me if he didn't do something about it. They wanted to take me to New Hampshire and hurt me but daddy took me home before they did it. He died because of me. I know that grandma and grandpa will try to get at me because of what happened to daddy, it was their fault. They let daddy drink, they told him that he's a drunk who didn't deserve mom or me because we were beneath him. He's supposed to be like them, he's supposed to be powerful. Grandpa is powerful, he runs the race track. He said I'm a freak who had to be put straight or I'd ruin his business. He hated mom, he only let daddy marry her because mom and dad wouldn't get rid of me. They said that I should have been aborted to save them from humiliation. I wanted to run off to get away from them but they kept me locked in a room in the attic so I couldn't get out. I'm nothing to them. They want to hurt me. Please don't let them hurt me." She was in tears to which Al growled, "I'll be sure to tell your social worker just what you told me. It's a big issue, they won't get their way. They have to face us, and we won't lose. Marcus has nothing on my brother and sister-in-law. My brother won't let them hurt you, he'll protect you." Joan started to drift off to sleep allowing Al to walk out and tell the awaiting Daria, "I have to talk with Willow Lopez about what Joan told me. Your in-laws can kiss any claims to Joan goodbye. They're in a lot of legal wrangling over their actions if even half of what she said is true." Daria demanded to know what Joan had said. Al smirked and growled, "They tried to force you to have an abortion to protect themselves. They only allowed you to marry your husband due to your refusing to get ride of Joan. They were upset at Joan making them look bad. They treated her like dirt and made her want to run away from them. They tried to take her away from you but your husband died before it could be done. They may be powerful people on paper, but they haven't gone up against my brother or our family yet. You saw a taste of it in January, the full wrath of us is nothing short of apocalyptic and nobody escapes our wrath- especially if you harm a kid in our care. Joan is under our protection now." She left and Marcus entered, hugging the astonished Daria. Daria looked into his eyes and saw concern for her, which led to Daria telling him, "I had no idea just how horrible they were to her. I loved Jimmy, but if I had known that they were harming Joan I would never have let them near her. I don't want her to be taken away from me, you don't know how many friends they have! They'll get what they want- I won't have Joan anymore, I don't want to lose her!" He hugged her deeply and softly told her, "They are playing with fire and we've been through this dance far too many times before. They know who our family is, they learned the hard way two days ago. We won't let them hurt Joan, nor will they get close to her. She's protected by us, David will ensure it." Sitting her down, he solemnly explained to her, "They are about to face the worst people to face: Willow and Aunt Chloe. You didn't get to meet her yet, but Aunt Chloe is the deputy commissioner for a reason and that reason is us. Nobody dares fire her, nobody dares tell her what to do. She has a spotless record and rose through the ranks because she is one of the best social workers ever. She won't let them bully you nor will she let your colleagues ignore your rights. Willow is fully aware of your situation, she has kept away because she is working hard to protect you. You stayed with dad, which is enough to satisfy her that you are fit to mother Joan. You talked with David, that only makes things better." She wasn't fully convinced. Marcus added, "You talked with Jaimie. You talked with Aunt Leslie when you were preparing breakfast. You talked with dad before he went off to see Uncle John. They won't let anyone lie about your mental state, nor will they lie to protect you. Willow didn't need to talk with you, she talked with them and they gave their blessing that you were feeling grief but were focused on Joan and the only real issues were that you were becoming exhausted. It's why you're going home after Joan eats dinner, it's why you'll eat dinner with mom and dad before going to bed: they're Jaimie's orders" The two waited until after Joan awoke again to eat dinner then left for the Sylvester home. Inside, Daria found a room decked out in feminine style with Marcus complaining, "She did it again! That big brat put me on the spot just to show off for you! My cousin Cat decorated Joan's room so it was as girly as she could get without the pink and lace. It's cream and purple, like some of Joan's clothes. The little rat had to have known that purple was her favorite color and wanted her to feel like it was her special place." Daria blushed while Marcus added, "If I know her, then your room is the same. It's my sister Iris' room so it's going to be pink and white with cream accents. She went overly feminine before she got married, she is more girly than our sister Rachel. I swear Rachel is more masculine than I am at times." Daria raised her eyebrow, Marcus laughed and explained, "Iris overcompensates for being athletic and a lesbian. Rachel was always by her girlfriend's side but was forced to run track by dad because she was always in a book or on the computer. Rachel's wife Reyna is transgender, so she endured a lot of crap due to a lot of boys trying to 'convert' her back to boys. Mom said she isn't a lesbian or straight, she found her soulmate in Reyna just as Iris found hers in her wife Sam. Mom loves them but they try hard to overcompensate. Iris is girly, Rachel is always focused. No matter what they revert to themselves." He walked her into her new room and saw her shed tears. Her only words were, "Beautiful" to which he added, "It's Iris' old stuff. She had a bigger bed because Sam always stayed over. They were trusted not to do things around me, but I did catch them a few times. Sam is beautiful, but she's like my sister. The first pair of breast and vagina I ever saw were on my sister-in-law and it was just like seeing my sister." He blushed at the memory. Daria nodded and added, "I know the feeling, I caught Isaac doing the same when he was trying hard to be a girl. I love him, but he was never a girl and those boys weren't right. I had to kick a few of them out when they didn't take the hint- literally. One broke his arm from my kick to his butt, he swore it was because of some drunk but nobody believed him." He laughed and added, "I know. Brent told me how some of them were outraged that he transitioned. He happily told me that Isaac was one of the best guys to hang out with even if they weren't on the same page. Funny how that worked out- they're engaged now! He always liked Isaac, it was true love." The two started to cook dinner with Daria relaxing after a good meal. She fell asleep on the couch next to Marcus, with him carrying her upstairs to her bedroom. She dreamily thanked him with a kiss and a heartfelt, "Thank you honey" which he felt a strong reaction to. When he walked out with a big smile on his face his parents confronted him about it. He tried to hide it but confessed, "She kissed me when I laid her down. She was asleep but mistaking me for her husband. I don't want her upset at what she did, she did it on natural instinct." His mother Leslie saw the look in his eyes and added, "You have feelings for her but it's too early to let them known. She is still in mourning and is running on fumes emotionally. It was natural instinct, she's in need of affection and support, you gave it to her. She didn't know what she was saying, she might be feeling something towards you but it's just too early for her to feel that way about you." He sighed and added, "I know that. I did what I did because she needed someone close to her. I'm closer to her than anyone else because of Brent and Isaac, she doesn't really know me but she connects to me. It doesn't help that Joan is trying to get us together, she wants me to be her new father. I swear there's a lot more that happened than she is willing to say, something isn't right with this situation! Joan isn't the same kid that Isaac told me about, something happened that she hasn't told us about yet." Leslie hugged him to calm him while Mark explained, "She told Al something that is enough to start an investigation. Al told Willow immediately after she left, Willow is starting to send out feelers and won't let this go until she is satisfied with the truth. Isaac needs to talk with Willow, but he's been too busy at Brent's house. The little weasel doesn't want to face his cousins so is using being with Isaac to get out of his cousins' questioning. They know not to harass him, but you should check in on them tomorrow." He was sent to bed, with Leslie taking a look in on Daria and changing her clothes into something more comfortable. Daria started to awaken and let Leslie help her, with Leslie softly telling her, "He likes you too. He is trying to be a good person but knows that your marriage wasn't what you thought it was. He is a good boy, you'll make a great couple if you give him a chance." Daria hugged her before falling asleep, happy to have had a bit of parental love during a sad time. She had not had that since leaving home at 18, with Isaac as her only family until she married Jimmy. They had a torrid affair that led to Joan, with neither seeing that lust was all that held them together. In the morning, Daria showered and walked downstairs to breakfast. Marcus had already left so Leslie and Mark were able to talk with her alone. Leslie hugged her, with Mark telling her, "He went out early to talk with your brother about arrangements. Willow will be here shortly to talk about your in-laws as I had to tell her what Joan said. It's going to be tough, but she has to ask about the accusations." Daria ate in silence while Leslie was shooed away to go to work. Mark had to keep the neighbors away while Daria gathered her wits and awaited Willow's arrival. Mark groaned as he led two kids away, it was an ambush to separate him from Daria so Willow could talk to her in private without him there. Daria saw that Willow had several reports out and was waiting for her to gather her wits. Willow began, "You know about the allegations against your husband and in-laws. I have multiple police reports and a school report that state that your daughter was abused by her grandparents on numerous occasions and in front of multiple witnesses. The Kensington Police refused to investigate further, citing claims of the abuse being perpetrated by 'outside parties' but not backed by anything. We were never notified to look into the matter, and we suspect that we were kept away due to your in-laws using friends to influence a quickie investigation by the police. They made a huge mistake, one that will cost them dearly. We're of the belief that the claims were true and that your in-laws had repeatedly abused your daughter while in the care of her grandparents with your husband being part of said abuse in either an active role or by his allowing them to abuse her with impunity. What's more, his DUIs were a huge issue as he was never supposed to be allowed behind the wheel of a car in the first place as he had been banned by the state from driving for five years due to his constant arrests. He died and nearly killed your daughter because someone ignored his suspended license when they pulled him over." Daria gasped in shock. Willow added, "He should have been arrested for child neglect, driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended license and you should have been notified of the arrest. It never happened, therefore we are taking action against the department on your daughter's behalf for criminal neglect as her being in the car should have caused them to arrest him on the spot. The officer is known to us through a past run-in with us, if you recall the Carly Pierce situation? That same officer who had a strong hatred of you is behind this and will be behind bars for what happened." Regarding Joan, Willow added, "I have spoken with your daughter's former principal and teachers and I am of the belief that she was trying hard to hide her feminine side and through this forced change she is going to blossom as a person. It was a terrible toll on her, but from this she can become who she really is and will be a beautiful young woman in time. She is a smart young lady already, she just needs you to teach her how to be a girl. She has help from numerous people, which I am proud to say is why I'm of the belief that she belongs with you as your daughter and far away from her grandparents." Finally getting down to the nitty-gritty, Willow added, "Her change of gender is being seen as a lateral move as the DNA test confirmed that she is intersex but heavily male externally. She was always going to need hormones to jump-start puberty, she was in a biological limbo that would have only gotten to be worse over time. She has a clean slate in life, one that you are supporting and are experienced with." Daria asked about how her brother would impact them. Willow laughed hard and shot back, "He's why I am happy to tell you that Joan is going to be alright. You learned about transgender people through him so I know that you will be able to help Joan. He might have had different experiences, but you learned how to deal with the feelings and supported him which you can now use to support Joan." Daria hugged Willow, who happily told her, "Al said that she's fighting her true feelings. She's relieved to be free of her grandparents but is still not yet understanding that she is different. That will eventually come, she just has to see it for herself. The cast only covers so much, there's a hole in it so she can go. I know from experience how annoying they are, she'll need help from you to learn how to go." Daria looked at her oddly. Willow shook her head and announced, "I broke my hip falling out of a tree. I was trying to show off to my friends and slipped, I landed hard on my hip and dislocated it. I had to be in a cast for a month, mom was furious that I was so stupid. It didn't work either, he was mad at me for trying too hard to show off. He liked me for me so it was pointless trying to do that." Willow added, "JD told me not to do it, so I did it. Cat was too busy trying to get Gavin to give her the time of day but he wouldn't do it with Uncle John watching us. Candace told me not to show off so we just had to do it anyway. I was trying hard to impress Julio, he didn't need me to do that." Daria asked who the others were. Willow smiled and happily told her, "You know JD and Candace. Cat is JD's twin, Gavin is her husband. Julio is my beloved, but he's so cautious that I did all of the stupid things for both of us. Candace was rarely around outside of school but she did join us frequently at the park so wasn't too much of a stranger. You know how they ended up together already. Cat fell in love with Gavin early and was why he ended up being adopted by the Samuels family. Julio and I loved one another but we didn't openly date until senior year. I love him, but he's just too cautious at times." They finished with Willow leading her outside and next door only to stop short while she announced, "I know that you are hiding, come out." She was enveloped in a deep hug and happily told Daria, "They're not as clever as they think, they still don't get that we know all of the hiding spots since we hid there a long time ago. And they're not as smart as us: we knew not to be seen." She introduced Daria to her son and daughter, with the two giggling as they ran off to play elsewhere. Daria was led to the dining room and hugged Isaac as soon as she saw him. He happily told her, "We're getting married in a month. We aren't waiting, if we do his uncle will try to go overboard trying to rent Fenway Park for us. It's going to be small, just us five. We can't stop a big reception at a function hall, it's the only compromise that we were able to make to keep everyone away." The group settled with Isaac getting grilled by the Finns over his and Brent's relationship. Isaac held to his guns and caused John to laugh and proclaim, "You're a stubborn man, almost as stubborn as him. I can see why he loves you, you won't compromise yourself no matter how much people try to make you do what they want. He loves you, we can see the change in him. Before you ask, we all knew your start and he insisted that we stay away so that we didn't scare you off. He kept others from trying to separate the two of you, he lost a couple of friends but they were worth it in his eyes. He loves you." Isaac was in tears as he hugged Brent. Brent wisely told John, "He is still fighting things and wants to be able to give me what a woman can give me. You know how it was with Diego, it's going to be tough to not be hormonal as the treatments stop and his period starts up again." John wisely told Isaac, "It's going to take a few months but you know that he loves you enough to do it with you despite his not being into women. We know how hard it will be for you, you have help if you need it- don't try to go it alone. You're one of us now, we take care of our own. That includes both your niece and sister: they are more than welcome to stay with Mark and Leslie for as long as they need." Daria tried to refuse, but John countered, "Your house is in legal limbo due to your in-laws making a big stink about it. They bought it but put it in your name, so they technically don't own it. That is neither her or there, they never lived in it and claimed residence on paper only for tax reasons. They are going to find themselves in hot water with the state over lying on their income taxes as your father-in-law was never the head of household. He will have to sell his other houses to settle the tax debt, with the court having to first determine if he actually owns them and not Joan as we suspect. Then he'll have to settle the lawsuit that's being brought by your daughter against them for allowing their son to drive under the influence of alcohol that they happened to provide to him. Finally, you're going to sue them over the harassment by multiple visits by the Kensington Police that were stopped by the State Police the past two days. You weren't aware of them, but my son personally handed the orders to the chief of police and officers an hour ago. They came to your house hoping to find you to threaten to harm you if you didn't give up your daughter, they didn't expect you to have help but they shouldn't be surprised given just who your future brother-in- law is and who he is related to." She tried to tell him that she didn't want any money. John smirked while Valerie Finn growled, "It's for her future since they were the direct cause of her pain and suffering for years to come from the surgery and recovery as well as for the actions of others against her in school. They nearly killed her because of their stupidity and were caught paying off officers to let him go. They are guilty of causing her mental health issues, with what she told Al being confirmed already. They're going to pay, it's the least that we can do for her. She needs peace of mind, even if it's a pittance for what they have done to her." Daria wasn't convinced, Isaac softly told his sister, "They want Joan to not have to worry about life and give her a head start after school. You know how tough it will be for her to find a job, maybe this way it won't hurt her as much as it would others. She can live for years off of what she'll get, I don't want her to suffer like I suffered after I graduated- nearly starving, begging for odd jobs from friends." John wanted to say something but Valerie stopped him. Valerie added, "You were too proud to ask us to help you even though we told you that we'd find you a job. You were wasted being a barkeeper, you're a great analyst and showed right away that you know your stuff. You earned your job, you shouldn't be upset about what you did before your job- even if we're still upset over your pride overruling you." He looked away in shame while Brent hugged him. John wisely told Daria, "He tried too hard to be his own man that he hurt himself more than he should have. He was told by my wife that he was one of the best students who ever graduated with our scholarship, but he wouldn't let us help him with work. He's a born fighter, even if his stubbornness is too much for his own good at times." Daria smiled at that, it was what she loved about her brother more than anything else. He was her idol in high school and whom she wanted to be like, especially as he fought his masculinity and left home to be a man once he graduated. She followed the next year and hasn't looked back, their parents never had a chance to tell them to stay as they refused to believe that Isaac was their son. John announced that it was time for lunch, with Daria never noticing how much time had passed by. He wisely told her, "Jaimie and Willow had to talk with Joan this morning without you present. Jaimie had to do her assessment about Joan's mental state while Willow had to ask about the allegations. They felt that it was best that it be done away from you so she didn't try to please you. There weren't issues as it would have prompted them to call Valerie for assistance. As it is, you have my cousin, his nephew, my son-in-law, and my niece-in-law with my wife liaising between them." Daria wasn't sure if she should decline the help but seeing Isaac give her a look that said, "Don't fight it or else" stopped her from refusing. He wanted what was best for Joan, even if Daria didn't want to ask for help. The family was offering, he wouldn't refuse their help as they'd have to pay deeply for it if the duo went with someone else representing them in court. Over in Boston, Jaimie and Willow met to discuss Joan. Willow explained what she had been told and it wasn't pretty. More reports were found that were altered by police in Kensington as well as two other cities nearby, with James, "Jimmy" Lewis Sr. being shown to be a consummate drunk who had a long and violent history of drunken behavior- frequently violent. Jimmy was arrested ten times over the course of 15 years, dating back to when he was in middle school and each time somehow escaping serious punishment. He lost his license for five years the year before in an accident that almost killed another driver. He should have been in prison for it but escaped due to an assist from the judge hearing the case- one who happened to know him through his parents. His parents were little better, with multiple arrests for drunken driving yet always seeing the same three officers clearing them from receiving any trouble. Mr. Lewis had a history of violence against people, it included several assaults on patrons at his race track as well as against waitresses at a local restaurant. It was clear that he was receiving help from someone powerful, likely due to his connections to a few of the local politicians who happen to also employ Mr. Lewis' track for fundraisers and state events. Jaimie nodded her head and summarized, "He's a danger to her, she's likely a danger as well if she let all of that happen without trying to intervene. The two have records that fit what she told Al and Marcus, I believe that any contact with them is only going to harm her further. She isn't suicidal, but could be if she is forced to go with them. She already stated that she wanted to flee their care before the accident so would do so again. She has little reason to go with them as her mother is fit and clean legally." Willow nodded and added, "She is best left with her mother and around those who support her. She has a strong support base with those who have experience with girls suffering her issues. Marcus might be a wildcard but his involvement is helping her as she latched onto him for support and he gave it to her." Jaimie countered, "She is looking for family, he is the first positive male role model that she has had and it coincides with the passing of a man who was harming her. Her uncles need time with her so she had a chance to grow emotionally form this. All we can do is offer her an ear and guidance." Jaimie then added, "Keep Cat away for a bit. She's too overbearing. Gavin knows to not bother to ask to meet Joan, but Cat won't take no for an answer. She listens to you, tell her to stay away." They were too late as Cat Finn was awaiting them at the hospital room with her husband Gavin. Their kids were with them, with Gavin complaining that their twins were too rambunctious. Cat gave a look to Jaimie that told her to not say anything, while Willow happily shot back, "Payback for what we did." Jaimie gave Cat a look that was serious, Cat shot back an angry, "You aren't the boss of me. Mom said I had to get her some things and drop them off. It's not my fault that you took so long talking about her. I was here when I was told to be here, you were late." Jaimie shook her head then explained, "This is serious. It's not like Al, it's more convoluted than one guy causing trouble. She's not in any danger, but a lot of people might get hurt because of her including us. I don't want you to go overboard and I don't want you to get involved." Cat was going to say something but Willow added, "Aunt Chloe, me, Jessica, Jenna, Melinda, Rachel, and Reyna are all going to be fired. Oscar will be put on horrible duties again. Miles and David sent to Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. Jaimie will be discredited. All because of people who have influence are owe favors to her grandparents. You don't have to live with the fallout, but all of us do." Cat backed off, with Willow sitting her in a separate room to calm herself. Jaimie entered the room and talked with the bored Joan who demanded to know where her mother was. Jaimie sighed and told her, "I told your uncles to keep her away for a few hours so I could talk to you again without her influence. It's something I have to do as your psychiatrist, I need your honest answers." Joan apologized then talked with Jaimie about what happened to her before the crash. Joan reiterated a lot of what she had told Al and added, "Grandpa always told daddy that he had to stop being pulled over by police. He spent a lot of money paying off officers and eventually it'd catch up to him. Daddy had a lot of money form grandpa, mom doesn't know about it but I do. Daddy told me that it's for when they pass away, daddy wouldn't have to pay taxes if the government didn't know about the money. I hated it since daddy had to do whatever grandpa said. Grandpa and Grandma would make me clean everything in the house whenever I was over their house. If I didn't I wouldn't eat or drink until daddy picked me up. Daddy would go off drinking and I'd be stuck with them so I was always working so I could eat dinner when daddy got back. He didn't care if they didn't feed me, he said that mom wouldn't believe me because he always told her that I got into trouble which was why I had to do all of that work." Jaimie asked about school. Joan looked away but confessed, "The kids were mean. Daddy was always in a hurry to leave because the principal wanted to talk to him about the kids saying bad things about me. I had to run out to daddy or he'd leave me there, the principal got angry at daddy for doing that and told mom that daddy couldn't pick me up anymore. Grandma picked me up and told the principal that if he tried anything then she would have him fired. Grandpa told him that his wife would be fired. Grandpa fired her the next day, he told the principal that he shouldn't have stuck his nose in our business." Jaimie asked why the principal was so upset. Joan looked down in shame and barely above a whisper told her, "My teacher saw bruises on my arms from when grandma would make me clean her house. He asked me where they came from and told the principal. He called mom's friends about how I was being treated but nobody did anything about it. Mom's friends said that I was fine, grandpa told me never to do that again or I'd get hurt worse. Daddy refused to do anything, he told grandpa that I deserved to be taken away from them so he didn't have to put up with me anymore. I don't think he was really mom's friend, he acted like he was more like daddy's friend or worked for Grandpa than mom's friend." She was crying heavily over admitting that. Jaimie asked if he had ever said anything like that before, it took Joan several minutes but she finally admitted, "He kept saying it every month. Grandpa told him I was a burden and should be kicked out. Grandma said I was garbage and should be tossed out." Jaimie had what she needed and turned it around to her being a girl. Joan looked at her and softly told a concerned Jaimie, "I'm a girl now. I want to be a girl. I don't want to be like daddy. I don't want to be a bad man like grandpa. I want to be like mom. I don't care that I'm not going to have babies, I just want to be a girl like mom was. Mom is a good woman, she's the best mom you could want. I like being her daughter, she loves me no matter what but she'll love me more as her daughter. She'll know what I'm going through, mom was a girl before so she knows what being a girl is like." Jaimie asked why she said that. Joan happily explained, "Mom always wants to help people. She told me how we aren't better than other people because mom and daddy had jobs. She told me how some girls and boys had nobody to love them and who just wanted to be loved by people. She told me about girls who had a family find them because the little girl ran away and someone saw another girl. She didn't say more, it was mom's way of telling me that she helps people but not as much as she could. I want to help people. I want to be like her and not daddy. I want mom to marry Marcus and have a big family. Uncle Isaac likes Marcus' family, he said that Marcus is lucky to have so many people to love. I want mom to have people like them, I want Marcus to be my daddy." She gasped and blushed. Jaimie smiled at her little slipup. Joan was going to apologize, but Jaimie told her, "He has a big family and they do love him. I should know, I'm his cousin. We're a huge family, with lots of family by relation and blood. I know that your mom is already part of the family through your uncle Isaac, he's marrying my cousin Brent so you'll have a lot of new cousins, aunts, and uncles." She wanted to say something else, Jaimie countered, "It's too early to start trying to play matchmaker. It wouldn't be right. Your father just died, your mom is still in shock and needs a friend. Marcus is happy to be a friend to her, and even happier to be your surrogate uncle while you recover. He likes you a lot, I can see that he cares about you. He hasn't acted like that with other kids, you make him feel happier." Joan was pleased with that, so Jaimie turned things around and told her, "We'll talk more another time. I want you to talk with some kids your own age. My niece and nephew would like to meet you, can they meet you? They're your age and want to ensure that you're OK so they can tell the other kids that you are doing better. It'll keep the other kids away, especially my brother's kids." Joan nodded which led Jaimie to go get Cat's twins. Melanie and Milton Finn entered and hugged Joan then smiled at her. Cat entered and happily told Joan, "Your room is all ready for you. I hope that purple is alright with you, you had a lot of purple things and it fit some of the bedding Rachel left behind." Joan looked happy, Melanie giggled and added, "Mommy said you liked that color so daddy picked it to make you happy. Grunkle Dan and Grandpa John painted it for you, Grantie Leslie got some dolls for a playdate. Mommy said you can't have one for two weeks though." Milton was quiet which concerned Joan. Jaimie led him out while Cat told Joan, "He doesn't like to be in the hospital. He gets scared that someone is going to die, some of the kids in school spooked him. He is normally quiet and wants to get to know you, but he doesn't want to be here." Cat handed Joan a nightgown to put on which Joan accepted without saying anything. It was cute, in a simple purple and pink pattern that wasn't too feminine. Melanie was happy to help her with her hair as Cat laid out some elastics for her hair to give it a more feminine style. Jaimie finally told them time was up as Willow needed to talk with Joan. She looked Joan over then did a look to Cat which told Cat to not push things further. Jaimie finally told Melanie, "She'll see you soon. I don't want the others to come by as she is fighting fatigue still. Tomorrow she will see the results of the surgery so it'll be traumatic for her. You can visit in two days, she'll be ready then." Cat waited outside for Willow to finish, with the kids trying to go inside despite Jaimie's warning. They wanted to help, but it wasn't a job for kids. Willow closed and locked the door so neither could enter, a clear sign to Melanie that her aunt meant business and Melanie wasn't wanted then. Willow sat down next to Joan and softly asked about school and what happened to her. Joan looked up and confessed to her, "Yes, they grabbed me hard. No, they didn't hit me in front of anyone. Grandpa is a smart man, he would wait until we were at his house to hit me with his belt. Daddy ignored my cries, grandma told me to shut up or I'd get it worse. My teacher and the principal talked with mom's friend from DCF and was told that it was nothing and to leave it alone or DCF would claim that I was hurt by them. I had to talk with someone who told me that I deserved what I got for acting like a freak and if mom or you found out then I would be taken away and put where nobody would find me. Mom never found out and daddy never did anything to help me. Daddy gave the DCF guy money, grandpa said that the guy is going to be promoted when they got rid of mom and you. I don't know what else happened, but daddy was upset and grandpa told me to never get out of line at school or I'd never see mom again. That was last school year, I haven't gotten in trouble since." Willow asked if she could identify the man and when Joan told her that he was the same man who told her that she would be taken away Willow laughed and confessed, "He is in jail about to go to prison. He got in trouble 17 months ago for something that he did to other girls. One ended up becoming Jaimie's new niece through Cat's twin brother, the other got adopted by a nice couple who wanted to adopt a girl like her. Your grandparents did a smart thing in not doing anything to you, they would have been hurt by Jaimie's family for what they did to you. Now that they know, you will get justice. Your principal and teacher did the right thing and I am going to ensure that they are protected. You don't have to worry about anything now as you are in a safe home with people who'll help you be a girl and around others who can help you thrive." She got up to leave, with Willow adding, "The kids will be happy to be your friend. You will be with one of the best teachers next year. He taught a lot of us and is going to make sure that you are protected in school. And don't worry about calling Marcus daddy, he is happy that you care about him and knows that you are struggling with your feelings and spoke your heart when you called him that." Joan was left alone for a while, with her becoming more and more bored as time wore on. Daria and the flustered Marcus finally arrived after lunch, giving Joan a needed break while also giving her a chance to give Marcus a longing look that was hard to miss. It was cute in its simplicity, she wanted him to be a part of her life even though it wasn't the right time to get close to her and Daria. Daria asked how she was feeling, with Joan muttering a soft, "Better. It hurts still but not as bad as it did yesterday. I know that I'll see it tomorrow, but it still hurts knowing that it's gone." Marcus softly explained to her, "It's your nerves adjusting to their new location. It will hurt for a bit but it won't be as bad over the next week. You'll need to use a wheelchair for a while, we won't let you do a lot at home so you'll be in bed most of the time. I'm sorry to say it, but you need to use a diaper too." Joan just nodded while Daria asked how he knew. He looked away in shame then confessed, "Jaimie's daughter is undergoing the surgery next week. She didn't tell you because it'd make you think that she is trying to force it on you. She's one of four having it this summer, Megan Bailey is next then Denise Herman and finally Anne Smith. All of them know the deal as my cousin Nichole King, she had to have the same surgery when she was eight but she was transgender long before the surgery. She told the girls about it and I got stuck listening since I was free to chaperon their little gathering to keep the boys and the girls apart. It doesn't help that Anne, Megan, and Denise had their girlfriends with them." He blushed as Joan asked what he meant. He sighed and added, "They are dating girls. Megan is all but engaged to Brooklyn Sanders and Denise is fully engaged to Ava Hines. Anne's girlfriend isn't as close to her sexually but gets told the same as them. The couples know the rules, I was really only there to ensure that nobody said anything about them being together." Joan asked if she had to choose who to date. Marcus wisely explained to her, "It's your choice. Love is the same regardless of what's in your pants. My sister found love with my sister-in-law after being with each other as friends for a year. Ava found love immediately with Denise, while Brooklyn and Megan struggled with their feelings. Brooklyn's biological mother is a nasty woman who did a number on her so she was afraid of doing something with a girl because it might upset us. She was wrong: we were all happy that she and Megan got together as a couple. Anne is different, she found love with the new girl who just happened to move to the city because her father got a job here and found that she liked Anne." Joan whispered, "I don't want to date boys. I don't like boys. I hate them." Daria realized that she didn't fully understand what he meant, he wisely told Daria, "She doesn't know if she likes them that way or doesn't like them outright. She has bad experiences with boys, but she has no clue about love like that yet. She's only seven, kids aren't ready for that for another six years." Daria was relieved, but it was still tough to see her so bitter. He added, "She needs to be around boys in a social setting. I know that the boys around her will treat her right, even if a few are idiots. She'll feel a lot better about boys when she experiences how they can truly be. If she's a lesbian at heart then it's a different animal altogether that we'll deal with later on." She hugged him for that, with Joan smiling at the subtle embrace. It felt right to her, like he was going to be her dad even if he said he wasn't rushing into things. He showed that he cared, which she loved. The three were mostly silent for the next couple of hours before Joan ate dinner and went to sleep. The two drove home, neither wanted to say anything while Marcus didn't want to push things with Daria. It was sweet in her eyes, he was acting with kindness and being a friend that she needed. The next day saw Daria seeing the results of Joan's injuries. The packing was shown and explained to her, leading Joan to sigh as she realized that it was the biggest difference physically between boys and girls. When she looked down and saw that there was nothing there but an empty hole and bandages she wept, there was no going back: she was a girl in full and wouldn't ever be a boy again. When the nurse left, Daria softly told her, "It's you now. I have to wipe the same, clean the same, keep it fresh the same. It's what all girls do, you just haven't had to endure it before." Joan asked if it was hard to be a girl. Daria smiled at that, then explained, "It's tough because of boys. It is ingrained in them that we're dainty creatures that they have to protect, but we're actually stronger. I know that your uncle is tougher than either of us, but he had to go through a lot worse because of who he is inside. He might be a man, but being born a woman physically made him stronger as a person." Daria was forced to leave Joan early that afternoon to help on a new case that was causing issues for her office. She hated to leave Joan, but Willow was practically begging her to help the office and with nobody willing to assist Willow due to someone forcing them to stay away from Willow for the time being Daria had to intervene. It was only made worse when it turned out that it was actually just a bitter ex-wife calling DCF on her husband in the hopes that the kids would be taken away from him and give to her so she could extort him for money, causing Daria to angrily tell-off the wife about abusing DCF. She hated that she couldn't see Joan until the next day, but seeing Marcus home awaiting her raised her spirits. He wisely didn't ask what happened and let her vent in private, but did sit with her for a while to give her company. He was there for her, which was all that she needed that night. The fourth day brought word that the state was releasing Jimmy's body to Daria's custody. His parents were infuriated, but David happily told them that they had no claim to it and were directly responsible for his death so they had little to complain about. The couple took the hint: they were to stay back and let the grieving widow bury her husband or the couple would face his wrath. Daria was again called out to help on yet another case, this time actually having reason to help as there was a kid in immediate need of placement after his parents skipped town without him. She was able to get him placed with a reliable foster parent then processed his case while the parents were investigated, but seeing that he had a look of hopelessness caused her to feel like things were going to get worse. She felt for him, with the boy thanking her for trying to do what his parents couldn't do. Joan understood her mother's need to help others and was glad that Daria left for the right reasons. She was afraid that her grandparents were causing her problems but seeing Isaac and Marcus there to keep her from getting too anxious soothed her anxiety. Isaac had to politely tell her that her mother was just a nice person and wanted what was best for everyone, even if she had to give up her leave to help. Sensing a pattern of abuse in the DCF office, David sent word to his aunt Chloe Daniels about all of the incidents. Chloe read the reports and shook her head in disappointment, there was no excuse for any of the social workers to refuse to assist especially when Daria was on emergency leave that Chloe and the regional director had personally authorized. Willow was also targeted as well, she was the one who had to pick up the slack with the others refusing to assist kids clearly in need of help. Chloe sent out a mass email to all of the Winnisimmet office workers and brutally ripped into them for their borderline behavior. She then sent notices to several of the instigators, forcing them to tell a panel of legal advisors why they purposely put DCF in danger by refusing to help children in need of a social worker and forced an employee on emergency leave to return to work. There was no way to deny that they hadn't worked together to go after Daria and Willow, they were forced to admit their crimes. The furor only caused Mr. and Mrs. Lewis to try to go after Joan but was stopped by Chloe as she and a friendly judge discussed the case before sending a notice to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis that Daria was cleared of any potential claims and that as the ones who actually caused their son's crash by providing alcohol to Jimmy they were actually the danger to Joan. The judge also summarily granted full custody and all of Jimmy's assets to Daria on behalf of Joan with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis told that they were to stay away. The couple tried an end run around the judge but their allies were forced to back away from Daria by a surprising number of supporters. When their own bank told them that they had to leave Daria alone the couple got the message: keep it up or lose everything. They chose to back away, but vowed revenge. Seven days after the accident, Joan finally had her packing removed and felt the emptiness of her new orifice. She looked down at it and shed a tear, it looked like her mother's hole but without hair. She did a lot of thinking before asking her mother, "Will I get hairy like you?" Daria tried to hide her embarrassment while Isaac had to leave the room to avoid laughing. Marcus was beet red while the flustered Brent nearly lost it over the other reactions. It was an innocent question, but somehow had hit all of them differently and caused them to see that she was going to be alright now. Eventually Daria explained to her, "You might, you might not. You can choose to shave or you can let it grow out. It's something each girl chooses, I know your uncle was hairy and I don't like too much." She realized too late that Marcus heard her, while Brent walked out before he fainted. Marcus walked over to Joan and gave her a hug then softly told her, "It's not your fault for embarrassing your mom. It's an honest question and she gave you an honest answer. It's something you shouldn't ask around others as it's personal. You didn't know, now you know and will wait until you're alone to ask." Joan hugged him for that while Daria smiled. Isaac and Brent gave them privacy and walked off to be alone for a while, the two knowing that the trio were getting very comfortable together. Isaac happily gave him a kiss and hug, then told him, "I stopped my hormones and talked with my doctor. It'll take a few weeks but I'm ready to begin trying for a baby. My psychiatrist wasn't happy that I jumped into it but I don't want to wait and I know how it makes you feel. If you don't want to do it vaginally, we can go to a fertility center and I can undergo in-vitro fertilization." Brent gave a head shake and confessed to him, "It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I don't want you to feel bad over us doing it that way. I love you, and if it makes you feel better then I'll happily make a baby that way. We have months to try, if all else fails you can undergo the procedure." The two enjoyed a quiet night of sex and saw Brent easing off of his anxiety about Isaac's vagina. They were enjoying their sex, with Brent finally telling him, "It's a lot better than I thought. I'm used to anal sex, but giving you pleasure is something else. It's invigorating, I've never felt like this before." Isaac smiled and kissed him deeply. He happily added, "It feels different but not in a bad way. I like it, I am happy that you are enjoying it too. I still prefer anal, but this isn't so bad." Isaac, Brent, Daria, and Joan joined Mr. and Mrs. Lewis at the funeral parlor the next morning for the wake. There was a clear tension in the air, only made worse by the couple seeing who was attending on Daria's behalf. Mark and Leslie, Willow and her husband Julio, Cat and Gavin, JD and Candace, John and Valerie, Marcus, Chloe, and Jaimie were all there in support of the grieving widow and daughter. Jaimie hugged Joan and introduced her husband Rick, with Daria trying hard to not ask why they were there despite knowing that it was clear that Joan needed Jaimie's support. Chloe hugged Daria and gave a glare to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, daring them to say something while John casually told Mr. Lewis, "Don't do anything in retaliation. You're already toast as it is politically. Expect to sell your land soon." Mr. Lewis looked like he was going to scream at John, John shook his head and explained, "Tax fraud, back income tax issues, illegal land seizures, kickbacks, utility fraud, unpaid payroll taxes: the list is a long one and getting longer. You played with fire for too long, your supporters had to bail. My son and nephew ripped apart your company and found everything that you tried to hide. If you try to go after an innocent kid, nobody will protect you. You're going to prison, for how long is up to you." John didn't need to say what was going to happen, if he was openly admitting that Mr. Lewis was in the line of fire then it was already too late. John wasn't one to threaten, he stated the truth. Mr. Lewis was in for a world of hurt legally, all because of trying to hurt his granddaughter. Joan stayed clear of her grandparents and remained in her wheelchair for the entire service. It was short but poignant, there was nothing to be said about Jimmy. He died as he lived, foolishly and drunk. The next day Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were absent from the funeral. Joan didn't ask where they were, Daria already knew that they were on their way to Florida to escape the heat from the investigation into them. John did tell them, "They went for a ride out west with federal agents. Both are being held for tax fraud." The couple were upset to wake up to federal agents holding arrest warrants in their name the previous night. John conveniently didn't warn them, he knew that agents were listening and gave them a chance to let the couple hang themselves as they discussed their crimes on the drive home. They incriminated themselves, never knowing that agents heard every word of their conversations with multiple state and federal politicians all of whom were known to be dirty yet no dirt had been found. The couple were held out in Springfield, miles away and in isolation from anyone except their lawyer- a big blow to both but one that they knew would happen. There was no escaping charges nor was there any way of making others pay for harming them. Daria and Joan were free from the couple and would be able to live a normal life without a care in the world thanks to the couple. The media found out about the couple's issues and had a field day reporting that one of the state's most reputable business owners had openly abused his grandchild and caused his son's death due to allowing him to drive under the influence then reported about the police ignoring Jimmy's antics for years until it came to the attention of the State Police. Daria and Joan were left alone, the media had an inside man who told them the facts and led them onto the trail of Mr. Lewis' personal connection to powerful and very influential people letting the two be unmolested by reporters. The few who did try to seek out the duo for comment were met by Valerie offering a simply request for privacy as it was a family matter. Daria was told that she was on leave for a month. She demanded to know why, Chloe grinned and told Daria's flustered supervisor, "She's not on leave anymore. She's returning to work. You, however, are on leave pending termination. Legal has the reasons, these state troopers will speak with you shortly." She showed in Miles Finn and Oscar Pierce, with Daria sensing that it was a setup. Once outside, Daria was told by Chloe, "You are replacing her effective immediately. You earned the promotion, you are the top social worker in this office and have the highest success rate and best ability to keep others in line." Daria was told the new pay, benefits, and then told, "You have a week of leave remaining but I think that it's best not used. Joan is going to be fine with Mark, he wants to help her and needed an excuse. He'll also offer you the rooms until you choose to leave, but hopes that Marcus and you click." The subtle teasing caused Daria to blush. Chloe wisely added, "He is smitten with you and you are with him. Jimmy Lewis might be dead, but that doesn't mean your love life has to be dead as well. Plenty of us have found a second chance with Mr. Right, Karen and her husband Nigel are like you right down to having a tragedy happen to your daughter. Give it time, give him a chance. He is a great catch." Chloe sighed and explained, "You heard about Al, well the first one who suffered from an early gender confirmation surgery was Nichole Smith. She was just eight when she had her surgery. She tried to be Jaimie's protector and ended up taking a knife to her groin. Karen helped her recover while Nigel was almost comatose with grief. They aren't the only couples to find love after death of a loved one: there's Lupe Byrne-Toro who found love with her future husband when she did what Marcus is doing with you by housing him and his sons. There's William Kelly who found love with a woman after his wife died in childbirth. There's others who were single parents because of divorce and abandonment, all of them took a chance on love and found Mr. or Mrs. Right- like my husband Mike." She smiled as she admitted that. Daria asked if he was a widower before marrying Chloe, Chloe shook her head and confessed, "He divorced his ex- wife because of abuse and becoming emotionally unstable. We only got together after he adopted their younger son, he had no idea that the boy was his. The boy was a handful and he feared that the adoption was a mistake, I helped them out and we fell in love. We had a trio of kids afterward. My point is sometimes the second chance at love is the true one for you, it was for several of us and it might be for you. Marcus deserves a chance, try to give him one." Marcus spent the day with Joan while Daria worked. Joan kept trying to ask about her mother and what he felt towards her. He knew that she was fishing but he kept a straight face and acted stoic. After work, Daria came by the hospital and was told by the attending doctor that Joan would be able to go home the next day. She was going to be upset but Marcus talking with with Joan trying to keep her attention on him caused her to see that it was a good thing. The two hugged and Joan smiled at Daria, a sign to her that she was trying to not talk about her but losing the battle badly. As she sat down, Daria explained to Joan, "The doctor said that you can go home tomorrow. I'll see if I can get your uncle to babysit while I'm at work. He should be able to shift things to night but if not I'll have to find a babysitter for you who doesn't have a problem with you." Joan looked upset, Marcus sensed the need to say something and told her, "Mom and dad won't let you go back to Kensington. Dad is home now and he has a lot of others around who'll babysit for you. I'm not going back to work for a while since I can do everything from home, so don't worry about anyone taking issue with Joan: she's got a lot more support than you'll ever realize." Daria wanted to protest, Marcus countered, "Dad, Uncles Willie, and Dan, and Aunt Kennedy are home and able to babysit for you. Uncle Willie and Aunt Kennedy nursed my cousin Kylie after her surgery. I think dad will have Aunt Olivia by to help as well: she helped Nichole and the other girls recover too." Daria wasn't convinced that it was a good idea, Marcus shook his head and added, "All of the girls have had Aunt Olivia help them. It's almost a requirement, she treats the kids like they are her own and she's experienced with how they try to manipulate you into letting them overdo things. And she has another big thing going for her: she's Al's mother, she helped Al recover from her surgery." Daria asked why they couldn't move home. He softly mumbled, "Dad and mom thought that you'd like the help and Uncle John doesn't trust the Kensington cops to leave you alone. He hates Kensington, it's always been horrible to us no matter how much we do for the city. The cops would go after you and try to claim that you hurt Joan then try to claim that you tried to hurt them to get you sent to jail. You have us to protect you, Ian, our next door neighbor and chief of police for Winnisimmet, won't let and of his officers harass you and all of the officers know that if you're with us then nothing is happening. Away from us, you can be arrested easily- especially in Kensington." She tried to refuse, Joan tearfully pleaded with her. Marcus mumbled a soft, "I'd like you to stay as well if it makes you feel any better. I like spending time with you, Joan will make it feel like home again. It feels better with you there, mom and dad love having you and Joan could use more people to love her." Joan gave her a pleading look to which she agreed to stay with him but only until Joan was fully healed and able to walk around on her own. Marcus hugged her, crying into her shoulder which caught her by surprise. He sniffled, with her seeing that he truly wanted her there. That night, Daria, Leslie, and Mark talked while Marcus made himself scarce. Daria saw their looks and was ready to pack her things but Leslie hugged her deeply while Mark explained, "We talked with your brother and Jaimie about Joan and you and we all agree that she needs some normalcy. We want you to stay until she's able to walk on her own and not need help showering. She has a while to go, it's a tough injury to get over especially as she'll need a walker. We don't want you to feel like we're trying to get you and Marcus together, we simply want you to relax and let Joan heal." Leslie added, "She's going to be put to good use by the girls. They'll see the outcome of surgery and all of the issues. Jaimie's daughter Liv just underwent it today so they'll see firsthand tomorrow all of the 'fun' that it involves. Liv insisted that they help Joan, she has her brothers to baby her and has John and Valerie to keep her from overdoing things. The girls need to see how it is, Denise hasn't grasped it and Anne is struggling with the feelings of being complete being so near. Megan knows all about it from her sister-in-law but it's still going to be a harsh reality seeing Joan trying to regain her strength." Daria asked how there could be so many girls having it done. Leslie smiled and solemnly explained to her, "It's their ages. They are all 18 and have waited for this for a while. They have known about it from their aunts and uncles and the eldest who has undergone it- Brady Carter. She insisted on them knowing how it felt and how tough it can be to keep their vaginas open and how people can look at them with a look of disgust for doing what they needed to do to be complete as women. The girls are ready, but they need someone to ground them in this time of change and Joan gives them that. Liv is Liv, she's always a free spirit and wants them all to know just what it's really like from the one person who needs their help even if she won't admit it. Joan needs them, and they need Joan's reality check." Daria went to bed after that, but first hugged Marcus and kissed his cheek. He hugged her back and did a look to his parents that told them to not talk about what she just did, but it was unnecessary. She had a crush on Marcus that he was reciprocating it but fighting to not seem like he did. In the morning, Daria was up early and joined Marcus in the kitchen. He saw the look of anxiety on her face and hugged her deeply, causing her to kiss him on the lips. It was on impulse, but she meant it. Marcus finished cooking and helped her prepare Joan's room. When they were finished, both drove to the hospital to meet with Jaimie and her husband Rick. Marcus was surprised to see Rick there, but he suddenly realized that Liv wanted to meet Joan and do so before the others came by to see her. Rick saw her confusion and explained, "Liv begged to see Joan but was too groggy last night to see her. We thought that she would benefit from seeing Joan, Joan might want to see that she's not the only one who is going through this even if Liv needed to have this done for her sake." Daria agreed to it, she didn't want to upset them and Marcus gave her look that said that it would be a big benefit to Joan as well. The four walked up to Joan's room and gathered Joan's things then wheeled her to another ward where Liv Samuels was awaiting. Joan looked scared, while Liv smiled at seeing her and tried hard to get out of bed but was told to stop immediately by Jaimie. Liv happily asked if Joan was feeling better which caused Joan to ask how she was as she recognized a lot of the bandages to her privates that Joan had. Liv smiled and happily explained, "I'm feeling great! I get to finally experience sex with my boyfriend Jackson." Rick growled at her while Jaimie calmly told Liv, "Go easy on that. We know that the two of you are in a relationship but you need to wait. Three months, minimum. Doctor's orders, no sooner than that." Liv knew that she'd get that reaction from her parents. Joan gave her a look that said no to sex with any boy. Liv softly whispered to Joan, "You'll like being a girl, especially with how the boys will be. Joey is a big cutie who'll treat you like a queen and Milton does anything that girls ask him to do." Liv started to show that she was fading so Joan hugged her and left, with Jaimie softly telling Joan, "I'll talk with you tomorrow. Uncle Mark will babysit you tomorrow so Marcus can get back to work. Don't try to overdo things, ask for help if you need it. And wearing a diaper is alright, nobody will make fun of you for having to wear one- especially since you're in a wheelchair." Joan was wheeled out to Daria's car but was diverted to a wheelchair van. Marcus shook his head at the sly John Finn doing something special for Daria, with him telling her, "Uncle John sent this. I'm taking your car home, Rick's taking mine. It's for her comfort, she needs to be stable." The ride home was long as they took the roads with the least bumps and allowed Marcus to get the rest of the family around the house to back away from scaring Joan. When the van pulled up, Marcus was at the door and immediately grabbed the wheelchair from the attendant while Daria stood by watching. It was followed by Joan looking in awe at the houses, especially the one next door that was bigger. Marcus wheeled the chair up the ramp Mark put out then helped Joan out of the chair. Mark told John in a strong voice, "No. Don't even think about it. Dan needs to back away, it's only for a couple of more weeks. It's a waste of money, we can help her if she needs to go anywhere- no permanent ramp." John looked away in a blush while Dan Lopez authoritatively stated, "Someone will complain about her being unable to get out. You know someone will, it's only a matter of time. She's an easy target." Mark shot back, "She isn't alone and she's able to walk if she really needs to- it'll be painful, but a some pain is better than being in danger. She just has to rest while things fix themselves, the worst is already over. She isn't an invalid, just can't move much without a lot of pain." Dan walked off with John who was still blushing over being put in his place. When Mark was inside, he sagely told Dan, "He's acting like more than a host. Marcus and Daria hit it off and he's trying hard to not show that he likes having them there. He's acting like a grandpa to Joan and father to Daria." Dan countered, "He is trying to protect someone who he cares about. It's just him being himself, he's the best of us at helping others. You've known him the longest, you know how he is. It's the real Mark." John saw the look that Mark was giving Joan and shook his head. He knew the truth: they wanted Joan and Daria to stay and hopefully join the family. He was setting Marcus up with Daria, the father in him was trying to get his only son married to a woman who had an interest in him. Joan was wheeled inside and then carried up to her room. She saw the walls and bedding and cried. She gave Daria a look that said it all: Joan loved how it looked, it was her dream room. Marcus softly told Joan, "Cat and Melanie decorated the room for you. This was my sister Rachel's old room, she loved dark colors and purple was the only color dad would let her paint the room. She hoped for black but settled on purple, which just happened to be your favorite color too. We figured that you'd want to stay here since it was hard for your mom to sleep in a dark room, especially after your accident. I hope that it suits you, if not we can paint it a lighter color." Joan shook her head and hugged him, with her happily telling him, "I love it, daddy. Mom never let me paint my room, old daddy hated purple. He said it was too girly for me to like." She smiled at saying that, Marcus showed her over to her bed and let her take a nap while Daria hugged him for not making a big deal out of what she had said. When they went downstairs Marcus kissed her cheek and happily told her, "She meant what she said, she doesn't have a filter like older kids do." Daria hugged him then kissed him deeply, crying into his shoulder as the gravity of their situation sunk in. Holding his hand, she tearfully told him, "She loves you. You're more than an uncle to her, your the dad that she dreamed about. I can see it in her eyes, she loves you. I have to try to make things work or it'll break her heart. Please, can we try to date even if it's not meant to be?" He kissed her and offered a soothing, "I'd love nothing better. She wants what's best for you and in her heart it means dating me. I have no problem being her father, it's just making things official in her eyes. I want you to be happy, so if you want we'll go out tomorrow night." She kissed him deeply again, sobbing into his shoulder after breaking the kiss. He sat down and put her in his lap so she could settle her nerves, leading to her falling asleep and giving him a chance to relax as well. He gently rocked Daria as she slept, oblivious to everyone around him. Mark and Leslie were fighting tears, their son was showing affection for a woman and her daughter and was all but asking her out on a date so Joan could have the father that she needed. He was a man now, a lot like John Finn except with Mark's compassion and Leslie's stubbornness. Both of those trains were why he was John's favorite nephew, even though John would never admit it. Leslie cooked then woke the trio for dinner. Daria was startled to be sitting in Marcus' lap while he just gave her a kiss on the cheek to show that it was alright. Joan was brought down by Mark who told her that the next night would see Marcus and her mother going on a date causing her to hug Mark tight. The trio ate in silence before Joan was sat down in front of the TV between Marcus and Daria, with her falling asleep not long after. She hugged Marcus tight, with Daria putting her head on his shoulder in a clear state of bliss without knowing that she was showing it. The three were happy, which made Leslie and Mark have to hide their own happiness over seeing it. Eventually Marcus carried Joan up to bed, with Joan giving him a kiss and hug and soft, "Thank you" to him before drifting off to sleep. Daria hugged and kissed him goodnight, while Marcus gave his mom a look to stop her from saying something about her little boy becoming a man right in front of her eyes. It was only made worse by Mark patting him on the back and telling him that Daria loved him deeply. Daria tried to sleep but struggled as visions of Marcus and her in bed then playing with their kids while a happy Joan enjoyed time with her cousins made her unable to sleep. She walked out to find Marcus in a similar state, with him kissing her deeply as the two embraced. They seemed to understand the other, leading Daria to lead him to her bedroom to lay together to get back to sleep. In the morning, Marcus awoke Daria with a kiss which caused her to blush while he simply told her, "It wasn't what you think. We didn't do anything, you just needed me close to you last night. I loved it, it's comforting to have you by my side. You looked too beautiful to awaken so I let myself out. Joan is in the living room waiting for you, she knows that you had a rough night last night." Downstairs, Joan happily asked, "Did you sleep with daddy? Did you make me a new brother or sister? I want one, I want daddy to have a real son or daughter and not a fake one." Marcus quickly shot back, "We slept next to one another because your mom needed me to be close by. I didn't give you a new brother or sister, you shouldn't ask that question of anyone as it's rude. And you are a real girl no matter what anyone says: you walk, talk, eat, sleep, and breathe so you are real." She looked away in shame and apologized to them. Marcus lifted her up and hugged her, Daria tried to look away in shame as well but Marcus happily told her, "If your mom wants to have a baby with me I will happily create one but only if she wants to. This is something between us, we love you deeply and want you to recover fully before we move forward towards that. We don't want you to feel like we have to do that because of what happened to you, it's wrong to think that. You matter to us, we love you." Daria was in tears as he admitted something that she dared not talk about with him. Joan hugged him in a deep embrace and continued to cry, leading Daria to have to move to eat on her own while Joan got a lot of frustration and shame out of her system. Marcus softly whispered to Joan once Daria was out of earshot, "You are a good person to want that for your mom, and I'd love to be your daddy one day but it will take a while to get to know your mom. You're a great kid, I'd be proud to be your daddy one day." Daria went off to work immediately after eating while Marcus was shooed out by Mark and Leslie with Leslie happily telling Joan, "Megan and the girls will be coming by shortly. They need to see just how it is with girls after surgery, especially since Megan is getting hers in four days, Denise a week later, then finally Anne is in two weeks. The girls want to help you, especially Ava and Brooklyn. The two are just amazing when it comes to their girlfriends, especially Brooklyn." The doorbell rang and saw the ladies entering, with Joan looking afraid as each had big breasts and had looks of curiosity. Mark happily told them, "Go easy on her, she has issues that you won't have. Be glad that you won't have mobility issues that she has, but she still has the bodily function issues." The girls gave Joan hugs and helped her up to her room to change clothes and shower. Mark went out to visit Willie Pena across the street to stay out of the girls' hair while giving them the chance to talk to Joan without his influence on them. Joan reluctantly let them lay out her clothes then listened to all of the banter among them as they talked around Joan but not to her. Finally, it was time for her to unrobe and saw Joan blushing as the girls gasped at seeing her privates up close. Megan solemnly told the others, "It looks bad but it could be worse. She's healing better than she should have, thank goodness that she didn't need more surgery on her hips and pelvis except to reset it to the proper place. Her hips were out of joint, but nothing was torn and only cracked a bit." The girls looked at her closely, Megan wisely told them, "I asked Aunt Jaimie. I wanted to know if she was going to be alright or if she needed more surgery. Aunt Jaimie told me the truth, if you asked she'd tell you the same thing. She won't hold anything back from us, especially not with our surgeries." Megan helped with the special underwear that Joan needed to wear to shower then washed her hair and her body. When that was done, she helped Joan wash her privates and tried hard not to rub her. Joan did a deep blush when Megan added, "You need to dilate, no excuses: you need to do it." The girls gave Joan privacy while she dilated her vagina. Megan looked over at Brooklyn and gave her a big smile as she loved helping Joan. Brooklyn wisely told Megan, "It looks bad but it's not so bad." When Joan was finished the girls dressed her in her new clothes. Anne happily told her that she looked a lot like her mom while Denise grinned and added, "And Marcus likes being your dad. Maybe he'll be it soon, everyone seems to think that he's too close to your mom already not to want to be it." Joan immediately mumbled, "I want daddy to marry mom. I want to be a big sister. I want them to have a real son or daughter, not a freak. I hate being a freak, I want to be normal!" The girls hugged Joan until she stopped sobbing, with Denise calmly telling her, "We aren't freaks, all of us are better girls than most girls that we know. You are different but you aren't a freak. Your body is changing because of the accident, but you were always part-girl inside. You never had parts like us, you never had balls or a full penis. You could easily have had a vagina with no womb, you are just as much a girl inside as you were a boy on the outside and nobody can say otherwise." She told the girls to show her what she meant. The girls looked at her astonished to which Denise stated, "We have to show her that we aren't kidding. She's a girl, well we have to show her that she is." Ava nodded and started to get undressed, followed by Denise. The other girls did the same, with Joan in a state of awe as she saw how different they looked yet how similar they really were. Even though they all had breasts and three had penises, they were all girls in her eyes. She was going to try to touch the girls but was stopped by Denise snapping her hand away. She told the blushing Joan, "That's as far as you go. Sorry, but you aren't doing that. We pushed things by letting you see us, you needed to see that what was in our panties didn't matter. We're all girls, you are the best of both and will look beautiful when you grow older. I would have loved to have your body, but I know it comes with the sad reality that you wouldn't 'father' any kids because of your genetic condition." The girls watched TV with Joan before cooking lunch, then wheeled her around the neighborhood so it was easier on her when she got out and about on her own. The girls loved telling her about Marcus and his antics, then stopped outside of one house to show off Joan to the owners. She smiled at them, they were being nice to her and showed her something others didn't show: kindness and affection. Anne finally couldn't hold herself back any longer and told Joan, "These are your uncle's new in-laws! It is lucky that Uncle Brent isn't home, they love making fun of him. Uncle Brent lives here, your uncle is moving in tomorrow so he's close to you and stops acting like he's not marrying Uncle Brent." Joan gasped and hugged the couple. Brooklyn shook her head at the sight and complained, "He is always away from home. Uncle Brent wanted him to have someone to be there for when he has his baby so he isn't alone. Uncle Brent is even going to marry him soon without anyone around to annoy him." That last part came out too fast. Megan quickly hugged her and kissed her cheek while Anne had to be the one to explain to Joan, "It was planned by them so that you can go and everyone else stayed away. It was planned to happen eventually but you being home gave them reason to get married in private." Joan seemed to understand and was smiling over the turn of events. She then realized what was said to her about the baby and cheered. The girls tried to calm her but she happily told them, "I'm going to be a cousin! I'm going to have a cousin just like you! Mom's big brother gets to be a daddy even if he's the mommy to the baby! I'm happy for Uncle Isaac: he gets to have a baby like mom!" The girls had to calm her and wheeled her home, but Joan's smile was hard to not love as it was clear to all that she had gotten something that she had hoped would happen: more family. The girls tried hard to keep from mentioning it, but if her other wish came true then all of them would be her family too with all but Ava and Denise not being related to her new father through their parents. The day passed slowly but eventually Mark came back and relieved the girls who immediately drove to the hospital to visit the bored Liv. Liv was regaled with the events of the day with Jaimie having to bite her hand over what the girls had done for Joan that morning. Liv didn't hold back, she happily told the girls, "She needed that more than she realized. I bet she hasn't seen what he mom looks like nor has she seen her dad. She knows now what she was losing and what she has and what she will get." Jaimie added a terse, "And don't do that again. It could be misconstrued by others since all of you are 18 and each of you has something that someone wants to get at: money, fame, family, stocks, bonds, and a lot of fans. This is something to keep in the family, it was sweet but it's also incredibly dumb. I know it was spur of the moment for family, but sometimes you need to think of the consequences first." The girls apologized and hugged Jaimie as she led them out. When they were gone, Liv told her mom, "It was a spur of the moment and you know that it was done for the right reasons. They just can't help it at times: they are so close yet so far apart when it comes to being family. Brooklyn mothers them, Anne is the one who everyone listens to, and Megan is just too enthusiastic. I know, I know: I'm all of that." Joan enjoyed the rest of the day with Mark as Mark colored and drew pictures with her. Eventually she asked him if he did the same stuff with his other grandchildren, leading him to sigh and tell her, "They're all older than you, Sam and Iris' kids are in 4th and 6th grade while Reyna and Rachel's kids are in 6th and 9th grades. Reyna only produced a few semen samples before her forced surgery so they were only able to have two kids. Rachel had to be all but forced to have kids by Reyna and when they did they only had two before the semen ran out. Sam and Iris had a two each but are so independent that they don't rely on us much. Sam also has more help than us as her brothers happily pitch in to babysit the kids whenever needed saving us from having to drop everything and help. Then there's her aunt and cousins: they love helping, so it's tough for us to get the time to be with the kids. You, on the other hand, are in need of help and everyone insists that I do the honors since I have the free time now that I'm retired. Willie would do it for me if I wasn't, and I know that his parents would do it as well. Just be glad it's not them: they're strict with kids." She asked how many here were in the family. Mark laughed and muttered, "Too many at times. But as a whole, we're over a hundred people spread across this city, up in Endicott, and out in California. Only a few are blood relatives to Leslie, she has nieces and nephews from her brother John and sister Karen as well as her deceased brother but has three cousins. I don't have any family except through Leslie. Most in the family are family by friendship or by adoption. Iris and Rachel are adopted, but Marcus is Leslie and my only child by blood. We still love the girls as much as Marcus, especially as it can be tough not to love them with how proud they make us." Joan looked at Mark and whispered, "I hope daddy adopts me. I want him as my daddy. Mom loves him a lot, I know that she does. She won't say it, but she loves daddy." Mark nodded and added, "He's in love with her too. It was impulsive to invite you two to stay, but that's something that he always was. Deep in his heart saw something about your mom that made him see her as a wife, someone to love and protect. He saw you and couldn't help but want to be your father. He's a born father, he is great with kids. He grew up among the next generation so saw how to raise kids like a good parent. His cousins, bless their hearts, just couldn't wait to have kids." Joan asked if he was OK with her being his granddaughter. He hugged and kissed her then proclaimed, "I would love no better little girl to be my granddaughter. You are a great kid, you just need to let things happen on their own. Love can't be rushed, but it can be helped along at times." Marcus arrived before Daria and hugged and kissed Joan who quickly asked if he loved her mother. He gave her a big smile and tried to act sly, but the little girl wouldn't let him get away without an answer. He finally stopped stalling and explained, "I like her a lot. I don't know what love is, but she is the girl that I dreamed about when I was younger. She's beautiful, has all of the right curves- I think that you're to blame for that, miss! She also is compassionate like dad and caring like mom. She's the girl that we talked about always marrying, the perfect combination of our parents' best traits. Brent found all of that in your uncle Isaac, I don't know if it's the same with your mom but she is everything that I wanted." Joan smiled as Daria fought tears as she overheard what Marcus had said about her. He turned and saw her look and tried to apologize, but Daria tearfully confessed to him, "You are what I always pictured a perfect boy to be: smart, caring, compassionate, and treats my children well. You like the same stuff as me and aren't put off by my job. I loved Jimmy, but we just didn't click the same way. It's horrible for me to think that we weren't compatible, but all we really had together was Joan. I don't think we were ever in love, just had a lot of pent-up lust that we got out and ended up with something that we couldn't get rid of. I love Joan, but she's the only connection to Jimmy that we had in seven years." Marcus asked her if she still wanted to go out, Daria looked over at Joan who nodded furiously for her to go. Marcus carried Joan upstairs to help Daria get dressed, with him going to his room to get ready for what was going to be a huge outing for him. They needed this short break, Daria was going to break down and Joan was almost running on fumes emotionally and would break if they didn't stop. In Daria's room, Joan showed her a dress that she wanted Daria to wear. Daria smiled at her choice, it was beautiful and perfect for a night out.. She added jewelry and earrings, with Joan approving of how Daria looked then giving her a look that showed that she hoped to look the same in the future. Daria caught it and asked if she was alright. Joan looked away in shame but asked if she was going to be as pretty as Daria when she got older. Daria happily hugged her and explained to her, "You'll be just as beautiful if not more. You are pretty, you'll look even better when your hair gets longer." Daria exited the room and caused Marcus to stop short. She gave him a curtsy which caused his mouth to gape as he fought for the right words. All the he could manage was, "Beautiful" which was just what Daria needed and caused Joan to smile brightly at having chosen the right outfit for her mother. Marcus carried Joan downstairs, with her hugging and kissing him goodbye then telling them to not get in trouble. Daria blushed while Marcus happily told her, "We won't do anything bad. Uncle John owns the restaurant and my cousin is putting on the play so we will have eyes on us all night." Once they were gone, Joan hugged Mark and Leslie and told both, "I want mom and daddy to marry. I want you to be my grandparents. I want to be your granddaughter." Leslie hugged her to quench her fears, then softly explained to her, "You can't rush love. Your mom and Marcus need to find it themselves. It's clear that they feel something strong, but they need time. I know that they will spend the night at a hotel so you don't have to worry about them coming home." Leslie's phone rang and caused her to shake her head, with Mark telling her, "You know that they would be coming by. Melanie wants to be her friend and Milton wants to stay with Joey. Joey is probably out on the porch waiting for us to open the door, with his bag ready to go." Leslie opened the door and Joey Finn was grinning at Leslie. Leslie ushered him inside followed by the smirking Milton and Melanie. The kids hugged Joan and laid sleeping bags on the floor while giving a big laugh as Leslie complained about being tricked into hosting the kids for the night. Mark happily added, "At least Angel is staying with Grace and Danny is staying with the Bollingers. It's just the seven-year-olds, they never get into trouble. It's Cat who's the big troublemaker and she's over at the hospital bugging Liv and making her regret wanting her help." The kids watched a movie and saw Joan being hugged tightly by Melanie while the movie played with Joan not refusing the hug and looking happy to have her companionship. Leslie had to hide a smile as the little girl was trying hard to be a good friend to Joan and finally succeeded as Joan hugged her back. The boys saw this and ignored it, with the two falling asleep before the girls allowing them to enjoy the big couch together as Leslie helped Joan move to a better spot. Leslie was taking pictures throughout to send to Cat and her brother JD. Gavin, Cat's husband, told the two to stop annoying the girls but was happy to know that his daughter was doing exactly what Cat had done for Willow when she came into the family then for him when Gavin joined. Leslie reminded him of his own first night with JD which cased Gavin to beg her not to show the girls that picture. The kids slept soundly all night, which caused Daria to finally relax when she was told by Leslie not to text until the next morning. Daria asked Marcus what she meant, Marcus blushed and quietly explained, "I'm under orders to spend the night in a hotel so we don't awaken the kids. I guess mom and dad are sly in trying to get us together, even if they don't mean for us to have sex." She blushed which caused her to grin and happily tell him, "OK, I'm more than happy to please you. I could use the fun, it's been a long time since I've had sex. Come to think of it, not since the night that Jimmy and I got married. I was already pregnant then, he didn't touch me afterward." She looked ashamed, Marcus countered, "I've only done it with Brent so you have one up on me. He's a great guy, but it's not the same. I'd love to enjoy a night with you, but first dinner and a show." The two enjoyed a quiet dinner then a fun show with Marcus happily showing Daria off to the grinning Daisy Peterson, producer of the play and someone that Daria felt a little ashamed to be near. Daria gave a look that caused Daisy to happily tell her, "We're cousins through my birth dad and his mom. I'm like our Aunt Karen in body, he's like his dad. JD and Cat take after Uncle John and Aunt Valerie." Daisy asked about Joan then shook her head and softly added, "She's going to push you even closer. It's a big change for her: someone who loves her for herself. He loves her, word got around about him and I know that he isn't the same with her as he is with the other kids. Melanie and the boys run him ragged but Joan has him wrapped around her finger and making him mature. Now if only she could do that to Cat and Willow but those two are their own people. Cat is simply the family's jester." Marcus happily shot back, "You know that she's a lot like you: it's something about you ladies that has you being fiercely independent and loving to family but annoy your parents and Uncle John. You're a lot more like Cat than you'd like to admit, especially since she learned more from you than in school." The two walked over to a posh hotel and checked in for the night, with Marcus telling the manger that he wasn't to be disturbed no matter who came to the hotel. The manager inquired about what might be going on, all Marcus would tell him was, "Any unwanted police officers." The manager nodded then sent them up to the penthouse suite. When several police officers did arrive he told them that the guest list was private and unless they had a warrant they had to leave. When the officers tried to intimidate him, he nodded to a security guard who called the police himself and then happily watched as the Boston police removed the Kensington police officers from the hotel with the threat of arrest for attempting to kidnap Daria and Marcus as they had no right to harass them or take the couple anywhere without a warrant- which they knew they'd never get due to David. The manager called John who happily told him that the right people were aware and that there wouldn't be any more issues with Marcus. John simply phoned a few people who then phoned others and had the family's legal arms flexing without having to do anything. John merely let it be known that harassment of citizens by police in another jurisdiction wasn't going to be tolerated or allowed by them and if they ignored the incident then they would have to explain to the FBI and other agencies why they chose to ignore civil rights violations and intentionally harm a police investigation involving friends of theirs as it had to have come from the top in Kensington to allow the officers to act in such a way. The next morning saw several Kensington police officers as well as the chief of police arrested in front of the media on counts of fraud, embezzlement, civil rights violations, lying to police, altering reports, perjury, and assault. That was only added onto the federal arrests for tax fraud and violating the RICO act. Kensington was forced to disavow the officers and overhaul their department, with John happily telling the city that all of his funds to Kensington were frozen so they were flat broke now. John's money was mightier than anything else as Kensington was in an uproar over being unable to pay its employees while the state had to work hard to get the city money before they filed for bankruptcy. A keen media knew that the real story was the cover-up of fraud, with the city's actions being linked to the Lewis family as well as other prominent politicians while the Finns had nothing to do with it. All John did was pull his resources out of a bad financial situation before they squandered it, the folks who were helped by the money would get it, just not directly from Kensington anymore. Marcus and Daria slept comfortably. They didn't fall asleep right away, Daria ensure that Marcus had a night of enjoyable sex while she herself enjoyed what a man could do for her. The couple were smiling as they slept, with Daria's breasts pressed firmly into Marcus's chest as she slept. In the morning Daria awoke Marcus to a mind-boggling fellatio session that led to him doing the same to her. That was followed by more sex, with Marcus causing Daria to scream with delight as he sucked on her nipples as they were entwined. Their shower was one that lasted longer than it needed to as the couple enjoyed more sex and Daria in tears as she orgasmed for the sixth time that morning. Daria went to work with a spring in her step while Marcus had to hide his shame from Denise and Ava. John was in the office and didn't give him any notice, with the ladies being told that they shouldn't kid him about something that they themselves had just done. He hit them hard, with both blushing while a listening office laughed at the girls being put in their place by the stoic John. Marcus worked hard all day until lunch, with John joining him as the two went to eat alongside Willow and a blushing Daria. Neither said anything while Willow caught on to Marcus' actions without having to be told what happened. It was funny that the usually in-control Marcus had both matured quickly as well as reverted to being a big kid while with Daria- all because they had sex the night before. After work, the couple were greeted by Joan almost jumping into their arms. She begged them to not let the other get away, with Marcus quickly telling her, "I won't leave your mom. I love her and she loves me. We want you to get healthy so we can move to a new and bigger home." Joan looked upset while Daria asked if he was serious. Marcus nodded and explained, "It's going to get crowded here once she goes to school. She's going to make friends and have Melanie over while you're going to need to go out at times. I don't want dad and mom to be upset over the noise or having you go out at all hours of the day and night. She needs normalcy, you need roots, and mom and dad need peace and quiet in their golden years. They earned it, I'm too old to live at home with them anymore." Mark angrily countered, "We want you three here. We love having you live here. It's boring without you living here. Your mom loves having a little one here and I don't care about Daria having to go out for a work call. It's part of the job, I did it for years before I got stuck in the office running things. She'll do it eventually, once your aunt Chloe retires Daria will end up running the entire Boston area. We want you to be around us, we want you to have support. You aren't a burden, it's not the same without you. We'd even love it if you had a little baby as well- someone to share the love between you and give your new daughter a younger sibling to love." Marcus gave in while Joan hugged Mark to try to appease him. Leslie hugged and kissed Daria to calm her then offered a soothing, "It's what's best for all of you. There's no homes in the neighborhood and it will be tough finding one in this city that isn't in the bad part or far away from most of us. Grist Hill isn't right to live in, as good as the houses are over there it just doesn't have enough kids around who'd be friends with Joan. Here she has the boys, she has Angel and Grace, she has Brent and Isaac. It's her home, your home. It's where you belong now, where you're among people to help you." Daria thanked her, with the family eating together while Joan stole glances at the couple. It was clear to Mark and Leslie that she was thinking about Marcus as a dad, and even clearer that he treated her like a daughter as he ensured that she was full and helped her upstairs. Daria couldn't hide her love for him, it was written all over her face that she saw him as Joan's father in all but name now. The rest of the week was a repeat as the 18-year-old girls visited Joan and kept her company before the group went to Boston to visit Liv. Joan was also receiving visits from her new neighbors so got to meet the rest of the neighbors that she would interact with: the Lopezes, Penas, Hermans, and Millers. Jessie Pena was the one who spent the most time with her, with Jessie working with Joan to move her legs to keep her muscles active and moving while testing the limitations of her pelvic pain. Stalking Wolf Miller helped with some of the bruising and wounds, with Daria putting a salve that was put together by him from natural ingredients that he got for the girls' surgeries. The doctors weren't too keen on it being used but Jaimie's insistence on respecting cultural differences as well as evidence of it actually being natural pain relievers and healing amplifiers backed them away. She wouldn't insist on it if it wasn't beneficial, and her father wasn't shy of going after them if they retaliated against Jaimie. The Baileys were over nightly to mentally prepare for Megan's surgery. Megan was out with Brooklyn and giving each other nights of pleasure before Megan was unable to do so. Nobody said anything as it was a private matter, but Megan did get giggles from Joan when she saw her each morning. At the end of the week, the day before Megan's own surgery, the family gathered together and saw Brooklyn giving Megan a big surprise: a positive pregnancy test strip. All of the girls screamed with delight while the two hugged deeply, crying over the good news. Joan smiled brightly as it meant that they would have a piece of Megan that would be born in nine months. It was a final act for Brooklyn, even if neither wanted to have sex they had the proof that they were a couple and it was more than just about sex with them: they were a family. When Megan went under the knife, Joan kept Brooklyn calm and talked with her about being a mom as it was the one thing that Joan would never be. Joan was happy to not get pregnant, while Brooklyn had a look that was concern and fright. She finally told Joan, "I wanted to be a mom to Megan's baby for the last two years. I love her. I wanted to give her a piece of herself just in case something happened during her surgery. I know it's a tiny chance of happening, but it happened to Jaimie so I don't want her to not have a piece of her living on through me. She needs this, I need this. We love one another but it's part of her that I can always have with me and it's something to show the world: that she made a baby." She was in tears as she confessed that. Joan hugged her and cried with her, Brooklyn needed to talk to a person who wasn't family and that was Joan. Joan understood her, even if she was a lot younger. Megan's surgery was perfectly fine, with her awakening late that same day and smiling at Brooklyn as she saw her scared face appear. Megan asked her if she was happy to be a mommy, to which Brooklyn lost it and wept into Megan's shoulder. The two kissed and saw Joan smiling at the sight, with none of the Baileys questioning why Brooklyn wanted Joan there nor daring to tell her to go home. Liv replaced the girls at the Sylvester home as she herself was still recovering. Her boyfriend Jackson was nearly always close by and would help carry Joan to the bathroom or wheel her outside so Liv and her could get out and about. He was dutiful, with Liv happily telling him that he'd make a great father. Jackson Wilson gave her a big smile and softly asked, "Would you like to be mother to my children?" He handed her a ring, with Liv happily telling him, "I'd love to be Mrs. Wilson." Liv kissed him, with a smiling Joan telling the two that they were perfect for one another and deserved to be parents. The couple awaited their parents' response and saw Jackson's parents toss him out on the streets as they refused to allow him to marry, "A freak" as they called Liv. He was forced to endure Jaimie and Rick as he walked to their house afterward, but the two hugged him and told him firmly, "You are the man that she loves and if they can't accept her then your children will never know them. We'd be proud of you if you took her surname as your own to sever all ties to them." He thought it over and smiled: it was the perfect revenge. He loved Liv, and if what she was born with matter more than his love for her then they weren't people that he wanted to know. He was happy to be Jackson Samuels, Liv's husband and son-in-law to Jaimie and Rick. Joan looked over at Daria and Marcus with a longing in her eyes. She was inspired by Liv and Jackson to get the two together so that she could be Marcus' daughter. She wanted a dad who loved her, and he clearly loved her mother more than he wanted to admit even if he had yet to fully admit it. Joan hugged the two and begged them to get married. The two kissed her as she was put to bed then did a kiss that showed that they were thinking about it but weren't ready to go there yet. She went to bed in tears, but she understood that they were trying to go slow and things couldn't be rushed. Over in Daria's room, the couple enjoyed sex before falling asleep in each other's arms. Marcus kissed her awake the next morning and asked her if she was sure that she wanted him. She grabbed him into a deep kiss then proudly told him, "I'd love nothing more." Marcus smiled and put a ring on her finger, which caused her to cry tears of joy. She softly told him, "I know it's because of Joan and her trying to get us together, but I love you deeply. I can't stop thinking about you and how you make me feel. I can't stop seeing you fathering Joan, you are her real father. It all makes sense: Jimmy died so she could live a normal life with a father who deserved a wife and new daughter. I love you, Marcus Sylvester, and would love to have you adopt my daughter as your own." The two kissed and went to Joan's room to awaken her. She stirred and hugged both, with her not even noticing the ring on Daria's finger. She was happily carried downstairs to eat, oblivious to the drama. Leslie and Mark saw the ring and tearfully hugged the still crying Daria. Leslie wisely asked Daria if he was going to do what was right and adopt Joan as his own daughter so that Joan got her wish. She smiled and nodded with Marcus happily telling his parents, "I can't take her as my wife without taking Joan as my daughter: she demanded it!" Joan finally realized what he had just said and screamed, nearly jumping out of her chair to hug him. It was tough for her not to cry, but she loved every second of it and got what she wanted since she met the big, strong, handsome, and friendly man who made her mom happy. He was becoming her daddy, he'd be the man who replaced the person who hated her because of something that she didn't know about. She then hugged Leslie and Mark, calling them grandma and grandpa which caused both to smile as it was something that she wanted to say for days. The five ate in peace, with Daria and Marcus trying to not rush through the meal so they could get to work. Once they did leave, Joan proclaimed that she was their granddaughter and was going to be a Sylvester and refused to let them say otherwise. At the office, Willow spotted Daria's ring and hugged her tight. The two embracing caused eyebrows to raise, with Willow happily telling the folks there, "She's engaged to her boyfriend and is letting him adopt her daughter as her own. He's happy to bring her into his family, his father all but forced him to be the father that her daughter needs and his mother is more of one than her own mother was. And if an idea pops into your head about trying to go after her, don't. His family is more than happy to go after a person who tries to hurt one of them, especially his aunt. You know damn well who his father is, but it pales in comparison with his uncle and his uncle's cousins. Hell hath nothing on an enraged Finn, and a Pena? Oh boy it'd be safer begging the feds to toss you in prison than face a Pena in court." Willow and Daria talked during lunch and saw Willow open up to her about being part of the family. It shocked Daria to learn that Willow was like Joan in that her father adopted her upon marrying her mom and finding out that her mom was pregnant. Daria blushed at that, with Willow casually telling her, "It's not surprising that he'd want to get you pregnant soon. We were taking bets on this, but of course Cat's making it out to be no big deal. She's trying to run interference for you, she doesn't want you hurt if it goes wrong and something happens to the baby. She's a decent person inside, even if a bit of a pain." Daria asked why she hadn't come around since the kids stayed over. Willow blushed and blurted out, "I think she wanted you two to enjoy yourselves. She loves Marcus, even if she won't say it. The kids in the house won't allow you to relax and have sex, but being out? Well you can do a bit of quiet sex." Daria blushed and thanked her for the girl talk. Willow grinned and happily added, "It's part of being a friend. Surely you had some with your brother even if he didn't like it?" Daria nodded but added, "We kept to ourselves and he didn't understand women. He tried to steer me to a better guy than Jimmy, but it was tough. I got lost in lust, Jimmy was great in bed but that's about it." Willow understood all too well, adding, "I love him but sometimes Julio is barely alive in bed. He gave me two amazing kids, but he is so drained from teaching and seeing kids get pregnant and give up on a future that he just can't keep me satisfied. He tries, but he's better with his tongue than his penis." Daria asked if Willow talked with Cat about this kind of stuff. Willow blushed and blurted out, "No! It's hard to talk with her about sex wit him: he's her cousin! She never talks about sex with Gavin, he's like a cousin to me as well. Hell, it's even worse as Julio's sister is married to Gavin's brother making all of it awkward. Candace talks about it but only because Cat teases her about JD, since it's a twin thing and she just has to annoy her twin's wife about sex despite it being it being even more awkward for them." The two actually understood one another in ways that Cat couldn't and gave Daria a friend that she had not had before. Isaac was her brother and shared some knowledge for feminine issues, but Willow was a mother and colleague. They had a lot in common, more so than with other people. Willow seemed to sense her thoughts and added, "Jenna Daniels and Jessica Vincent are like us. They're close due to their husbands and their jobs, but are close due their fathers-in-law being partners. They're also always around one another to the point that Jenna and Jessica hoped that their kids might marry. It wasn't meant to be, but they still got close enough to share a lot that they can't share with others." Willow added, "Both have siblings, but can't talk with them. Jenna's sisters are just too different: one is older and has her own life and can't connect the same way and the other isn't the same personality so is either clashing with her or too cautious to help. Jessica's sisters are just too young and married women so aren't helpful, and her brother is loving but too hardheaded at times. So they went to each other." The two went back to work and endured a long, hard shift but cleared a number of tough cases that had been simmering until evidence was found to clear the parents or remove the kids for their safety. Daria took no pride in doing the latter, it was what was needed and the kids benefited from time away or in a place that wouldn't harm them anymore. Her colleagues complained about her destroying families but Willow was more than happy to pinpoint why they were wrong with a couple asked why they chose to ignore visible marks and complaints from doctors and schools to help their friends keep their kids. Returning home, Daria had to endure Cat and JD Finn outside talking with Leslie. Cat hugged Daria as a grinning JD looked on, with Cat boldly telling her, "We'll take her off of your hands if you want to be alone for the night again. It'll take time to get the cycle to sync right, Melanie won't mind company." Daria tried to refuse, Marcus thanked his cousin but told her, "We'd rather she go with Rachel or Iris for the night instead of you. You're too forceful and I know you're digging for information. Stop it, or I'm getting Aunt Olivia involved and you know she won't let you harass us." Gavin cringed and told him, "She already told Cat to back away, she's offering because Melanie begged us to have Joan over. She wants her over, and Cat simply can't stop being Cat and making you think it's her idea when it's Melanie doing the begging for her." Daria agreed so long as Joan didn't do too much. Joan hugged her and thanked her for that while trying to not appear to be too eager. They were going to be cousins, but they were also close to being friends. Mentioning Iris and Rachel caused Joan to ask about them. Leslie laughed and happily explained to her, "They're on vacation in the Caribbean. The two couples got a nice deal on an island vacation from some of our family's friends and couldn't pass up the chance to stay on a private island. The kids love it, they are happily running naked with their parents doing their best to keep them from going overboard." Joan blushed, Mark growled, "They're not running around naked, they're just wearing small swimsuits that they'd never dare wear up here. Speedos and thin bikinis and only taking their straps off when they are sunning. Lupe doesn't care one bit about her body and will go naked, but her cousins aren't." Joan blushed and asked what the big deal was. Mark shook his head and boldly proclaimed, "People are going to see their lack of lines and say something nasty about it. The girls have boyfriends so aren't in a big hurry to care but the boys are shy about their bodies and the girls in their classes are cheap sluts and only want them for their bodies. They have a lot to fear: they're Finns so are under constant scrutiny." Joan seemed to understand and asked if she was the same. Leslie added, "Yes. It's worse for you as you are going to have being transgender held against you. It doesn't matter, but some use it against you." JD hugged Joan and carried her inside, with her not letting him go causing Cat to whine about JD being Mr. Uncle again. JD happily countered, "It's not my fault that I don't devote all of my time trying to be the cleverest and just go with the flow. You're just jealous that she latched onto me, I'm the one that'll be around her more often especially since we live next to each other! Maybe if you bothered to move to a bigger house instead of that condo you'd be around her more often." She grinned which caused Gavin to complain, "Seriously? Next you'll tell me that you bought the house across the street so all of us are on the same street! Dad better not have bough it: you have money!" JD looked over at Mark who blushed while Leslie happily told him, "Your dad did it because Cat needs a place that is away from others and we can be close by. Joan hitting it off with Melanie is a big plus, it was started before she came and is only just finalized. Joey and Milton are going to benefit, and if they are smart they'll end up doing as you did and adopting someone because Cat won't go through another pregnancy because of how hard it was on her. She's not trying to copy you, she's trying to live her life." Joan hugged him tighter to calm him, leading him to softly tell the scared Joan, "We love her but she's a pain to me and this seemed like one of her acts. You're going to have Melanie close, and Joey next door so you have all of us around you. Don't let dad spoil you, he loves kids but spoils his closest relatives." JD carried her next door to the Finns and laid her down on the couch. The kids rushed over to see her, it was all smiles as they knew why she was there and what it meant to all of them. Melanie gave her a big hug and called her, "Cousin" which caused Joan to smile and tearfully hug her back, she gave Joan what she had wanted for a long time and did so out of love and not obligation. Milton blushed and hugged Joan after Melanie moved off, then was followed by Joey. Danny and his sister Angel Finn were next, with the two happily kissing her cheek. Angel then whispered to Joan, "I'm a girl like you, I have boy parts but I'm a girl. Daddy said you're a girl now, I can't be fore 13 years." Joan nodded and hugged her again, it was Angel's way of telling her that she had someone who looked up to her even though they were different. Angel was happy to not need surgery, Joan didn't want to be a girl but she had family who understood her. She already knew about Liv, but to have someone closer to her age who was like her made her feel better about being part of the family. Marcus asked if the others were coming. JD shook his head, Valerie entered and proclaimed, "They're all aware of it but are giving you space. But expect to show her off to your cousins soon. If not for Anne's surgery they'd be here tonight but she's out with the girls enjoying some fun before her surgery gets her too tired to do anything for the next month. You know how they are: Elise will baby her, Liv will be the big sister despite being younger, and Brooklyn will try to mother them all." Valerie hugged Joan and carried her to the table, then explained to her, "Your dad's cousins are busy for the next few days. Next weekend after Anne returns from the hospital you'll meet them all. Your aunts will be back by then, the kids have enjoyed the sun and Lupe has enough tanning to satisfy her parents. I know that your uncle will want to be there, even if Brent isn't directly related to Marcus he is still like a nephew to your grandparents and can't be moved aside. And being your new uncle he should be there alongside your mom. All of us are happy to have you as part of the family, even if it's massive and you won't see everyone that often. Marcus is special to us so they'll make an effort to be here to meet you. Your uncle Isaac is part of us as well, with ten of your dad's cousins also being Brent's cousins he's one of us in full and will enjoy all of the benefits of being part of our family." Daria blushed at that, Valerie casually added, "He has in-laws that straddle the Nelson, Finn, Lopez, and Flynn families all of whom you have encountered already. You know of them through Willow, that's if she talked about her in-laws. If she didn't then she was trying to not scare you, I'm not some ogre who is trying to scare you despite my reputation. She speaks highly of you, even if Cat is jealous of you." Daria blushed while Cat had to fight saying something. Valerie had the kids get settled then led Daria to the office and authoritatively told her, "Cat is protective of Willow. You two have something special that Cat doesn't share with Willow, we know that she's starting to mellow at the office and act more mature with her kids. She's different with you, so Cat is going to try to act more mature with you. We're happy that she's trying, Willow is different than Cat yet the same but something about you clicks with her. Cat is Cat, she is friends and wants to be friends if you'll let her. And the kids are happy to be close even if Willow's kids are younger. She'll get around to doing what we joked about, she'll seek you out to help a kid in need even if it's done discretely without my help. Just be there for her, she needs you." Daria asked if she had anything in mind. Valerie blushed and offered a solemn, "A kid like Angel. A kid in need of a home. Transgender or not, it doesn't matter. Cat will love him or her regardless." Daria nodded and offered a supportive, "I'll make inquiries. I know that those kid are likely to be put in places that couples don't look, even if it's ridiculous. If she's serious, I'll help her. Willow might be too close to her, but even though I'm marrying her cousin I can still be objective." Valerie hugged her and cried into her shoulder, it was sweet and showed her devotion to the family. It also showed that Daria was meant to be one of them, she understood them. Softly she told Daria, "You are meant to be one of us. Please don't get overwhelmed, you've seen how we care about one another. I know it's not the same as other families, but we're stronger together than apart. John and I aren't going to let you call us anything but Aunt Valerie and Uncle John, with Leslie and Mark as Mom and Dad." Daria thanked her, adding, "You know what happened to my parents. They disowned us after I went off to college and refused to give up supporting Isaac, moving to a retirement complex in the deepest parts of Florida. Our aunts and uncles hated us so we are all alone. It means a lot to have you all as family, even if only through Marcus and Brent. Thank you." Valerie happily told her, "Your parents and relatives got what's coming to them. Funny thing about them being in that community- it's owned by a developer that we happen to know through their niece. They have no qualms about evicting them and forcing them to sell their home, especially as they claimed that they were childless so got a nice discount on their property. Your other relatives were told to back away from Marcus and you, with our son and nephew happily insinuating that they're facing legal trouble." Daria just nodded and thanked her, Valerie countered, "It's what family really does: help each other. The two of you are now family to us and we protect our own. Marcus loves you and the kids have taken to Joan as their cousin so it was only natural to protect you. He really does love you, all of us can see it." Valerie smiled and offered her a happy, "And congratulations on expecting. Willow is a real sneak, you forgot a certain event you were supposed to get this week but hasn't yet happened. It's overdue for you, you have worked with her too long to not have gotten it. Your little lunch talk? That was her subtle way of testing you, you never went to do the needed business and didn't carry extra items that you normally carry. Even stressed, you should have had it." Daria gasped, Valerie nodded at the little slip of her mind. It wasn't going to be noticed for another four weeks, but Willow knew. Her friend was looking out for her, and relayed her findings to Valerie. Daria was in tears to which Valerie happily hugged her. She led Daria over to the bathroom and used a pregnancy test before hugging her tightly over seeing the results. Daria was definitely pregnant! Daria was shaking which caused Valerie to lead he downstairs and over to Marcus. Daria held the test in her hand and showed it to him, which caused him to faint at realizing what it meant. Joan was upset, but Daria finally pulled herself together and proclaimed, "You got your wish, I'm going to have a baby." Joan cheered and cried, with Melanie, Milton, Danny, Joey, and Angel hugging her to calm her. Cat and JD wisely kept silent, with Gavin giving them a look that stopped any potential jokes by Cat. It wasn't a good time to joke about anything, it was a strong moment that needed no words. JD's wife Candace entered with their daughter Skylar and asked what was going on. Skylar saw Joan in her chair and asked if everything was alright with Isaac and Brent. JD saw the concern and quickly told her, "Your uncle Marcus proposed to Daria and told Joan that he'd adopt her as his daughter. And you're just in time to catch the other announcement: Daria is having a baby, hence all of the crying." Skylar walked over to Joan and hugged her tight, with Joan hugging her back. She happily told Joan it's what she wanted, she's their cousin now. Joan was too numb to say anything, it was the truth. The kids were led to the dining room to eat dinner and calm down before they were overwhelmed with excitement. Once out of earshot of the kids, Candace asked if she was sure that it was Marcus's baby. Daria sadly explained, "I hadn't slept with Jimmy in years. He'd either be at work or with his parents so we never had the opportunity to do anything. Marcus and I have had sex multiple times since we had been together and it fits the timing. I think Willow was noting things because she told Mrs. Finn." Valerie shot back, "It's Aunt Valerie now and yes she did. I told you she knew, you're subtle but she had and eye things without knowing. It's what friends do for one another, lord knows Jaimie did it with all of her friends with them not realizing that they were pregnant for another week!" Daria blushed while Candace added, "She probably knew because she cares about you. Cat is always her friend, but you're her friend in ways Cat can't be. I love them both, but sometimes it's tough to get the two to stop being so in-sync that they're robotic. Gavin, bless his heart, accepted this ages ago while it happens to be the same with Julio and JD. One mind, even if two bodies! I guess mom will say that I'm the same with Gavin but only because we understand being outsiders looking in on the family." Valerie smiled at them as Cat tried hard to not say anything as it hit home that she had to share Willow as a friend from now on. Looking over at Candace she hid a smile as Candace was her friend in full and was someone that she adored to the point of defending her from everyone for years. Friendship meant a lot to her, she had few actual friends and none that she trusted like Willow, Candace, and Julio. Cat hugged Daria and cried as emotions overtook her. Daria hugged her back and kissed her cheek, she felt their connection without needing to know what she was thinking. Cat wanted her to be her friend, it was more than just being family to her- Daria was meant to be her friend. Valerie looked over at Candace who nodded to Valerie that it was deeper than just pregnancy hormones raging in Daria's body. Cat was quiet and reclusive about her feelings, but those who knew her best, as Candace and Valerie did, could see that Cat was making a breakthrough emotionally. Daria set off Cat's inner friendship and love, only Willow, Candace, Julio, and Gavin had done so before. The mothers being together caused the kids to think that something was up. Gavin and JD wisely kept quiet while Marcus explained to Joan, "Your mom is talking with your new aunts. Cat is a bit emotional and probably needed to calm down about something while your mom let having them as cousins sink in since she doesn't have any family except your uncles. It's nothing to be scared of, they're fine." The ladies finally sat down to eat and saw Melanie, Angel, and Joan hug their mothers to calm them. It was sweet, the little girls knew what to do and made their day without knowing it. Joan especially gave Daria needed relief, she felt the love from her and calmed herself down immediately. After dinner, Marcus' phone started ringing. He cringed as he saw just who was calling then asked if he could hold off the execution until the next day. The callers refused to let him go, he had to speak. He made a Skype call and immediately regretted it as he saw his sisters, their wives, and his nieces and nephews wanting to know what was going on. They saw Joan and Daria and demanded to known what was happening as nobody would tell them. Seeing Daria made it serious, DCF wasn't one to mess with. Steeling himself, he mumbled, "While you were down in the Caribbean swimming and enjoying the sun Daria's husband was in an accident and died. Joan was hurt badly. She had to have 'the surgery' like Al had. Mom and dad asked them to move in while Joan recovered so Daria wasn't overwhelmed and had a group of babysitters to help her. Everyone started to get us together so we dated. I asked her to marry me and adopt Joan, but we're also expecting. She's pregnant, with my baby." Iris had to hide her laughter while being whacked by her wife Sam. Rachel asked if they had it sorted or if she had to talk with some of her friends. Reyna simply asked if she was recovering well. Their kids were stunned, with Lupe Sylvester asking if it was a joke. Victor and Jackson York-Sylvester asked if they were serious as it wasn't something to joke about. Clint Sylvester, the youngest of them, asked if they had to babysit because he didn't want to change any diapers. Marcus blushed and announced, "It's serious. I asked her to marry me before she took her test, it wasn't due to the baby. Joan begged us to get married and has been calling me daddy since she met me. She's a great girl, Melanie loves her and Joey and Milton treat her like family. Angel is happy to have a girl in the family close to her age like her and Skylar is doing her best big sister act to her already." Mark and Leslie interjected and told them that everything was fine and all of the right people had done what they needed to do and if there was anything that required Rachel it could wait. The group signed off and saw Daria looking upset, Marcus hugged her while Mark told her, "They were concerned. If they felt like something was wrong they would have been up here in a minute. They needed to know what's going on and if they had to do anything. Now they know, they'll meet you in person soon. The kids had to know for their own sake, especially Clint. He's sensitive to what's going on due to being younger, he wants to know if he can help even if he can't do anything beyond be a good cousin. He'll be that- if she lets him be her cousin. He'll love her, as only a 12- year-old can." The combined family signed off and were all smiling when they shut the laptop. Iris and Rachel were in tears, Reyna was in disbelief while Sam laughed at the turn of events. The three looked at her oddly, she happily told them, "Like father, like son! Think about it: it's just like mom and dad only with genders reversed! Mom is Marcus, Daria is dad. Even their jobs are the same, with Marcus being Uncle John in all but name at this point since he's everyone's gopher at the production company." That led to a collective groan while Lupe added, "Next you're going to tell us that Melanie is her mom! Come on, it's nothing like that! Don't joke like that!" Sam shook her head while Reyna happily pointed out, "Oh, it's exactly the same! Your aunt Cat was like Melanie in that she protected you mom when she joined the family. I wasn't there for that night, but it's legendary what she did to your uncle Rick when he mouthed off about her. They had to have hit it off if we haven't been hounded by Melanie. It's history repeating itself, only with more people involved!" Lupe's cousins Becky and Alice had to calm her before she mouthed off again, the girls were gave her a look that told her to stop while she was behind. It wasn't the right time to joke, it was time to celebrate their uncle becoming a dad and marrying a pretty woman. Lupe gave in, but knew that she'd likely be the one who ended up enduring her cousins the most due to her penchant for getting into trouble. The two were all smiles and hugged their mothers, letting their brothers ask the same questions that the two would ask but knowing that they'd get more information later on from their other cousins. It would be a few more days down there so they wanted to enjoy the solitude while they could, even if Lupe was a little upset over her flub. The girls knew that it was her way of deflecting her real feelings: she was upset at not being there to help Joan and her new aunt, especially as she got bored easily down there. Jackson and Victor looked over at their mothers for guidance, with Iris explaining to the boys, "It's hard to explain but some girls have a special bond that goes beyond being family. Your aunts all have it, we all were friends before your mom and I fell in love. Same with your aunts, they were friends before the two became lovers. We're still friends despite being married, it's why we're always so close even if we have our spats. You have your own bond that goes beyond being brothers, you're close friends with the other boys and have made your own niche in the family. It's hard to explain but easy to see." Victor wisely hugged his mothers and walked away, while Jackson asked if they were supposed to like one another if it was something that happened to brothers. The ladies gave a look of intrigue, Sam told him firmly, "It varies. Some brothers are great with one another, others are jerks. Your uncle Brent will gladly tell you how his dad was bullied by his brother who then abandoned Aunt Valerie. Then there's your great-uncle Roland who was simply horrible to his family, especially Uncle John, and only did right three times in his life: fathering your aunts and trying to harm your Uncle Miles putting him in the care of Uncle John and Aunt Valerie. You don't have to be close to your brother, but we hope that you two are able to get along. I know it's tough, but being different is a good thing." He nodded and walked on. Lupe giggled to which Becky and Alice shushed her while Clint went back to playing. Lupe watched her brother in the midst of playing and understood that some kids are just different, Clint was only interested in what involved him and ignored the rest of the world while Lupe needed to know everything about anyone. The next morning saw the Sylvesters and Sylvester-Yorks going home. They arrived home and went to visit their parents and meet their new sister- in-law and niece. Seeing Marcus napping with Joan in his lap warmed their hearts, all four could see that he loved her even if he had barely known her. Lupe asked where her new aunt was, Mark explained to her, "She had to go out to help a kid in need. It's possible that he might end up in your aunt Cat's care if it's as bad as was described. She's going to be a mom to a new kid, possibly the same age as Skylar." Clint looked ashamed and walked away. The ladies knew that he was in a mood so needed to be alone or else he'd vent to the wrong person. He was frequently alone, which only made things tough for him as he was nothing like his mothers- even if he actually was like them at the same age. Daria arrived with Cat and Willow and introduced the little girl with them. She looked scared and tried to leave but a hug from Cat soothed her. She saw Clint and couldn't stop looking at him, with Clint and her sharing some sort of unspoken bond as the two seemed to be unable to talk or move. Daria introduced the little girl as Walker, who came out as a boy and ran off form his home so he could be a boy. Clint looked Walker over and hugged him, crying into his shoulder and knowing that he'd be needed as he couldn't sit by without offering help to someone who was going to be his family now. Walker didn't move, Clint being close caused him to get defensive but felt like he wasn't a threat to him and wanted to help him even if he didn't say so. Daria walked the duo next door to where Gavin was and introduced Walker to the twins, with Milton in a daze as he realized that his mom might be taking in a kid to be his new brother- an older brother! He was happy, he had a big brother even if he had more in common with his sister than Milton. Melanie looked over Walker and was disappointed but knew that it wasn't something that she could be upset about. She let Milton handle Walker, it was his chance to help a kid in need as she had done with Joan. Cat hugged her as she went off to find Joan, no words were needed to be said. Joan asked what was going on and was told by Melanie about Walker. Joan looked down in shame as it irked her that someone wanted to give up being a girl. It hit her hard: she considered herself to be a girl so much that she had trouble remembering what it was like as a boy! Melanie asked what was going on and when Joan told her Melanie called Jaimie for help. Jaimie was in a giddy mood: Joan had a breakthrough thanks to Walker. It was something that she was hoping to have happen in a couple of weeks when the cast came off, but Walked caused her to have it happen early. Jaimie told her that she was coming over with Liv, with Melanie apologizing for ruining her evening. It was sweet, Jaimie giggled and happily explained, "I'm actually going on vacation so I was free. I'm the on-call psychiatrist for the hospitals so I was available anyway. Joan needs assurances, and I have to go meet Walker for obvious reasons. The two incidents being related is just a benefit to me." A short time later Jaimie entered with the grinning Jackson Wilson and Liv. The two hugged Melanie as she cried into their chests, with Joan unsure what to say and do. Liv hugged Joan and welcomed her to the family- she was going to be Liv's 2nd-cousin now! Liv led Melanie away while Jackson softly told Joan, "You look pretty. Liv said that you were naturally a girl, I couldn't believe it. I know Al was the same, but you look like you were born a girl." Joan hugged him and kissed his cheek, with Jackson not reacting. Jaimie happily told her, "He needs to be renamed, he earned a nickname. Want to give him one?" Joan quietly whispered, "Jock. He looks like a jock. Does that sound OK?" Jaimie laughed while Liv blushed and looked away. Jackson nodded and happily told her, "OK if that's the name you think then I'm going to be Jock Samuels when I marry Liv. The hell with my old name, I am happy to be part of your family. I love Liv, her parents are amazing people and I love both of them a lot more than I loved my real parents. They're worth calling mom and dad, not those other folks." He was nearly in tears, with Joan hugging him to calm him. Jaimie softly told the newly dubbed Jock, "We love you too. You aren't the first person to find a real family with your in-laws, my cousin did that with his mother and father-in-law and you know how great of a man he is. You're one of us now, you're a Samuels and a Finn. You are family to dozens and part of the main branch through me." Joan was in awe of what was happening, she had never wanted to make Jock be family but all she did was do as he asked and it helped him get out a lot of frustration over what was happening to him due to his falling in love with Liv. She loved being part of the family if this was what happened- she was one of them and enjoyed being family to them. Jock was her cousin by marriage, and she was happy to be a part of his family and know that he understood her own pain and suffering. Jaimie led Joan to a quiet spot and asked about what happened before. Joan looked down in shame and confessed, "I was thinking about Walker and what was happening to him and felt bad that he was giving up being a girl. I thought of myself as a girl, not about what happened to me. I haven't felt like a boy in any way since I got out of the hospital. I don't know why I feel that way, but I feel like I was always a girl and it hurt that he needs to give up being a girl because he's a boy. I'd do anything to have his parts and be a regular girl, he wants to just toss them out and be like Uncle Isaac." She was in tears, Jaimie wisely surmised, "You're finally realizing that you might have been meant to be a girl even if you were anatomically a boy. You know that you can't go back, so you feel jealous that he has what you feel a girl should have. You're a girl no matter what, but for the first time your mind and heart are in sync and it's causing you to feel bad. Don't. It's who you are: a girl. You're Joan Lewis, the daughter of Daria Lewis and in a few months: Joan Sylvester, daughter of Marcus and Daria Sylvester." Jaimie took a breath and added, "It's OK to feel that way about being a girl. You're physically a girl, it's not going to change who you are as a person to be a girl. You don't have to hold back your feelings nor do you have to overcompensate to make yourself look better. Be the best girl that you can be, I know it will be tough learning to be a girl but you're not alone: you have Melanie and Skylar and Angel too." She thought it over and smiled, adding, "You have Anne, Liv, Megan, Denise, and Brooklyn. You even have Wendy- she's been so busy with working and her boyfriend that she hasn't been around. She's a great girl, give her a chance and she'll show that she's going to be a good mentor to you. And not just because she's related to so many girls like you, it's because she's a natural with younger girls." She led Joan to Melanie and softly told Melanie, "She needs some time to think but she's back to normal and should be alright from now on. I'll talk with your mom now so don't get into any trouble. And if it makes you feel any better: you did the right thing. You didn't hesitate to ask the right person for help. I'm proud of you, you're showing that you are your mother's daughter- minus the mischievousness." Jaimie left the girls to play under the supervision of Liv and the newly-dubbed Jock, with Jaimie happily telling the adults, "Who told Melanie that she could start acting mature? She just asked me to talk with Joan after it was clear that Joan needed to talk with me immediately and helped her through a big breakthroguh. The little pest is taking after her dad!" Cat smiled at hearing that, with Walker ignoring Jaimie while Clint asked if she was going to talk with Walker so he could be a boy. Jaimie grinned and introduced herself to Walker then explained to him, "I can't be your doctor because Cat is my sister, but I can ensure that your doctor knows about you and is on the level. I won't let him or her force their views on transitioning nor let them manipulate you. I'm a tough doctor to get around, if they disagree with me they need to have a good reason to." Walker grumbled, "Nobody believed me before I ran off. My uncle is a doctor and said that I was crazy and should be in a psychiatric hospital because I'm a danger to normal kids. Uncle kept being told to get me help but he threatened my teacher and principal. He said that I'm a horrible person who's going to get put away. I ran off before he could get an ambulance. He said he'd find me! I can run but I can't hide form him! He said he'd get me no matter what!" He was in tears now. Jaimie looked over at Daria who was jotting down notes and told Jaimie, "I'll look into this. There should be a report about what happened to him before if the principal and teacher were told. I think his uncle didn't tell the truth about what was going on with him or used influence to get his way, he's the real danger to kids. He needs a place to stay immediately that I can trust, Cat can you stay here for a bit until the house is sold?" Cat nodded while John told them, "It's already sold and sitting empty. The owner sold it for the whole estimated value instead of the real value to avoid tax reasons and are long gone. You can move right in if you want, I have the keys and I think the kids would be fine going there right away." Daria nodded at hearing that and told Cat, "Until further notice, Walker is placed in your care. Anyone at the door on behalf of DCF needs to show the proper paperwork and anyone claiming to be there on my behalf without being told by me beforehand are impostors or are not actually working on my behalf." Cat smirked and asked if Miles, David, and Oscar were going to be involved. Daria cringed while John happily told her, "As if you could keep your brother away. None of them can directly help, but they're a triple set of eyes to keep the investigation going forward. And they'll have no choice but to help since it won't be possible to ignore since Smiley and Cringy there already went off to talk to their friends." Angel and Skylar ran off to talk with their other relatives leaving Daria to fight a smile as it was one of the cutest things that she had seen. Valerie gave her a small hug to show that she was thinking what the others were thinking, with Daria starting to understand the family from the inside instead of the outside. Daria was feeling happier and happier the more she was around them, like she was meant to be family. Walker went up to the bathroom like it was no big deal but was clearly feeling bad about something. It was subtle but Cat caught onto it and followed him. She knocked and entered, finding him looking like he was going to something horrible but fighting himself over what he was doing. She grabbed him and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his shoulder and telling him softly, "Please don't do what you were thinking of. You have no idea how much we all understand you. Daria's brother is a guy like you, as is Clint's grandfather. We know that it's tough and you have a lot of people trying to tell you what to do- but we actually understand you. Your uncle is a quack. He isn't fit to be a doctor and mom will ensure that he's finished in the medical field. Dad will ensure it isn't brushed aside, your uncle's going to get hurt for what he did to you. Please, don't hurt yourself." Cat looked him in the eyes and told him, "We want you to be part of our family. You need parents, we're in need of someone else to love. You're a bright young man, you just haven't been able to be a boy. It starts now: you are a boy, you might have a vagina and will have periods but you are a boy. Please, let us be your parents. Let Melanie and Milton be your brother and sister. Be our son- be Walker Finn. Walker tried to push away but was in tears. Cat softly told him, "It's alright to cry, it's natural. Boys can cry, idiots who say otherwise have never been hurt by death or birth. You are becoming you, it's OK to cry because of your dream coming true. You are a boy, be the best boy that you can be. Be our son." Walker softly asked if she was sure that she wanted a freak for a son. Cat firmly stated, "Being a Finn is a tough thing. People hate use just because we're Finns. No matter what, you'll have people going after you over anything and everything. You aren't a freak, they are. Normal people don't hurt kids or make you feel bad because you are different yet better. You are normal, they are the real freaks." He hugged Cat with Gavin coming in and hugging him as well. Gavin didn't talk, he let actions speak as he was in tears over listening to Cat's speech. Walker saw the tears and felt better about himself. Cat led him downstairs and told Jaimie, "Go after that bastard and ensure that he never hurts another kid. I don't care how much money it takes or how long it takes: no more kids can be hurt. Who knows how many he might have hurt already! He deserves to go down for making Walker want to do the worst." Walker was forced to eat dinner and then fell asleep in Cat's lap while she talked with her parents about the move. He was clearly latching onto her as he slept like the other kids usually slept and gave them a big smile as he hugged her when he moved to a better position. It was on instinct, with him not opening his eyes nor saying anything but letting out a happy sigh as he felt her hug him back. Daria observed the whole interaction and saw that her job was done: she'd hand off the case to another one of her coworkers while Willow and her kept an eye on the case from afar. Willow was texted shots of Cat and Walker which caused her to shed tears of joy as Cat was trying to mother Walker without it being clear to her that she was doing so. Much like the hug, she was on autopilot and acting naturally. Cat was pinned and couldn't move so Gavin took the twins home while Cat put Walker to bed in one of the spare bedrooms. Skylar blushed as she saw them putting boys pajamas on Walker, with her walking off to avoid saying something about what she was seeing. It was weird seeing it from the other side, she had grown used to seeing her sister's boy parts but not seeing girl parts on a boy. Daria hugged Cat goodnight and told her that she'd write the report soon and have someone handle the case with Willow ensuring that it wasn't abused. Cat silently thanked her and went to bed quickly, with Daria finally slipping into bed with Marcus with him simply holding her as she sleep. He knew what to do, she needed his closeness and he was assuring her that she was doing alright.