I do not own any characters but Sophie. In this fic I have made Nora and Charlie to be living on there own somewhere, Ages are as
follows: Loraine- 17, Henry-16, Jake-14, Sarah-13, Jessica and Kim-12, Mark-11, Mike-8,Kyle and Nigel-6. I know this doesn't really
make sense but, bear with me. This story mainly follows Jake. O.k now on with the show!
Chapter 1: News
"Heads up!" The call came from Mike and was accompanied by a loud smash as his soccer ball sailed through the kitchen window. Jake
and Sarah –the opposing team- winched as a series of shouts came from within the house. Kate rushed outside wearing her apron, closely
followed by Kyle and Nigel who were covered with cookie dough. Kate let out a frustrated sigh as Gunner came tearing out of the house
with a wad of paper sticking out his mouth and a screaming Kim and Jessica running after him. "Stop that mad dog!" Jessica screamed.
"He's eating my homework!" Kim yelled, looking close to tears.
Jake, sensing a chance for good fun yelled "Catch that dog!" Six of the Baker clan then presided to chase Gunner around the
neighborhood. Jake grabbed his skate board and managed to corner Gunner. Sarah ran up and snapped on his lead, by this time Gunner
seemed to be feeling the after affect of eating pgs. 19-24 of the gr.7 math text book and let them lead him home. They arrived home to the
sound of a fire truck pulling into their driveway and a good deal of smoke pouring fourth from the kitchen. "The cookies!" Kate cried
remembering the twins project, then in horror "Henry, Loraine!" A fire fighter emerged from the house and reassured her "No, worries
Mrs. Baker the house is fine it was just a small oven fire, good thing your neighbor saw the smoke though." He nodded goodbye and
clambered back in his truck. Kate shook her head and went in to survey the damage. Jake shook his head, "what a nut house" he thought
affectionately. "I guess that means she forgot the window." Sarah announced cheerfully. "Mike, Jake, Sarah!" their mother growled from
the kitchen. Jake and Sarah glanced at each other before grumpily shuffling in. The kitchen was a mess, half the oven was gone and their
was a good deal of ash on the floor as well the fact that half the kitchen was dripping wet. "Well," Kate said "I can think of a good way for
you three to get on my good side." She indicated the kitchen wreck "get started." By the time Tom got home from work the kitchen was
restored as best as possible. Kate had ordered pizza and, after explaining the crazy story to Tom who just shrugged and said "nothing
surprises me anymore." A smile playing round his lips. They all sat down to dinner. "Well," Tom cleared his throat "isn't this nice, our
family eating together in a nice house with plenty of food" The kids looked at each other suspiciously, what was he getting at? Kate was
just smiling and nodding "Aren't we so fortunate?" she added. "O.k, dad" Sarah demanded "spill." Tom sighed and put down his pizza.
"Well, your mother and I have been talking," he glanced at Kate who nodded and smiled again. "And we have realized how lucky we are
to have all of you." "And," Kate added "we started thinking about all those people who weren't so fortunate." "Are we like, going to
sponsor some kid or something" Loraine asked. "That's cool." Said Sarah. "Where do they live?" Kim asked excitedly. "Whoa, whoa."
Interrupted Tom "where not sponsoring a kid exactly."
"Then what?" Jake demanded. "We're letting a kid come live with us." Said Tom. "We're going to be foster parents!" All the Bakers eyes
grew wide. "Another kid!" yelled Mark.