45 minutes later- (don't worry you are about to find out what was in the box)

nora, loren, and mel were all still panicking with max and eddie trying to calm them down, while jake tried to calm kelly down.

all of a sudden there was a knock on the door. max opened the door and allowed the two police men into the house while and ambulance sat outside with the three stretchers waiting to be called in. if you haven't guessed it the contents of the box was three young girls out cold. one who looked about loren's age, one not older than 15, and one who appeared to be 3. the emt's carefully placed the girls in the ambulance and headed for the hospital.

one the other side of the room the police officers tried to make sense on what happened.

officer 1: ok can you please explain this one more time, so that we know we have it right?

nora: we all got off of the jet at lax and came here for a nice dinner. when we arrived that box was on the porch. the guys carried it inside and sat it there gently because it was heavy. this letter was taped to the top of the box.

nora handed the letter to the officers and they read it.

officer 2: what is this trent guys last name?

nora: mccall

officer 1: we will figure this out. thank you for your cooperation.

the officers were heading out the door when suddenly...

loren: wait! can we go to the hospital to make sure they are ok?

officer 1: of course you can.

officer 2: have a nice day.

they left. nora turned to loren.

nora: sweetie. are you sure you want to go to the hospital.

loren: yes mom. obviously those girls are somehow related to trent, which means they are somehow related to me. if their is a chance they are my sisters i want to know them.

nora: ok sweetie we can go. as long as it is what you want.

loren: this is what i want.

nora: ok let's go. (turning to everyone else) i'm sorry this happened you guys maybe we can plan the dinner for later this week.

max: no. no. don't worry about it, but i am coming with you.

nora: max are you sure?

max: yes

max hugged nora and eddie spoke up.

eddie: i've been away from you for to long so i am going to.

loren: thanks eddie. (she smiled and gave him a sweet kiss)

mel: me three.

loren: aww thanks mel. and just because i might have sisters doesn't mean anything. you will always be my number one sister.

mel: always

mel and loren smiled and hugged each other.

jake: well you guys are like family to me so i will be there to support you as well.

kelly: as will i

loren went over and hugged them.

loren: thanks guys.

nora: ok well let's go then.

they all left the tate house. got into their cars and drove to the hospital.


when they arrived they didn't expect to see two male doctors holding two of the girls back from one another.

girl 1: let me go! let me go now!

girl 2: layla! layla! help me layla!

layla: don't worry shelby, just stay calm. LET ME GO YOU CRAZY PERSON!

doctor: layla you need to calm down.

layla: no now let me go.

nora finally spoke up.

nora: what is going one here?

doctor: we are trying to get these girls back to their rooms, but they keep fighting us.

everyone stands there shocked at what they see next.

layla: shelby. listen to me. i know that we swore we would never do this again but on the count of 3 i want you to sing.

loren: (directed towards the group) how would singing help the situation right now?

jake: i have no idea.

shelby: layla are you sure?

layla: 1...

doctor: girls please stop fighting and go back to your rooms.

layla: 2...

shelby and layla give each other a silent nod, while everyone stares in shock.

layla: 3...

layla and shelby: stomach (elbows the male nurses in the stomach), in step (stomps hard on the foot), nose (punches them in the nose, groin (elbows them in the groin)

the men instantly release the grip on the girls. and shelby runs into layla's arms and sobs while layla hold on to her protectively. the group stare at the two petite girls who just defeated the strong looking male doctors.

layla: what are you looking at (snaps, but then instantly feels bad) i'm sorry i didn't mean to snap it's just i will do anything to protect my little sister.

nora: i understand

layla: (still has one arm wrapped around shelby) i'm layla, this is my little sister shelby.

nora: i'm nora tate. this is my daughter...

layla: (cutting nora off) loren tate. ya i know i'm a big fan.

loren: (smiling) thank you

mel: hi i'm melissa loren's best friend.

layla: hi melissa.

turning toward eddie and max while shelby whispers in her ear.

layla: (looking at shelby) yes sweetie that's eddie duran.

eddie: hi

shelby and layla: hi

turning towards max.

layla: your max duran.

max: yes i am

layla: wow it's an honor to meet you. you knew my mother.

max: who's your mother.

layla: brenda scott

max: seriously?

layla: ya

eddie: wait brenda scott as in the brenda scott the famous actress.

layla: the one who died 10 years ago ya that's the our mom.

max: (walking over and hugging the girls) i am so sorry for your lose.

layla: thanks but int's fine. it was 10 years ago.

max: (eyeing her curiously) really your fine with it.

layla: no, but i had to accept it. everything happens for a reason right?

max: yea. i guess so.

doctor: will you girls please go back to your rooms now.

layla: if you separate then no.

doctor: fine you can share a room.

layla: that's all we want.

the doctor started walking away.

layla: wait

the doctor turned around.

doctor: yes?

layla: what's going on with hayden?

doctor: she's in critical condition. the amount of sedatives in her system were to much for her to handle.

layla: she's going to be ok right? please please tell me she's going to be ok.

doctor: we don't know. i'm sorry

layla instantly collapsed to the floor screaming

layla: (crying) no. no. it's not fair. it's not her fault. she didn't do anything. please don't take her away from. please don't take her away.

nora instantly felt bad and wrapped layla in a tight embrace.


1 hour later.

eddie, max, loren, nora, and mel were all in the waiting room. jake and kelly had to meet with the guys from the record label. a young woman mid thirties. came into the waiting room and started talking to the doctor. the group could here their whole conversation.

woman: hi i am catherine hues from social services i will be taking the girls into my custody.

nora didn't know why, but she felt that she needed to speak up.

nora: what's going to happen to them?

catherine: well they will most likely be put into foster care probably separated into different group homes.

nora: (cutting her off) you can't do that

catherine: and why not?

nora: these girls have been through so much i watched two of the girls fight off to grown men to back to each other. i can almost guarantee you that they run away from wherever you place them and find each other. you can't separate them.

catherine: well it's isn't my decision. no foster family or group home will take all three of them and no one is looking to adopt three girls.

nora: (on impulse) then i'll adopt them

loren: mom are you sure?

nora: yes. from what i can tell these girls have been through alot and i will not let them get separated from each other.

loren: (smiling) then i support you. 100%

nora hugged loren.

catherine: ma'am are you sure you want to do this.

nora: yes now where do i sign.

catherine took a small packet of papers out of her bag and said: just sign wherever there is a pink highlighter mark.

nora finished signing the papers.

catherine: will there be a father or will you do this by yourself?

nora: i will do it by myself.

max: no. i am in a relationship with nora, so i will adopt them as well.

nora: max you don't have to...

max: i want to

nora: thank you

max: of course. (turning towards eddie) son are you ok with this?

eddie: if this is what you want then i am more than happy for you. you are a great dad to me and i am positive you will be a great dad to them.

max: thanks son. (turning back to catherine) so where do i sign

catherine: everywhere where there is a orange highlighter mark.

max finished signing the papers and handed them to catherine.

loren: i guess it's official. i have 3 new sisters.

the doctor came into the conversation.

doctor: actually you only have 2.

nora: what. did the little one not make it?

doctor: no she's fine. she is actually improving very well.

nora: then how?

doctor: the dna results came back on the girls. layla and shelby are sister. but hayden is not their sister. according to our tests. hayden is layla's daughter.

everyone's eyes went wide.