The time had finally come. They had gone by just yesterday and a cleaning crew was there instead of the construction team. They let the ladies walk through the building and see the rooms while they cleaned up. It was perfect. They even got to walk around the little playground. Miranda sat on one of the little swings, she sat on the little merry-go-'round, she climbed onto the jungle gym.

Leenalee couldn't help laughing at her. "I'm surprised you would climb all the way to the top!"

Miranda carefully climbed back down and brushed off her dress. "I wanted to make sure the, um, grip on the bars were, well, you know, safe. It's for the children!" She hid her face and walked back into the building.

"Miranda is full of surprises even at her age," Leenalee giggled to herself.

Opening day was only a week away. Things had to be checked, tested and an inspector had to give them the okay. Until then they would be making sure things were in order for their grand opening. The day before they wanted to have something fun for the children and the parents. The prospective families would be able to speak to the daycare workers, so they had to call everyone and ensure that they could make it there in a timely manner.

They'd have papers to pass out about activities and schedules and...

"And the mission statement! Every decent establishment has a mission statement," Leenalee blurted out over lunch.

"We have one already, don't we?" Miranda asked.

"Oh, yes! I was just trying to remember what needed to go on the information flyers at the event," she said.

Road sat next to her lazily swinging her little boot clad feet. She was decidedly unhappy that Cross was away on business that day. She had grown an affinity for the tall man that always smelt like cigarettes. She was so upset she didn't even want to play with the boys or swing despite being at the park, which she loved.

"You know what Miranda, I think we should consider a meeting sometime after the event is over," Leenalee said.

"I wonder... Have you seen that other center Cross mentioned before?" Miranda asked worriedly.

"It's a preschool, not a daycare," Leenalee said. "Speaking of which, we should really consider putting Kanda and Alma in school. They will already be far behind. I want them to be able to do things other kids their age can do."

"You're right but I'm not sure how they would act in a classroom," Miranda said.

"Kanda is a smart boy, he knows how to behave himself. Alma is a little over zealous, but he's also capable of handling something like that. I think."

They looked to the swings where the two boys were swinging idoly while chatting about something. They felt the responsibility to get them a good education but also worried how they would interact. They were living on their own for years, so they said, and it showed. If it were an option they might have just gotten a tutor but they needed to learn how to act with other people. They had to make friends. Things felt much easier since they had finally done the paperwork to officially adopt them as their own.

Leenalee was also thinking about Allen. Maybe they should consider the prechool for him since Cross wasn't as concerned about him. There was too much to think about right now and they were just making things harder on themselves. When things settled down a bit they would look into that but for now they would let things be.

"Look, look! There it is!" Alma shouted as they drove by the preschool. "It looks so cool!"

"Leenalee said that place is for babies," Kanda said, folding his arms.

"I still want to see it," Alma whined. "Can we go look Miss Mira?" he called towards the front seat.

Miranda looked to Leenalee and she shrugged. "Allen might be going there," she said. "I guess it's worth a look."

Alma cheered as the car turned around and pulled into the parking lot. The sign was a kitten weaaring glasses holding a pointing stick like the ones teachers usually carry. "," Miranda read aloud. "Cute."

"Come on, come on!" Alma said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the door.

The others followed them inside and walked up to the desk. It was very clean and a little cold inside. It smelt like what you'd expect a place holding children for hours to smell like: plastic toys, applesauce- or maybe cookies, floor cleaner and this unexplainable scent that made Leenalee and Miranda a little wistful for childhood again.

The woman behind the desk looked up at them past her blonde bang. "May I help you with something?" she asked, looking between the women.

"Oh, um, yes," Miranda answered nervously. "We were possibly considering putting one of our children into your program and were wondering if we could look around."

The children looked at each other.

"Who would go here?" Alma asked.

"I wouldn't go to a place like this," Road whispered back.

"I'm not a baby," Kanda said. "So it would have to be baby beansprout."

Allen was stricken. He stood frozen with this distant stare on his face. They want to leave me here? But...But I don't want to!

"Perhaps we could speak to the director?" Leenalee asked.

The woman stood, giving them a glimpse of her nametag, Klaud, as she left to the back room. When she was gone Allen took Leenalee's hand. "I wanna go home," he said, pulling at her hand.

"Why? What's wrong Allen?" She knelt and stroked his hair. "Cross isn't there sweetie."

"I don't want to stay here," he said in his pouty voice.

"We're going to look around, Allen, no one's staying here," she reassured him.

"I don't want to!"

Leenalee picked him up and turned to Miranda. "He doesn't want to stay," she said. "I'll take him to the car."

"Okay..."

As soon as Leenalee was gone Klaud returned with a older looking gentleman who smiled when he saw Miranda surrounded by the children. "Hello, I'm Froi Tiedol the director. You have quite a gathering here."

Miranda smiled as she shook his offered hand. "It's nice to meet you, my name is Miranda and this is Kanda, Alma and Road."

"Would you like some candy?" he asked, taking the basket from the counter and offering it to them. "If your mommy doesn't mind."

"Oh, no, go ahead," Miranda said quickly. "One piece each."

They picked through the choices of lollipops and hard candies. Road took and extra one for Allen.

"Now, would you like to look around the school?"

"I would appreciate it," Miranda said. "The kids were very curious about your building."

There were three classrooms to each side of the hall, one for each age group going up from two to three years. Alma looked dejected as they peered into one of the rooms during arts and crafts.

"It really is for babies!" he whispered to Kanda.

"You're just now figuring that out?"

"The younger children are down here for preschool," Froi said as they continued down the hall. "Some parents prefer their children in a school type of environment instead of daycare because it gives them a head start for school. I believe that the younger you start to nurture a child, the more likely that child can be brought to their full potential later on through learning. It is our job to first open their minds to the possibilities for that success."

"I completely agree with you," Miranda said.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said as he started up a shosrt flight of stairs. "The second floor is where we conduct the kindergarten classes. There are six of these as well with ten student to a class so you can imagine the rush during registration time."

"How long have you been running this school?" Miranda asked. "It's very nice."

"Well, I suppose since I started it about five years ago." He stopped and turned to face her. "Your boys here are a little too old for our programs but this charming little lady would be welcome to join one of our classes."

"No thank you," Road replied quickly. "My daddy will get me a tutor when I'm five."

"Oh, that's very good," he said. "You can always learn more when in one-on-one lessons."

"Um, there's a five year old we were hoping to get into your program," Miranda said. "We have to talk to his...guardian first."

"Well, I'll make sure you get all the information you need. When you make your decision, feel free to call me and I will save a spot for him."

"Thank you very much."

They returned to the front desk and Miranda was given brochures and the director's card. They went back to the car where Leenalee and Allen waited. Miranda gave her the brochure to look over for a minute. Allen seemed a little upset so the others didn't say much to him on the ride home. Allen sat quietly on the couch at the apartment. He kept to himself and no one was sure how to approach him.

"He's upset about the preschool ," Miranda asked.

Leenalee nodded. "He doesn't want to go. He thinks we want to leave him there to get rid of him."

"He said that?"

"No, but I could see it in the way he was acting," she said. "I wonder what happened to make such a sweet boy like Allen that way?"

"Maybe Cross can tell us," Miranda suggested. "If he can look outside himself for a few moments."

The day had finally come. The day before the opening of their very own daycare center. They decided on the name "Little Hearts and Helping Hands". A little long, but not as cliche. Their team had arrived right on time that morning to help set up things up. Tables, games and even food at a small picnic area that was added last minute.

Quite a few volunteers came to help with the event and some had passed out flyers on their own. They were split up into sign teams, flyer teams, tour teams, food teams and game teams. Now all they needed were the parents.

"Alright everyone! This is it! Today we reach out to the potential customers and get our name out there," Leenalee shouted. "Let's do our best!"

They were separated out and went to their stations. Cross took up the easiest task he could, sitting inside at the desk and answering questions. He wouldnt' have to do anything unless more supplies were needed outside. There was a very small crowd at first, mostly of parents with school aged children or grandparents. Some people stopped by with their children for a moment to ask questions but the morning was rather slow. After school hours they became very busy.

Luckily they thought to wait until later to take out the food when the crowds came in. Kids were everywhere, parents were chasing kids between games, there was a line to go inside the building. It was quite the event. Miranda spoke with lots of parents as they walked through the classrooms. No one wanted to approach Krory, let alone ask him anything so he was sent behind the desk to keep Cross company.

Leenalee was surprised how many parents were not actually interested in using a daycare service for one reason or another. Still, they did have some parents eager to take home a few flyers to share. During a break in the crowds a woman approached Leenalee looking rather worried. Leenalee stood. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I seem to have lost track of that little troublemaker of mine," she said tiredly. "I had been following him about all day. He just walked off while we were getting lunch."

"That sounds familiar," Leenalee said with a smile. "I have a boy just like that. We have to keep a close eye on him. I'll help you find him."

She asked someone to get Miranda and ask her to take over the front while she while she helped her look. "What does he look like?"

The woman tapped her chin. "He has this mischievous look in his eyes but I suppose he is a nine year old boy so it should be expected. He's wearing a striped bandana over his forehead. His hair is very short in the front but longer in the back and...blue."

Leenalee blinked. "He shouldn't be too hard to find then. I'll let everyone else know to look for him as well. What's his name?"

"Thank you. It's Timothy. I only hope he doesn't cause any trouble."

Lavi was a favorite with the kids and some of the ladies. After a group moved on to another game, a little boy with blue hair approached him. Lavi smiled at the boy and offered him a ball.

"Wanna play?" he asked. "Get as many into the basket as you can and you can win a special prize."

"What kind of prize?"

"Uhh..." Lavi held up a teddy bear.

"I don't want that," he said.

"Well, you could always win it and give it to a girl," he said. "Or your mom."

"No thanks, this is baby stuff."

He turned to walk away and Lavi stood. "Hold on, hold on! You're right, this is baby stuff. To make it more interesting, why don't you play against me?"

"It doesn't make it more interesting just because you're in it," he said, unimpressed.

"What if I bet all the prizes at my booth? I have more bears and candy and this bag of popcorn that I bought in the cafeteria," Lavi added quickly.

The boy turned around and folded his arms. "I guess I could play one game..."

"Alright! We got a deal! I'm Lavi," he said, holding out his hand. "What's your name?"

"Timothy and I bet I can get all the balls into the basket," he said.

"Well let's see it then!" He tossed him a ball. "You first."

Leenalee and Emilia, as it turns out the woman's name was, walked all over the space that stretched from the parking lot to the playground area. They were about to give it up when Emilia gasped and went running back to the games. Leenalee lost sight of her for a moment. Luckily, she hadn't gone far but to the little basketball-esque game. Timothy was there- thank goodness- playing with Lavi.

"No! I missed that last basket," Lavi shouted, falling dramatically to his knees. 'No waay~!"

"You did that on purpose, I saw it!" Timothy shouted as he threw a ball at Lavi's head.

"I did not! My wrist's hurt after making all those clean shots before- I can't help it if I'm good!"

"Liar!"

"Timothy!" Emilia shouted.

He started and made to run away but she grabbed the back of his shirt to hold him in place. "What are you trying to do to me? I was worried about you! Don't you know it's dangerous to go wandering off in a crowd like this?"

"I just-"

"He was winning this adorable bear just for you," Lavi cut in, holding up a bear with a pink ribbon tied to it's ear. "He beat me fair and square so he gets everything at the booth and the popcorn I bought from the cafeteria."

"Thank you for keeping him here," Emilia said. "I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

Lavi laughed. "No, no not at all! It was fun playing with such a...spirited kid. I hope we can hang out again sometime. Maybe I can show him how to use these weapons of extreme cuteness!"

"Wh-what he means is we hope you will consider signing him in to the daycare today," Leenalee said as she pushed Lavi out of the way. "If you want some more time to think about it, you can always do it tomorrow."

"Thank you both for your help," Emilia said. "I think I will bring him back. I like to see that there are people who can handle his energy."

"We hope to see you tomorrow then," Leenalee said with a smile. "Be safe on your way home."

"Bye!" Lavi called out as they walked away.

"Lavi, can you refrain from saying strange things in front of potential customers, please?' Leenalee said. "Miranda and I hired you despite your record because you have a gift with children. Don't make us regret it."

Lavi scratched the back of his head. "Y-yeah, sorry. It's a tough habit to break."

Leenalee shook her head. "You are a character. I think we'll be closing it down before sunset so we aren't working in the dark."

"Alright Miss Lee. I'll let everyone on this side know," he said.

A few hours later, they were taking down the attractions and packing things away. It was a long arduous task and many had to take breaks inbetween all the take down. It was seven at night before they finished and had everything cleaned up. Everyone was invited out to eat since it was late, but a lot of people had to go home. In the end Bak Chang, Cross and Krory joined the ladies for a late dinner.

They gathered at a local diner and shared some encouraging words over a few burgers, salads and chicken tenders. It was a little awkward eating with their bosses, but they slowly opened up a little. They asked questions around the table, nothing much personal, just a few questions to get to know each other. Laughs were shared over the recap of that evening.

"There were a lot more people than I was expecting," Lavi said.

"Yes, I was so nervous," Krory said with a sigh. "Parents kept asking me so many questions I could barely pay attention to my tasks. They were getting angry with me."

"It'll be a little easier tomorrow," Leenalee said.

"It'll just be us and the children," Miranda said.

"I think some of the children were afraid of me too," Krory said.

Lavi threw an arm over his shoulder and gave him a good shake. "Don't worry about it Krory-kins! If you want I can help you look less scary."

"I'll be at the front desk on opening day so don't hesitate to come to me for help if you need it," Leenalee said.

"I-I look forward to working with you!" Bak exclaimed.

Rohfa nodded beside him. "I can't wait to get started and spend more time with Allen."

"He's the sweetest, isn't he?" Miranda cooed, patting his head. "We never would have thought of any of this if not for him."

"If it weren't for me leaving him to you," Cross said as he drank more of his soda and made a face.

"It was our want to protect him from his irresponsible guardian that gave us the idea," Leenalee replied. "By the way, try not to come work with a hangover or smelling like alcohol, please."

Cross grunted as he threw back more soda.

Howard, their stern, long haired employee who also got the most attention from their female volunteers set down his drink. "Rest assured that I will have only the best interest of the establishment in mind."

"Thank you," Miranda replied exasperatedly. "Heaven knows what condition Cross may come into work in one day."

They threw more verbal bricks at Cross and enjoyed each other's company another hour or two. Lavi was the first to call it quits, knowing how he tended to sleep in. Krory and Link followed him out. Bak took Rohfa home since they lived in the same neighborhood. They each left money for their meal and at least a dollar toward a tip. Miranda, Leenalee and Cross gathered the childern and went home.

Tomorrow...the real work would begin.

A/N: Ugh! Finally! I hadn't realized this had been sitting on my flash drive almost totally finished. I apologize for any errors, I only skimmed back through this though I know I reread parts over and over when I first wrote it. By the way, I'm totally sure the next chapter will be the last.