Scottlynn didn't know how things turned out for Hallianna, but she assumed that her foster cousin was grounded. Probably for a long time.
Over the next few weeks, Scottlynn spent her time either hanging out with Kailani and her sweet little boy, babysitting for Kailani, or texting her. AJ and Callie knew about her new friend, but not about Nakoa or that her new friend was twenty-one years old. Scottlynn knew that they wanted her to make friends, but she didn't know how they'd feel about her friend being five years her senior.
As Mollianne's adoption date was inching closer and closer, Scottlynn felt like she was losing her baby. She couldn't believe that it was really happening. That her baby sister was going to get adopted without her. Scottlynn didn't want Mollianne to be adopted without her, but she was almost seventeen. She just couldn't see the value in getting adopted anymore. She knew from talking to Hallianna and Amelia that it brought them great peace to finally feel like they belonged, but Scottlynn just didn't feel like she needed to be adopted. She didn't feel like she needed parents, especially after raising her sister for the past thirteen years. She felt like she was a mother herself, and now she felt like she was losing the very baby that she raised and loved.
Scottlynn kind of felt ashamed that she didn't go to Arabella's adoption day. She was hiding out in a pole dancing bar. The place didn't even card her to make sure that she was twenty-one, so either they don't care or they aren't exactly legal. Either way, Scottlynn didn't care. She just needed somewhere to hide where Callie and AJ would never think to look for her. Scottlynn wasn't even interested in the dancing or the drinks. She just had a lot on her mind with everything that's going on. It feels like everything is falling apart for her just when everything seems to be falling together for Mollianne.
Meanwhile at the courthouse with the entire Adams-Foster clan. It was Arabella's adoption day. The social worker cleared her for adoption, but having been here before the judge seemed unsure if Arabella was really cured.
"So Arabella, why do you want to be adopted?" Judge Michaelson asked
"Because I love Daddy and Mommy and my brothers William and Andrew."
Judge Michaelson nodded, "Okay. And how do I know that you won't try to kill your parents or your siblings? How do I know that you won't try to hurt them?"
"Your Honor, I went through hours of extensive therapy. I've gotten better. I know that Daddy Mat isn't like Daddy Lucas. I don't want to hurt and kill anymore. I just want to love and be loved."
"Okay. Well then I grant your adoption." Judge Michaelson said, "Arabella Vivienne Willis, you are now Arabella Vivienne Tan."
Arabella smiled, "Thank you, Your Honor." She was standing in between Matt and Mariana, who hugged her and told her they loved her.
"I love you too, Mommy and Daddy."
In another courtroom, there was a hearing to determine if Shawn should get custody of his sister. Or if she should be released for adoption.
"So Mr. Millan, why are you fighting for custody if Miss Janelle Needham?" Judge Gus McCallister questioned
"Your Honor, Kayla Needham was my mother too. She abandoned me long ago just like she did to my sister Janelle. I didn't find out about my sister until recently. I have the means to give her a life. To give her everything thing that she wants and much more. All I'm asking for is the chance to do that." Shawn explained
Judge McCallister nodded, "And what can you give to her that Mr. and Mr. Adams-Foster cannot?"
"A life-long relationship and bond with me - her brother. She's the only family I have left and vice versa." Shawn said, "You don't want to be responsible for splitting up a family, do you?"
Judge McCallister let out a breath. He dismissed the court so that he could make his decision. He had already talked to Janelle. She was conflicted and didn't seem to know what she wanted, so it was entirely up to him. After a few hours, Judge McCallister calls court back into session.
"It's no doubt that this is a difficult case. It's never easy deciding the fate of a child. However, given all the testimony and evidence presented in this courtroom, I hereby grant sole custody of Janelle Needham to her brother Shawn Millan."
Shawn smiled as he hugged his sister, while Jude and Conner looked disappointed. Janelle was hugging her brother back, as she looked over his shoulder at Jude and Connor. It was nice for her to have finality, but she still didn't know how she felt. She was happy that she'd get to be with her brother, but she was worried about her foster dads and Emmalyn. Especially Emmalyn. She knew how much that little girl loved her and how sad Emmalyn would be without her.
"Family forever." Shawn told Janelle
Janelle forced a smile, "Family forever."
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
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