"Good evening Howard," Ms. DaCosta greeted the taller husband as Harold left the dinner preparations while Clyde continued making a tossed salad.

Ms. Grace DaCosta, a woman in her late thirties, wore a white silk blouse with a navy knee length skirt. The McBride husbands had contacted her two days after the sentencing of Rita and Lynn Sr.

Harold approached her "Good evening Ms. DaCosta," Harold said cordially, giving a warm smile.

"Won't you come in," Howard told her, once she stepped over the threshold, Ms. DaCosta sat on the comfortable armchair with the husbands seated on the couch.

Clyde entered the living room at the moment and greeted the lawyer, "Good evening Ms. DaCosta."

"Good evening Clyde," she replied, when he turned around towards his bedroom Harold said, "Clyde please stay with us."

Immediately Clyde sat beside Howard, Ms. DaCosta began speaking.

Mr. and Mr. McBride, all you need is to fill out the first section of this Temporary Guardianship Agreement, then return it to me after you get a Notary Public to sign the last part, I'll send both of you a copy," told them.

She handed the envelope to Howard, who opened it solemnly and the McBride couple gave a quick glance through the document.

'Thanks Grace, we'll bring it to your office once it's completed," Howard said then placed it back into the envelope.

Getting up from the armchair, she said, "I wish you a good evening."

"The same to you Grace," Harold replied.

The husbands accompanied the lawyer to the door while Clyde returned to the kitchen area to set the table, once Harold closed the door the husbands returned to their activities.

Sometime later when the last graduate received her diploma, after Principal Rivers delivered the final speech, the graduates rose triumphantly and gave a rousing cheer while tossing their mortarboards into the air. The graduates began congregating with friends or in some cases, parents and younger siblings and other relatives rushed over to their section to give their congratulations.

"Your speech was so inspirational Carol," Dana praised her friend.

"Thank you Dana," Carol replied.

Before Lori got the chance to say something, she felt a tap on her right shoulder and turned around sharply.

"Congratulations, babe," Bobby gushed then affectionately kissed her right cheek.

"Congrats Bobby," she replied then embraced him affectionately for two seconds.

"Lori my grandparents, Aunt Frida, Uncle Carlos and two of my cousins came to see me graduate. They're having a party for me back at the house, you're welcome to join us," Bobby asked.

"Thanks for the invitation boo boo bear, but I want to celebrate with my family," Lori replied regretfully, then turned back to her female friends, "Hey guys I'll speak to you another time."

"See you around Lori," Whitney and Dana chimed before the couple departed holding hands affectionately.

It didn't take long for Lori to find her family at their location among other people.

"Hey everyone," she called out.

"Congratulations sweetie," Rita gushed then embraced her tightly.

"Good job Lori," Albert beamed.

"I'm-I'm so proud Lori Lou," her father gushed unashamedly, managing to prevent himself from crying.

Lori beamed with joy before giving her father a tight hug lasting for five seconds, finally Bobby was able to speak.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Loud," he greeted Loris parents who responded simultaneously, "Hello Bobby, congratulations,"

Officer Ingram glanced at his watch, being a little pressed for time. Even though he regretted breaking up this family reunion he had no choice in the matter.

"Sorry kids but we have to return before nine o'clock," he said, causing a wave of sadness to overcome the children. Officer Ingram and the Loud parents parted ways from Albert and the children in the parking lot. Luckily just a few vehicles remained scattered throughout the parking lot so nobody paid attention to the parents getting into a separate car.

With Lori behind the wheel she swung by the drive through window at Burping Burger and ordered the usual.

When they finished eating to their hearts content, Albert commanded everyone except Lori and Lily to get ready for bed because they had school tomorrow which they were happy to oblige. Upstairs Lori received a text from Carol inviting her to an impromptu graduation party on Saturday at her house in the afternoon and Lincoln started emptying the contents of his school bag so he could pack the items in his locker into the bag tomorrow.

The next morning the children with the exception of Lori got up early for school. For breakfast Lincoln only served himself a small amount of Zombie Bran cereal in a bowl with milk and sugar. Yesterday the fifth grade teachers informed their students there would be a special assembly before the graduation parties began at nine a.m. Lori awoke a few minutes before their departure because she promised to drive her siblings to their respective schools one last time today and tomorrow.

As he stepped out of Vanzilla, Lincoln noticed Clyde, Liam and Zach stood milling around the entrance of the school and joined them, Clyde sporting a dark green jacket and a new shirt.

As the friends entered through the doors, Cheryl Montrose, the Principals Secretary, made an announcement over the intercom.

"Attention, all fifth graders please come to the auditorium," she declared.

Principal Huggins waited patiently for the restless students to settle down before addressing the graduation class.

"Attention students, I'd like to congratulate all of you for passing this milestone in your academic career, graduating from Royal Woods Elementary, with that said I expect every one of you to behave appropriately tomorrow, please tell your families and loved ones not to cheer so loudly when receiving your diplomas because everyone need to hear their names being called. If any pranking or general misbehavior happens you will be asked to leave and your diploma will be withheld until you begin middle school in September," he declared with a stern tone of voice.

Then it was Coach Pacowskis turn to say a few words, then Cheryl.

"I just wanna say it was a pleasure being your Coach for the past six years including those who made excuses to get out of PE. With that said, please come to the auditorium to receive your graduation caps and gowns after roll call," he announced.

"Here's wishing you all a happy graduation tomorrow kiddies, tell your folks they can print the graduation program from the school website and we're also streaming the ceremony live for those with relatives and friends unable to attend," Cheryl told the students.

"You are free to go now," Principal Huggins said upon taking the microphone again.

Lincoln and his friends walked into their classroom in enthusiastic spirits at eight thirty am. They saw all the desks and chairs lined up against one wall with another table situated against the other wall. The students sat down then waited patiently for Mrs. Johnson's arrival.

"Morning students welcome to your last day," she chirped with all the enthusiasm she possessed.

"Morning Mrs. Johnson," they all chorused

After the roll call ended, Mrs. Johnson said, "Kids you can get your graduation caps and gowns."

While the students were busy the caterers arrived and began laying out a rectangular cake with white and blue icing and the words "Graduation Class of 2017" written in yellow icing and an assortment of cookies and sandwiches on the table as Mrs. Johnson waited for everyone to return.

Upon their return, the students marveled over the cake for quite a while before serving themselves and laughed and chatted amongst themselves while enjoying their food while their teacher busied herself cutting the cake into slices.

"Okay kids you can have some cake," she told everyone two minutes later.

Eventually Lincoln and his classmates were finished eating to their hearts content and Mrs. Johnson decided to make a little speech before sending them out for the final time.

"Kids I want to wish everyone of you a happy graduation tomorrow," Agnes Johnson declared as they listened intently, "It was a pleasure teaching every one of you, including the challenging ones. Andrew, Clyde, Penelope and Jordan Blair thank you for the presents you brought me yesterday. Have a safe journey home and see you all tomorrow."

"Bye Mrs. Johnson," they chanted before departing as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile after having a late breakfast as Lily watched her educational video Lori busied herself by relaxing on the couch pouring over texts received from her friends when suddenly her phone buzzed with another text coming through.

Miss Loud, I'm Stacey the hiring manager from Smoothie Queen, I've looked over your application and find you an ideal candidate to work for our company, when are you available to start working?

Loris eyes opened wide in delight at the good news and released an excited squeak. Albert instantly walked inside after coming inside with yesterday's mail that was forgotten to be picked up the day before.

"Pop Pop I have good news, I just received a text from someone at Smoothie Queen saying I got the job," she announced happily.

Albert beamed warmly at his granddaughter and replied, "That's great Lori."

After finished clearing every last item from his locker Lincoln called Albert to ask for a ride home.

A/N: I'm not using the surname Rosato for Girl Jordan's last name like everybody else, it's Blair.