Hello again! And just to let you know, Aerie elf, I totally agree with you on that review, but don't really want to change it now because it would mess up the system. (I'm a neat freak : P). I hope you understand. Anyway, I'm sad and believe it or not just a bit happy to say that this is the last chapter of Unwanted. I've had a great deal of enjoyment writing this story, and it's helped me grow as a writer also. I loved giving personalities to each of the children and keeping the old ones with their parents. It's been a blast and I hope you liked it. So with that all said and done, I'll let the words of Todd Beamer (a 9-11 victim) speak for me. "Let's roll!"

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Chapter Fifteen-The Aftermath and Homecoming

The Aftermath

As stated in the last chapter, Kai was finally captured and taken into custody. He was later tried for the kidnappings of both Popuri and Danny, and was convincted. He was sentenced to a number of years in jail, and that also included going through a program to end his drinking and he was given mental therapy sessions.

Popuri and Danny were left unharmed thankfully, but Popuri decided to also get therapy for a small case of depression and recuperating from her trauma. They were both kept in the city for about a month, and officials contacted Rick and Karen in Mineral Town to let them know.

In their month in Sun City, Danny and Popuri spent much time getting acquainted as mother and son. Popuri told her son about everything and apologized to him for her mistakes many times. Danny, having the forgiving heart that he did, gladly forgave her and told his story as well. He was immensely relieved to finally know the truth and also to have his mother with him.

Popuri immediately filed for divorce from her disturbed husband after he was arrested. It was taken care of in a matter of weeks.

At the end of their month in Sun City, they were scheduled to return to Mineral Town once again.

The Homecoming

Popuri grasped the rails of the ship in worry. She had no idea what everyone would think about her coming back to Mineral Town. She was especially nervous about facing her brother and mother again, but on the other hand, she was also overjoyed to finally be going home.

"Hey Mom" Danny called out to her from the bow of the ship. "What's wrong?" She slowly brought her eyes to meet his and managed to bring a weak smile to her lips, but Danny could still tell that something was eating her. "What is it?"

"Well…" she quietly began, "I'm just so worried of what they'll think."

"I wouldn't worry about that…. Ya' know, when I was real little and you were gone, Grandma Lillia used to talk about you all the time. Rick didn't say anything about you though. I think he was too hurt about your disappearance to discuss it. And I…" He stalled for a minute, but continued. "I dreamed of you all the time. I didn't know what you looked like then or anything. You just seemed like a fairy tale that would never happen." He then wiped a tear from his face and trapped his mother in a warm and loving embrace. She affectionetly returned the embrace and kissed his forehead. Danny just couldn't belive that his dream had come true.

"Oh, there it is," she expressed as the faint image of Mineral Beach found itself within her vision. "I used to hate that town when I was young. I was always itching to get away. I never thought that it would ever look so beautiful."

"Yeah… Well, we'd better get our bags now." She nodded and they both disappeared below deck to collect their things. By the time they emerged from below deck, the ship had almost reached Mineral Beach. It was so close that Popuri almost wanted to jumped off the boat and swim the rest of the way. Eyes misting with tears, Popuri choked a bit when her eyes perceived the vision of her brother, mother, sister-in-law, and niece. Danny flashed a boyish grin and waved to his family as they disembarked the ship. Danny was the first to run up to his family, while Popuri hesitated. After Danny had made his rounds with everyone, he gestured with his head for his mother to come over. Popuri slowly inched closer and closer to her overjoyed family. She approached her mother first.

"Y-you look good, Mom," she simply stated. Lillia said nothing; she only took her 'lost but now found' daughter into her arms. Next, Popuri embraced her sister-in-law, and met her little niece after that. Then, she approached Rick. They stood there, separated by silence for a minute, but Rick couldn't hold back any longer and he also gave his sister a loving embrace. Popuri was quite relieved that that was now over.

"Well Popuri, we have something to show you," Lillia commented, leading her family towards Rose Square. Popuri, clueless and confused, followed her mother, but had no idea what was in store for her. They walked a bit further, until Lillia finally revealed what the surprise was.

Rose Square was as empty as a church on Monday morning…at first, but after Lillia muttered a few words, the entire town of Mineral Town jumped out from behind trash cans, trees, and benches. Handmade signs that read: Welcome Home Popuri and Danny! littered the whole place and confetti blew around the square like snowflakes in a winter water globe.

Then, much to her surprise, Ann and Elli fingered their flutes, Jack put his ocarina to his lips, and Mary studied the keysof a portable piano that was sitting in front of her. Also, Karen left her spot beside Rick and went in front of everyone to sing a special song for her sister-in-law. When Carter gave the go, all five of them began to produce beautiful music. Popuri had no idea that she was so loved by Mineral Town.

As soon as the music began, several citizens of the town began to dance. Danny was rather surprised when "shy" Michelle came up and led him in a dance. He gave his mom one of those what-can-I-say looks and gave his full attention to the dance. Next, Rick made a sweet gesture by being the first to dance with Popuri. Dancing among the kind villagers, she felt like her giddy self again.

The party continued until late that night, and Popuri was absolutely whipped from all the excitement. She and her family headed home, one step at a time, but strangely, Karen stopped half way there.

"What's wrong, dear," Rick asked, tired as a dog.

Karen looked up at him with dilated eyes and responded, "M-my water broke."

"That's okay, dear. We'll get you another one."

"No, I mean my water broke!"

"What?" She frantically nodded, and fast as lightining, Rick rushed her over to the hospital. Elli quickly instructed her to lie down on the bed in the patient room.

"Okay, Karen," Elli explained as calmly as she could. "You're in labor. Now, you've done this before. You know what you have to do." Karen nodded in pain, and began to push as hard as she could. The family, on their toes and tuckered out, waited in the waiting area. Karen, a born fighter, kept trying and trying tenaciously.

Pretty soon, Jeff and Sasha arrived at the hospital and joined Rick and the others.

"I about fell over when Karen told us that we were going to be grandparents again," Jeff commented with a chuckle.

"She certainly gave us a scare," Sasha also added, laughing lightly. The families chatted amongst themselves and reminisced about comical memories of Rick and Karen when they were younger while Karen continued her "battle." But after about two hours, they began to get anxious. Were there complications? How much longer would it take?

But all their pondering questions were finally answered when little Roy entered the world at 1:11 AM at Mineral Clinic. Rick was positively thrilled with the healthy baby boy as was everyone. They all doted heavily over the newest member of the family, but were forced to go home when Doctor Tim ushered them out of the hospital so that Karen, Roy, and himself and his family could get some rest. So with pride gleaming in their eyes, they all said their goodbyes with encouraging words.

When Rick, Lillia, Popuri, Danny, and Nikki returned home, they all headed straight to bed. Lying in his fluffy bed, Danny relfected back on all that had happened in his life up to that point. He'd finally found his place in the world. His mother was home, and his family had been pieced back together from the tradegy it had experienced. And best of all, Danny was no longer unwanted.

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Haha, well I hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I have. And I hope you'll be pleased to know that I'll most assuredly be making a sequel to this. I'll let you know in its summary. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read and review this story. And this time, I'll let the words of Bugs Bunny speak for me. "That's all folks!"