Pretty soon, the next day rolled around and it was time for the meeting at Mr. Poe's office. Klaus was still reluctant to even go to the meeting, but Violet was still in good spirits. They ended up staying the night at Mr. Poe's house and going to work with him the next day, so they had some time to prepare for the meeting before the couple was scheduled to show up. Mr. Poe talked to them about being on their best behavior and trying to act "well behaved, obedient, and respectful."

"Please try to act the best that you can," Mr. Poe pleaded. "As you well know, I spent quite a while last night trying to find out information on this couple, and according to what I've found, I can conclude that they are a kind couple, one that truly likes children, and that would be very good parents for you."

"What if they're involved with Count Olaf?" Violet wondered aloud.

"I can assure you that they are NOT involved with Count Olaf," Mr. Poe replied, sounding a bit upset. "Now, please stop worrying about it; everything will be fine and they should arrive any minute now."

Just as Mr. Poe concluded his sentence, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Oh, they've arrived!" Mr. Poe said happily. "Please," he once again pleaded, quietly this time for fear those knocking on the door might hear him.

Mr. Poe walked over to the door. He glanced back at the children right before turning the doorknob. "Oh hello, come in, come in!" Mr. Poe said happily.

In walked a younger couple, about 25 years old or so. The lady was quite a bit shorter than the man, but both were beaming happily at the sight of the children.

"Hello!" the woman said. "My name is Kaitlyn Smith. And this is my husband, Austin."

"Mr. Poe has told us so much about you," Austin told the children with a huge smile on his face.

Kaitlyn Smith was about five foot five, with shoulder-length auburn hair. Austin was about five nine or so, with short blond hair. He was sporting a New York Yankees jersey. Both looked like they could have run over to hug the children.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. and Mr. Smith," Violet said, smiling. "Mr. Poe has also told us quite a bit about you."

"We've really been looking forward to meeting you," Mrs. Smith said. "We've trying to adopt for ages, but just have never found children that were perfect for us……"

"……but now we think that we've found them." Austin finished her sentence for her. These were the type of people that most children long to have as parents; the sugary sweet mother and the sporty father, but not even this enticed the children.

"How would you like to come to live with us?" Mrs. Smith asked.

Now Violet was stuck in a rut. Either she could say yes and as a result have her siblings hate her AND have her plan crushed, or she could say no and hurt this sweet couple's feelings.

Violet thought for a moment and then replied sadly, "We'd love to." Klaus glared at her, but she would explain to him later the situation she was in. Then it occurred to her.

"Okay, well you'll have to fill out these forms," Mr. Poe said. Mr. and Mrs. Smith got right to work. As they were filling out the forms, Violet quickly and quietly explained to Klaus and Sunny.

"What could I have done?" Violet asked Klaus rhetorically. "It will be a bit harder this time, but we can always run away."

"True," Klaus replied, quite visibly upset. They discussed for a bit longer how they would plan to do that until Mrs. Smith's voice brought them back to reality.

"We're finished with the paperwork. Are you children ready to go?"

"Yes," all three children replied in unison.