Maka walked into the death room nervously, in her arms she held her baby sister, Soul stood by her side. Upon entering, they were surprised to see their friends waiting for them. Tears filled Maka's eyes.

"What are you doing here?" She asked the group.

"We just thought you three could use some support." Crona answered.

"Thanks." This was all she could manage before Spirit and Lord Death came into view.

"Hiya, how's it goin?' The reaper greeted cheerfully waving his large hands.

"Maka, sit down please, we were just talking about the decision, your friends have a lot of confidence in you two." Maka too a seat as melody began to fuss.

"Shh, it's okay melody." Maka soothed rocking her sister gently. Melody continued for a moment until Soul pulled out a pacifier and gave it to her, as he pulled his hand away, Melody took hold of his finger. A smile crept onto Soul's face as he looked at her.

"Hey little one, I'm not going anywhere." He said.

melody seemed happy with that reply and closed her eyes.

"We all know why we're here, Melody is currently staying with Soul and Maka, we need the best possible place for her." Lord Death announced.

"Out of curiosity, what would you call this?" Kid gestured to the center of the room where Maka and Soul were. "Did you just see the same thing I did?"

"It gets harder as they grow." Spirit took out the picture Soul had showed him.

"You're going to be going back to doing missions soon, what will you do?"

"I don't mind taking her sometimes" Tsubaki offered.

"There's times when we aren't doing anything, the way kid is, if we don't have a mission, we'll take her." Liz said.

"Maybe she'll like giraffes too!" Patty added.

"I could teach her about symmetry." No one was surprised by Kid's comment but Maka was grateful to everyone.

"It's nice you guys want to help but there's times she's sick and she'll be more demanding, you'll be responsible for her a good majority of the time, Maka, I just don't think you're ready for this, you have so much going on that I can't put this on you too, I'm sorry." A chorus of protests erupted from the group, Spirit moved to take Melody from Maka who was now sobbing.

Soul blocked his path.

"What the hell's wrong with you, Maka loves Melody and you're just going to tear them apart like that?"

"I'm doing what's best for them."

"No, you would give your daughter to strangers and not know if they're taking care of her rather than let her stay with someone who already loves her and has an attachment to her, I told you last night, give her to us and we'll look after her."

"S-Soul, you said that?"

"Yeah, and I meant it, Melody is where she belongs. We love her, you know that. She's cared for. You would still get to see her. Maka can do this, you know it as well as I do."

"There's no guarantee you'll always be there to help, things change, people move on and friendships end."

"You're right, there are no guarantees in life, there's a chance I won't be around forever, our missions are dangerous, hell walking outside is dangerous, anything can happen. I can promise you that I love your daughters and I will do everything I can to protect them both. Don't take Melody, please."

"For someone that said you would only be willing to help out for the two months, that was an impressive speech. I know what I was like at your age Soul and-"

"I'm not you, I know what I have in my life."

"Soul isn't going anywhere, even we knew that, before Melody came here. I bet Soul knew it too, even as he said only two months."kid said.

"They're right you know, when I told you that Melody would be in the best place at the end, what I really hoped you'd see is that she was already there, the moment Maka said she would take her, it was clear."

"You're out voted, just change your mind already!" Black Star yelled. Spirit didn't know what to do, part of him still didn't trust Soul, but the support their friends were giving and the help the were offering had to be taken into account as well as Soul's protective behavior.

"Soul, you swear to me that my girls are your priority, that you love them enough to never hurt them and you will be there as long as you can be, never treat Maka like I treated her Mother. Promise me you will do your best for them and make this family work?"

"I swear on my life, as long as I breathe, I will look after them."

"Maka, are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes Papa, I want her, she's safe and happy, and I know Soul means what he says, you don't have to worry, I'll even bring her to see you if you want, just please don't take her."

"Looks like you've got a strong family here Maka, between you, Soul and your friends, that's something I want for both of you. Alright, no one knows a weapon better than their miester, if you say I can trust him, then I will...for now. Melody is right where she belongs and I can't take her from you. I'm still responsible for her though so if I think for a second-"

"Fair enough. It's cool, it won't come to that." Soul interrupted as Maka stood up with Melody in her arms and leaned into Soul.

"Thank you, I love you so much!" She sniffled.

"I love you too Maka, I'd do anything for you and our Melody."