Disclaimer: Journey Maker doesn't own Yugioh, the prayer is mine..

Chapter Seventeen

Today was the day that Joey dreaded; it was the day that he had to appear in front of Judge Crawford.

Seto had given Joey one of his dress suits to wear, as he walked down the stairs, Helga looked up and saw Joey, a tear ran down her face. Joey was so handsome in that suit, she prayed that the Judge would rule in Joey's favor and let him live at the Manor with them.

Roland had talked to the other children and told them, "While your mom and I are going to be gone, Bakura and Ishizu are in charge, please do as they say and as soon as we know anything, I'll call."

Seto walked over to Joey and he put his arms around him and said, "I love you and I know that you'll be coming home with mom and dad."

Joey returned the kiss and said, "I hope that you're right, I just couldn't stand not to be able to see you and the others."

Roland drove to town and as he parked outside the Court House, he said, "Son no matter what happens today, you'll always be our son." Joey looked at them, wiped the tears from his face, and said, "I guess we'd better get in there, I don't want to be late."

In the Court Room:

As they walked into the Court Room, they saw both Phillip and Matthew sitting at the table, as they walked over and sat down, Roland shook hands with both men and Helga sat there starring at where the Judge would be seating.

Matthew remarked to Roland, "I swear I can almost see fire shooting out her eyes."

Roland chuckled and said, "Well when I told her what the Judge said, "I almost had Bakura come with us, just in case we had to be bailed out."

Then the bailiff said, "Everyone rise, the Honorable Judge Sean Crawford residing." Everyone stood up.

When the judge sat down he said, "You may be seated." The bailiff then handed him a folder and said, "The case of Joey Wheeler vs. The State."

"I have read the file on Mr. Wheeler and I want to ask him a question; will Joey Wheeler please stand up." Joey stood up with both Roland and Helga on either side of him, then the judge said, "I just asked Joey Wheeler to stand, why you and your wife standing too are?"

Roland then said, "Your Honor, Joey is a minor and my wife and I are here to represent Joey."

Judge Crawford said, "Alright, I'll allow that, now Mr. Wheeler tell the Court why it should allow you to remain living in the home of Roland and Helga O'Brien."

Joey stood up and as he looked at the Judge, tears filled his eyes as he said, "When I was living at home with my father, I hated it. My father blamed me for the death of my mother and her unborn child, you see my mother died in child birth.

After her death, my life ceased to exist, it was like my father wanted me to die too, he started abusing me and as I got older the abuse began to get worse, until one night he raped me and laughed as I screamed for him to stop, he just kept on raping me.

When he was through, he got off me and staggered back to the living room for some more beer, and I got my underwear back on, climbed out my bedroom window and somehow I made it to the alley.

I don't really remember much after that, all I know is that I was bleeding really bad, and then I passed out, when I came to, I was in the hospital and this beautiful woman was sitting beside my bed like, I thought that she was an angel that God sent to take me to heaven.

Your Honor, it is because these two people sitting here, that I'm here before you, it is their strength and love that has made me want to live, and I have brothers and sisters at home who love me, that's why I want to remain living with them."

Judge Crawford looked at Roland, Helga, and he said, "Do both of you really want to take on the responsibility of another kid living in your house?"

Helga put her arm around Joey and she said, "I love my kids and I believe me I do think of Joey as one of our kids.

You know yourself how these kids came to be with us, well Joey's like the others and his brothers and sisters all love him and it's their love and ours that is helping Joey begin a better life for himself."

Judge Crawford then said, "Well then I guess I'll make my ruling now, Joey Wheeler will remain in the O'Brien home."

Cheers rang out in the Court House and when Roland turned around, there stood all their children, they all had tears running down their faces as they clapped their hands and yelled, "Yeah, Joey's coming home."

Helga embraced Joey and said, "Welcome home son." Joey held on to her like she was his lifeline and he said, "Mom I love you and dad and all the others."

Then Roland said, "Mom, look behind you." Helga turned around with Joey in her arms, and she smiled when she saw all their kids standing the back of the Court House.

She said, "I wondered when they'd get here." Then Seto hurried over to where Joey was and he said, "I knew that you'd be coming home."

Judge Crawford banged his gavel and then he said, "Order in this Court Room. Everyone settled down" then the Judge said, "Roland and Helga O'Brien, please stand up, raise your left hands, do you swear in front of this Court that you'll both raise this young man the same way you raised all your other children?"

Roland and Helga stood there with their left hands raised and Helga said, "We swear and I want to thank the Court for letting me keep my son, he means the world to our family and we all love him."

Then Judge Crawford banged his gavel one last time and said, "Case Closed, now get the heck out of my Court Room and go home." He smiled at Helga and she smiled back, then together Roland, Helga and their children all left the Court House.

Then they heard Mokie said, "Can we go get some ice cream."

Helga hugged him and said, "Alright, let's go and celebrate." As they walked out of the Court House, Roland said, "Alright, you heard your mom, we're going to go celebrate, so let's go."

At the Manor:

When they got home, Helga said, "Everyone to the family room now." They knew that they were in trouble, but what the hell, their brother needed them, that's why they were in the Court Room.

As they all sat down, Bakura stood up and said, "Mom, before you say anything, can I please say one thing, "Joey is our brother, and you know us, when one of us need help we're all there for each other, well today Joey needed us, that's why were we came down to the Court House."

Helga looked at their kids and then with a smile she said, "Son, what I was going to say is, after your father asked you to stay home.

All of you knew that your brother needed your support and all of you came to be there for Joey, and your father and I are proud of each and everyone of you."

Then Joey stood and with tears in his eyes he said, "Until I came here to live, I never had anyone give a damn if I lived or died, then Mom was there when I had a nightmare when I was in the hospital, she sang a beautiful song to me and it helped chance the bad dreams away.

Then when Seto shared his room with me, again, I had a bad dream and it was Seto and Mokie who comforted me and chased that dream away. Each of you have been there to help me begin my new life and I will forever be grateful to everyone."

Roland smiled at their kids and said, "Mom, we're so very blessed to have such loving and carrying kids, I agree with you, I'm proud to have them as our kids."

Helga and the girls went to the kitchen to get dinner going, and the boys started playing pool, while Roland went to the den to call Helga's brothers and to let them know what the Judge said."

Seto and Joey were sitting on one of the couches talking when Mokie went over and he said, "Seto, tomorrow will you teach me to play pool?"

Seto smiled at him and said, "Yes, tomorrow I'll show you how to play pool, and maybe Joey might join us, will that be alright?" Mokie went over to Joey and as he climbed up onto Joey's lap Mokie said, "I like that, now about it, Joey will you please play with us."

After dinner when the dishes were done, they all went into the family room and it was Serenity's turn to choose the movie, she walked over and picked up the movie "The Horse Whisperer" and Bakura went over and put it into the DVD and they all sat there watching it.

It was one of the happiest times in Joey's life; he sat beside Seto with Mokie lying beside him with his head on Joey's lap. Tonight the O'Brien family was enjoying their special time together, and Joey was there to enjoy it too.

When the movie was over, Mokie, Yugi, Ryou, Malik and Serenity were all asleep, so Seto picked up Mokie, Bakura picked up Serenity, Marik picked up Ryou, and Yami picked up Yugi, and they took them upstairs.

Helga, Ishizu, Tea and Roland followed them and as they, older kids put the younger one in their beds, Helga, Ishizu, Tea and Roland all helped get them into their pajamas and tucked them into bed.

Then as they turned off the lights in each of the bedroom, Joey whispered, "Dear God, please bless this house and everyone in it, they have all shown me that love and faith can conquer anything, please keep everyone under this roof safe in your loving arms. Amen."

They all held hands as Joey prayed and when he said, "Amen, they did too." Helga smiled at Joey and said, "I think that we should all get some sleep, it's been a very busy and hectic day, and I'm tired."

So they all kissed their parents and wished each other a good night and then one by one they all went to their room and went to bed.

Please R&R..

Chapter Eigthteen Coming Up..