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Wipe Away the Tears

Chapter 5: All I need!

By: Illyria

1/02/09

"Mina, do you have any questions for me?" Mr. Spencer glanced at the little girl in the rearview mirror; Mina hadn't said a word since she was picked up she sat quietly in the back seat, belt buckled, hands in her lap, solemnly watching the world go by. They were on the way to Mina's fifth foster home, the previous four saying they could handle rebellion, temper tantrums, out right anger and hatred, but with Mina's quiet acceptance they were lost. Mina did exactly as she was told, speaking only when necessary and even then it was like pulling out teeth, she never argued about bed times or vegetables, did her chores as she was told, and although this was something every foster parent prayed for, Mina was an empty little girl. The last home stated they basically had to force Mina to play with the other kids, she'd been spending all her time in her dark room, she didn't argue but simply got up and went through the motions like a puppet, as Mr. Spencer picked Mina up they had apologized and were very kind when saying goodbye but their eyes said relief as Mina quietly walked out the door.

"Mina, Mr. and Mrs. Night are very nice people. You'll be their first foster child. Mrs. Night worked as a pediatric nurse and Mr. Night is CEO of a prominent youth sports complex." If he didn't know any better, he would have said the girl was catatonic. "Ok Mina, we're here." They pulled up to a modest two story home with a two car garage and a beautiful garden set against the long porch. Mina unclipped her belt without fuss and waited quietly for Mr. Spencer to come around the car, Mr. Spencer knocked only once before the door was opened, a young smiling couple behind it. He wore jeans and a simple ribbed long sleeve shirt tucked in, his hair was silver with light grey highlights but nothing about it said old, it was long to about mid back but shorter near his eyes like long bangs. If you could describe him as salt she would be the pepper, she had black curly hair, longer then her husband's, it was pulled up into two double buns, when she moved, her hair shimmered with highlights from grey to a deep almost purple, she was wearing jeans and a soft lavender shirt that cinched in under her chest then flared out, both had a graceful almost feline like air about them.

Although he was more subdued, she was practically bursting with excitement, Mr. Spencer raised an eyebrow at this. "Are you the Night's?"

"We are." He moved forward to shake hands. "I'm Artemis, this is my wife Luna. Come in please." They were lead into the living room; it was done in deep blues and just whispered comfort. Mina, hands in her lap, head bowed, sat dutifully next to Mr. Spencer and gave a polite hello when prompted.

"You are aware of the situation?" Mr. Spencer asked.

Luna and Artemis shared a look. "Yes. I know I'm not an expert but I've dealt with my fair share of troubled youths and with my new position at work and Luna deciding to stay home, we." He held Luna's hand and smiled. "Have all the time in the world to commit to Mina." Mr. Spencer nodded.

"Do you have any questions for me?"

"We would like any other information we could get. After the application and interview process we were expecting a long wait, we were surprised when CPS contacted us so soon, they didn't tell us much other then…" Luna let the sentence end, glancing at the child. Mina hadn't moved an inch.

"I see, well as foster parents you're usually not privy to her file, as you know the history we've gave you is very limited, but do to circumstances, I was allowed to prepare a brief summary." He passed them a manila folder but they didn't read it immediately. "If you have no other questions I'll take a few signatures and let you three get acquainted." As Mr. Spencer left he stopped at the door and made an impulse decision to interfere. "Give her a chance; she really is a good girl." He crouched down. "Bye Mina, I'll check up on you in a couple of days. You call me if you need me." He gently pulled her chin to meet her eyes. "Ok?"

Mina's response was as automatic, as it was empty. "Bye Mr. Spencer."

'Oh Mina.' He stood up and patted her head before saying his goodbyes and wishing the Night's good luck.

12/18/08

"That's enough!" The three adults in the room quieted and looked to Ms. Haruna.

"Mr. Snider, Mrs. Kane, all I'm asking is you all try to understand their situations. Lita was beaten daily since she was a toddler, told she was nothing and a mistake, when she came here she was alone, no friends, picked on, got into fights, and Serena is much the same, blamed for her mother's death neglected, beaten, her world consisted of a tyrant of a father, she watched this man kill her brother, the only person that loved her unconditionally. These girls could be doing much worse, closed off, constantly frightened, wary of everyone, but because of the friendship these five have formed they have greatly improved, they socialize, there more trusting. Serena and Rei for example have never been in school but instead of failing are making amazing progress. All I'm asking is that you try to find a foster home that will take both Lita and Serena."

"I agree." A neutral child counselor was sitting in on the meeting to speak on behalf of the girls well being. "Right now all four girls need reassurance; if they were separated it would only mean a big setback if we can keep even two of them together it would help. While they're in placement we can work with them gradually on separation issues."

"It's hard enough to find a single foster placement, wait." Mr. Snider held up a hand to stall Ms. Haruna. "But if I can have a week."

"I can't give you a week." Mrs. Kane cut in. "We can't take the chance that what happened to the first girl."

"Mina Anio." Mrs. Haruna said for the tenth time. She didn't much care for the woman she was Mr. Snider's boss and although she over saw cases of the people who worked under her she was more concerned with the systems image then the children she was working for. With a single glance at Mrs. Haruna she dismissed her and forgot Mina's name, again. The child just wasn't important; she had caused enough trouble as it was.

"Yes her." She snapped in a conceited voice. "I don't want that happening to the rest. I don't even want any of these girls' together, CPS doesn't need the bad publicity I've had a rough time as it is keeping the media quiet, and I would think, Mrs. Haruna, you wouldn't want the same for your, girls home." Mrs. Haruna gave her a tight smile.

"Holloway Manor is for the children, my concern is for them first, as I'm sure yours is." The counselor tried to stifle her laugh at Mrs. Kane's look of aggravation.

Mr. snider chose to cut in at that moment. "Ok three days, I'll find a place for both girls." Mrs. Kane reluctantly agreed.

"Wonderful!" Ms. Haruna clapped. "Let's get to work."

1/16/09

"Well today was a bust." Artemis kicked his socks off and attempted a free throw toward the hamper.

"Artemis." Luna scolded, whether from the comment or the socks landing in the flower pot he didn't know.

"Did you get her ready for bed?" He asked as they themselves were getting ready.

"No." Luna replied as she picked the socks out of the flowers.

Artemis raised his eyebrows. "Should I go?" He pointed halfheartedly towards Mina's room.

"No." Luna clarified. "She was in her jamas; teeth brushed and in bed five minutes after you sent her up. She didn't need me." Luna crawled under the covers and sulked.

Artemis pulled on bottoms, crawled into bed and pulled Luna closer, kissing the top of her head. "Maybe we should read her file, it's been a week." He said causally. When Luna didn't respond he continued slowly. "She's not talking to us; she spends all her time in her room unless we drag her out and even then, well you were there today. We can't help her with things as they are, we have to have somewhere to start and she's not going to tell us."

"I'm afraid." She admitted softly into his chest.

"What of this?" He turned and pulled the file from his bed side drawer. "It's not going to grow fangs and bite you." Luna gave him a poke and tried not to snicker.

"Whatever's in there, what if we can't help her? Artemis, I don't want to just give up on her. I don't want that file to dictate how we treat her, I know it sounds silly."

"Hey it's not silly." He cradled her cheek in his hand and gave her a kiss. "Besides when has a piece of paper ever told us how to feel?"

2/22/09

After Mina was removed from Holloway Manor Serena and Lita were soon moved to a foster home, Lita knew it was pointless to fight with the adults and although Lita cried and missed her friends she was grateful they allowed her to stay with Serena, she didn't lose all her family, but Lita at least made an effort to get along with their foster parents. Serena however was having trouble, she had reverted to acting like a toddler, speaking in baby talk no one understood, tantrums that usually didn't end until the entire room was upside-down, disrespect towards the adults, and she refused to go anywhere without Lita, screaming and fighting when separated. Recently Lita had overheard their caseworker saying Serena's attachment was unhealthy and behavior unacceptable, she would have to be move if she didn't improve. Lita was obviously worried, with Mina gone who knows were and now Rei and Amy weren't around either, Lita didn't know how to help her friend.

"Do you think she's dead…they took her away. Sammy went away too, they said he was dead. Maybe they lied to us." Lita looked over the side of the bunk bed, Serena was facing the wall with the blankets over her head, she'd made similar statements almost every night but only to Lita. Serena waited until Lita had crawled under the blankest before turning over and hugging her.

"She's not dead Serena. Don't you remember what Ms. H said? Mina's in a foster home, like us and Ms. H wouldn't lie to us." At night Serena didn't have any of the distractions that keep her busy during the day, or more accurately in trouble, and the little girls mind slipped into darker thoughts. If she wasn't worrying about Mina, she was having nightmares about home. "Don't worry Serena everyone's ok and we're together."

"Lita, will you stay with me, forever?" Serena asked sleepily. Lita hugged Serena and hoped she was too tired to see the worried look on her face.

Mrs. Jessie Garcia was a nice but strict person Lita quickly learned. Mrs. Garcia had been a foster parent for more than ten years and was currently housing four boys, one of which was hers and three older girls, two also hers and now Lita and Serena.

"Girls it's time to get up." Lita stretched and rolled out of bed.

"Morning ma'am." The sounds of the other kids fighting for bacon drifted through the open door.

"Lita, I would like you to get dressed before breakfast, I have things to do today and I'd like to get an early start." As Lita moved off to the bathroom she could hear Serena snoring and Mrs. Garcia getting ready for battle. An hour later Lita peeked her head around the door.

"I don't want ta get ready" Serena was still in jamas, she was currently sitting on the top bunk and throwing her shirt and pants back at Jessie.

"Serena, you get down here this instant, this is a warning." The woman was furious; Lita had been warned by the other kids when she first arrived not to make Mrs. Garcia angry. Lita dint much like the idea of not being able to sit-down.

"No!" Serena threw her underwear; she obviously wasn't helping the situation. Lita interrupted as they landed on Ms. Garcia's head

"Ma'am." She didn't want Serena to get into any more trouble. "I can help Serena, if you want." Jessie turned to Lita and was about to refuse when Serena's socks bounced of her head. "Thank you Lita that would be a great help." Jessie gritted her teeth as she stomped out of the room. Lita didn't miss the angry look on her face or the mumbled. 'I've about had it with that kid.' Lita shut the door as she left.

"Yea!" Serena cheered. "I win!"

"Serena, get down, right now." Serena was happy to comply now Jessie was gone; she carried down a hippo and a cow and started to set up a tea party. "Serena, get dressed, before you get in trouble." "I'm not going to get in trouble, she's not my boss!" she passed the hippo a plastic scone and refilled the cows cup.

"Please Serena, just get dressed." Lita handed Serena her clothes. Serena glared Lita down before snatching the clothes from her hand.

"You're no fun Lita."

"Serena!" Lita snapped. "If you don't behave there going to take you away." Lita's hands instantly went to her mouth; she hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"So, I don't like this house anyway. The big girls are mean; we'll live someplace new, better." Serena didn't understand. Lita was tempted to just leave it alone but the conversation she overheard came back to her, she had to protect Serena, if she just behaved.

"No Serena, they'll take just you away." Serena had gone back to her party but at Lita's admission Serena's superior attitude faded and she turned pale.

"Why? What are you talking about?"

"Girls, are you getting ready?" Jessie deciding to check on Lita's progress knocked on the door, as she stepped into the room Serena spotted her, dropped the hippo and ran over.

"I'm sorry Ms. Garcia. I'll be good; I'll do whatever you want. Please let me stay with Lita, don't send me away." Jessie quickly gathered Serena into a hug as she burst out crying.

"Lita, what happened?"

02/19/09

"Mina." Luna knocked on the door before opening it. "Time to get up." She moved to sit on the bed and gave Mina a small shake. "Mina, wake up baby." Mina gasped and sat up so fast Luna nearly had a heart attack, the little girl looked around wildly and reached out her hand, Luna recognized the gesture she herself had done when Artemis was working late or early and she sleepily looked for him. The expectant and hopeful look on Mina's face was crushed as her hand met open air; she pulled her knees to her chest and started to cry. Luna reached out to comfort her but Mina jumped, still half in her dream she hadn't noticed Luna, Mina shied away, turning her head to hide the tears. "Mina, I didn't mean to scare you. Sweetheart did you have a nightmare?" When Mina's only answer was silent sobs, Luna slowly rubbed her back. "Was it about your friends?" Mina's head snapped around, she looked ready for a fight but it fizzled out as she studied Luna's face.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I just miss them." She whispered.

"Mina you don't have to be sorry, it's ok to miss them. Why don't you tell me about them?" Mina narrowed her eyes. "You don't care, don't pretend." She snapped.

"Mina, if I didn't care I wouldn't have asked, I'd really like to hear about them."

Mina's anger faded into curiosity, she was finding it hard to keep her emotions in check lately, something about Luna and Artemis made her feel like she could trust them. "Why?"

"Because I care about you, I would very much like to get to know you and that means learning about the things you care about." Luna couldn't stand the lonely look on her face. "Why don't we have breakfast together?"

03/09/09

"Morning kiddo, I hope you're hungry I made my Fabulous French Toast."

"Morning Artemis, Luna." Mina chirped as she walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

"Someone got up on the right side of the bed this morning." Luna laughed. "Would you like milk or juice?"

"Milk please." As breakfast was served and they were seated around the table Artemis caught Luna's eye and jabbed a syrupy fork in her direction then at Mina, Luna gave a discreet shake of her head and ignoring him started a neutral conversation with Mina. Artemis stretched out his foot in an attempt to get Luna's attention again but she smoothly shifted out of reach without even looking at him, Artemis suppress the urge to start last night's argument and went back to his bacon, thinking.

Mina was still a very subdued child but with patience and reassurance from Luna and himself she was getting better, well Artemis wanted to keep moving forward, Luna didn't want to rock the boat and cause waves, as they say. After an intense internal debate Artemis went for two more slices of French toast and decided to risk his wife's wrath.

"Mina?" He asked when the conversation paused. "I don't have to work today and thought you might like to visit where I work, maybe try something out." It was so quiet Artemis could hear Luna mentally yelling at him.

"You mean at the Coliseum?" Mina asked. At her apprehensive look Luna glared an, I told you at Artemis, expertly kicking him under the table.

"We don't have to go Mina." She reassured.

"I don't have to do anything?" Mina ventured.

"No sweetheart of course not." Luna was trying to stop the rocking.

"We'll be with you the whole time Mina." Artemis nudged. "And we can leave whenever we want to." Mina took another bite of French toast wile Luna and Artemis tried to argue without talking.

After a long pause Mina reached for her glass. "Ok I'll go."

"Good." Artemis grinned. "We can get ready after we finish breakfast." He couldn't help sending a shocked Luna a smug, I told you so.

"Mina, where'd you get to?"

"In here." Luna stopped just inside the bathroom door; Mina was brushing her hair and staring into space.

"Are you ok, we don't have to go?"

"No, I want to go." Mina started. "I'm just, nervous I guess."

"Can I help?" Luna asked, reaching for the hair brush.

"Luna, I can do all kinds of stuff." Mina didn't sound proud of the fact and her voice was wary, as if she wasn't sure she should admit it.

"Like what?" Luna tried.

"I can play music, I was in dance class, acting, stuff like that, it was fun…at first." Luna finished up Mina's hair and turned her around.

"Mina you don't have to do any activity unless you want to."

"Promise." Mina visibly relaxed with relief.

Luna crossed her heart and gave Mina a hug. "I promise. Okay tell me if you like your hair." Mina moved over to the full length mirror, Luna laughed as Mina bounded over and hugged her

"If you like it that much I have different colors." Luna had pulled the sides of her hair back and tied it with a red ribbon.

The lobby for the Coliseum was a large half circle, the ticket and information counter sitting front and center with six sets of double doors behind that leading into the rest of the building, everything about the lobby was very colorful, from the cushy benches to the art either hanging on the wall on freely floating like mobiles. Mina kept a death grip on Luna's hand as she was lead through the crowd to the elevator.

"We'll check out the top floor first." Artemis said as they rode up. The lobby on the second floor mirrored the one downstairs, smaller in size with only four double doors.

"Hello Mrs. Night. Mr. Night, Jim left a message for you."

"Erin, just Artemis today, we're here to have fun, not work." Artemis greeted. The girl working the counter blushed.

"Sorry, it becomes habit."

"And it's a good habit to have." He amended and turned to Luna. "Jim always exaggerates, I don't have to I'm sure it's nothing…"

"It's ok, as long as you promise not to start working." Luna warned playfully.

"You sure?" When Luna nodded he lead the girls to a side door and slid a card through a lock that beeped, the door opened to a hallway with two offices on the right and a large break room on the left, two more doors sat at the end of the hall. Artemis had the corner office, two walls were nothing but window overlooking the parking lot on one side, the quad and four other buildings that made up the Coliseum complex on the other.

"You can check out my office Mina." She wondered around while Artemis responded to his message and decided she liked his office, it was comfy. Mina had reached his desk and was looking at the pictures of him and Luna when she paused, in the picture she was laughing and counting the money she'd won, Mina had been playing a board game with Luna that day she remembered.

"Whatcha lookin at?" Artemis questioned, moving next to her, he followed her gaze. "That's my favorite picture of you." He smiled.

"Is it suppose to be there." Mina wondered.

"Where else would I put my two favorite girls?" Artemis decided not to let her brood. "You ready to go?"

The top floor turned out to have a roller-skating rink on the left and a bowling alley on the right with a small food court set between them, Mina spent the day learning to bowl and skate.

"Did you have fun today?" Luna asked as Mina tied her shoes.

"Yes but I think I like skating more, even if I fall a lot." Mina said seriously.

"I'm glad you like it. We can come back anytime." Artemis assured.

"What's on the bottom?" Mina asked on the elevator ride down.

"I almost forgot to show you didn't I? Well we have an Olympic sized pool for diving and swim teams and a gymnastics set up." He led them over to the three left double doors. "These gyms are more for structured sports, for teams and such but we can still take a quick look ok."

"You want to hear a secret." Artemis lowered his voice as they entered the cavernous room. Mina could only nod the site of the equipment and various gymnasts had caught her attention. "This building was the first built, and the floor plan was a mistake. It all started with these two contractors…"

01/23/09

Amy was hiding, well Rei called it hiding, Amy called it studying, she spent all of her time in the dorm or in the classrooms, anything to keep away from the other kids but as vocal as Rei was about the subject she wouldn't leave Amy's side for anything. Rei had managed to bribe and threaten Amy into spending some time in the common room after dinner, though she wasn't certain what she would have done if Amy called her bluff, she didn't want to switch dorms anyway. Both girls were currently playing checkers, as close to an aid as possible.

"Hi, can I play winner?" The girl smiled, she was one of the more popular girls at the Manor. Rei had seen her around but never really talked to her, she seemed nice.

"What's your name?" Rei smiled back.

"Don't get to close." Macy interrupted. "You'll turn into a boy, or is that what you're talking to um for." She sneered; the girl gave Rei an apologetic look before taking off. Rei knew it was more because Macy would harass her, then what Macy had said.

"Shut up Macy! You brat." Rei snarled. Amy looked for the aid but she was across the room breaking up a fight.

"That's ok Rei. I know you're jealous of my beauty." Macy strutted around to Amy. "It's too bad Amy, you could have been pretty." Macy had reached up and tugged on Amy's hair, then wiped her hand on her jeans looking disgusted. "Too bad Rei turned you in to a boy." Amy had burst into tears at this point, Rei jumped out of her chair and moved between the two.

"Leave Amy alone!" Rei gave Macy a shove back.

"You better be careful Rei. Your stupid troll isn't here anymore to save you." Macy growled out. Rei was red with anger she could barely speak through her clenched teeth.

"I don't need her." Rei pounced. It seemed to Amy like the aid took forever to get to Rei and Macy, by the time they were pulled apart both were bleeding.

Amy waited until the lights were turned out before crawling into Rei's bed. "Does it hurt?" She whispered. Rei had been sent to bed early and didn't get to talk to Amy after the fight; she was now sporting a black eye, cut lip and four stitches above her right eye.

"No, not really, they put numbing stuff on it." Rei let the silence stretch out. "Amy you awake?" Amy turned over to look at Rei. "Amy, your hair don't look like a boys, it's really pretty." Amy's new haircut had shortened her hair to just above her ears.

"Thanks Rei …man you really got Macy good…"

Ms. Dawson opened the door at the sound of giggles, she couldn't exactly tell who it was but she had an idea. "Get to sleep girls or you'll be separated." Ms. Dawson was answered with silence. When the door was shut Amy whispered goodnight to Rei.

"Rei, it's time to go. This is the third time I've called you." The two girls were sitting in the nearly empty cafeteria; Mrs. Haruna could see both girls try to ignore her as she stalked over.

"Man lemmy finish this round?"

"Rei, UNO doesn't have rounds, you're going to be late, Mr. Harris is waiting."

"Ok, ok, just wait ghee." Rei grumble dramatically.

"Now, Rei, you have to leave."Ms. Haruna moved and started pulling Rei by her hand, in an instance Rei's whole attitude turned to panic.

"Wait! Ms. H, wait please?" Mrs. Haruna sighed, when Rei had been released the two girls came together like magnets, Amy was crying. "I'll be right back don't worry, and then we'll finish the game kay?"

After seeing Rei off Ms. Haruna opened the secured door to see Amy waiting right on the other side looking lost. It was so hard to get the girls apart and Amy seemed to take it harder than Rei. "Come on." Ms. Haruna said taking Amy into her arms. "Why don't you show me how to play UNO until Rei comes back?"

04/12/09

"Art? Man what are you still doing here?"

"Huh, what." Artemis look up to see his door open and a head pop in.

"Artemis, you said you were leaving an hour ago."

"Oh, hey Jim. I was just editing this DVD for Luna." Jim set his bag near the door and perched on the edge of the desk.

"Using company time, you're brave."

"I clocked out, unlike some people I know." Artemis joked.

"Hey that was one time, not to mention computer error. Can I see?" Jim asked as he moved around the desk. "Oh man she's good. When was this taken?"

"Her third week in." Artemis beamed. Jim clapped him on the back and moved back to the door. "Man Art, you go it bad." Artemis looked up genuinely confused.

"What do I, got?" Jim shook his head and laughed.

"The proud father glow, you better get home before you miss dinner." Jim left and missed the look of sudden realization on his friends face. Artemis sat in stunned silence Mina's practice playing in the background, he had the phone in his hand and ringing before he had all his senses gathered.

"Hello Mr. Spencer? This is Artemis Night; I'd like to talk to you about Mina. No this is definitely good news."

02/15/09

"Amy you want my pudding?" Amy stared at her broccoli not looking at Rei.

"Come on Amy you can't stay mad forever." when Amy still didn't answer Rei slammed her fork down.

"It's not my fault! I didn't ask to leave!" Rei got up and stalked out of the now silent cafeteria. Rei turned the corner, stopped and leaned against the wall. Her court date last week had been the last, her mom had been convicted and sent to jail and to a lesser extent her dad, they had both released custody of Rei which meant she would soon be leavening the Manor for a foster home, Amy had stopped talking at the news. Ms. Haruna had told Rei it wasn't her fault, Amy was just sad but Rei couldn't help but feel guilty, she was scared and didn't know how to handle the situation. Her mother wasn't an open person unless it was hatred, and any strong emotion, good or bad from Rei wasn't allowed, it didn't help that Rei had a temper. She didn't have to wait long before Amy came around the corner and stopped, neither girl said anything.

"Let's go play in the gym." Rei took Amy's hand and lead the silent girl away.

05/02/09

"How was gymnastics?" Artemis asked as Luna eased onto the couch and snuggled into his arms.

"Her meet went late so she conked out in the car; she didn't even wakeup as I put her to bed."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it, was she upset?"

"No she was ok after she called you, which by the way was wonderful of you, letting her talk your ear off like that." Luna didn't give him a chance to respond and kissed him.

"What was I saying?" He asked as they pulled apart, Luna laughed.

"Now that I got your attention, I wanted to talk to you, hey wait what's that?" Artemis had pulled a slightly squished manila folder out from his back during the kiss and was now trying to hide it again.

"Oh this? Nothing really." He was floundering and he knew, she knew. "What were you saying?" Luna pulled back looking stern.

"Oh no mister, you first, what is it? You know you can't hide stuff from me."

"And I'd never want to." He smiled, sighed then looked to the stairs. "Mina's asleep."

"Dead to the world." Luna moved closer as he became serious. Artemis fiddled with the folder and tried to gather his thoughts.

"Artemis, oh god." Luna didn't like this change in him. "Don't tell me they want to take her." She bit down on her lip to keep it from trembling; Artemis grabbed Luna into a fierce hug.

"No Luna, no nothing like that, look." He pushed the papers into her hands and told her about Jim as she read. "I just asked Mr. Spencer to send them out, there adoption papers. I know we have a lot to talk about, us and Mina but."

"Yes." Luna finally look up, tears is her eyes. "Yes, I, let's do it." Artemis grabbed Luna and kissed her.

"God I love you, I could just burst from the amount of love and happiness I have from you." Luna's smile faded around the edges as she pulled back from Artemis.

"There's something I need to ask you." Luna said slowly she waited until both of them had calmed. "I know Mina has been doing real well and yes she has friends but… I'm not sure how to explain. She talks to kids because they're there, because it what we expect her to do, make friends I mean." Luna oozed frustration and worry. "I've talked to her coach and I've seen her myself when I pick her up early, if she knows we're not there she'll spend her entire practice alone not talking to anyone. She still has nightmares Artemis; she wakes up looking for them." Artemis pulled Luna into his chest as she started to cry.

"You want to find them." He confirmed.

"I know it's a lot to ask and we don't know their situations but if we can I want to bring them home."

03/30/09

"Take me back!" Lita couldn't believe what she had been told; she was going to a new foster home without Serena. "Take me back! You lied, take me back! Take me back!" She kicked the back of his seat violently. "You lied, you lied! Take me back, she doesn't know, she'll be scared." She begged him but he didn't speak to Lita, let alone slow down the car. Lita gave his seat one last kick before screaming at the top of her lungs in frustration. He let the little girl scream until her voice got sore continuing to drive, ignoring her violent sobs and hoarse demeans. When they got to the new foster home it was a battle to get her out of the car and into the house, she kicked, punched, bit and screamed, he even chased her two blocks when she managed to getaway, to say he was glad to sign the papers and leave was an understatement.

04/10/09

"Move brat." Rei was shoved off the couch as Mick ripped the remote out of her hand and plopped into the now vacant spot, Rei got off the floor and tried for the remote.

"I was here first, give it back." Mick easily pushed the small girl away from him.

"Get lost I said, my shows on." Rei narrowed her eyes but moved out of his site behind the couch. Mick smirked and started to turn the volume up when Rei leapt from behind, wrapping one arm around his head and pulling what she could grab of his hair with her free hand, the fight was on. Mick managed to pull Rei over the back of the couch so she wasn't chocking him still she was scrappy, he tried to keep her at a distance with his longer arms but she scratch and dodged, landing a few good knocks to his head and chest causing Mick to give in and called for help. As Rei won the remote she was pulled up and back by Mr. Grant holding Rei by her waist. "What is going on here? Mick you are fifteen, why are you fighting with a little girl?"

"I didn't dad, I was just sitting here watching my show, and the little brat attacked me."

"He's lying! I was here first!" Rei chucked the remote bouncing it off Mick's forehead. "You jerk!"

"That's it Rei." Mr. Grant marched Rei out of the room, Mick smiled behind his father's back Rei gave her own smirk as Mick turned back to the TV rubbing the bump on his forehead. Rei was placed into a corner of Mr. Grant's office as he called her caseworker.

"Hello this is Simon Grant, yes Rei Hino, I'm sorry but we can no longer care for her, she's constantly fighting with the other kids and her behavior is out of control no I'm sorry I can't do that, I wouldn't have called you if it were that simple…thank you I'll have her things packed."

05/16/09

"What are we celebrating?" Mina asked as she bit into the cake. Luna stilled ice cream dripping from her spoon.

"Why do you think were celebrating?" She said slowly.

"Well," Mina said around the cake. "Celebrating means food, Artemis cooked a big diner." She held up one finger. "Cake and ice cream, you brought that home." A second finger was added. "We're wearing are nice clothes." third finger. "And your letting me eat cake in the living room for the movie." Two more fingers went up. "And you and Artemis keep smiling, like you have a surprise." she finished both cake and observation.

Artemis clicked the TV off and moved to pat the couch between Luna and himself. "Come sit with us." Mina put her plate down and hopped onto the couch.

"So I was right? What's the surprise?" Mina was grinning from ear to ear at her own cleverness. Luna laughed and gathered Mina into her lap.

"We planned this night to be special because we have something important to talk to you about." Artemis started slowly.

"When you came to live with us, I was very nervous even a little scared." Luna admitted. Mina's eyes grew and she hugged her.

"Why were you scared?"

"I didn't know if I could help you or if we would be friends, I didn't want you to hate me."

"I don't hate you Luna, you're the best ever and Artemis too." Mina moved to give him a hug causing him to choke back tears to get the next sentence out.

"Mina, what Luna is trying to say, is that we both love you very much and if you leave we would be very sad." Mina slid off the couch to look at both of them; she was starting to get worried.

"I won't leave; do you want me to leave?" She looked around half expecting someone was waiting to take her away.

"No sweetie." Luna scoped her up into her lap. "We don't want you to leave ever." Luna couldn't help it and started to cry, Mina joining in she didn't quite understand but if Luna was crying and talking about her leaving it couldn't be a good thing.

"Mina." Artemis moved closer and held her hands. "Luna and I want to adopt you, we want you to be our daughter, and we want you to be our family." Mina sat stunned they weren't sending her away, they wanted her, she would have a mommy and a daddy, she could stay, have a family. 'But what about Lita and Rei, Amy, Serena where are they, do they have a new family? But I love Luna and Artemis.' It was too much information Mina didn't know what to say and finally just cried herself to sleep.

Later that night Luna woke up unexpectedly, she tried to figure out what had woken her up, she was about to dismiss it as one of those nights when a shuffling at the foot of the bed made her sit up. "Mina, is that you?"

Mina sniffled. "Can I sleep in here?"

"Come get under the covers." As Mina scrambled up the bed Artemis gave a start.

"What, wazit, what's going on?" Artemis was sleepily fighting to untangle himself from the sheet fully intent on protecting his home when Luna's words registered.

"It's only Mina." Luna whispered.

"Are you ok starlet?" Artemis asked once she was settled between the two, Mina only shook her head.

"You want to talk about it?" Luna wiped a tear from her cheek. Mina's breath hitched and a wobbly little voice squeaked out.

"I miss my friends, I feel bad that you want me in your family and my friends don't have a family." Luna was kicked as she opened her mouth; Artemis glared and shook his head.

'It has to be her decision alone.' Artemis had argued after Mina had been placed in bed. 'If she said yes, only because they were coming here, it wouldn't mean anything, it would amount to a bribe. Do this and we'll give you candy.' "Mina, I'm sorry about your friends but right now we don't know about them all I know is, I have a beautiful little girl that I love."

"Mina." Luna hugged her. "Are you afraid you'll forget them?"

"Yes, I don't want to forget?" Mina sobbed.

"You'll never forget starlet, because you love them they're in your heart forever." It was a minute before Mina could talk through the tears, she look up at Luna who was crying with her and Artemis who tried to hide his own.

"I love you both; I want to be a family. Will you still adopt me?"

04/22/09

"I'm home. Where is everybody?"

"In here Luke, the kids went to the park." He walked into the kitchen and kissed his wife.

"How was your day?" She shook her head and nodded behind him when he turned he wasn't surprised to see Serena in chair facing the corner, the only surprise was that she was sitting quietly. "What did she do this time?" as they moved into the living room Serena through a defiant look over her shoulder.

"That girl is driving me crazy." She whispered.

"She's just a little gi.."

"Don't start Luke, we've been thru this. Kids need rules, discipline, she has to learn sometime, the others did. She needs to be spanked." Luke took a few steps around the room before coming back to Bren.

"Bren, her history, we can't do that. What did she do anyway?" Bren growled and led him to her studio.

"I thought I would set up an easel to paint later tonight. Serena asked if she could paint and I said no, I specifically told her she wasn't allowed into that room and why and left it at that, and while I cleaned the kitchen for dinner she did this." She opened the door and paint was everywhere, floors, wall, and furniture.

"It's not just this Luke, she's wild and gets into everything, no is yes to her, she fights with the other kids and if the mood strikes her she'll follow me around all day screaming for Lita, and when she's not making messes and causing trouble she's acting like a baby."

"Her case worker said she," Bren cut him off.

"Dam it Luke, you can't excuse her forever, if she can't follow our rules she'll have to leave."

05/27/09

She reread the file. "I know you're concerned." The woman across from her spoke up. "But I personally spoke to them, with my boss; we've talked to her counselor, the lawyers even. We made every precaution against causing her more harm. They have more than agreed to make sure she gets to every therapy session and court when resumed, we just need your, shall I say approval."

"I highly doubt that." Ms. Haruna moved from her desk and looked out the window; children were outside for lunch, minus one. "Ms. Dean you've handed me papers and asked me to sign them. I have no doubt she'll be moved with or without my approval."

"Your right Ms. Haruna, what you've done here is amazing, you not only established this home but you have personally and successfully kept it up and running and I've heard that you and your husband have even adopted some of the girls that have been guests here. We all respect your opinion when it comes to Amy, as I understand it she's attached herself to you?" Ms. Haruna turned her back to the window.

"Yes and no she, is less stressed if I'm near, she still doesn't speak as you know and."

"That's why your opinion matters." Ms. Dean cut in. "Where is she now."

"It's lunch time." Mrs. Haruna sighed

"So she's outside." Ms. Dean guessed. Mrs. Haruna sat at her desk.

"No, right now she's sitting in a corner of the lunch room picking at her food." Ms. Dean was about to prompt Mrs. Haruna for an answer when she started talking, her voice solemn.

"Amy was…a prisoner in her home, made to play her father's idea of the perfect child, always neat, clean, well behaved on top of that sexually abused and eventually sold. She has never had simple freedom other children take for granted, she never spoke to other children, was home schooled, her room from what I read was set up like a stage and that's what it was. That's what I read about Amy before she came to the Manor, when she showed up I expected the worst, an emotionally detached, broken little girl. Amy proved me wrong in a few short weeks, she was hurting yes, she had problems yes, but she also had friends that made all the difference and when the girls left one by one her hope left with them, now she's exactly what I expected her to be when I read that file. So if this in anyway helps her then I …I want that for her she needs something to inspire her to hope again."

Ms. Haruna signed the paperwork and buzzed the receptionist. "Have Ms. Dawson pack Amy Mizuno's things right away." She escorted Ms. Dean to the door. "If you can wait for me in the foyer I'll have her brought out."

The lunchroom was empty, save a few stragglers when Ms. Haruna walked in, she briefly glanced around before spotting Amy, who was right where she had predicted. One of the fosters was sitting with Amy trying to get her to eat her lunch, when she noticed Mrs. Haruna she gave Amy a pat before getting up to intercept her.

"Ms. Haruna, she hasn't eaten breakfast and barely touched her dinner last night, if she keeps doing this Suzan wants to hospitalize her." She said worriedly.

"Hopefully this new situation will make a difference. Kara, would you get me one of the protein shakes. I'll see what I can do about getting her to eat; I have to talk to her anyway." Ms. Haruna sat next to Amy and smiled despite feeling concerned for the little girl.

"Hello Amy, they tell me you haven't been eating. Are you feeling sick?" When Amy didn't answer Ms. Haruna continued calmly but firmly. "It's very important Amy, to tell me if you're feeling sick." Amy gave the slightest shake of her head and pushed her peas feebly around her plate.

"Thank you Kara I'll stay with her. Ok Amy, you can either eat all your lunch, which I'd prefer, or drink this shake, chocolate this time." She waited wile Amy mixed peas with mashed potatoes before pushing the plate and taking the shake. Ms. Haruna sat quietly with Amy, making sure she actually drank the shake before continuing.

"Amy you're going to be leaving Holloway Manor." She didn't miss Amy's shoulders tightening up. "It's ok Amy." she rubbed her back in small circles. "Ms. Dean is going to take you to a foster home today. Since your court case has been postponed, and you haven't been doing so well at Holloway Manor, we think you can do better in a foster home." Amy began crying softly. "It's ok Amy, you've done nothing wrong. In fact, I think you'll like this foster home." Amy looked up then; Ms. Haruna dried her eyes with her handkerchief. "Are you scared?" Amy nodded. "You don't have to be. Know why?" Amy shrugged and Ms. Haruna smiled. "Mina will be there."

Balloons were tied to the mailbox and a sign reading congratulations hung from the porch, Artemis, Luna and to a lesser extent Mina, were picking up the front yard from the party that had just ended. Mina didn't much care for the cleanup part of the party, so instead of picking up the doge ball, she innocently kicked it making it sail up and over a surprised Luna before nailing Artemis in the rear as he bent to pick up a stray can.

"Hey!" He squawked, dropping said can and bag making an even bigger mess. By the time he had picked himself up and turned around, Mina was rolling on the ground laughing, squealing out apologies.

"You too?" He said with faked disappointment, Luna was shaking with laugher but trying for neutral.

"You should have seen yourself, it was so funny." Mina tried to do an imitation of Artemis falling but she was laughing to hard. A new burst of laughter from Luna had Artemis moving towards Mina.

"Ok, that's it." Artemis darted after Mina who quickly recovered from her laughing fit and ran; Artemis let her have the lead for a bit before tackling her.

"Ack! No not the tickle attack." Mina howled and tried to wiggle free, until Luna jumped in to save her.

"I give, you win." Artemis admitted defeat and collapsed on the lawn, he let out a gust of air as Mina flung herself across his stomach. "Did you have fun today?" He asked.

"Yes! I like the games and the piñata; I never had one before, everything! I didn't know you knew so many people, everyone came. I didn't think we would get stuff." Mina chattered.

"Someone's on the sugar train." Luna commented and offered Artemis her hand. "Mina, we have one more surprise for you." Luna checked her watch then moved to finish picking up the yard and Artemis went back to the spilt cans with Mina following.

"Umm, Artemis I didn't get you and Luna anything for the pre-adoption party."

"Mina, you're our gift." Luna said from across the yard.

"I am?" Mina said surprised.

"Of course silly, we love you." Mina lunged into Artemis's arms with a huge smile.

"I love you to dad" She wiggled free then bounced off to Luna. "I love you mom." Mina didn't give them a chance to react before running into the house.

"Mina, where?" Luna questioned.

"Camera." She shouted back as the screen door shut.

"I think she just gave us her gift." Artemis walked over and hugged his wife.

As the car slowed to a stop Amy, despite her skepticism, curiously looked out the window. A man and woman were hugging in the front yard and started walking to the car when Ms. Dean came around to let Amy out of the back seat.

"Amy, this is Artemis and Luna Night, your new foster parents." Luna crouched down to meet her.

"Hi Amy, we're very happy to have you here." Amy blushed and looked down.

"Would you like to come in Ms. Dean, we have cake." When Artemis motioned toward the house he saw Amy jump out of the corner of his eye. "We had a celebration today."

"No thank you, I've quite a full schedule today. Just a few signatures will do." As Artemis signed the papers, Amy started to cry. 'Where's Mina, they said she'd be here, they lied.' Luna was about to ask Amy if she was ok when the screen door flung open with a bang, all eyes turned to the girl cringing on the porch.

"Sorry." She groaned and started down the front lawn. "Artemis, I can't find th…" Mina moved closer and stopped as she spotted Amy in front of Luna, tears striking down her face, Mina's mouth moving very much like a fish. "A…Amy? What?" She shook herself and ran into the little girls arms. "Don't cry Amy, its ok now." Mina looked between the three adults. "Is Amy here to stay?" Mina demanded, she look desperate and ready to fight for her friend if need be.

"Surprise." Artemis said simply. The look on Mina's face and the relief on Amy's as the girls wrapped each other in a tight hug were thanks enough for Luna.

"Well I'll leave you to it." Ms. Dean interrupted, handing Artemis a file and waved goodbye as the girls were lead into the house.

"Let's get inside and talk." Luna suggested.

That night Mina was getting tucked into bed wile Amy was in the bathroom with Luna. Mina picked at her nails and bit her lip wile Artemis put the finishing touches on the bed across from hers. "What's wrong?" Artemis sat down and handed Mina a stuffed blowfish.

"Why won't Amy talk?" Mina flapped the fish's fins idly.

"Well, starlet, I think its a few things. When the other girls left Holloway Manor and having to go to court, I think both of those things together made her very sad, and maybe she didn't know how to handle it well." Artemis reached over and hit a small button on one of the fins, the bloop-bloop-bloop, got a small grin from Mina.

"What'd we do, how do we help her?" Mina pleaded.

"Right now, it's important not to force Amy to talk. When she's ready she'll probably talk our ears off. And we don't want to treat her differently, just talk to her normally."

"So we don't hurt her feelings right?" Mina asked.

"Right." Artemis confirmed just as Luna brought Amy in. Mina sat up hugging her fish a little too tightly causing it to bloop.

"Isn't this great Amy." A second bed and dresser had been delivered a bit after Amy had arrived, it was a small mistake on the delivery company but Artemis got it up, with bedding, in record time. "We get to share a room." Amy smiled at Mina but she was still a bit timid around Luna and Artemis.

"Ok girls, I don't want you up all night." Luna tucked Amy in and gave her a kiss on her forehead before moving to Mina. Artemis started towards Amy but she noticeably shied away, Artemis smoothly switched directions, walked to the doorway and waited for Luna before saying goodnight to both girls and shutting the door.

"You ok?" Luna asked as they climbed into bed.

"I understand how she feels, it'll take time. I'm ok with that …what happened in the bathroom? I thought I heard crying." Luna hugged Artemis putting her head on her chest.

"She was afraid, it took me a bit to understand she wasn't afraid to take a shower itself, she was afraid to be in the bathroom alone." Artemis held her to his chest, a sudden surge of helplessness gave way to outrage and anger, anger that anyone could knowingly hurt Mina, Amy or any child was unforgivable. Artemis wasn't one for violence but he could easily picture beating a faceless man, Amy's father, Mina's molester, and suddenly Luna was comforting him.

"You look so far away, so angry." Luna said softly. Artemis took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Mina asked me why people hurt kids. Why Amy's dad hurt her?"

"She knows about Amy?" Luna was shocked.

"Some, apparently the girls confided in each other. I didn't have an answer for her Luna."

"I don't think anyone does. All we can do is give them support, be there for them …I'll mention this to Mina's counselor at her next appointment."

"What did we get ourselves into?" It was a rhetorical question and he hadn't meant to say it out loud. Luna pushed herself up on her one free arm to look into his eyes.

"You would give it up?" Artemis met her gaze with sincerity.

"Never."

06/20/09

"Did you girls have fun shopping?" Luna shot him an, are-you-kidding look from the doorway as Mina zipped thru, followed by a calm Amy.

"Your home early, I thought you were working late today." Luna placed the many bags on the couch and gave him a hello kiss.

"Oh, I thought we would have to spend all day redoing paperwork that had been lost. A whole day of tracking down one thing or another, I was dreading it. Turns out it was just misfiled, so I played an early game of golf with Jim." Luna had collapsed in the lazy-boy and was absentmindedly looking through her bags.

"Artemis, I know you work so hard, but you get the next shopping trip." Luna smiled at his stricken look. "Don't worry; I know you'll have as much fun as I did today." Before Artemis could find a way out of the dreaded shopping trip, Mina came into the room. She was her usual hyper self as she skipped towards Artemis, when she suddenly stopped, turned completely around, sighed and marched back out of the room. Artemis started to make a comment to Luna when Mina came back, pulling Amy along.

"How'd you like the mall girls?"

"It was great! The mall was so big. I think we went into every store, and look." Mina hopped on the couch and flung her arms out, her face fell at his obvious lack of understanding. "Daaddd!" Mina groaned. "I got a new outfit, and shoes." Artemis chuckled and lifted Mina off the couch.

"I'm sorry starlet; guys aren't good at knowing about outfits and shoes." Artemis made a scared face and through a meaningful look at Luna over Mina's head.

"But you like it?" Mina tugged on his hand and twirled herself.

"Of course, you look very pretty." Artemis spotted Amy practically behind Luna's chair. 'Try, try again.' "Amy, what did you get? This was your trip after all."

"She got." Mina started too jump in when Luna grabbed her shoulders interrupting her.

"Why don't you help me start dinner?" And pulled her out of the room. Amy was stricken she wanted to run after Mina, but at the same time she didn't. Mina had told her Artemis was nice, and as far as Amy could see he was, she had to admit she liked Artemis, he was fun, he was never mean to her or Mina, he never tried to hurt them. But Amy hadn't much trust in men and Holloway Manor was entirely staffed by women, Artemis was the only guy she had been around for any length since her father.

"It's ok Amy; you don't have to show me." Artemis had seen the indecisions in her eyes. Amy was making progress, she had started talking to Mina first then Luna, she whispered most times but it was progress. Though she still hadn't spoken to Artemis, she at least wasn't crying and cowering in fear form him anymore. Artemis turned to look for his abandon newspaper and felt a small tug on his shirt, Amy was timidly holding out a shopping bag.

07/23/09

"Are we adopting Amy?" Mina asked suddenly. Artemis had gone with Amy to court earlier this morning and Mina had stayed behind with Luna, much to Mina's distress. This was an important day for Amy, the end of her trail but as much as she wanted to be there for her friend Mina wasn't allowed to go, instead she moped around asking questions, following Luna around the house, until Luna had threatened Mina with no Coliseum unless she found something to keep herself busy. Upon Amy's return Mina had attached herself to Amy's hip and both girls had to be sent to their room so they wouldn't overhear a meeting with Amy's caseworker and lawyer. The four were now relaxing in the family room.

"Is she a ward yet?" Mina asked. Luna put down her book and looked at Artemis in his recliner.

"Ok girls, let's talk." Mina hit the off button on the remote and moved next to Luna on the couch; Amy set the horses she was playing with to the side and moved to sit on the coffee table between Luna and Artemis.

"Amy, do you want to talk alone, without Mina?" Mina scooted forward but a glance from Artemis had her slumping back into the couch, she kept quiet but crossed her arms and fingers.

"No she can stay."

"Do you understand what happened in court today?" Artemis asked.

"I think so." She said slowly.

"Your father." Artemis stopped as Amy's face turned more angry then afraid. Artemis had to smile at that, she was gaining confidence in herself. "Greg was convicted." at the girls blank stares he backtracked. "The judge said he was guilty. He will be in jail for the rest of his life the same for the other man."

"Can they get out?" at Amy's scared and hurt tone, Artemis being closer automatically reach out to pull Amy onto his lap but caught himself and stopped at just holding her hands not wanting to spook her. Amy however didn't even flinch and flung herself into his arms crying.

"They can't get out Amy, ever." Artemis assured.

Luna pulled a crying Mina into her lap, when both girls had calmed down Luna gave Artemis an intense stare. "Now's a good time." she commented, when he nodded she continued. "Amy is a ward of the state, but we haven't thought of adoption yet."

"Why?" Mina whined. "Don't you want Amy in our family?"

"It's not that." Artemis said quickly turning Amy to look in her eyes. "We want Amy to have the choice, like you did." Artemis directed to Mina, Luna interjected.

"It's important that you had a choice Mina and it's the same for all of you." Luna smiled.

"All of us." Amy asked confused.

"We." Luna indicated Artemis. "Have asked around and if they can Lita, Rei, and Serena, are going to be moving here." Mina face lit up but Luna placed a finger on her open lips, no doubt ready to shout for joy. "Wait I don't want you to be too excited Mina, it might work out it might not, like Artemis said, we want you all to have a choice. We might not be the kind of parents they want or you Amy."

"We want you to be happy." Artemis added. "Too have the family you care about if that's not us, that's ok we don't want you to stay just for Mina. I understand you both care about each other very much and if you leave us I will do everything possible to make sure you guys can see each other no matter what, do you understand?" Amy was quiet for a bit.

"Ms. H use to say don't do something cause everyone else is doing it." She paused. "You want me to stay, cause I want to, not just to be with Mina right?"

"That's exactly right."

Artemis woke up to an empty bed, when he found Luna she was standing in the girls' doorway, she jumped when he put his arms around her. "Whatcha you thinking." He whispered.

"They look so peaceful, you couldn't guess just by looking at them the…things they had to deal with." She sighed and closed their door letting Artemis lead her downstairs.

"Let's have a snack." He suggested, moving from the fridge to the pantry. She took a seat at the breakfast bar as Artemis placed the cookies and milk between them.

"Do you remember why we did this?" She made a sweeping motion with a cookie. Artemis gave her a long look, she hadn't slept tonight he could see it in her eyes; she worried and hadn't gotten any sleep.

"We wanted to help children, as much as we could, and maybe start a family." He said slowly

"Helping children, do you think I'm losing sight of that?" It was whispered but he heard the uncertainty in her voice, he started to answer but was cut off. "Did you hear what I said tonight? You have a choice." She quoted herself, she turned to him then. "Mina was our first foster case. We never gave Mina that choice; we didn't tell her she had options. She's a little girl that was in a good home for the first time why wouldn't she say yes."

"You know that's not true Luna, Mina was in four homes before us and we talked with her before the adoption papers were filed she understood."

Luna was trying not to cry she drank her milk in an attempt to loosen her throat. "What about Amy and now the others? Are we even helping them by bringing them here? It's not fair to you or to them; maybe I was being selfish in suggesting it." Artemis dropped his soggy cookie as she talked, he'd seen it, she was trying to hide but he'd seen it.

"Luna stop." He grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. "Too help a child, that's why we did this. Mina came to us, she needed us and we were there for her and now Amy, and we'll continue to help the other girls. We came into this together and you are in no way being selfish because you love them…and if we happen to adopt all of them so be it." Luna's eyes widened and a new set of tears joined the first.

"You know." Artemis pulled her closer.

"I didn't know for sure, I suspected but you just confirmed it."

"I'm so sorry, I know it not fair to you but I can't help but love them, Mina and Amy even the others there not even here but I…I."

"Hey it's ok, calm down and take a deep breath. Luna I love you and I can't even imagine are life without Mina and …I was trying to be, what's the word?" Artemis searched the room. "Unbiased." He settled. "I didn't want to get attached but Mina and Amy sucked me in, even the thought of Amy leaving is too much to bear, maybe that's why we did this." He echoed her earlier question. "These five girls need someone, and maybe that's us. Maybe this is who we're supposed to help, maybe this is our family." Luna smiled.

"How do you do that?"

"Do what?" he asked.

"Make sense of the chaos in my head and you're not even telepathic."

"Cause I'm the best and id be a shame if I didn't know my own wife."

"Have I told you, I loved you lately?" Luna asked as Artemis slowly led her to the living room, kissing her along the way until they tripped and landed on the couch

"Not lately."

8/26/09

"Ok are we forgetting anything?" Luna pulled out a clipboard and glared at Artemis as he coughed suspiciously. "Food and Drinks?"

"In the car." Luna was completely serious as she went down the list.

"Dinnerware?"

"You know where." Artemis raised his eyebrows and dodged; Luna smoothly pulled out a second pencil from her hair and continued.

"A change of clothes, towels, first aid kit, beach toys, chairs, umbrella, book…books, sun block, did I forget anything, I think I did." Luna chewed the end of the pencil.

"Luna?" Artemis laughed and pulled the clipboard from her hands. "Everything is in the car, we just have to get in and go." Luna started to argue but Artemis led her to the passenger side and shut the door. "Woo Hoo! A day at the beach." Artemis cheered as he backed out of the garage and the door lowered shut.

One minutes later had them both racing in the house and up stairs, Artemis found Mina and Amy sleeping. Amy had managed to change into her swimsuit and put the clothes he had given her on, Mina however was sprawled on a purple beanbag, she'd only managed to get into her swim bottoms and one arm out of her jama top. "Girls wake up, it's time to go."

"This wasn't a good start to our first outing with all five." Luna admonished.

"How did you fair?" Artemis asked as the trooped downstairs and back to the car with five sleepy girls.

"Rei and Lita managed to get into their suites, but Serena was in her underwear." They both laughed, Serena and Mina were not morning people. "I thought you were helping them?" She asked.

"They were all awake and getting dressed when I came down to put stuff in the car…weren't they on your clipboard." He dodged a flip-flop to the head," I'm just kidding."

"You wanted to leave early." She accused.

"Hey if we're going to spend the day, we might as wile spend the whole day." Artemis climbed into the car and caught Luna counting heads.

"Girls are you strapped in?" Luna turned and glared daring Artemis to say anything. Artemis gave a sheepish grin and started the car.

"Let's try this again." Artemis pulled into the street. "To the beach, Woo Hoo!" He got three Woo Hoo's and two request for pancakes back.

"Girls, not to close to the water." The five girls waved, Luna sat back in her chair, absently flipping through a book.

"Aren't you a bit overreacting?" Artemis was putting the lunch things away and spoke over his shoulder.

"I'm just letting them know." Luna huffed.

"Yes, ten times in double the minutes." Artemis handed her a drink and pulled his chair closer to hers.

"They just ate and their little, they could be swept away." Artemis watched the five girls digging in the sand trying to make a castle without water; Lita held a blue bucket and was just emptying it of sand when she looked to the water, then up at him. Artemis smiled and raised his hand holding his thumb and finger an inch apart. Lita got the message as she ran to the edge of the water; he could hear Luna take and hold a breath of air behind her book and chuckled.

"Good story?" He teased. Luna sighed and put the book back in her bag. "Luna, they're fine they know their not to go in past their knees and were right here relax a little."

"There are five of them you know." She shot him a nervous look.

"Really, I counted four?" Luna started to swing her head around but stopped mid motion.

"That wasn't funny Artemis, this place is crowded, Mina's the only one who can swim somewhat. Maybe we should go home, try again another time." Artemis got up and reached for Luna's hand.

"Luna, we are not going home, the girls would be disappointed besides we can do this, if you're so worried let's go help them."

The day was still clear only a few cotton fluff clouds floated lazily in the sky; Luna was walking along the beach and had gotten away from the more crowded area. "Look at this one." Lita held out a blue, green and white shell.

"That's a nice one Lita, good job." Lita grinned and reached for Luna's hand. Rei who had been walking close by frowned.

"Lita finds all the good ones." Serena wined from up ahead and tossed down something, as Luna got closer she picked it up.

"Serena, why did you throw this?" Serena stopped and waited for Luna to catch up.

"It's no good. Lita's is better." Serena looked down and gave her almost empty bucket a shake.

"Let's take a break." Luna sat and pulled Serena into her lap, Lita readily sat next to her, Rei sat apart from the small group but close enough to be included. "Did you know, shells are like people?"

"Like how?" Lita asked.

"Well." Luna held the two shells side by side. "What do you see?" She asked.

"Lita's is bigger and better." Serena said atomically.

"Rei, what do see?" Rei leaned a little closer.

"Different colors, ones blue ones peach."

"There the same." Lita added.

"That's right. They're both shells, different but both are beautiful in their own way. If every shell you found was exactly the same, wouldn't that be kind of boring?" Serena slowly took her shell adding it to her bucket.

"Your right it's a good shell, it don't need to be big." Serena held out her bucket to Rei. "Look! Now I have a family of shells." She said excitedly. "Hey! We're like the shells." Serena tilted her head back to look at Luna. "Luna I really like you and Artemis." Serena turned and hugged Luna wholeheartedly, neither seen Rei push Serena's bucket back towards her with a look of frustrated confusion.

"Thank you Serena, I really like you too, all of you." Luna pulled Lita and Rei into the hug; she didn't notice that Rei was a bit stiff. They all watched the waves for a while longer before Luna said they should head back before Artemis came looking for them. On the walk back Rei trailed behind.

Artemis had taken their things to the car while Luna took the girls to the restrooms to change, she was now sitting on a bench just outside the door and waiting for the other girls, Rei was beside her looking distressed. "Can you tell me what's wrong?" Rei turned away from Luna as Mina walked over and handed Luna her wet clothes. Mina joined Lita at the end of the bench the two girls shared a look and shrugged as Rei stood up and stalked over to stand in front of Luna.

"You shouldn't say stuff." Luna was obviously confused; she put the folded clothes into the bag and gave Rei her full attention.

"Rei, did I say something you didn't like?"

"You said you liked us. You shouldn't say that." Rei crossed her arms angrily.

"I said it because it was the truth. I do like you." Luna was at a loss, out of all the girls Rei was the hardest to get close to. Rei had her good days, but she just couldn't seem to trust either her or Artemis, what little trust she did have was only due to Mina and Amy's influence.

"I'm gonna leave." Luna was cut off at Rei's dismayed accusation.

"Who said you were going to leave." Rei sniffled then, Luna gave Mina and Lita, The look, over Rei's shoulder as she hugged her, but the two girls franticly shook their heads.

"I don't stay in one house for long. They keep sending me away, and you shouldn't be nice, it's just a lie, and you're just going to send me away, so it's mean." Rei hiccupped and tried to get her breathing under control, she didn't want to cry in front of everyone.

"Rei look at me? I am not going to send you away. Do you remember the talk we had?" Rei nodded. "I like you very much, and I am not sending you or anyone else away." Rei nodded again but Luna could see the hesitancy in her eyes. "Rei you can talk to me or Artemis about anything you're felling or worried about. You don't have to keep it too yourself."

Luna was going to continue, she hated to think what Rei was thinking, and it was so hard to get her to talk about what she was really feeling. But Amy walked out the restroom with her towel wrapped around her waist and a pair of soaked jean shorts held out at arm's length and her other clothes draped over her arm, looking put out.

"Luna, I dropped my shorts do I have another pair?" Luna pulled the wet clothes from Amy.

"I'm sorry sweetheart that was the only pair, were going home though so you'll be fine in the car till then." Amy wrinkled her nose at the idea and eyed the shorts Luna was folding. "Amy, what's Serena doing in there? I hope she hasn't dropped her clothes as well." Luna started for the restroom door when Amy's words stopped her cold.

"Serena's not in there, she got dressed first." Amy said. "I saw her walk out the door, here." Amy pointed to the bench. Luna looked around quickly before darting into the restroom but Serena wasn't there.

"Maybe she went with artemis." Lita suggested. Mina hopped up on the bench and cupped her hands around her mouth.

"Serrreeenaaaaa!" Luna ran her hand through her hair in frustration.

"Mina please get down, thank you for trying to help but I don't think that's going to work right now. Ok girls, sit on this bench, don't move, I'm going to walk around the building in case she went out the other door. I'll be right back." As Luna came back to the bench with four waiting girls her heart officially stopped,

"Luna where is she?" Since the first day Lita had arrived at Artemis and Luna's she vowed never to lose her family again.

"It's ok; she probably just walked out the wrong side and got lost, will find her." Lita reached for Luna's hand and tugged it.

"We have to find her, we have to." Mina move next to Lita and hugged her, Rei scooted next to Amy who was sitting wrapped in her towel looking utterly devastated.

"She's probably just went looking for the food truck." The Look from Luna had Rei slinking back in her seat, Luna turned to look for help and spotted Artemis walking over from the parking lot, she managed to gather all four girls' hands and took two steps before stopping. 'I can't leave, Serena might come back here.' Artemis had spotted them and started to wave when he seen Luna and ran the rest of the way.

"Serena's gone." She spilled out. "I can't find her." Luna was past worry and speeding into panic as she told Artemis what happened.

"Girls go sit on the bench." Artemis loosened Luna's hands and pulled her a few steps away. "Calm down. We don't want the girls to get scared." Luna nodded a little too fast. "I'm going to look for her and get help, stay here in case she comes back."

As Artemis ran off Luna plastered a smile on her face and moved back to the girls who were holding hands, looking scared. "I didn't mean to lose her." Amy hiccupped, the amount of tears and anguish from Amy had the other girls tearing up in sympathy. Luna berated herself and scoped Amy into a tight hug.

"Amy, it's not your fault sweetheart."

Luna turned at her name being called. 'Maybe its Artemis, it's been half an hour.' But she couldn't see him. Luna was about to turn back to the girls when she heard her name again, two teenagers waved in her direction when the crowd parted, Serena was walking between them. Once Serena had spotted her she pointed excitedly and the two girls let Serena run the rest of the way. Luna switched between scolding Serena and asking if she was ok.

"I'm sorry Luna, I came out and you were gone, I thought you left me, then I thought I seen Artemis, but it wasn't him, then I didn't know where I was." Serena couldn't finish her sentence pass her tears. The other girls gather around her for comfort.

"Are you her mother?" Luna look up at the question, the two teenagers had made their way over. The taller girl was eyeing Luna and the other girls.

"Sorry we just want to be sure." The second added, and shot the first a glare. Luna stood up and shook hands.

"Luna Night, I'm her foster mother. Thank you for finding her."

"I'm Michelle, this is Amara, and it was no problem she was just standing in the middle of a crowd, crying. We asked her where she'd last seen you, this is the closest restrooms."

"Luna! Serena!" Artemis came running up with a lifeguard. "You found her? Where was she?" Once the story had been retold and the life guard thanked Artemis turned to the girls. "I don't have anything on me. But if you know the Coliseum; I can give you each a month free pass."

"No way, you can do that." Amara was overjoyed.

"Mr. Night, thank you but we don't need anything." Michelle jerked as Amara elbowed her in the side and whispered fiercely.

"I want to do this, if you hadn't of stopped to help who knows what would have happened, besides I work there so it's no problem." Artemis laughed at the relived look on Amara's face.

"Cool can we pick them up at any location?"

"Yes, I'll put a memo in the computer and you pick them up at any desk under your names, just use Serena's name as a password to get them."

"Thank you we really appreciate this. We'd better go my aunt will be looking for us." Michelle excused herself as the two left down the beach, the five girls waving after them. Artemis lifted Serena into a hug.

"Let's get home. It's been a long day."

"Yeah, and I need pants." Amy trailed behind, trying to tie the towel tighter around her waist.

09/30/09

"You're dead!" Serena came flying down the stairs, skidding into the small table by the front door flowers, vase, mail, keys, and other odds and ends went crashing around her but at the sound of Rei's footsteps pounding down the stairs, Serena scrambled up and ran, intending to find Luna in the kitchen and slammed into what felt like a wall, then Rei was on top of her, there was a terrifying minute were Rei tried to strangle her then Luna and Artemis pull the two apart, Artemis was holding a struggling Rei by her shoulders.

"What is going on here? Rei, calm down or I'll sit you in a corner." He warned. Rei calmed but shot daggers at Serena.

"I didn't mean to. It was an accident." Serena pleaded to Luna, who was trying to see her skinned knee and bumped head.

"You did it on purpose, you…you worthless brat!" Lita and Amy, who had been helping Luna with some baking, gasped into the silence.

"Rei, that's enough." Luna said sternly. "Tell us what happened?"

"My comics, the new ones you got me, I told her not to get them, I told her! I cleaned my side of the room today and went to get one, they were gone, and she had them. When I asked for them back she spilled juice all over it then ripped it, I didn't even get to read it yet." the tears Rei had been holding back spilled out.

"It was an accident!" Serena wailed and clung to Luna.

"Serena said it was an accident." Artemis started, but was cut off as Rei pushed away from him.

"No one takes my side! No one helps me!" Serena moved forward and hugged her but Rei pushed her away, causing Serena to land on her rear. "I don't want to talk to you! I don't want to share a room with you, I hate you!" Rei ran from the kitchen and stomped upstairs, when a door slammed shut Serena burst into tears. Amy and Lita moved over and patted her back as Luna held her. Mina who had been standing in the doorway jumped when Artemis called her over.

"Were you upstairs, did you see what happened?" Mina flushed and looked down.

"Serena just wanted to look at them, when she tried to dry it and it ripped. Rei did ask for them nicely …at first." Artemis thanked Mina before heading upstairs.

The small room was split in two, with Lita and Serena's bunk bed on the left or at least what looked like a bunk bed, Artemis couldn't tell, it look to have thrown up clothes blankets and stuffed animals were everywhere. 'How did we get so many?' He wondered and he picked up a green bunny, Rei side of the room was spotless, the top of her dresser was even organized. Rei was sitting, legs crossed on the single bed and picking at a soggy comic, as Artemis sat on the bunk bed she tossed the comic at his feet.

"Goway, I already know I'm in trouble. Serena's not, cause it was an accident." Rei mocked. Artemis picked up the book, the entire book was sticky with the cover and half the pages ripped.

"Rei, right now you're in trouble for fighting and pushing Serena? And your attitude and language is not appreciated." Rei snorted and turned her head to the wall. "Can you tell me why, you didn't want to share?" He asked.

"It was mine; Luna got it just for me." Rei's voice cracked. "I didn't want to share; I wanted to read it first. No one cares." Rei swiped at her eyes, bounced off the bed, pulled a book off her dresser and shoved it at Artemis. "Here, just give it to her." Artemis snagged her arm before she could get away.

"Rei, I am not giving Serena your book. She was wrong to take it without asking." Rei turned her body as far away as she could without taking her hand back from Artemis. "Hey firefly, look at me." Artemis managed to turn her around; Rei however was stubborn and wouldn't look up, mainly in an attempt to hide her tears.

"Just leave me alone." Rei tried feebly.

"I'm not going to leave; I care about you very much. Won't you talk to me?" Rei shook her head in protest but finally looked up.

"You don't, no one does. He didn't care, he never helped me." Rei fought back weakly before letting Artemis hold her. When she had calmed down Artemis tilted her head so he was looking into his eyes.

"I am so sorry for you Rei, but I do care about you and so does everyone else. We all love you very much, especially Serena, she just wants to do the same things as you. Do you really think she did it no purpose, to be mean?"

"No" Rei pouted.

"Maybe next time you could tell her why you're not ready to share." Rei bit her lip in thought and gave Artemis a worried look.

"I really hurt her feelings, didn't I?" Artemis kissed the top of her head.

"I think you know what you need to do about that, but for right now I want you to stay in your room till dinner and no desert for fighting." Rei made a sour face but didn't protest, Artemis couldn't help but laugh. As he headed downstairs passing another half clean half messy room an idea struck.

"Ok just tell me." Artemis conceded.

"Tell you what?" Luna changed the channel trying to look perplexed.

"You've been giving me, The Look, since dinner." Luna gave an impatient sigh.

"You bribed her." Artemis started to grin but Luna's look changed his mind.

"I did nothing of the sort, they made up long before I suggested it."

"It won't solve the problem." Luna argued back.

"Luna, there's no problem. I think those two are always going to fight. I wouldn't worry about it though." At Luna's skeptical look he clarified. "They care about each other very much; I doubt will see anything worse than tonight, after all their sisters there suppose to fight."

"Not yet." Luna laughed.

"Try telling them that." Artemis dared, Luna only shook her head in fear.

"You know, by the way the caseworkers talked I expected Serena and Rei to be an absolute terror." Luna smiled. "They're all such tuff little girls, especially Rei."

"Remember, I stayed up all night because they said Lita ran away from her last two foster homes."

"It's like once they were here, once they had each other… I'm not saying it made it better but it helped." Luna bit her lip and looked at Artemis.

"Do you think it's too soon too?" She started to ask but Artemis beat her to it.

"I've already sent out for the paperwork." He laughed as her jaw swung open; her next words however reversed their looks.

"We should move your game room to the basement." She sprung suddenly.

"Ack! Why? I have it just the way I want it, the basements not even finished." He complained.

"That was your project, if I remember correctly, besides we can't expect the girls to share that little room forever. Three beds will fit nicely in the game room, with plenty of room to spare and well have a guestroom again. Tomorrows you day off, isn't it?"

"Yes, why?" Artemis said cautiously. Luna was completely nonplused by Artemis's reaction and continued eagerly.

"We should go shopping, we'll need supplies for the basement and the girls can pick out a color to paint their new room." Artemis only groaned as Luna pulled out a legal pad and started making a list.

10/22/09

"Oh wow! Did you make these Luna?" The other parents were currently sampling pastries.

"No, actually Lita did." Luna sealed the container and placed it back in the bag.

"How sweet, she helped?" Luna had to laugh.

"No, she made them all on her own; she has a knack for cooking." Luna let the comments of surprise and admirations continue behind her as she turned her attention back to the rink.

Lita smoothly glided over the ice. The girls would soon be starting public school; they had all improved in the transition school set up for children in CPS, smaller classes and individual attention made all the difference. "They need friends, other than each other and it'll help build their confidence." Artemis had argued, so the girls were enrolled in classes at the Coliseum. Amy had joined a swim class, and Mina had shown Serena gymnastics, surprisingly the usual clumsy girl was doing quite well, Rei had joined a small children's choir and was trying out the piano. As the fifteen or so kids skated around the rink, Lita glided about stopping to help whenever someone fell. She tried out the twirl they had been shown earlier and managed to stay on her feet the instructor and a small group came over to congratulate her.

"You're lucky to have such a talented little girl." A woman commented. Luna smiled and waved back at Lita.

"Yes, I am lucky."

The game room had successfully been transformed into a bedroom for Amy, Rei, and Lita, the three being more inclined towards keeping neat and organized, unlike Mina and Serena, who even now hand clothes and stuffies leaking into the hallway. Luna kicked a bunny into the room as she passed and briefly considered calling them up to clean but she'd let Artemis handle it, Luna grinned at the idea, she found Lita sitting on her bed, playing with an old banged up metal lunch box, Luna moved closer and sat on the bed.

"Hey, what's wrong sweetie? Didn't you like your party?" Lita looked up and attempted a small smile.

"No it was a great party, thank you."

"I noticed you seemed down at the party." Luna said softly. "Do you want to talk?"

"It was my first party; I've never celebrated my birthday before." Lita tried. Luna stayed quiet watching the little girl play, but not opening the box, she didn't have to wait long. "Luna, why did they adopt me? They never loved me, not like you and Artemis." Lita had whispered the question in an attempt to keep from crying but lost. "Why didn't my parents want me? Why did they let him adopt me?" Luna pulled Lita closer and had to stop her own tears before talking.

"Oh sweetie, Suzan and Vick were having problems long before you came along. Suzan thought a baby would change things, make them better. I think she loved you but didn't know how to stop him, she shutdown, stopped caring about herself and you. I know it's hard to understand right now." Lita was silent in Luna's arms until Luna shifted her to look into her eyes.

"I think we should postpone the adoption, until we can find out more about your family, your mom and dad." It hurt Luna to say it, but if Lita was having these feeling she deserved to know as much as she could. Lita moved to her knees and gave Luna a death hug, nearly choking her.

"No Luna, please don't. I love you, you're my mom, and this is my family. I wouldn't mind knowing some stuff but no matter what, this is my family, you're my mom, I don't want to change that."

Artemis had come in on the last thirty minutes of Amy's swimming class and was surprised to see a familiar face as Michelle tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hello Mr. Night." Michelle let her gym bag slide off her shoulder and shook hands.

"Michelle, how have you been? I'm glad to see your putting that pass to use."

"Thank you again Mr. Night. Does Serena take swim?" She asked looking to the pool.

"No, she's in gymnastics with Mina. This is Amy's sport." He pointed Amy out and smiled as she spotted him and waved.

"Oh wow, I take advanced swim and dive, I usually get here early, so I've noticed her but I didn't recognize her from the beach. She's really good."

"We're all proud of Amy. How's Amara" He asked. "I can't remember, did you say you were sisters?"

"Just friends, she's actually running track in the red building. She loves a good race."

"Wait is her last name, Tenoh, by chance." When she confirmed, he laughed. "So she's the one that keeps suggesting a go-cart track." As Amy climbed out of the pool, Artemis gathered her things. "Michelle, do you think you and Amara might be interested in some babysitting work?"

"Sure, we've both taken classes, like CPR and I could get you some references if you'd like. I don't have any fliers on me but there's some tacked to the common board."

"I think I'll take you up on the offer someday. Well I'd better get Amy, have a good day Michelle."

"Bringing reinforcements?" Luna heard Artemis ask as she came down the stairs. Amara and Michelle had become regulars at the Night's household.

"I'm sorry Mr. Night; this is our friend Trista Meioh." Michelle introduced.

"You're not planning a party?" Artemis joked. "The girls can't stay up late."

"Oh no, Trista's sister is just driving her crazy." Amara laughed.

"How old is your sister." Luna asked.

"Hotaru? She was born in January. I was going home but Amara dragged me along, I hope its ok for me to stay."

"Any friend of these two is a friend of ours." Artemis laughed. "Do your parents know where you are?" After a quick phone call Artemis ushered Luna out the door.

"We're leaving girls." A course of byes answered from different areas of the house, the three teens looked at each other.

"Have fun." Luna said as the door closed.

"We know Trista's father." Luna said as they drove away from the house. "He works in the research department at the hospital, Tomoe."

"From the one Christmas party, I thought he was single?" Artemis asked.

"He was. He met Trista and her mother about three months after they moved here, it been a little over two years now. Hotaru was a surprise addition to the family; he was very happy last time I talked to him."

The courtroom was filled to capacity, the small gold plate to the right of the door said three hundred but it was more like four hundred, adults, children, friends and family waited excitedly for their turn in front of the judge, eager to hear that the various adoptions were finalized.

Luna couldn't believe she was here it seemed like only yester day that they had received a call about a lonely little girl. Today was the day they would be an official family, which was silly Luna mused; they've considered each other family long before today. She glanced over Rei's head at Artemis, who was holding Lita in his lap in an attempt to make room on the crowded bench, he caught her eye and mouthed, calm down, she let him see her take a deep breath, then blew him a kiss, the girls caught them and giggled.

The court had set up a professional photographer for adoption day, to get ready Luna had taken them out on a girl's day, they had been delighted to have their hair and nails done, new dresses had been bought, with matching shoes and accessories. Artemis had gone for simple dark grey slacks and white dress shirt with a tie that had a subtle play of colors matching the girls dresses, Luna had worn a silk dress, white with a very subtle follower pattern, the girls dresses were similar, cut like a sun dress but the material was softer closer to cotton, the colors were very light, almost a white. Serena had chosen a pink, her hair was up in her favorite two buns, Rei had gone with lavender and she had been convinced to leave the infamous beanie home for the day, her long hair had been pulled back and tied with a purple bow, much like Mina who had stuck with red despite her dress color, Mina was in a orange so light it could pass as yellow. 'I like this one.' she had argued. Lita had her hair in a thick French braid, the end tied with a green ribbon to match her dress, Amy picked a blue and Luna had found some butterfly clips to match, her hair was just below her ears and the clips kept it out of her eyes. Luna was jolted out of her thoughts as Artemis pulled her to her feet. "We're up." He smiled.

As they waited to take the pitcher the girls danced around happily singing, no one bothered to hush them because every other family was in the same state. Artemis and Luna were sitting together and watching the girls.

"I just realized something." Artemis suddenly spoke.

"That we have five beautiful little girls? That we're officially a mom and dad? That this is the start of a new chapter in our lives?" Artemis was quiet too long so she turned from watching the girls make friends to look at him.

"I'm out numbered." He finally said. A couple sitting next to them laughed with Luna.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to overhear." The man apologized.

"I feel the same way, about being outnumbered, those are ours." She pointed to a group of older boys who were making small talk with the girls. "The dark hair is Darien, he's ours, Nate has the brown curls, Jed has the shorter hair, Zoi is in the ponytail and silver is Kacy." she finished

"We were on vacation when we met Nate's family; we got along well, especially the boys, on the return trip home we decided to share a car." His voice cut off and she reached for his hand, Artemis could easily tell the memory was still painful for them. "It was a pretty bad accident. The other driver was drunk but after, it just felt natural adopting him. Then the other boys came into our lives, like."

"Like it was meant to be." Artemis finished.

Two years the date didn't match how she felt, almost two years to the date Mina came into their lives, than the others one by one. Today they were having a BBQ in the park, one year since the adoptions were finalized, everyone had been invited, family and friends, Amara and Michelle had become extended family along with little Hotaru and Trista, the four sets of parents becoming good friends, Ms. Haruna and the girls caseworkers had even made an appearance. But two years didn't fit. 'It feels like they've been mine since birth.' Luna smiled at the thought she had learned, surprisingly, that at one point or another when she was working full time, she had in fact been with each girl at birth, it put Artemis's words of 'Meant to be.' in new light.

After extensive searches, endless paperwork and countless meetings, Luna had found Lita's family. Lita's parents had died in a plane crash, and with only an elderly aunt and a cousin who couldn't care for her, Lita had been placed in a private adoption agency and adopted almost imminently. Luna had managed to tracked down the cousin, the aunt having passed away, and with much digging, a few treasured pitchers, one with a very pregnant woman with a beaming husband, were added to the lunch box, Lita's last birthday had been a long past due visit to their graves. Luna looked to Lita, she was talking to Amara with her back to Luna, who could see the edges of a few white scares that lined her back and a few on her legs, the little girl wasn't afraid or ashamed anymore but Luna still felt anger on Lita's behalf.

They had adopted her for selfish reasons and knowingly placed her in danger, he had beaten Lita constantly for petty reasons, always talking down to her, he was ignorant and cruel, an uncaring man. He beat his wife into submission until she broke and stopped caring about herself, stopped caring about little girl she had tried to love out of desperation, and loneliness, he tried to make Lita fit his mold, but she was the exact opposite of what he tried to do. Starting out Lita was distant and defiant, especially with Artemis, she didn't want to believe a father could be anything other than mean and hateful, Luna had seen the sweet loving girl who would do anything for her sisters, who didn't tolerate bullying, who loved to skate and even at her young age had a passion for baking and cooking in general, she and the ever patient Artemis never stopped trying. Today Lita's bond with him was strong, she openly accepted him as a father, they all did really, in Lita's mind he was her true father. 'Maybe my first dad sent you to me.' She had said once. Artemis was the one Lita had went to when she needed the support to confront her ex-parents, and now Lita was what he had tried to beat out of her, a strong beautiful girl, no longer hiding behind long pants and shameful anger. Lita in khaki shorts and a tie-dye tank top, her hair in a high ponytail, wearing her birth mothers rose-earrings, skipped over to her father and scolded him for burning the burgers.

Artemis tried to plead his case but finally admitted defeat and stepped back giving Lita control of the grill, staying close enough to, quote un quote learn, he caught Luna's glaring at him and he mouthed, don't worry, just as Mina pulled her to the swings. 'Saved by Mina.' He laughed.

Artemis scanned the party goers and found Adam talking to Jim. Mina had always been a happy child, even with her bout of depression, Artemis had always been able to see the spark in her eyes, she had some trust issues, more so with Luna then himself but she was resilient and with patience bounced back. Mina was a wonder to have around, always in motion, if she was in trouble it was only because she could get to rambunctious, she had a big heart with the spirit to match, but Artemis feared his little girl was going to be hurt and she would lose her spark. Adam had shown up unexpectedly a few months after the adoption, he blew into their lives like a deadly tornado, apparently if Tina Anio couldn't have Mina, no one could. Adam Hudson had gotten an unexpected phone call from a long ago girlfriend and was told he was a father, he being a descent man tracked Mina down, there had been lawyers, testes, and court, Luna and himself could only wait and see if Mina would be pulled from her home. 'As the birth father he has rights.' They were told. Mina had shutdown in all the chaos; she no longer smiled or laughed.

Mina had meant nothing to her mother, Tina calling Adam was proof, Mina had been a tool to get Tina attention, she was ignored and left in the care of nannies until Tina had use of her. Tina was sure to be perfectly dressed on outings with Mina, Tina always played the loving, perfect mother in public, and she in no way knew the paparazzi were following her at time like these, but it wasn't enough. Tina made it her mission to make Mina the perfect star, she wanted to live through her daughter, but Mina was never good enough and was told as much, her looks, her talents were placed under the microscope of Tina Anio, she hounded the little girl constantly. Mina had to be perfect, the little girl was dragged to any class Tina thought would help, from etiquette class to speech lessons, and the one time Tina could have let go and be the mother Mina needed, she chose to pay off her daughter's molester. 'I don't need the bad publicity.' Tina had said, while Mina cried on the couch with only a pillow to hide her nude body. But Adam had seen Mina shutting down and stopped his lawyers from filing for custody; he stopped and took the time to get to know Mina better, past and present. 'I didn't know about Mina and I was never serious with her mother but I am not so uncaring as to leave my child without a father. I never stopped to think about you or her feeling for you, I see the love in this family, and I am grateful that you were there for her when I couldn't be. I won't take Mina from your home but I would be grateful for the chance to get to know her better.' Artemis couldn't express the relief he felt or the joy when Mina had announced. 'Adam is Adam, you are my dad, always.' Artemis pulled out of his thoughts as Adam laughed at something his fiancé said and pulled her in for a kiss.

Artemis walked over to pull a soda from the cooler and spotted Amy under a tree reading a book Trista had given her. "What are you laughing at?" Lita asked, as he walked back to her.

"You know, I think I can handle the grill from here. Why don't you and Amy try out your new skates?" Lita turned as Artemis pointed and grinned, he watched as Amy pointed to her book but she gave in at Lita's insistence and the two were soon racing.

Amy was a constant amazement to Artemis. Quiet, shy, timid, and frighten, were the words he would use to describe Amy when she had first came to them. Never having a mother and barely remembering the one that left, it wasn't long before Amy opened up to Luna, but it was a long, long road for her and Artemis, with Amy taking one step forward, two steps back, but they had made it together and both were proud to consider Artemis a father. Amy was very smart and loved to read, there were times she could lose herself in a book or studying for school but she was no longer shy, timid or frighten she was out going, maybe not to Minas level, but she was kind, considerate and made friends easily. There was a time when Amy gave them no trouble, she was perfectly obedient, Artemis was happy to see her rebelling once in a while, she questioned things she didn't agree with and wasn't afraid to say no. Amy had confidence, she had grown a lot on the path to find her mother, Luna had suggested it after Adam had shown up so unexpectedly, Luna had said she couldn't handle any more surprises and decided to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. Amy faced her past, more so then she ever had in counseling, and came out the better person.

Mary Smith had become a doctor a pediatrician to be specific, she had at first rejected Luna's attempts to contact her but finally relented, Mary was shocked to learn about Amy. "I was too wrapped up in my own pain to see how I hurt her; I didn't want to see what he was capable of. I hurt her because I was selfish and left giving him his opportunity." Mary had known Greg was abusive when she met him but he was the only one to show her any kind of love. Mary had come from a rich, neglectful family, and ended up getting involved with the wrong people, by the time she had straitened her life out and figured out what she wanted to with it, Greg had control of her, she was to frighten and still held to much self doubt to get away from him. Mary let her hatred for the man, blind her to her daughter, she took her feelings out on the little girl, eventually leaving her with the monster. Mary had tried to rationalize that Greg was nothing but kind to Amy, showering her with affection, Amy was better off. Later when she realized what she had done, leaving her daughter with a man that was physically abusive, for she never thought he would sexually abuse her, it was too late Greg had disappeared with Amy.

Mary was ashamed of herself and her actions, so she hid, throwing herself into her studies, trying to forget, Mary had cried on that first meeting, she was grateful Amy had a family that she loved and she didn't want to do anything to upset that. Mary had asked Amy for forgiveness and friendship but wasn't going to push the little girl; she let Amy set the pace for their relationship. They now wrote letters to each other on a regular basis, and had found a lot in common and today holding Luna's hand for support, Amy received the first phone conversation from Mary, wishing her a good day for the family celebration among other things yes, Amy was a constant amazement to Artemis. He laughed and shook his head as he spotted Amy skating next to Trista, book in hand, pointing something out to the older girl who nodded and pointed to her own book.

"If Lita catches you burning the hotdogs." Artemis jumped as Luna poked him in the side; he looked down at the grill and frowned.

"Their supposed to be like that." He poked at a black dog. "It gives them flavor." Luna only walked away laughing as Artemis look around to check if Lita wasn't nearby.

"Some ice tea?" Luna offered.

"I must have been blessed today, to get attention from a beautiful young lady."

"You're welcome." Luna blushed and took the empty seat next to him.

"I was just watching her, she reminds me so much of her grandmother." He was silent for a minute, watching Rei chase Serena then changed course and go for Mina. "Thank you for this." He motioned around him, then at Rei. Luna turned her attention back to him.

"No thanks required, your family grandpa."

In some ways Rei was hurt more than the other girls, her mother couldn't cope with her hysterectomy, she constantly dwelled on it and little by little, it ate away at her, depressed and unwilling to admit it, to get help she quit work, stayed home ,and Rei had suffered. Being told day in and day out that she wasn't good enough, worthless and a shameful mistake had stayed with the little girl, her father, however sympathetic towards his wife, however angry and upset about not getting a son, was in his right mind and had a choice, Rei's mother may have beat her but her father hurt her. He watched the abuse happen and did nothing to help; he chose not to care and squashed Rei's hope every time he walked away from it.

Rei needed constant reassurance and it was hard for her to trust either Luna or Artemis, she was rebellious one second and obedient the next, she beat herself down when she made simple mistakes, Rei craved attention but shied away from the positive, she was also very self conscious, especially about her hair and was never without her beanie, Rei was a challenge but one Luna would never give up. Rei had made great strides since then, some would say she was still rebellious but Luna knew Rei had a strong will, it may have taken her a while to find it but it had always been there. Rei knew what she wanted and fought for it, her nature was to be tough and yes some of it came from her past but she was a loving, caring girl, when her father had wrote it help immensely for Rei to begin to heal her past, it wasn't an automatic fix and Rei still wasn't ready to forgive or write back, but it was a start.

Her father had apologized to her in the letter and gave her something he was too late to do himself, a family, her mother's father was alive, he ran and lived in a temple not far from where they lived, in fact grandpa had not heard from his daughter or son in law in over twelve years, he never knew about Rei and was surprised to meet her, he had taken an immediate likening to his new granddaughter and vice versa. Rei had gained a lot from her grandfather he had shown her temple life, she was learning how pray and meditate, more so then the little Luna and Artemis had shown her, any doubts or fears she had left lessened, her grandfather had helped to reinforce what she had already learned from Luna and Artemis, that Rei was Rei, perfect how she was, beautiful and loved by her family. One day when grandpa had innocently asked why Rei wore the beanie she had taken it off and studied it before answering. 'I wore it because I was afraid and I dint want anyone to see…me, but its different now I just like It, plus dad says I look cute in it.' Rei had laughed and ran to play under the cherry trees with her sisters. Luna knew then that whatever life handed her Rei would meet it head on. The whole family visited the temple on a regular basis, it was fast becoming a favorite hangout for the girls, since it was on the way home from school and the girls were more than willing to help out when needed, grandpa had smiled at the girls on that first meeting. 'It seems that I have found myself with five granddaughters.' Rei skipped over as grandpa called to her, she stopped between the two and gave Luna a tight hug.

"What's that for?" Luna asked hugging her back.

"Just cause." Rei smiled and move to her grandpa.

"I made one for everyone but I wanted to give you yours." He held out a small charm.

"Good fortune and many blessings, thank you grandpa." Rei hugged him as he gave a bark of laugher.

"Your learning so fast, you didn't even peek at the back." He held her at arms leant before kissing her forehead. "My beautiful, smart Rei."

"Grandpa!" She looked around and blushed.

"Alright, go play." As Rei ran back towards Amy and Mina she pulled the beanie from her back pocket.

"Freeze rabbit! I saw you." Serena was trying for innocence, hands behind her back, and big innocent eyes. Artemis fought to keep the stern look on his face and held out his hand. "Hand it over."

"Awh! Come on dad it's just a little one." Artemis wiggled his fingers and smiled as the pastry was plopped into his hand surrendered.

"And how many little ones have you had already?" Serena blushed and mumbled into her chest. "What's that?"

"Bout five …or six, but Lita made them, and their so good." Artemis gave into the laugher.

"Serena, your teeth are going to rot out of your mouth." Serena visibly sucked her teeth and ran her tong over them, as if proof they were still there, Artemis caved. "Last one." He said trying to be stern. Serena's face lit up and grabbing the treat she ran off, in case he changed his mind.

In the small, dark world her father kept her, despite constant fear and pain and almost total isolation, Serena had held on, she'd had her brother, he showed her love and hope, that not everyone was mean and hurtful; Sammy had been Serena's living guardian angel. If things hadn't changed, Serena could have lived her whole life in that house or died whenever her father wished it without complaint, as long as she had Sammy, but he was taken from her. Although Serena could begin to understand, to forgive her father for the things he'd done to her she couldn't forgive him for taking the one good thing in her life, it was a harder road for her to travel. When Serena first came to them she was defiant and a bit wild, nothing new Luna or Artemis couldn't handle, that was cake compared to Serena's main problem, she hid, she didn't talk as openly as the other girls had, she held it all in and tried to forget the pain, loneliness and fear, but it was taking its toll on her. Serena wanted to forget, she didn't want to remember the bad, or good that was Sammy, if asked Serena had always been with Luna and Artemis, she had no past before them, her response obviously concerned the counselor.

'if she continues it will only cause more harm later, she could become a stereotype of the kids like her, drugs, sex, gangs, eventually prison, the pain she has to face now will be very hard, yes but it's better than the alternative.' So after many counseling sessions and long talks held on the couch or tucked between the two adults in the middle of the night after a nightmare, Serena was ready. Locked away in evidence rooms, in friends closets, and a safety deposit box, Luna had found the few things left from Serena's past, pitchers mainly, a few letters and a necklace Serena thought she had lost, found in her father's hands and tagged as evidence. Serena treasured the things that were found but Luna had held off on Serena visiting the graves until Serena had come to them one night.

"Artemis?" He pulled out of sleep, blinked and tried to clear the fog from his brain and finally focused on Serena.

"What happened bit, have another nightmare?" He lifted her into the middle of the bed and Luna's waiting arms.

"I'm a light sleeper." She had said at his look.

"I want to see Sammy. I never go to…I want to say goodbye." A week later found Luna and Artemis at the cemetery, the day had been grey with overcast and a light drizzle but Serena was determined, with her pink umbrella made her way through the graves and stopped between her mother and brother.

"Hi mom, I wish I could have known you. Sammy use to say I was like you, we had the same eyes, kind eyes, he said. I think you would have liked Luna and Artemis. Sammy I miss you and I'm ok now, Artemis says maybe you helped us get together, if you did thank you, for protecting me for everything, I have a family and I love them, but I'll never forget you." Serena wiped her eyes. "Rei taught me a prayer for you and mom." When Serena had completed the small ritual and placed the flowers on the graves, she ran into Luna and Artemis arms and cried, when they started to lead her to the car she pulled back. "Not yet." Serena slowly walked back and stood on her father's grave. "I'm still mad at you, but I don't want to be mad forever. Rei and grandpa helped me with this." Serena pulled a small folded card from her pocket. "It's a prayer, for the lost, and forgiveness. I think you were lost and maybe you still are, so I'll help you." Serena placed the card at the foot of the headstone and weighed it down with a rock, then ever so slowly she kissed her fingers and touched his name. Serena turned from the grave and into Artemis arms. "I love you daddy." Serena was a beautiful girl strong confident and filled with so much love and kindness, she was always willing to trust and forgive it amazed him.

"Hey Luna my bun fell out can you fix it."

"Serena, what did you do?" Luna asked shocked. Serena was dirty and had grass and twigs in her hair, she gave a sheepish grin and dusted herself off.

"Skating with Lita, I was ok till I ran over some sand and rocks." Luna finished her hair and turned her around.

"Are you hurt?" Luna checked her over.

"Na, I was wearing my gear and anyway I landed in the grass, thanks mom." Serena hugged her before running towards the other kids.

"Why do you suppose they do that?" Artemis asked moving beside her, Luna automatically moved into his side putting her arm around him.

"Do what?"

"Luna or Artemis one minute, mom and dad the next."

"I never thought of it really, they don't do it often it's just a habit they got into. Why?" she asked.

"I was just wondering?" Artemis shrugged. Serena, Amy, Rei, Lita, and Mina jogged up then with a few other kids trailing behind.

"Can we play kickball with the boys?" Serena asked. Artemis looked to the few boys that had been brought by their sisters but he didn't think she meant them or she wouldn't have asked.

"What boys?"

"Them." Lita pointed to a baseball field and five boys waiting, five older boys. "We even know them." She added. Luna watched Artemis visibly pale.

"How old are they, how do we know them?" Artemis glared at the field and ran every one through his head but couldn't place the boys.

"Um, about four years older, we met them at court; they were adopted same day as us. Member?" Rei offered.

"We see them here every once in a while." Amy put in.

"I don't know, I haven't met them." Luna was getting five pleading looks and tried to reason with Artemis. "I don't like it, boys, no boys. You're too young for boys."

"Artemis calm down their just friends, not even friends acquaintances more like. Besides were right here."

"Yeah! Come on, were not going to marry them dad."

"Mina you're not helping." Amy gave her a punch on the arm. Artemis had paled even more at her statement and Luna moved in front for him.

"Go ahead girls." The five girls giggled and ran.

"Thanks mom!" As the game started up Artemis took a deep breath and hugged Luna from behind.

"No boys ever, I'm not ready for it." Luna patted his arm.

"It's ok; boys are still a ways off."

Looking at Serena or any of the girls for that matter you would never know their past was filled with darkness. Amy who was afraid and alone, who didn't know she could ask for help, she was in his world and this is what little girls were for in his world, no one was there to hear her cries, no matter how silent. Rei with her broken heart, desperately hoping her mother would love her and her father would care, they heard her, they seen her cry but did nothing. Lita alone and unwanted, walked hand and hand with fear, never believing she could ever be loved, no one looked for her when she hid and cried. Mina alone and ignored, surrounded by people, she cried with a smile and laughed for the cameras. Serena afraid but not alone, their cries were heard to late. They had all stumbled from the past, from the dark but they had made it, they were together now, a family. Luna and Artemis, with five beautiful little girls who laugh, play who loved and are loved, when they cry now their heard, when they cry Luna and Artemis are there to pull them into the comfort of loving, caring arms, to smile and laugh when the tears stop. When they cry Luna and Artemis are there to wipe away the tears.

Okay, standard disclaimers come first. I own nothing …except the story itself. Mawha ha ha I own a completed story.

Thanks to me again. Took me long enough huh!

Author's notes: Ok I don't have much to say for this chapter its pretty self explanatory. Oh thought of something!, if some of the scenes are a bit sappy, forgive me, I had no one to bounce things off of and just went with a first draft pretty much.

Um if my dates are a bit off, or non conducive to reality …deal with it, I'm kidding, I tried, just tell me and I can always fix it.

What else, I changed my profile pic to one of Luna and Artemis that I used as inspiration for their characters.

Side note: I got the sketch for the Manor, I messed with it in paint I'll see if it posts if not just message me and well figure something out so you can see it. My drawing skills aren't any better than editing ones but it's there if you care :D

Illyria

Holloway Manor