Thought it'd be a good idea for Ned and Sally to show some concerns for the boys. And the idea sets in...

Chapter 17: Concerns

Ned was sitting in the quietness of the living room, feeling completely anxious about the situation between Jonah and his brothers being beaten by their stepfather. That kind of stuff really shattered him when he saw Paul acting out in a violent way and taking it out on his sons. He couldn't imagine doing those things to Jojo and his 96 daughters. Those boys live in constant fear with their stepfather and it really didn't sit well with him. He didn't know what he should do about it, so he just sat there, his hands hiding his face and just groaning in frustration.

"Honey?"

Ned didn't turn around as he heard Sally's voice from behind him. She, too was concerned as well. She sat down next to him and she asked, "You okay, honey?"

Ned sighed heavily and said, "I don't know, Sally. It's just-the thought of those boys being hurt by their stepfather has been bothering me. I never shouldn't have hired that man from City Hall."

"Well, I couldn't stop thinking of them either. Seeing Jonah's face bruised and almost not breathing...I just thought, 'what kind of environment are these kids living in?' They shouldn't be safe with him."

"I know. I don't think it's safe for them, either. I just don't know what I'm gonna do, Sal."

Sally thought about something and said, "Think they'll be better off with another family?"

Ned turned to her and asked, "Anyone we know?"

"Well, there's Ms. Yelp."

"Nah. She couldn't handle dealing with five boys. She's already dealt with six of them and the oldest one gets on her nerves easily."

"Good point."

"Well, how about...Dr. LaRue?"

"You think Dr. LaRue would make a guardian of these kids?"

"I don't know. She might."

Little did they know, Jojo started to overhear everything they're saying and he's concerned about his new friends as well and hopes that he can do anything to help them. Meanwhile, Sally just thought of something completely ideal. She turns to her husband and asked, "Ned, this might sound a little crazy, but...what about us?"

"Us? And by us, you mean..."

Sally smiled and said, "We can take them in here."

Hearing this made Jojo's heart skip a beat just a little. Ned was kinda unsure about it and said, "Here? I don't know, Sal. We've got a house full of 96 girls and one son. Having five boys? I'm not so sure about it."

"Come in, Ned. You know Jojo are great friends to them and with being an only boy and all, it wouldn't hurt to have five extra boys to adopt."

Ned sighed heavily and didn't know what to think of that idea. On one hand, he's already dealing with handling 97 kids of his own and the house is extremely bigger, but on the other hand, they've always wanted to have a bigger family, hoping to reach the 100 mark. He covered his face and just tried desperately to think this through.

"I know it'll be good for them, Ned. Besides, they're not safe with Paul."

Ned quickly turns to her and asked, "How'd you figure?"

"Well, I bumped into him one time while I was out grocery shopping and he looked at me with this weird look in my face, but he seemed like a strange person. When he asked me if I had kids, I told him I had 97 of them, 96 girls and one son. When he looked at Jojo's picture, he groaned in disgust and said, 'Why would you give birth to that homewrecker?' I didn't say anything, so he left. It was a bizzare thing, not to mention disgusting. I didn't have a clue what his problem was, until now. When I saw Jonah's face beaten up when he came here unconscious, I had a gut feeling that he wasn't safe in his home as well as the others."

"I don't know what I'm gonna do, though."

"Let's just give it a try. See how they'll adapt to here. It'll be good for them." she said, as she held her husband's hands.

Ned knew that it was a hard decision and so sudden, but he knew the boys wasn't gonna be safe, because if they stay long enough until they're 18 or 19, their emotional and physical scars would never heal and their stepfather would continue to give them fear and harm. He looked at Sally and said, "It might be a good experience. I'm still not sure about it, but for the sake of these kids...I'm willing to give it a shot."

Sally smiled and said, "This is one of the reasons why I chose to marry you, because you have such a kind and gentle heart."

She kissed him on the forehead and Ned giggled a little bit. He said, "Well, I always put others before myself."

"Thanks, dad."

Suddenly, Ned and Sally turned around and there was Jojo, standing there, looking extremely excited. Sally chuckled and said, "How long were you standing here?"

"I actually overheard the conversation as soon as I got back home." Jojo said.

"Well, how would you feel about having five of your friends as your new brothers?" asked Ned.

"I would like it. I told them that if there's anything they need, they should come to us anytime."

"That's the sign of being a good friend, Jojo."

"I can't wait until this is happening."

"We have to find some adoption papers, though."

"Good idea. But, what are we gonna do about Paul?"

"What are we gonna do about him?"

Yes, what are they going to do about Paul? Sorry I had to make this short. You'll find out later!