The news was never going to be good or easy. From the day they met, Riley and Mia had a unique relationship. No matter what fate had in store for them, it was going to be hard.

Unfortunately, fate believed it was better to take than to give – at least where Riley was concerned. Her brother had died, her cat had died, friends and family were also dead. Even her parents were long gone, having suffered at the hands of Moogers before they could make it to safety or to their kids. Little Riley was all alone in the world and the only good thing to happen to her in the last couple of weeks was that she had run into someone who would take care of her.

Mia had taken a few days to make her decision, but it had been obvious from the start. She refused to send Riley away to an orphanage or to a shelter, and she had already fallen in love with the little girl. She and Kevin had decided they would adopt her, and they had already gotten to work filling out all the forms so they would be recognized as her legal guardians. All they needed to do now where Riley was concerned was tell her of the news.

Storm was feeling better. Everyone still had to be careful with her so she wouldn't get hurt again, but she was up and about, walking around like she already owned her new place. Riley, though she had owned a cat, loved Storm. When she and Mia had been living with Serena, Riley had played quite a bit with Storm. So Mia asked to borrow the dog while she and Kevin broke the news to Riley. She hoped Storm would be of some comfort to the little girl.

Riley was sitting on the couch with Storm on her lap. She was gently stroking the dog, mindful of her head, while she watched TV. Kevin and Mia finally summoned up the courage and turned off the cartoons. Riley started to protest, unaware her new family had some bad news for her.

"Sweetie," Mia insisted she would be the one to talk to Riley. Kevin had offered to do it, preferring he take the hit because Riley was already cold with him, but Mia was convinced this was something she needed to do, "Kevin and I have something we need to tell you. It's very important you listen."

Kevin sat down on the couch beside Riley. He was there for support, but Riley didn't like him and he didn't have Mia's experience with her or even with kids. He watched as Mia broke the news, gently but clearly telling Riley her parents were dead and they couldn't come back for her. Though she had no idea of Riley's home life before the war, she promised the little girl that her parents had loved her very much and they would have come for her if they could. Kevin felt his heart breaking into little pieces as the news sunk into Riley's little head and tears started to form in her eyes.

Death was hard, especially for someone so small. Riley had already claimed she believed her parents were dead and it didn't seem to affect her, but now that it was real Kevin could see her spirit breaking. Even in the tough times, Riley had been a happy little girl. He usually caught her smiling and laughing, and he could see the glee in her eyes when she played either by herself or with Mia. But now that her parents' deaths were real and she knew she would never see them again, all of that joy washed away.

"Riley, sweetheart," Mia touched the little girl's hand, "I know it's scary and I know it hurts. I lost my daddy too. But we're going to…"

"I hate you!" Riley screamed and fell forward, burying her face in Storm's back as she started to scream and cry loudly. Mia knew she didn't mean it. She knew exactly how the little girl felt, but it still hurt to hear. Tears flooded Mia's eyes as she reached out a shaky hand to hold little Riley but she couldn't do it.

"I'm so sorry, pink Ranger," Mia whispered and then got up. Kevin went after her, leaving Riley with Storm knowing there was nothing he could do or say to help the little girl. He found Mia in the kitchen and took her in his arms.

"It's okay. It's going to be okay," Kevin whispered as he held her close, "It's hard, you know it is, but she's going to be okay. We're going to take care of her. She's going to be fine. We're going to be fine."

"This isn't fair, Kevin," Mia shook her head and looked to the living room. Riley's screams were so loud at this point it was impossible for Mia to hear herself think. She clutched on tightly to Kevin and buried her face in his neck. "She doesn't deserve this."

-Samurai-

"Really? Do you have to do that here? I eat at that table," Emily said from the doorway after interrupting what had been about to turn into a make-out session between Serena and James.

"Sorry. We were looking at wedding stuff," James said and turned his attention back to the laptop. Emily rolled her eyes and groaned loudly.

"So much wedding crap. I just got back from Jayden's and Antonio's and they were doing the same thing."

"I thought you were dropping off Storm."

"And then I went to Jayden's and Antonio's," Emily nodded, "They called and asked for my opinion on destinations. I walk in and… yeah."

"Well, not everyone had time for a wedding like you," Serena said with a smirk, "Get used to it, Emy. There's going to be a lot of wedding talk in the near future."

"Weddings?" Mike, who had been watching TV in the living room suddenly jumped up and started checking all his pockets, "I was wearing these pants. I remember. Oh shit, I'm the worst best man in the world if I…. AHA!"

Mike pulled out a ring from his pocket and a smile lit up his face. He turned to Serena, James, and Emily and shrugged, "When Mia and Kevin broke up, neither of them wanted the ring. I knew things would eventually work out, so I kept it."

"You might want to wait a few more days before returning it," Emily whispered and looked down at her shoes. Because she had to give away her precious dog for the day, Kevin and Mia had told her all about what was happening with Riley. The others had no idea.

"Is everything okay?" Mike asked and looked to the ring worriedly, "I thought they were confident. Wouldn't this be what they need…?"

"Riley's parents are dead," Emily said. "Mia and Kevin wanted Storm to be there to comfort Riley when they told her."

"They're…"

Emily nodded her head, "I think it's obvious they want to keep her. Riley's lost her parents. We can't just throw her out to the street."

"I guess that means we've got a new little member in our family," Serena whispered and she looked to her little sister, "When are Kevin and Mia telling her…"

"Probably about now. Why?"

"Riley loves ice-cream. Come with me. We'll go to the store and pick some up. Later, we should all stop by. Riley needs to know everything's going to be okay. Her family's gone. She's got to be feeling very scared and alone."

-Samurai-

Mia and Kevin took some time to compose themselves before returning to Riley to speak with her again. So far, they had only told her about her parent's passing. They hadn't been able to assure her that she would still be taken care of – that she still had a home and people in her life who loved her.

But Riley couldn't be moved and wouldn't listen. Anytime Mia would try to say something to her she would scream. Different words came out of her mouth, but it was all the same: "I'm not talking until daddy comes home!" or "I want to go home with mommy!" or, the most heartbreaking of them all "Bring them back!"

"I can't, Riley," Mia gently stroked Riley's back, trying to get her to open up, "I'm so sorry, pink Ranger. Mommy and daddy can't come back. But we're going to take care of you. Kevin and I are going to make sure you're going to be okay."

"You're not mommy!" Riley finally came out of her little ball to push Mia away. Mia fell on her butt on the floor while Riley jumped up from the couch. She pushed Storm away, pushed Mia again, and then stormed over to the front door. Crying, she tried to get her boots and jacket on.

"Where are you going?" Kevin asked her. Riley slipped on her boots on the wrong feet and stood up. They felt strange and she couldn't understand why but she made up a reason for it. Her mother wasn't around to make sure the boots fit just right. Now it was all wrong. She dropped to the floor and let out a scream as she ripped off her boots and threw them down the hall.

"I'm going home!" forgetting her winter clothes, she opened the door and stormed outside. Kevin was about to go after her but stopped when he saw a car pull up in the driveway. Riley didn't stop, though. She didn't care. She wanted to go home where she was sure her parents were waiting for her. By now they had to be back.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Riley heard and someone grabbed her arm, gently pulling her back, "Where are you going, little girl?"

Riley screamed and kicked the person in the shins in hopes to protect herself, remembering what happened the last time a stranger had touched her. This person didn't give up, and she didn't handle her roughly. Instead, Riley was gently lifted from the ground and hugged warmly, "It's hard, little one. I know."

From the porch, Kevin watched as Noa comforted Riley, and then turned to his parents and Mako as they walked up to the house.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked them.

"Our son makes the decision to adopt and we're not going to be here to help him transition to parenthood?" Christina took Kevin's hands, "You've thought this through, right?"

"She needs us," Kevin nodded his head and cleared a path for Noa to take Riley back inside. He had no idea how Noa had managed it, but Riley wasn't screaming anymore.

"She'll need a lot. Are you…"

"Positive," Kevin said.

"And with Mia? Son, you aren't even engaged anymore," Patrick put his hand on Kevin's shoulder, "Adding a child to the home causes stress and strain. Do you really think…"

"It's not normal, but Mia and I have talked about it," Kevin nodded his head and gave his father a smile, "This is what we want to do. You're a grandfather now. Congratulations."

"We're here to help," Christina gave Kevin a kiss on the cheek and then walked inside the house. Patrick and Mako were right behind her. Kevin let out a sigh though he did appreciate the help. Just as he was about to head inside another car pulled into the driveway. This time, all the other Rangers came out.

"Guys?"

The Samurai each gave him a smile and then walked to the trunk. It popped open and they started pulling out toys and small pieces of furniture Riley would need for her new room. Kevin and Mia had been looking for a way to turn their spare bedroom into Riley's room, but didn't have enough money to afford everything at once.

"Seriously?"

"It started with ice-cream," Emily lifted a grocery bag to show Kevin, "but we got a little carried away. And we called the others over to help."

"You didn't have to…"

"You all pitched in when Terran was born," Serena shrugged her shoulders as she and Lauren brought over a toy box, "It's what we do."

"But her parents…"

"We're going to help with that too," Antonio promised, "but if she's staying with you, she'll need a room and toys of her own. We've got some stuff waiting at the store. Just give them a call so they know when to deliver."

"How can you guys afford all this?" Kevin asked.

Emily gave him a smile, "You know how the Shibas are loaded."

"Yeah."

"They're a lot more loaded than they let on. Like a lot. A lot, a…"

"That's enough out of you," Jayden covered Emily's hand with her mouth and gave Kevin a smile as he dragged her off, "Ice-cream is melting."

"Our grandkids will never have to work… EEK!" Emily squealed from inside the house. Kevin rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Riley will be fine," he smiled to himself and closed the door behind him.