It had been of a battle, and the waiting game had been torture, but when Mia and Riley came back from a check-up at the doctor's, Kevin had a surprise waiting for them in the backyard.

"Mrs. Nibbles!" Riley cried out in a panic when she saw the raccoon trapped in a cage on the back porch and trying to get out. Mia wrapped her arms around Kevin and gave him a kiss.

"I guess I was wrong."

"I'm sorry, I didn't really hear you," Kevin leaned in a little closer, "Can you…?"

"I was wrong. You could do it," Mia smiled and then had to grab Riley's arm to keep the four year old from approaching the cage, "Did you…"

"I sealed off the entrance and reinforced it," Kevin nodded his head, "And animal control's going to come by to pick up this guy in a few minutes, so the problem's gone. There are going to be no more monsters waking us up in the middle of the night."

"Mrs. Nibbles is a girl," Riley looked up at Kevin and smirked knowingly, "Mia did the sea-search."

"We were already running a little late for the appointment when I stumbled upon it," Mia hissed inwardly as she gave Kevin the disappointing news. "More times than not, momma raccoons get into attics to give birth to and raise their babies. I'll bet you putting Riley to bed that we still have raccoons up in the attic."

"You're kidding me," Kevin groaned.

"You can't leave the babies, Kevin," Riley tugged on her father's arm, "Now can Mrs. Nibbles stay?"

"Mrs. Nibbles… the raccoon still needs to go," Kevin shook his head and put on a pair of gloves, "But I'll do everything in my power to make sure her babies stay with her."

-Samurai-

Lauren knew she didn't have to train anymore. Her responsibilities as the red Ranger had ended and there was no need to keep up with her training, but she still enjoyed spending time in the dojo beating on dummies and practicing her martial arts. Being a Samurai was all she knew and with the pressure of saving the world now off her shoulders, she found it to be quite enjoyable.

"Once you get your Academy up and running, your students are going to be very lucky to have a sensei as qualified as you," Kate announced as she walked into the dojo with some snacks. Lauren had been working for a while and Kate thought she could use the break.

She was also using this as an excuse to talk. She would never ask or expect Ji to break Lauren's trust but now that they had plans on getting married they had few secrets between them. Ji had shared Lauren's concerns with Kate. He knew this was something the two women needed to figure out together. Lauren made it clear she wanted Ji to stay in her life, and that meant Kate would be there too. It would be for the best and a lot easier if everyone in the house was on the same page.

Kate set the snacks down on the bench as Lauren drank some water and dried her sweat with a towel. Then she took a seat beside Kate and gave her a smile. Kate decided the no secrets deal she had made with Ji would extend to Lauren. Their family was complicated enough without any secrets.

"Ji told me about your… concerns. About us possibly having a baby…"

"It's not that I don't want that for you," Lauren rushed out, worried her step-mother… new mother… Kate wouldn't think Lauren was being selfish or trying to take control. "I want whatever makes you and Ji happy, obviously. It's just… I don't want that."

"I get it," Kate smiled and put her hand on Lauren's shoulder, "You've been away from your family for a really long time. You're still adjusting to all of this and it's weird. Throw a new baby into the mix and life can get really troubling for someone like you."

"I know you're not my mom, and Ji's not my dad, and I would never ask either of you to be those people for me," Lauren shrugged her shoulders and looked down at the bowl of fruit in her hands. "I don't even really know who I want you to be but I know… I know I need you."

Lauren tucked her hair behind her ears and tapped her fingers nervously against the bowl, "I've got my brother and if that was all I could get, it's all I want. I want to spend more time with him and I want to get to know him and… I want… I want what Serena and Emily have, you know."

"They are special," Kate muttered.

"But having a brother and no parents… Jayden trusts Ji enough. Jayden considers him a father and… he had that, growing up. He had someone looking out for him and his best interest. Someone who… Someone who loved him no matter what he did or who he became."

"Ji made a few mistakes with Jayden," Kate said to Lauren, deciding it was best to open up, "But from what I can see now, Ji was an amazing parental figure to Jayden."

"I want that too," Lauren said. "I want to have someone in my life who'll love and care for me like that. Mom and dad are dead and… Jayden's found someone. I think I've found someone too."

"You have," Kate promised Lauren and shifted slightly in her seat so they could be eye to eye, "Last night, at dinner, it was just the six of us because that's the family I want. Of course, the other Samurai are included, but that's how I envision our family. Serena and Emily will always be my nieces, and Ji will always be… a father to you and Jayden. I'm not just marrying him. I'm marrying the three of you. Ji is marrying the three of us. We are that family."

"And kids?"

"Not in the plans," Kate shook her head. She opened her arms to hug Lauren, "Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about ever losing your parents again. You don't have to worry about being alone ever again. Not as long as you're a part of this family."

"I believe it," Lauren nodded, "It's just… hard. I'm not…"

"Get used to it," Kate said sternly but with a smile, "Get used to the fact that you have people who care about you. People who will drop everything they're doing when you need help. Ji is more than ready to be all you need him to be and more, and you have the most amazing brother you can ask for. And I'm here for you. I'm never going away."

"It might take time," Lauren said. "But… still… what if…"

"Lauren, even if I have a kid, or twins, or triplets, or god forbid any more than that, I will never, ever push you away. If anything, you'll be sneaking out of here to visit Jayden and complaining that Ji and I never give you any peace."

Lauren chuckled, "Live-in nanny."

"Unpaid nanny," Kate smirked. "You will never be neglected again. You're too special for that."

"Really?"

"Really. Now, are you done beating up the dummies? We have wedding plans to work on. Oh, and Jayden's got wedding plans of his own. He and Antonio are trying to find a location, and I hear you're the tiebreaker."

"I… I am?"

"So, want to play maid of honour or best man first?" Kate asked, "I guess my wedding plans can wait if you want to visit your brother."

"Thanks, Kate," Lauren gave Kate a kiss on the cheek before leaving, "I'll help you with your wedding tonight, I promise."

"I trust you," Kate told her as she left. When Lauren was gone Kate shook her head and chuckled. She cleaned up the dishes from the snack, "She really is special. How many people can say they're maid of honour and best man for two different weddings?"

-Samurai-

Football practice ended a little late for Mike, but he didn't mind. He was finding his job as assistant coach was fun, and Coach Hall was so much cooler than any boss he could imagine. He never liked the idea of having a boss or following someone else's lead. Even when he had been a Samurai, it had been rough getting used to the idea of following Jayden's every command. Though Mike learned to trust his red Ranger, he did occasional rebel.

But Coach Hall was very easy going. She trusted Mike knew what he was doing, and with the exception of giving him a few pointers on how to keep the students disciplined and how to earn their respect so they wouldn't need to be disciplined, she let him do his own thing. Mike was basically in charge of himself, which was something he loved.

After sending the boys off to the showers at the end of practice, Mike was gathering his things and stuffing them into his bag. He had learned from his time playing football in high school that the players needed to treat their equipment with respect, and so he demanded that the students he coached take care of their belongings not just in regards to football, but school supplies and at home (a tip from Coach Hall was that football extended beyond the football field). He, however, didn't follow his own orders. He crammed as much as he could into his bag and forced the zipper shut while he prayed the bag wouldn't break.

He heard footsteps coming up behind him and assumed they belonged to Serena. She was also staying after school to help out in the homework club she had started the year before. A lot of students hadn't been getting the help they needed academically because of all the bullying and the teachers giving up. Serena had started the club to give all students a chance to get a little extra help from other students. It was like a peer-tutoring program. It was also a benefit to students because if they choose to help a struggling student, Serena would sign off on volunteer hours, which they needed to earn their diploma.

She was glad to see the club had continued for a second year, and was thrilled to see it was growing.

"So, catch up with a few more friends?" Mike asked as he lifted his bag and turned around. He was surprised to see it wasn't Serena but Frankie standing behind him. It took all he had, but he did resist beating the younger boy with his heavy bag. "You…"

"You're Emily's boyfriend, right?"

"Husband, and don't you dare even think…"

"I heard you were in the school and…" Frankie rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "I've been told over and over again how what I did was wrong and stuff. I never thought I would get the chance to offer you or Emily an apology face to face. I had a letter written up and stuff but… but I think this is better."

"I don't need to hear your apology," Mike brushed shoulders with Frankie as he tried to walk out, "What you did to my wife is despicable and disgusting. I can't look at you."

"I'm really sorry," Frankie called as he watched Mike walk away, "Look, I was just a kid…"

"It's barely been a year!" Mike shouted and turned around. He dropped his bag to the floor and felt like charging Frankie. He wanted the younger boy to hurt as much as Emily had. He wanted Frankie to feel as bad about himself as Emily had. "You don't belong here. You should still be locked up, out of town, where my wife and I never, ever have to worry about seeing your disgusting face again!"

"MICHAEL!" Serena shouted. She grabbed him by the collar, grabbed his bag, and pulled him out of the gym. Mike tried to fight her off but it was no use. She dragged him that way until they were in the parking lot. Serena saw Frankie leave the school from the other end and knew it was finally safe. She shoved Mike into the car, "He's a disgusting scum, but he's also a student."

"So?"

"Would you like to lose your job and live with me until one of us dies?" Serena growled and shoved Mike again, "Because I want you out of my house as soon as possible. I want you to give my baby sister the life you promised."

"But Frankie…"

"I know," Serena groaned. "Trust me; I want to do everything you want to do. But tone it down!"

"I can't!"

"Then go back to Dr. Fletcher," Serena grabbed Mike's bag and tossed it into the back seat of the car. She climbed into the driver's seat and locked the doors behind Mike could get in. Mike struggled with the door.

"Serena…"

"Don't come home until you've seen Fletcher," Serena shook her head. "Maybe the walk will be enough time for you to cool down and process your emotions before the session."

Serena started to drive off. Mike chased after the car while he smacked his hand against the window. Serena slowly down but never stopped. She rolled down the window again, "What?"

"How do you know I won't go after Frankie? I'll cool down, I promise. Just let me…"

"If you're going to keep working with students, you need to make sure your anger is in check. Even if it's Frankie, and even if he deserves it, you're not keeping this job if you pose a risk to student safety. At the very least, if Frankie chooses to complain, you can tell Stevens you're already getting help."

"And if I don't go?"

"You'll have to tell Emily how you almost beat the shit out of a student today because you couldn't control your anger, and how you're breaking your promise to her by not getting help," Serena rolled the window back up and drove off. Mike grumbled and kicked a patch of snow with his foot.

"Stupid temper. Stupid Frankie," he grabbed his phone out of his pocket and dialled the number for Fletcher's office. He knew Fletcher always had time for the Samurai, but he wanted to make sure the doctor wasn't already with another patient. Even with his connections, squeezing in an appointment at the last minute was still a little trouble.

-Samurai-

"Can we keep one?" Riley whined as animal control took the mother and baby raccoons from the backyard. Everyone promised Riley they would find a good home, but the little girl couldn't get over the idea of adopting a pet. She found the raccoons were cute and couldn't understand the danger they posed. Kevin and Mia stuck to their original decision.

"No, Riley. Mrs. Nibbles and her babies belong outside."

"Why?"

Kevin heard this question and instantly groaned and went to speak to animal control. Mia got down on her knees and held Riley's arms.

"Raccoons aren't happy inside."

"Then why did Mrs. Nibbles want to live in our upstairs?"

"She was looking for shelter, which she'll find outside and it will be safer. If she stays in the attic, she'll ruin our house."

"How?"

"Damaging ducts, wires, insulation," Mia said and Riley titled her head to show she didn't understand. Mia chuckled, "Look Kevin's talking to the animal man who is going to make sure Mrs. Nibbles finds a better home than what we have in the attic. Everything's going to be okay for her and her babies. They're going to be happy in their new home, I promise."

"Pinky promise?"

Mia wrapped her pinky around Riley's just as Kevin came back. He scooped Riley up in his arms.

"I've got an idea," he put her up on her shoulders, "You give up on adopting the raccoon, and I'll take you to buy something very special."

"A present?"

"A present?" Mia rolled her eyes at Kevin, "You better hope that's the last time a raccoon makes a nest upstairs. We're not doing this…"

"I know," Kevin smirked and gave Mia a kiss, "It's just a small treat to get her mind off the raccoon and it'll sweeten her up a little. When I was bringing the little raccoons down, I happened to notice the calendar in the bathroom. That Valentine's Day wedding we're planning is less than a month away."

"What?" Mia's eyes widened as she ran to the kitchen. Riley's adoption process had distracted her and she had forgotten all about her approaching wedding. She planned on making it the wedding of her dreams, and though she had a lot planned out already, getting everything arranged and set up on time was going to be a lot of work.

"I hate weddings," Riley huffed and crossed her arms. She looked down at Kevin, "Do you and Mia have to get married?"

"Yes, we have to."

"But I don't want you too. Are 'lationshit is still growing, and I don't know if I trust you with my Mia yet."

"Have you and uncle Antonio been talking… wait, relation what?"

"'lationshit. You know, when a mommy and a daddy are in love and…"

Kevin took Riley off his shoulders and set her down. He got to his knees and looked right at her, "Say that again."

Riley sighed loudly, "When a mommy and a daddy are in love, they start a 'lationshit…"

"A what?"

Riley put her hand on Kevin's shoulder, "This is why I no think you should marry my Mia."

"Because of our relationship. Our relationship. Ship."

"You're weird," Riley said and then took Kevin's hand, "Let's go, weirdo Kevin. You promised me a present. Toys store won't wait all day."