Sorry last week was a little Minx light but it's all leading somewhere good I promise.

Thank you reviewers and reader for sticking with me – next week in celebration of this story's 6 month anniversary (can you believe it!) will be a New York Special with numerous special guest stars. I hope you can join me then! (Sorry channelling soap land a bit there.)

Meanwhile

SPOILERS – this week – Marissa has her home visit, Erica and Jackson come to an agreement and Miranda asks Kendal for help.

…

"Wakey, wakey sleepy head." Marissa called through the door.

AJ groaned and turned over in his bed, burying his face in his pillow. He didn't want it to be morning yet. About a minute later mom knocked on his door again.

"AJ, I'm not hearing any movement, you know how important today is, you can't be late for school."

AJ lay still a moment longer.

Today… what was today?

When realisation hit AJ practically leaped out of bed. Today was the day of the home visit! Today some official was decided if his mom could really be his mom.

AJ looked round his bedroom. He was supposed to tidy it last night but his clothes, books and toys still littered the floor. In a desperate move he scooped up armfuls of his belongings and stuffed them in his closet; the rest he pushed under the bed. After five minutes frantic activity the room looked much better, at least the floor was clear. Everything was perfect just as long as no one went in the closet.

His work done AJ pulled on his school clothes; stuffed his pyjamas under his pillow and straightened out the duvet.

AJ found his mom in the kitchen making herself a coffee, his juice and cereal were waiting for him on the table.

"So you are up." said Marissa with a grin. "I was beginning to worry the closet monster had got you."

"I was just doing some last minute tidying up." said AJ.

"Good lad." said Marissa, coming round to give her son a kiss on the forehead and then paused. "Have you brushed your hair this morning?"

"Not yet." said AJ between mouthfuls of chocolate corn flakes.

"Okay, I'll stop fussing." said Marissa.

AJ could see how nervous his mom was about the home visit. He felt like kicking himself for not getting up in time to help her.

"Now you're not worried about today are you?" Marissa asked, her own worry clear on her face.

"I won't let them take me." said AJ fiercely. "You are my mom and I love you. If they try to take me away I'll run right back! I'll tell them that, I will. I won't let them take me from you ever again!"

"It won't come to that." said Marissa hugging her son. "We are a family. We have a good home. They will see that. How can they not?"

AJ nodded, his mom was trying to stay positive so he would do the same. But Marissa was still very anxious about today and was overcompensating by going into hyper-mom mode.

"Now don't forget to brush your hair and your teeth." said Marissa as she began packing the sandwiches for AJs lunch. "Make sure you remember to pack you English homework. And the note for the school trip is in your school bag; don't forget to hand it to Mr Jones. I'll be by to pick you up from the school gate, please don't be late, the inspector will be here at 5pm sharp."

"Yes mom." said AJ, between shovelfuls of cereal. "And please stop worrying. Everything is going to be alright!"

Marissa stopped and looked at her son.

"Sorry was I being a bit mom-asaurus there?"

"A little bit." said AJ.

"I just want it all to be perfect." said Marissa with a sigh. But when she watched her son gazing back at her from the breakfast table she smiled. "I guess it already is, because we have each other."

AJ nodded.

"And AJ." added Marissa with a grin. "I love you too… but please don't forget to brush your hair!"

…