"I'm stuffed." Adam tossed his napkin on his plate. "Erin that was amazing."

"Jordi helped."

"I guessed that."

"What? I'm Mexican. We like beans." Jordi laughed.

"Jordi, you want some more."

"I'm full. Thank you, Dr Grace."

"You're welcome. And you can just call me Erin."

"Okay. Dr, Erin." Jordi smirked. "Feels weird."

"Well try thinking of us like an adopted aunt and uncle." Adam gathered up the plates. "Then it won't feel so weird saying Erin and Adam."

"I suppose."

"There's something else we need to talk about." Adam poured himself another cup of coffee before he came back to the table. "It's about what happens next."

"I remember the routine. I get assigned a case worker and he or she tries to find me a foster home, which might not happen so since I'm not sick anymore I'll live in a group home. It's cool. I guess you'll take me there this afternoon."

"Actually I have permission for you to stay here another night."

"Oh cool. So what did you want to talk about?"

"We have an idea about where you could live."

"Where's that?"

"Here."

"Here?"

"I know it's not the best situation. Baby on the way and you wouldn't have a real bedroom because we turned that into a nursery. But we get along, don't we? And it's close to the hospital for your PT or visiting Leo and Emma and Dash. Schools are pretty good and there's a park and the ocean just a few blocks away. The Promenade is a ten minute drive, you can see movies there. Once you get your license. Until then it's like 20 on the bus."

Jordi sat in silence for a moment. "Could I do that? Could I stay here? Don't I have to have permission from the state or something."

"Typically yes. But things are a little different this time."

"Is it because of my cancer, because I have to have another surgery?"

"No, it's because of your grandmother."

"My abuela? What about her?"

"Remember when she came to the hospital, right when you were having your last tests."

"Yeah."

"Turns out she didn't just miss you, she wanted to talk to the hospital lawyers. She filed papers through the lawyers that if anything should happen to her before you turned 18, she wanted me to be your guardian, to make any necessary decisions about where you live, or your medical care."

"Why didn't you tell me this in Mexico?"

"I talked it over with Miguel and we agreed that wherever you ended up should be your decision. He's good people and I knew he and Isabella would take good care of you."

"And staying here? I mean you're my guardian, so you could just say I'm living here, right?"

"I could. But the way I see it, you've had too many adults making decisions about your life. You asked to come back to LA totally prepared to stay in a group home or with strangers and if you still want to do that I'm okay with it. But you have another option, you can stay here. I want it to be your decision. I want you to think about it. Don't say yes because you think it's what I want you to say. Say yes because it's what you want. Okay?"

"Okay." Jordi nodded. "Maybe I could take a walk and think about it."

"That's a great idea." Erin smiled. "The oceans literally four blocks away. It's a great place to sit and think."

"Cool." Jordi disappeared upstairs to get his shoes.

"You have your phone?" Adam followed him outside.

"Yeah."

"Go straight that way." Adam pointed down the street. "Can't miss it. But don't stay out too long. Call me if you get tired and I'll come pick you okay"

"okay."

Adam watched Jordi walk down the road. He was torn about his decision to let Jordi decide. When Miguel had first shown him the papers he was thrilled but he didn't want to be another adult controlling Jordi's life against his wishes. He was certain that he knew what Jordi was going to decide. Or at least he hoped he knew.