A/N: Hi Guys! So I am done school and Im on break! Yay! So I got some news. 1. I want to finish

WHIVSIV this summer. Like I don't care what it takes, it will be done before I go back to school. There are 5 or 6 chapters left, as long as I stick to my plan. 2. I am writing an original story and I hope you guys will at least try it out. Its called Melanin. I hope you guys give it a try! Link is going to be on my profile. Anyways Enjoy!

"Giving birth does not make you a mother, but caring and loving a child, whether yours or not, marks a mother ."

-Unknown

Chloe POV

The house check is today and everyone has been running around trying to make the house look warm in a sense. Iyzo has simply been running around giggling at just about everything and her happiness makes me smile oddly enough. Derek has caught me creepily staring at her and surprisingly enough he just laughs it off.

I am in my room changing into a bathing suit I just bought when Amber and Melissa dragged me to the mall. It was fun till someone recognized me and screamed "Its her!". At that point we had to go. As I put the bikini top on, I remember Amber's nutty thoughts. She kept trying to come up with names for me and Derek's children and then she jokingly scolded me when I told her I yelled at Derek and then she said if I messed this up, she will be first in line to take him. Melissa and I just laughed so hard, she continues to prove what we discovered a long time ago, she is a psychopath.

I grab my flip flops and check the time, 2:30. The guy would be here soon. I walked out of my room after grabbing my phone and sunscreen. I started towards the stairs when Incy popped up from her room down the hall. She looked at me and then looked back at her door then me. We both stood there in silent, acknowledging but yet not acknowledging the other. I should be the adult here, I don't know why she hates me but I still want to try.

"I like your bathing suit" I nodded towards the light blue bikini top and shorts she was wearing.

She looked away from me and mumbled thanks and walked down the stairs. I followed behind her but made a stop at the kitchen to bring out the burgers and the grill stuff. I carried it to the back yard to see everyone there already.

Simon and Derek arguing over the grill and Kit just staring at both of them in what seems to be complete confusion. He is probably wondering how they have lived so long without stabbing each other.

Liz and Tori were by the chairs. Tori and Iyzo were posing while Liz took a crap ton of pictures. Incy was already in the pool and she was swimming backwards. I walked towards the grill and put the stuff down next to Derek.

They both stopped arguing long enough to notice me.

"Thanks Chl…." Derek was staring at me and I suddenly felt self conscious. But screw it, I am tired of being self conscious, if he doesn't like what he sees, thats his problem.

"You look great Chloe"

"Thanks Simon" I say as I walk away, I could still feel Derek's eyes on me.

I said hi to Liz and Tori.

Iyzo walked over to me and smiled. I reached down and put some sunscreen on her legs and arms. I stood up and Iyzo ran over to bother Simon. I watched her run with her little legs.

"Look at you being a good mommy" Liz said with a cheeky smile

"He did you well didn't he?" Liz wiggled her eyebrows

I turned red and laughed. "No no!"

We all froze the doorbell rang.

Derek cleaned his hands and went to open the door.

"Everyone keep doing what you're doing. Act natural, we don't want it to seem like your acting for his sake. Just relax" Kit said as he stood up to help simon with the grill.

I went back to talking to Liz and Tori but none of us were paying attention to the conversation.

The man and Derek came into the yard and he looked around. We all turned to him except Incy, she kept swimming backwards.

"Hello everyone, I am Tyson Beckard. Nice to meet you all." He scanned everyone's faces. We all just awkwardly staring at him.

"Hey Tyson, good to see you." Kit moved to shake his hands.

"You too Kit."

"Where's little Iyzobella?" Tyson said as he looked around. Instantly my eyes went to where Izyo was hding behind Simon's leg. Tyson saw her too and walked over. He stretched his hand to her and slowly shook it with her hand still around Simon's leg.

Tyson gave her a smile, "how are you sweetheart? I am Tyson, I work for the agency."

"Fine" Izyo said quietly.

Tyson nodded and smiled, walking away from Izyo back to Derek who motioned him to have a sit on the patio chair. Someone was poking me, I looked down to see Izyo jabbing my thigh with her finger as she looked up. She looked scared, my heart broke just looking at her eyes. I lifted her and carried her so she could hide her eyes in the crook of my neck.

Kit and Derek started to talk to Tyson. I turned to Liz and Tori with Iyzo still in my arms.

I looked down at her.

"Iyzo babe, are you okay?" I whispered to her

She nodded, and the arm around my neck tightened.

"You sure? Are you scared?

She nodded again and her eyes were watery.

No child this small should know this amount of sadness and it hurt to know I couldn't make it go away. I hugged her tighter

"You two seem to have a close relationship" a voice from behind me said

I turned to see Tyson standing behind me. Iyzo's hand tightened once again. I saw Derek, Kit, and Simon staring at us from behind Tyson. They couldn't intervene here or it would give us away. I was on my own with whatever he threw at me. My hands tightened around Iyzo's little body.

"Yeah, I can say we're good friends."

"Really? Iyzo doesn't seem like a child that opens up very easily." Tyson countered

"Well yeah, she's been through enough in her short life that warrants her lack of trust. But I guess I got lucky that she likes me then."

Tyson nodded. I almost thanked god for being done. He wasn't done.

"So do you think you are capable to raising a little child and a teenager? I mean considering your own age. Still young, don't you want to enjoy your youth before you stuff yourself with this much responsibility?"

I took a deep breath and I looked at Derek who gave me a small smile and nodded.

Aside from this being a very good question, I smell a setup from Tyson he wants to attempt to show that I am not ready for this. Something I asked myself over and over again.

"Well, its not something that easy but its something I want to do. Can I say I am going to be a perfect mother, no, probably not. But I am not doing it alone obviously, I have m-my husband, and family with me in every step. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I can guarantee you that they have a lot more than a village behind them. And alot, I think I have spent enough of my youth doing fun things that could possibly get me in trouble." I took a deep breath and mentally patted myself for not being a stuttering mess. Derek smiled at me.

"Thats nice Chloe. But parenting is more than taking pictures and having cute kids to use as accessories for the public. Every child deserves a loving home where nothing but the best is desired for them. So tell me Chloe are you ready to give up your own dreams and aspirations for the sake of these kids if thats what it takes? Because if not, I can find them a better mother because quite frankly I don't think you are cut out for motherhood, not even pethood. This society does not need more terrible parents." Tyson said with a hint of bitterness

"Don't get snarkey Beckard, you're still in my home and I won't hesitate to deck you if you attempt to intimidate my wife again." Derek snapped as he came to stand between me and Tyson. I looked at Izyo, she was starting to shake in my hands and I took a deep breath.

"Derek its fine. He wants answers let me give it to him." I grabbed his arm and pulled him behind me, and he, thank god, followed.

Tyson looked at me with a straight face, he lacked remorse for his insult. I shifted Iyzo in my hands.

"Tyson, I would like to point out the fact that you barely know me, candidly, you just met me so I ask that you refrain from attempting to insult me. As for my parenting skills, I never claimed to be perfect or all knowing but that's the point. With parenting, you learn as you go. I am not alone in this! They are surrounded by people who love them unconditionally and would give them the world and more if they could. I don't have to lose myself simply because I become a parent! I learn more about myself as a parent and as a person I will gain more of myself! We will not be terrible parents as you say because we were both raised by wonderful parents like Kit! Also you claim to be able to find them a good family, yet your system has kept them away from a loving father and family for years?! Why? The system couldn't even take the time to find a good placement home, Derek and Kit had to find Mary for you! The system has ruined some many children's lives by attempting to keep them in the system, behind your false pretense of helping. We love these kids and they love us. Now if you will excuse, I have to get her to stop shaking." I turned and walked back into the house without a shaking Iyzo still in my hands.

I walked into the bathroom and placed Iyzo on the sink. She was crying.

"Iyzo why are you crying hun?" I asked quietly as I wiped her eyes

"Is he going to make us go away now?" she asked still trembling

My eyes widened and saddened.

"No baby…" I hugged her. I didn't want to lie to her either. I hope with all I love that they stay but I was just as scared as Iyzo.

"I don't know." I answered again, hugging her tighter. I don't know how long we stood in there.

"Chloe! Can you come down please?!" I heard Derek call from the living.

I looked at Iyzo, gave her a little smile and kissed her cheek. I carried her again.

"You aren't going anywhere Love" I say as we exit the bathroom. We walked down the stairs and went to the door to see Derek, Kit and Tyson standing together.

I kept my face straight so Tyson can understand that I am still very irritated. Yeah we need him but no need to be rude.

"Well Mrs Souza, I shall be on my way. It was nice meeting your family."

"Thank you." Yes I am still mad.

"I can see you are still infuriated by my comments from earlier but I can assure you that there is a method to my madness. If it's any consolating for your anger, I would like to inform you that you passed the home check and the adoption is finalized as of monday." Tyson, offerring me a small smile.

It took everything in me not to scream and jump.

"Thank you-u"

Tyson nodded and left. Derek locked the door behind him. He turned around and hugged me and Iyzo who looked at him sadly.

"Guess we are finally a family babe!" He said as he gave her a butterfly kiss

He looked up at me and smiled, "Thank you Chloe."

I smiled and he stared me then my lips. Then me again and before I know it, his lips were on mine. It was a quick but it was enough.

"Eww" Iyzo giggled from under us.

Derek and I laughed.

"Yay for Chloe, she saved the day. Welcome to the family Chloe, I hope you have a nice time while you ruin it. I hope you enjoy your new family Derek, it was fun while it lasted. " Incy said from behind us as she bolted up the stairs. There were tears running down her face.

Ruin it?

A/N: Okay So I really don't like this chapter but I wanted to update something. I might replace if I re read and still hate it. Anyways, I have an original story and wattpad! Its called Melanin and the link is in my bio.