Chapter 8

After saying goodbye to the Guard Dogs, the group moved on, stopping in Hotland at a hot cat stand to grab some lunch. Ava looked at Sans and he nodded. "Yeah, we should tell them," he said.

The kids perked up. "Tell who what?" Chara asked.

Papyrus looked at them. "There's something we need to discuss with you three," he said as they all took a seat.

Ava took a deep breath. "Frisk. Chara, I went to the police station this morning and they have your birth father there. In hopes of getting the truth from him, they're bluffing that you both are dead," she said.

Frisk cocked her head to the side. "Is bluffing like lying?" She asked.

"Essentially, yes," Sans said. "But the sheriff who knows the real secret of the forest around the mountain knows you kids are with us and that you're safe."

Frisk, Chara, and Amelia looked at each other. "But...?" Chara prompted quietly.

Ava had to give them credit. They were smart to know there was something else. "But the trouble is, the bluff is only temporary," she said. "We're going to need to find you kids a guardian to take you in and keep you safe."

"And until we do that...it's best if one of us is with you kids at all times," Sans said. "If Amelia's father could hire someone to try and find her, it's possible that Frisk and Chara's father can do the same."

The kids looked worried. "We're in big danger, aren't we?" Frisk asked.

The monsters and half-human looked at each other before looking at the kids. "I wish I could say no, but unfortunately, yes, all three of you are in danger," Ava said.

Amelia looked down before looking up. "But...who would take us in?" She asked, moving closer to Grillby and hugging his leg. He gently squeezed her shoulder in comfort.

"Well, that's the thing," Sans said. "We're not going to force you kids to go with someone you don't know or like. We promised you we'd let you choose and we're holding firm to that."

Chara looked at her sister and friend and then looked at them. "You know, we've actually been kind of talking about that too," she said softly. "And...we wanted to ask you something."

Frisk took a deep breath. "Amelia, why don't you go first?" She said.

The child nodded and took a deep breath. "Miss Ava, I know you and Mr. Grillby are going to get married, but...," she paused, looking hopeful but scared too before taking another deep breath. "Would you both adopt me? Please?"

Grillby and Ava were both stunned by the child's words before they smiled and Grillby picked up the child in his arms. "Of course we will, Amelia," he said soothingly.

"We'd love to," Ava said before looking at Frisk and Chara, who both looked nervous before turning to the skeleton brothers.

"Sans? Papyrus? Gaster?" Chara asked before taking her sister's hand.

Frisk looked at them all. "Can we stay with you guys?" She asked.

They blinked. "As in, you want us to adopt you?" Sans said.

The sisters nodded and the skeletons smiled. "You know, Sans, you did mention how you'd like to be a father," Gaster said, still smiling. "And I believe these two angels just might be the answer to that."

"I agree!" Papyrus said, looking excited at the prospect.

Sans looked at the girls and smiled. "Would you two be okay with me adopting you as my daughters?" He asked.

Frisk and Chara looked at him with eyes shining hopefully. "Please?" The latter asked as the former nodded.

He chuckled. "Okay, baby bones," he said with a smile. "I'll adopt you both."

Tears streaming down their faces, they glomped him happily. "Thank you!" Frisk said joyfully and Chara echoed her.

Papyrus had tears in his eyes and hugged Gaster. "Gaster, we have three nieces now!" He said excitedly.

The cloaked skeleton chuckled. "That we do," he said. "And I couldn't ask for better nieces."

Amelia cried happily too as she clung to her new parents, who hugged her. "We'll always keep you and your cousins safe, our little candle," Grillby promised.

As they were all hugging, River Person came up to them. "What's the celebration?" He asked curiously, a smile in his voice.

Ava turned to him. "You have two new great-nieces and a new granddaughter," she said.

He froze in surprise before he looked at the three children and stood straighter. "I had a feeling you all were going to adopt these three cuties," he said, smiling. "Am I correct in assuming Frisk and Chara are my great-nieces and Amelia is my granddaughter?"

"That's right, River Person," Sans said with a grin as he hugged Frisk and Chara. "These two baby bones are my new daughters."

"And our new nieces!" Papyrus said, gesturing to him and Gaster.

"I believe we had accepted the three as family when we first met them," the tallest skeleton said with a smile.

Ava smiled. "Okay, so to make it official, we'll have to go see Asgore," she said.

"Who's he?" Chara asked.

"He's the King of the Monsters," River Person said. "He and his queen live in the castle and at the Ruins sometimes."

Frisk looked worried. "Are they nice?" She asked.

Sans chuckled. "Asgore has a huge soft spot for children, as does Toriel, his wife," he said. "They'll love you kids."

Amelia looked worried. "But will they let you guys adopt us?" She asked.

"That's what we're going to go see them for," Grillby said. "But I believe they will say yes."

"And after the paperwork is signed, I'll go meet up with our sheriff friend," Ava said. "Sans, do you remember that young girl that was pregnant and we saved her from her ex-boyfriend?"

He nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Her dad is a judge."

The half-human nodded. "Our Sheriff friend said that the judge will help us on officiating the adoptions," she said. "He's sticking to his word that he'd help us in return for saving his daughter and grandchild."

"Good," Gaster said. "Then we'll have no issue with the adoptions going through."

River Person smiled as he saw Amelia reach for him and he accepted her from Grillby, hugging her and gently giving her a boop on her nose, making her giggle. "Come then," he said. "I'll take you all to the castle."

"Thank you, Papa," Ava said.

"Let's not waste another moment!" Papyrus said eagerly.

"For once, I agree with him," said Sans, smiling. "I can't wait to make it official to become a dad."

His daughters giggled and hugged him. "And we can't wait to be your daughters," Chara said.

"How far is the castle?" Frisk asked curiously.

"Not far," Grillby said. "About fifteen minutes by boat."

River Person led them to the docks and they climbed aboard, ready to go see the king and queen. Ava smiled as Amelia went up to her and she picked her up, hugging her. "You'll never have to worry about that evil man again, sweetie," she said. "We'll keep you safe."

Amelia snuggled into her hug, feeling safe as Frisk and Chara snuggled into Sans' sides, also feeling safe and excitement filled them that they were soon about to be adopted into two loving families.

I think my watching videos of grandparents finding out they're going to be grandparents and them meeting their grandchildren for the first time influenced some of this chapter. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418