"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching, they are your family." -Jim Butcher

A week has passed since Emily's talk with Derek, she has thought a lot about what he said and she's realized that she doesn't really want David to send her away. She wants to stay with this family forever. She wants to be a permanent family member. She wants to carry the last name Rossi, but if she does, she wants to change her middle name upon being adopted, because she currently bears the name of the mother that left her, as her middle name. She strolled and googled baby names to find a name that she would like to have as her middle name, and after three days she found a name that she liked. The name is Hope.

It's Saturday, David is working in his in-home office, Spencer is reading with Jennifer, and Derek got roped into playing barbies with Penelope, but Emily could swear that he's enjoying it. Emily smiles at her siblings and then headed to David's office and knocked softly on the door before letting herself in.

"Hey beautiful, how can I help you?" David wondered

Emily stepped toward his desk as she took a breath, "I need to talk to you. I need to apologize for how hard of a time I've been giving you, and for all the times I ran away, so I'm sorry."

"I've already forgiven you, Emily." David replied, "What's this about?"

Emily bit her bottom lip, "Um…I've been thinking. I really like it here. You're the nicest foster parent I've ever had. I feel like this is my home and my family. You saved me, and gave me a family. Now I want to make it official." Then she took a breath, "Papá? Will you adopt me?"

David smiled as he stood up to hug Emily, "Of princessa, of course I'll adopt you. I love you."

"I love you too, Papá." Emily replied as she hugged him back. "And when you adopt me I want to change my middle name to Hope."

"Are you sure? Your middle name is so pretty and elegant." David told her

Emily nodded, "Yeah. Elizabeth is my mom's name. I don't want a middle name that reflects the past. I want a middle name to reflect the future and hope you have given me, so I chose Hope as my new middle name." She smiled, "What do you think? Emily Hope Rossi?"

David smiled, "I love it."

Meanwhile with Derek and Penelope in Jennifer and Penelope's room. Derek is playing Barbies with Penelope, whose Barbie is named Karen and Derek's in Danielle. There are some mini Barbie's little sister Barbies, whose names are Desiree, Lacey, and Molly.

"Desiree and Lacey are twins. Molly's their big sister." Penelope spoke softly.

Derek nodded, "Okay."

"And Karen is their mean foster mom. Danielle is the foster mom's biological teenage daughter. She's mean too." Penelope added

"Okay." Derek agreed, "We can start the game whenever you like."

Penelope moved Lacey and Derek moved Desiree and had them enter the Barbie house. Penelope controlled Karen with her other hand.

"Desiree! Lacey! Get your asses in her now!" Penelope spoke in a mean, stern voice as she trying to sound like an adult.

"Yes, ma'am." Derek had Desiree say. He spoke in a high pitched tone, trying to sound like a girl.

Penelope giggled softly and then stopped. She spoke in Karen's, "Why are you late?!"

"It was my fault. I'm sorry." Penelope spoke in Lacey's voice. It was soft and timid like Penelope's own voice. She hid Lacey behind Desiree.

Derek soon realized what Penelope was doing. She was acting out one of her and Jennifer's foster homes. He took a breath and then spoke in Desiree's voice, "We...uh missed the bus. I'm sorry, ma'am."

Penelope controlled Karen and had her grab Lacey by the hair, "You're getting a cold shower, and then you'll get the belt." Penelope spoke in Karen's voice.

"No! Please don't hurt my sister." Derek spoke in Desiree's voice.

Penelope had Karen drop Lacey but instead of having Karen grab Desiree, she threw Karen across the room. "I hate you!" Penelope yelled as she broke down in tears.

Derek let go of the dolls and hugged Penelope, "Shh. It's okay. You're safe, baby girl. You're safe."

"I hate Karen. She's a meanie butt." Penelope uttered through her sniffly tears

"Karen was your's and Jennifer's foster mother. Lacey was you and Desiree was Jennifer, right?" Derek inquired

Penelope nodded as she sniffled, "Yeah."

"I'm so sorry." Derek apologized.

"I want Jenny." Penelope cried out as she pulled away from him, and then ran out of the room. She entered Spencer's room, where Jennifer was reading with the five year old.

Spencer looked up, "You're supposed to knock."

"No, Spence. It's okay." Jennifer told him as she walked over to her twin and hugged her, "What's wrong, Penny?"

Penelope hugged her sister tightly, "Karen." That was all she uttered

Jennifer rubbed her sister's back, "I know. I know."

"Brothers and sisters, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends. Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life." - Suzie Huitt

Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.

What would you like to see happen next?