The two siblings both sat at the desk in Mandy's room, psyching themselves up for what they were about to do. This was it. They were going to confront their parents and officially cut all ties with them. Since Joseph had already been disowned years ago, he was a little less nervous than his sister, but he was still on edge and grinding his teeth.

This was a step about confronting one's past that even he had not done yet, but he had to stay strong and face it. He had already promised Alcina that he would do it for himself and the others, and he wasn't going to back down now. Plus, The Countess was outside with Cassandra and Daniela just in case, which made him and his sister feel a little better, but only a little.

"Fuck it." Mandy growled as she picked her iphone up from off the desk and dialed her parent's number. She and Joseph had planned for the latter to stay quiet initially so he could hear what his parents said without them knowing. That way, he could fully know what they thought about his sister's choice.

As the phone rang, Joseph almost hoped his sister would hang up before someone answered, but after a few rings, a voice he hadn't heard in years answered as Mandy put it on speaker.

"Hi Mandy! Happy New Year! Well, I guess it's not quite New Year's yet, but still!" A voice said. It was unquestionably the voice of his mother, Diane Brody. Joseph willed himself to stay quiet as his sister talked.

"Hi mom. Listen, I want to talk to you and dad. It's about Joseph."

"Oh, have you finally come to your senses and are coming home? You're father and I miss you."

Mandy clenched her teeth, but kept it in as she responded.

"Yes, but not in the way you think."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Joseph's girlfriend was harassed by someone the other day because she had also made a mistake, like him. And now, her sister was harassed by the same person today who called her and her family all kinds of nasty things. It reminded me of how you reacted when I told you I was going to see Joseph."

"Mandy, please stop saying his name." Her mother begged.

"I will not. You know why? Because I have realized now just how unfair you have been in judging him!"

There was a brief pause before her mother replied.

"Mandy, how could you say that? Have you forgotten what he did to you?"

"No, but neither has he, and he's felt horrible about it ever since. Now that I've seen him in person, I can fully grasp that now. I can also fully see just how much he's changed since then. He's a much better person now."

"That doesn't change what he did!" Her mother said. It sounded mad, but something about it also sounded forced, like it wasn't entirely confident in what it was saying. But at that moment, Joseph and Mandy didn't notice it.

Suddenly, another voice came on the phone which the two siblings recognized as their father, Michael Brody.

"Mandy, are you out of your damn mind?! What bullshit has he been feeding you?! He ruined you, even after we tried to help him! He's the reason you can't walk!"

Joseph couldn't hold it in anymore. He had heard enough.

"You think I don't know that?!" He shouted.

There was dead silence on the phone. If it wasn't for the timer on the screen he would have thought they had hung up.

"You've been on speaker the whole time. He heard everything." Mandy said.

"Why?! You know we don't want to talk to him! Her father shouted.

Joseph was getting furious. All of his emotions towards his parents were finally coming out.

"Yeah, well you don't have a choice this time! I honestly can't believe you! Even after five years, you still don't give a rat's ass about me! Do you have any idea how much I suffered until I finally found someone to help me?! I was alone, hurt, and ashamed of myself, and having an anxiety disorder sure didn't help either!"

"Don't you dare bring that up, Joseph!" His mother shouted. "You always used that ADHD of yours as an excuse to not do things we knew you could do. Everyone else could do it, so why not you?"

"That's not how that works, mom!" Mandy shouted. "People with disabilities like ADHD always struggle with things that seem normal to most people! You know that! That's why I made those lists for him when he was younger!"

Her father started really raising his voice at this point.

"Mandy, you were just giving him more of an excuse to say he couldn't do things! He didn't need any of that stuff! He needed to grow up and be an adult like everyone else!" He shouted.

The two siblings paused at that and looked at each other. They had not heard that from their parents before. Confused, they turned back to the phone on the table.

"What the hell do you mean by 'be an adult like everyone else?'" Joseph asked.

"What do you think?! Shit like ADHD is just a ball and chain that keeps people from succeeding. You needed to get rid of that so you could become something worth a damn, but you sure blew that didn't you?!" His father yelled.

Joseph and Mandy looked at each other again, this time, their eyes widened in realization and horror. They both were thinking the same thing, but Joseph actually spoke it.

"You…you were never trying to help me. You were just pushing me to be what you wanted me to be, which was something I couldn't do. You made me feel bad about myself, frustrated."

"No, we did want to help you." His mother said." But you kept pushing us away and refusing the responsibilities you needed to have. It was your own fault, Joseph."

Those words made something inside Mandy snap, and she completely lost it.

"No, mom! It wasn't his fault, it was yours! You refused to accept him for what he was and instead, tried to force him to be something he wasn't! You made him feel like shit, and you had the balls to act surprised and disown him after he couldn't handle it anymore and lashed out?! Are you fucking shitting me?!"

She was livid at this point. Once she started she just couldn't stop.

"Don't you dare speak to your parents that way, Mandy!" Her father yelled.

"You think you can call yourselves that after what you just said?! You're a disgrace to that title!" Joseph yelled.

"Joseph…!" His mother started. Again, there was anger, but something else was with it too. But again, Joseph and Mandy didn't notice in the heat of the moment.

"He's right!" Mandy interrupted.

There was another moment of dead silence, but only a moment as Mandy didn't give her parents time to respond.

"Listen mom and dad. No, fuck that. You don't deserve to be called that anymore. I now understand just how heartless and cruel you really are, and I won't have you speak of Joseph this way anymore! I don't care what he did! He's still my brother and I love him, and I'm proud of him for the changes he's made for himself over the last few years! If you refuse to see that and still call him a failure, you don't deserve just him, you don't deserve me either! From this moment on, you aren't my parents anymore, AND I DON'T EVER WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN!"

Mandy hung up before they could respond. The two siblings just sat there for an uncomfortably long time, the silence only broken by the vibration of Mandy's phone ringing as her parents tried again and again to call her back, but she didn't answer. Eventually, she and Joseph looked at each other and both embraced as they began wailing in anguish. Even though they knew they did the right thing, it hurt worse than anything they had ever felt before.

They removed their parents from their lives, and it was just them now to support each other. Each being the other's only blood relative that really mattered

Their cries made Alcina as well as Cassandra and Daniela come rushing in, not caring that they hadn't been given permission to do so. They had heard the whole thing from outside. Cassandra hugged Joseph and Daniela hugged Mandy, both crying almost as hard as they were.

Seeing the phone ringing, Alcina picked it up to answer it and began screaming at the parents on the other end, using language that would make even Heisenberg's jaw drop. Her daughters were stunned. They had never seen their mother this angry before.

"I WILL NOT HAVE YOU HURT THESE POOR CHILDREN ANY LONGER! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THEM EVER AGAIN OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES!" The Countess yelled as she finally hung up and put the phone down.

She then took a chair that was on the ground and threw it across the room as she growled in anger.

"It's one thing to cause such pain to others, but doing it to your own children?!"

To say she was livid would be an understatement. Even the Hulk would be terrified of how infuriated she was, but she knew she couldn't stay this way for Joseph's and Mandy's sake.

So after several attempts, she was able to calm down and walk over to the two sobbing siblings and join them in their group hug.

"You were very brave to confront your parents like that. I'm very proud of both of you." She cooed.

Joseph and Mandy finally separated and looked at the Countess, their eyes red.

"Thank you Alcina." Joseph said. "That…was the hardest thing I had ever done, letting go of my parents, but I don't regret it. I feel like I can fully put everything behind me now. I can start living my life without fear."

Mandy nodded in agreement.

"Same here. That hurt more than anything to do, but I feel like a thousand pound weight has been lifted off of me. I feel…free. Like all the pain from my accident is just gone now."

Cassandra finally lifted her head.

"You both deserve it. It must have been terrifying to do that, but I didn't expect anything less from you guys. You are two of the strongest people I've ever met." She said with a smile.

Joseph smiled as he turned around and kissed her.

"I couldn't have done it without you. Like Mandy, you're family and give me strength."

The brunette choked and kissed him again upon hearing that. She always considered him family, but to hear him say it just brought joy to her heart.

Daniela, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke.

"You picked a good day to do it too. A New Year brings a fresh start with new possibilities."

Her mother smiled.

"Well spoken Daniela. We still have a few hours before midnight, so let's celebrate the beginning of this new year for all of us! I believe Heisenberg brought champagne so it would be perfect."

"Absolutely!" Mandy said cheerily.

Joseph gave a smirk to his sister.

"First though, I think there's something else you need to get off of your chest."

Mandy looked confused before he nodded his head to Daniela, causing the raven haired girl to blush.

"Of course you know." She mumbled.

"You're my sister." Joseph said with a chuckle. "I know you just as well as you know me."

Mandy nodded before turning to Daniela with a shy look.

"Yeah, so Dani, if you don't mind…can I…make a New Year's resolution a little early?"

"What do you mean?" The redhead asked in confusion.

Joseph chuckled.

"I can't believe you haven't figured it out, Dani. Mandy likes you! And our parents aren't around to stop her anymore, so…"

Daniela's eyes widened. Now it was her turn to blush.

"W-what?! You m-must be mistaken!"

"Nope. He's spot on." Mandy said as she grabbed Daniela's collar and pulled her in for a kiss. The redhead was shocked at first, but then returned the kiss with passion.

"Oh my, that is wonderful." Alcina said with her hand on her heart.

As the new couple parted, Mandy had the biggest smile on her face.

"Mom and dad can kiss my ass. As long as I'm happy, that's all that matters."

"Atta girl, Mandy!" Cassandra said and gave the raven haired girl a fist bump.

Joseph smiled proudly at his sister as he stood up.

"Well now, I say this calls for a drink!"

As they all stood up and Daniela got behind Mandy to push her wheelchair, Joseph turned to Cassandra and smirked.

"So much for no more crying huh? You broke your own rule there." He teased.

The brunette giggled and playfully smacked his arm.

"You cried first, smartass."

"Eh, good point."

They all proceeded to leave the room to toast not just the new year, but their new accomplishment as well. After everything they had been through, they had earned it. And with this huge obstacle overcome, the family was finally ready to begin the next step of their journey, building the lives they always wanted.

As they did, Cassandra couldn't help but think about something she overheard from the phone call. She was furious at Michael for the way he spoke to Joseph and Mandy, but Diane was a different story. Her voice was angry for sure, but it wasn't full of hate like Michael's was. There was something else in it, something the brunette thought she recognized. Doubt.

She decided to put it out of her mind for now and bring it up at a later time. There had already been enough emotions for one night. For now, she wanted to spend New Year's with her family.

….

When the group had made their way back to the main hall, Mother Miranda was there with the other lords now, and when Alcina brought The Priestess up to speed on everything, she walked over to Joseph and Mandy and gave them a hug.

"I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. Parents should love their children unconditionally. What your's did was unacceptable." She said.

"Thank you Miranda. It really hurt, having to let our family go, but we'll be okay." Mandy said.

Miranda shook her head.

"Even still, you two didn't deserve that."

Joseph sighed.

"Actually, we did, but not in the way you think. Now that we know what kind of people our parents are, we deserve to stand up for ourselves and be happy. What you do with your life should not be dictated by others."

"Yes…" The Priestess said with a look of guilt. Seeing this, Joseph put his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, no more of that crap. It's all in the past now, remember? And the past is something you learn from, not hold onto."

Now Miranda smiled.

"You're right. I can't let this weigh me down any longer. You and Mandy were able to overcome your pasts, so that means I can too. In fact, I think I know a good way I can start."

The two siblings nodded for The Priestess to continue.

"Well, based on what I've been told, it seems like your parents aren't going to let go of Mandy disowning them so easily. Even though Alcina warned them not to contact her, something tells me that won't stop them from trying, or possibly doing something more serious."

"You think they would be crazy enough to do that?" Mandy asked with a concerned tone.

Miranda nodded.

"Trust me, I know people like them. I…used to be like them. When Joseph left, you were the only one that they could keep under their thumb. And now that you're gone, they won't like that at all, and they might stop at nothing to get that control back."

Mandy nodded with a look of worry on her face. Miranda had a point. Her parents were probably not going to just let her walk out of their lives. They will try and find her to take her back, and they might go to extreme lengths to do so.

Joseph nodded in agreement.

"They absolutely would try it. Both of my parents were in the military, high up too. So they have a lot of friends and connections. This means they would have a good chance of finding Mandy. There has to be a way we can protect her.

Now The Priestess smiled warmly.

"Indeed, and I feel like the best place to start would be to become your legal guardian."

The two sibling's eyes widened. Miranda held up her hand.

"Let me explain. If I became your legal guardian here in this country, your parents would not be able to take any legal action whatsoever. Of course, that won't stop them from trying other methods, but I have some ideas for that too."

Mandy spoke up.

"Are you saying…you want to be our Godmother?"

"I am. I don't think it would be appropriate if Alcina did it, seeing that you both are dating one of her daughters. Also, seeing you two have the strength to let go of your parents gave me the strength to let go of Eva. I…have accepted now that she's gone, and I will never be able to bring her back. So instead, I wish to give you a chance to be happy, just as Joseph did for me."

The two siblings were speechless at Miranda's offer, but it made sense. They had lost their parents and Miranda had lost her daughter. If she became their Godmother, they would sort of complete each other.

She looked back to her brother who gave her a smile and a nod before they both turned back to The Priestess.

"We accept, Miranda. We would love for you to be our Godmother." Joseph said.

The Priestess' eyes widened.

"R-really?"

"Yes. You helped Cassie reunite me with Mandy, and I can't thank you enough for that. You did more for me than my parents ever did. I know that we could never replace Eva, but we will at least do our best to make you happy."

Miranda took a quick look at Alcina, silently asking for permission. And when the Countess smiled and nodded, she turned back and hugged the two siblings while in tears. Joseph and Mandy were tearing up as well.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" She cried.

"Thank you too, Miranda. We can't describe how much this means to us." Mandy choked.

Heisenberg, who had been silent this whole time, stepped forward and popped off the cork to the bottle of champagne he was holding, startling everyone.

"Alright. As much as I love these lovey dovey moments, I think it's time we start celebrating our wins. Don't you think so?"

Donna sighed.

"You didn't have to be so abrupt with it, Karl."

Joseph laughed.

"No he's right, Donna. I've broken Cassie's 'no crying' rule enough times already."

The brunette sighed.

"I think that was a futile effort."

Alcina chuckled.

"For sure. I'll get the champagne glasses."

….

Once Alcina had given everyone a glass and Heisenberg poured champagne for each of them, they all toasted to this milestone in their lives. They had conquered their fears and their past, and now it was time for the next step, but that could wait until tomorrow. Right now was a time for celebration.

By the time midnight rolled around, everyone was in the entertainment room watching the ball drop, decently drunk, but not wasted. And when the timer counted down to zero to signal the arrival of the new year, everyone was cheering with the couples of the room passionately kissing. Joseph and Cassandra, Bela and Elena, and now, Mandy and Daniela.

Some people started talking about their resolutions for the new year while others retired to their rooms for the night. Joseph and Cassandra were among the latter, mainly because they wanted to have some alone time to relieve the stresses of the day's events, and making love was their favorite way to do it.

A few hours later, the couple was lying in bed, naked and holding each other, their minds starting to sober up. Cassandra then broke the silence.

"You have that look on your face when you're thinking really hard about something. What's up?"

Joseph sighed.

"I was just processing everything that had happened today. For the longest time, I was determined to overcome my past and start a new life with a new home and a new family. And now that I have accomplished just that, I suddenly realized I don't know what to do now. What do I do next?"

His girlfriend crawled onto his chest to look into his eyes.

"Well, what goals did you have before you left home?"

"It was the same thing. Trying to make myself better."

The brunette pursed her lips.

"So you never thought about what you wanted to be when you got older?"

Her boyfriend shook his head.

"No. There was no point in doing that if I couldn't keep myself on my feet. I had to focus on that before deciding on what I wanted to become."

Cassandra hummed. As she looked at him.

"I get that. I didn't really think of it myself until Miranda suggested I could become a chef. I was actually thinking about starting my own outdoorsman business that sells camping, fishing, and hunting gear as well as the meat I prepare."

"Hey, that's a pretty good idea. Maybe you can get Bela, Elena, and Donna to help you with that."

"I was thinking that too, but what I'm trying to say is that maybe you just need to find something you enjoy or something you're good at. Once you do, it could all fall into place. I mean, you're good at helping people for example."

Joseph chuckled.

"I'm not becoming a therapist, Cassie"

The brunette giggled.

"I wouldn't imagine it, but you know what I mean, right?"

"Yeah, definitely. You know, you said fishing would be a part of your store right? That is one hobby I picked up when I was in Japan. Master Hisashi used it as a way to teach me patience and to focus better."

"There you go. Maybe you can do something like that."

Joseph sighed.

"Yeah, but my brain is exhausted after today. I'll start using it again tomorrow."

His girlfriend nodded and sighed.

"Same. I thought for sure though we'd make it to round five."

Joseph snickered.

"Someone sounds disappointed. With all seriousness, we might want to slow down. I'm not ready for kids yet."

Cassandra giggled again.

"Relax. I've been on the pill."

"You have?"

"Since we started dating. Mother was very insistent on that."

Joseph chuckled.

"I bet. She's always been a big worrywort, but that is totally justified." He said as he yawned.

Seeing this made Cassandra yawn as well and she rolled off her boyfriend before wrapping her arms around him, and he did the same. They shared one last kiss before drifting asleep.