It didn't take long for the trio of racers to spot their family waving to them from beyond the barrier of the course. And the second they crossed it, they were immediately tackled with a series of hugs and tears as everyone congratulated them, hugs that they were more than happy to return.

"That was so amazing, Mandy!" Diane sobbed as she held her daughter. "I barely recognized you when you swam!"

"Cassandra, I don't even know what to say." Alcina cried. "Seeing you race and then come back from that fall made me more happy than you can imagine!"

"That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!" Miranda said with just as much emotion as she held Joseph. "I feel so blessed to have witnessed that!"

Even Master Hisashi could barely hold back his tears. Seeing this, Joseph released his Godmother to hug his former master. Miranda took this opportunity to hug Mandy, while Cassandra then hugged Heisenberg. The sheer excitement and joy from the group could probably be felt from miles away, and there was absolutely nothing that could extinguish it. These people had been broken before. They had people try and ruin their happiness, but none of those things ever stopped them. In fact, it only made them stronger than ever with not just themselves, but the bonds they had for each other. They were the true definition of a family.

Diane broke the moment of silence.

"Joseph?"

Her son turned to face her.

"Yeah?"

She formed a huge smile on her face as she cupped her son's face in her hand.

"Seeing you like this, it's almost hard to believe you once had trouble keeping yourself on your own feet. You used to struggle with the simplest things in life, but now look at you. You completely changed yourself. You became a strong and wise young man, but it's your heart that has me the most in awe. I'm convinced that it's made of gold. You showed these people kindness when nobody else had, and showed them how to overcome their own problems to also be better people. You even dedicated yourself to helping your sister achieve her lifelong dream, despite her condition."

She took a deep breath before continuing.

"Joseph, I'm going to say something that I should have said a long time ago. I'm proud of you."

Joseph stood frozen for a moment, processing what he had just heard. But it was only for a moment as he then threw his arms around his mother and began sobbing uncontrollably. What she just said was better than any medal or trophy that he could ever win. He had always been viewed as a failure in the eyes of his parents, but it turned out only one of them truly felt that way. The other loved him more than anything in the world. It was just buried away through lies and manipulation, but now those feelings had fully come out, and those words confirmed it.

His mother was proud of him.

"Mom." Joseph choked. "That means the world to me to hear you say that. I want to say something I should have said years ago too. I love you."

Now Diane's dam broke and she also began sobbing as she held her son. Mandy soon joined in too as she was overjoyed to see her mother finally be proud of her brother. Just like when she told Joseph she forgave him for her accident, all those years of pain were finally being flushed out to make way for newer and happier emotions. It was the best feeling in the world.

Joseph finally spoke after several attempts to compose himself.

"I just wish that Dad could have seen the truth too so he could be here with us."

Master Hisashi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"That was his own fault, Joseph. You tried to show mercy and offer him peace, but he chose violence instead. Sadly, I don't think there was anything you could have done. You and I both know that not everyone takes their second chance when it's offered to them."

"He's right, little bro." Mandy said. "Dad was never blinded by his emotions like we were. He was legitimately a selfish and cruel person who's pride meant more to him than us. I'm glad that he's gone. We don't need people like that in our lives."

Joseph sighed and nodded.

"I know. I just wish it didn't have to come to that. You know what I mean?"

Bela nodded and then spoke.

"We do, but sometimes things don't go the way you want them to. Your father wasn't the kind of person you helped or saved. He was the kind you stopped. Sometimes that's just how it works."

"Sad, but true." Elena said. "Remember what happened with Helen in the Village? The same thing happened with your father. You said it yourself. Some people just choose to hate, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Cassandra walked up and put her arm around her fiance.

"And you've also told us not to stress out on things we have no control over. So don't you start breaking your own rules on us."

Joseph chuckled.

"Yes, honey."

Diane's eyes suddenly widened.

"Oh my god. I've been so caught up in everything that I hadn't even processed you two two are engaged! My son is getting married!"

She then gave Joseph and Cassandra another hug while everyone laughed.

"There it is!" Heisenberg said. "I was wondering when she would get all bubbly and-OW!"

He winced as Alcina had smacked him on the back of the head.

"Don't be rude. This is a happy moment for her." She said.

"Jeez, Vampy. Did that really warrant an assault?"

The Countess just rolled her eyes.

"Oh hush your complaining. Two years ago we would have sliced each other to ribbons over a disagreement."

Heisenberg then chuckled.

"Fair enough."

Miranda then sighed.

"Don't remind me. If I had one hundred lei for every time I had to break you two up, I could buy a castle myself."

Daniela giggled.

"It was so funny to watch though. I wish we had cameras before Joseph came to the castle."

Alcina groaned at this.

"I for one do not. That would have opened up a whole new can of worms."

"Hey, guys!"

The group turned to see Chris and Jill running towards them with huge smiles on their faces. The all greeted the BSAA Generals warmly as Joseph, Cassandra, and Mandy all gave them hugs.

"Congratulations on your win!" Jill said. "I'm so sorry we didn't come here sooner. We were keeping the news crews away from you."

Mandy laughed.

"I was wondering why we weren't having microphones shoved in our faces."

Chris laughed as well.

"Yeah we figured you wouldn't want that after just finishing a triathlon. You're probably tired enough as is."

Cassandra sighed.

"You got that right. My legs feel like jello after that bike ride. Totally worth it though."

Joseph and Mandy nodded wholeheartedly in agreement.

"Definitely." Joseph said. "And I say we've earned a celebration dinner. Shall we head back to the hotel to wash up and do just that? Duke made reservations for us at a pretty nice restaurant this evening."

Miranda frowned.

"You don't want to stay for the awards ceremony?"

Her Godson shook his head.

"Nah. This was never about winning a medal. This was about achieving a huge milestone we set for ourselves, and we've done just that."

Cassandra nodded.

"Exactly. We've proven that we can accomplish our goals, no matter what obstacles we may face. That alone is good enough for me."

Now Mandy nodded.

"Yep. The best awards are never a trophy or a medal. It's the personal triumph you've achieved for yourself."

Miranda just chuckled and shook her head.

"Alright. I'll pick up the medals for you on our way out to give to you later."

"Oh my god. We have to take pictures when we get back." Diane said excitedly. "We need to have something to remember this moment. Oh, and I have to start making plans for Joseph and Cassandra's wedding! This is just too exciting!"

Jill snorted as she turned to Mandy.

"Does your mom do this often?" She asked with an amused smile.

The raven haired girl giggled.

"Where do you think I got my giddiness from?"

This made Jill laugh out loud.

"Oh, I hear you. My son is just like me, and my daughter is just like Chris."

"Yeah, it's weird." Chris said. "You'd think it would be the other way around."

"Well, genetics work in a strange way." Miranda said. "Anyway, why don't you all head back to the hotel and get washed up while I get the medals."

"Sounds good." Joseph said. "Before we do that though, can me, Cassie, and Mandy get a picture of us together?"

"Of course!" His Godmother said. "Bela, you still have the camera, right?"

"Sure do!" The blonde said as she pulled one of Joseph's cameras from her purse. "Though I think Diane should have the honors of taking the picture, wouldn't you say?"

The soldier gave a huge smile as she was handed the camera.

"Thank you, Bela." She said. She then motioned for the three racers to get close to each other.

"Smile!" She said. The trio did just that and she snapped the image of them together that they would look back fondly on for years to come. The image of them fresh off their win from the Escape From Alcatraz Relay Triathlon.

They weren't wearing the medals they had won in the picture, but they didn't care. This moment was all they needed. Or at least that's what they thought at the time. Because once they got back to the hotel, Diane insisted that they have their pictures taken with the medals as well as pictures of Joseph and Cassandra to celebrate their engagement. It got to a point where Alcina had to step in to stop her, and assure that they had all the time in the world to take pictures.

Joseph didn't mind however. He was just happy that his mother was back in his life. Not to mention, she was justified in her excitement. He was going to marry the love of his life. The woman who helped reunite him with his mother and sister, and the thought made him just as if not even more excited. But that could wait for now. Right now, he was perfectly happy to celebrate his and his team's win with his family. They had more than earned it.