*SERENA*

Is it weird that Hayden wanted to take me out for lunch. Well it's not just me. We have all the boys with us, even Peter because appearently Jamie picked up an extra shift at work. I have the feeling something's going on, but maybe I'm just being paranoid. Hayden probably just wants to talk about something. We are currently sitting at McDonald's with the boys playing in the background.

"So I have some good news." He states unexpectedly.

"Yes? Well, spill. What is it?" He's beaming at me, it must be great news form his expression.

"Well the papers finally went through and Adrian has officially adopted Devin as his own kid. He now belongs to both of us as far as the government is concerned, I mean of course he was already both of ours, but you know what I mean." I squeal. Now I'm acting like Nico, but I'm so excited for them.

"This is wonderful news! Are you going to celebrate it?" His eyes twinkle like he's holding something in.

"We already have plans for later today, but I can't think of a better way. We will already be surrounding by people we care about so we can all share each other's joy." I'm not quite sure what he's saying.

"So you are celebrating something with friends or family already today?"

"Something like that. We will go out as a family just the three of us later tonight. We just found out ourselves today so you are one of the first to know." Wow, I'm honored to know that they told me.

"Really?"

"Yes. Hey, do you think we should take the boys to the park now so they can run off all this energy?" I turn to look at our boys and laugh. Elijah is hangin upside down off of some piece if equipment with Peter standing next to his bent knees looking to be scolding him. Zainey is just sitting down in a cubby listening to Devin chattering while scowling at his brother.

"Yeah, it looks like this play place isn't big enough for Elijah. I swear I don't know where that boy gets it from."

"I'm sure having Nico around only encourages it." I think about that for a second, but have to agree. Nico has the same type of energy and bubbly personality that is only toned down a bit from age.

We go to the park across the street and treat the boys to ice-cream while we sit down on a bench to talk some more. I still can't shake the feeling that something is up, or there is a reason behind this outing.

"So Serena..." Ah, am I about to find out what it is?

"Yes?"

"Well, I'm not one to pry and all considering I have my own stuff I don't like to talk about, but well..." he seems a bit nervous.

"Yes."

"Go ahead I won't be offended just get whatever it is off your mind."

"Well Adrian and I have noticed that something's been going on and you seem a bit bothered. We are just worried about you, it seems Nico is to, though that could also just be something he's dealing with also." How am I suppossed to respond to that? I can't really tell him everything because it's not all my place to tell. This story involves other people who will not be shed in a good light if told. I know I told Jamie, but she was there when the first of it happened and I needed someone to lean on.

"Um, well It's nothing really." He probably took my hesitation as confirmation that something's going on if the look on his face is any indication.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" You know I seem to get asked that question often lately.

"Yeah it's probably just stress from the new addition we're getting." With that said I place my hand on my noticably pregnant belly. He's giving me an assesing stare, but I know he understands having some things he's rather keep quiet about.

"I'm not sure I believe you, but I'm not going to push it. I just want you to know that you have friends if you ever need someone to talk to or shoulder to lean on." Friends? Yeah I guess we are friends. I feel my eyes start to tear up at that though. Stupid hormones are amking everything more emotional. I've only had Jamie and Mattie to rely on since my parents stopped having anything to do with me. Elizabeth accepted me without question and for that I'm thankful. It's always been just us and it's nice to know I have someone else who cares avout me also.

"Thanks, you don't know how much that means to me."

"I think I have an idea."

After sitting there talking for about an hour we decide to head back. Elijah starts to through a little bit of a fit not wanting to leave, but once he sees Zainey already in the van with Devin he stops and jumps in. I had to smile at that. The two may have different personalities and Zainey his heart problems, but they are still twins.

When we turn the corner to the street the first thung I notice are a few cars lining it near our house. The neighbors must be having some sort of celebrartion or get-together. The next thing I notice is Jamie's car in our drive-way. Okay so something is going on. I was sure Jamie had to go into work, unless they ended up not needing her after all, but I doubt it. Hayden opens the door and Elijah runs in ahead of him and immediately runs back out and grabs my hand trying to drag me in. HeMs always excited about something so I didn't think to much about it.

"Mama, mama! Look!"

"What is-" I cut off with a gasp as I enter the house. It is all decorated with polka dots in different shades of red, pink and white along with a whole bunch of Minnie Mouse pictures and other stuff. Mattie and Nico must have been behind this. They knew I wanted a Minnie Mouse theme for the baby. Speaking of Nico he comes up to me beaming.

"Surprise! Do you like it?" He gives me a huge hug as he asks that, again I feel my eyes start to water.

"I love it, did you do this?"

"Well it was my idea, but Thias took care of getting it all together and getting ahold of everyone, believe it or not." That sounds about right. Surprisingly Mattie always did like organizing stuff like this, though where he found the time, I don't know.

"So you guys put everything up while we were out?"

"Well everyone helped set up and Hayden kept you out of the house." It's then that I realize a part of our conversation earlier. I turn to Hayden.

"You mean to say the plans you already had for today was this? You?re really happy celebrating you're good news with us?" Awe, he's sweeter than I realized and I can't believe what that means either.

"We're really that important to you two?" He nods.

"You guys are basically all we have. I mean we have some friends from over the years, but not many have been as excepting of us as you guys in such a short time. It's just sad that we didn't meet sooner. I could have used good friends like you years ago." Again there's that hint of a not so happy past for such a happy couple.

"Awe!" I hug him the best I can considering Nico's still hovering over me.

"Come on, we've got games, and presents, and even some food." They really went all out with this didn't they?

I look around the room at everyone there. There's Elizabeth who has been a mom to me when mine didn't want anything to do with me. Then of course there are Mattie and Nico, the two most important guys in my life besides my boys. Jamie, who didn't understand at first, but still came back to me for support, wait... Is that Laura next to her? I guess she must have brought her as a guest, but why? I shake my head at that thought and file it away to think about later as I look at the last and newest additions in my life. Hayden and Adrian, who have been through their own troubles, but are with us now smiling and caring.

Yes, I may have lost my family years ago, but here I have a newer better one. I take a deep breathe as I realize that with these people by my side I am finally ready for whatever is to come no matter how hard it may be.