Donna took Delilah and headed downstairs to where the CPS agents were standing by the door. Mark was now in Robert's arms, presumably having been woken up in a similar manner to Delilah.

                                        "Well, Mr. Hess, Mrs. Beaumont, as I've said, we have to file a formal report before any decision can be made, but more than likely, the children will be allowed to stay." Explained the female agent.

                                         Robert felt his ears burning with shame. They'd received the best news they could've hoped for and yet somehow it still felt like they were making all the wrong moves.

                                          This meant no foster care, that Mark and Delilah had new parents in Donna and Robert, but it also meant letting go of Jean and Beau. Of music and teaching. Of touring the open roads and having children.

                                          It meant that no matter what they felt inside, they had to suck it up and be a family.

                                          "So what's the next step from here?" Asked Robert.

                                         "Well, we need to speak to three references who aren't related to you. Good ideas would be friends of the family, or members of your faith community if you have one." Explained the male agent. Donna and Robert looked at each other apologetically. They knew that their first two could easily be Steve and the Reverend, but they still needed someone else, and the only two people left nearby had been the two people that were unknowingly driving them apart.