Jessica's POV

The post arrives and Duncan comes running into the hall "are they here!?"

"not yet, you go play I'll call you when they get here" I mumble checking the mail walking into the kitchen.

I'm sitting going through the mail which is mostly either bills and junk and I get to the last one and sit staring at it reading it over and over. "more bills?" Sherri asks coming into the room. "they can't do this!" I shake my head handing Sherri the letter that says Ocean and Michael have filed for custody. "they can. their his parents. I did warn you they'd do it eventually"

"but they can't just take him! I'm the one that's been raising him not them. Surely the courts won't allow them to take him from his home after all this time" I say shakily. "they can if they think they can look after him. But they've tried before and they got denied remember? their living with Michael's parents, most likely on welfare since neither of them work and with all the arrest Michael's had and their drug problems. No court will allow them custody. Try not to worry about it" Sherri tries to reassure me. "but what of this time they get it!?" I panic. "they've only just been allowed one full day alone with him. They won't be allowed to just pack him up and take him from his home. These things can take months somtimes"

"I'm gonna speak to Abbie when she gets here. She'll see their not capable of taking care of him full time"

"is mommy and daddy here yet?" Duncan asks coming into the room. "not yet!" I snap turning to him then sigh trying to call myself. "Duncan, I'm sorry sweetie I didn't mean to..."

"I can't wait till I can live with mommy and daddy. They never get mad at me" he frowns running out of the room. I get up to go after him and Sherri places her hand on my arm stopping me. "just calm down"

"but he's right! They never lose their temper with him" I sigh. "they have him one day a week. Trust me if they had him all the time they'll go crazy and be flipping out at him all the time"

"they didn't when they first had him and they don't with their daughter" I point out. "yes. But Duncan was a baby then. just like their daughter is now. There's a huge difference taking care of a child that can't walk and talk and taking care of a hyper active two year old. Your a much better mother to Duncan than Ocean can ever be and we'll have to make sure the courts

see that too"

***

An hour goes by and I see Ocean and Michael pulling up in the drive and I go out to them before Duncan notices their here. "you know we can't do the hand over until Abbie's here"

"that's fine. we'll wait right here" Michael shrugs. "you know your wasting your time don't you?"

"i'm guessing they told you" Ocean smirks. "and do you really think the courts are gonna make me hand him over to two druggies and somone who also almost killed someone and yes we all know to was you!" I snap turning to Michael. "don't know what your talking about" he smirks. "DJ's OUR son and he's going to be coming home with us where he SHOULD be. And should have been all along! I'm his mother NOT you" Ocean frowns. "Mother!?" I scoff "you chose to go back to man that hits you over your own son. What kind of mother does that? And I know for a fact that's true because Duncan even said to me that you told him yourself!" I smirk pointing at Michael. "first off she didn't choose me over DJ YOU kicked her out remember? and did he also tell you we explained to him what child abuse is? Because we HAVE! So if you or anyone in your sick little family tries anything he WILL scream it from the rooftop!"

"and unlike me. He doesn't have a sick bitch of a mother that'll ever betray him" Ocean cuts in. "and how exactly do you think your going to support him huh?" I ask ignoring her comment. "neither of you work, your living in someone else's home and..." I pause seeing Abbie pulling up. "there's no way in he'll your getting custody! Over my dead body will I let you take him" I hiss at them. "that can be arranged bitch!" Michael smiles then turns to Abbie as she gets out of the car.

*

Once they both leave with Duncan I invite Abbie inside so I can speak to her.

"there's no way they can take care of him. Their not ready for that" I tell Abbie after explaining about the letter. "actually their in a very good place right now and from what I've seen their perfectly capable of caring for both of their children"

*

Once they both leave with Duncan I invite Abbie inside so I can speak to her.

"there's no way they can take care of him. Their not ready for that" I tell Abbie after explaining about the letter. "actually their in a very good place right now and from what I've seen their perfectly capable of caring for both of their children"

"I'm fully aware of any problems they've had in the past and so are the courts. But according to the drug test they both willingly took, there was nothing in there system and as for their living arrangements, they have a beautiful home of their own, which from what I saw during my visit it's more that suitable"

"and how are they supposed to pay rent when neither of them work or take care of him? Their not ready"

"Michael has a full time job and Ocean is a stay at home mother and they both have a great support system from their whole family and as for them paying rent. They own the home their now living in. Them getting back on their feet and having custody back was always our main goal. which you were aware of when you were first granted custody as his full time carer. This is a good thing" she says confused by my hesitation. "I know but, like I said I don't think their ready and it'll be very traumatic to take Duncan from a home and family he's lived with me since before he could walk or talk... If I thought they were ready I would have happily sighed custody back over to them by now" I lie. "well of you feel Duncan won't be safe or properly looked after then your perfectly in your right as his legal guardian to dispute that, but they will also be in their right to take you to court and if a judge decides the best place for Duncan is with his parents then they won't need your consent to take him.. I understand it's going to be difficult for you to hand him back over after all this time, but like I said you were made fully aware from the beginning our main goal was for Duncan to be placed back with his parents and unless the judge sees a reason to think that he won't be safe or cared for, then there's no reason they won't be granted custody and as their social worker, I don't see any reason why they can't have Duncan back with them.

****

Michael's POV

"I'm I really going to live here!?" DJ gasps when we show him around the house. "mhm. All five of us" I smile. "like a real family?!"

"yup!" Ocean smiles. "wait five?" He frowns confused. "Oh yeah. We haven't told you yet. We have another family member" Ocean smirks leading him to the back yard. "a puppy!!" DJ squeals and rushes over to it. "his names Benjie" I smile. "is he mine!?"

"yours and your sisters. so you'll both have to take really good care of him" Ocean tells him and he wraps his arms around him. "I will... Promise.. I'm gonna love him and will play together everyday!.. Mommy can clean his poop though"

"gee. Thanks!" Ocean chuckles.

*

Getting to spend the entire day just the four of us without anybody watching over us or telling us what to do has been amazing. We know Jessica is going to put up a fight and do whatever she can to stop us getting DJ back, but even Jason and Abbie have said there's no reason that we won't be able to get DJ back.

Thanks to my family and especially my dad, Ocean and I are in an amazing place in our lives. We know it's going to be challenging taking care of two children, but Ocean and I have been through so much and as hard as it was we got through it together. Even though we haven't had any problems and are both taking our medication and completely free from drugs and drama. We still go to therapy sessions regular, because it helps is communicate better and we can openly talk to somebody without feeling scared that he's going to get mad or judge us.

****

Ocean's POV

Apart from the confrontation with my mother this morning. today has been perfect. We're on our way back to my mothers because we have to take DJ back soon, but it doesn't feel as heart breaking as it usually does because we know pretty soon DJ is going to be back with us full time.

"do think she's gonna start arguing with us again?" I turn to Michael and he shakes his head. "Abbie's gonna be their during the hand over and she won't say shit in front of her"

"I have to admit she took it alot better than I thought she would"

"she's probably thinking of a way to stop us getting custody" he shrugs. "But we haven't done anything wrong and we've done exactly what was asked of us"

"exactly! and even Abbie and Jason said there's no reason for the courts to say no this time. So don't worry about it or her, because pretty soon we won't have to see or talk to her ever again" he reassures me. "I don't wanna see her again either" DJ mumbles from the back seat. "and you won't. You just have to stay there a little longer and then you won't have to see her again" I smile at him. "ok, but don't forget to feed Benjie while I'm gone"

"we won't I promise" we pull up at my mothers and she's waiting outside for us. "Abbie's not here yet" I smirk getting out of the car "so what? He lives here" she frowns trying to open the car door which is locked trying to get DJ out. "you know the rules. No hand over without the social worker present. And if you pull on my car door again I'll have you done for criminal damage" Michael shrugs. "so your just going to leave him locked in a car? Great parenting!" She snaps. "the windows open grandma" DJ sighs continuing playing with Michael's phone.

"so I heard you two have moved.. Again" my mothers says sarcastically. "yup" I reply coldly. "and where to this time?"

"we'd prefer to keep that private. it's nobody's business where we're living"

"and why's that? Is it another drug house?... Like the one you had your daughter living in for months. The courts will be hearing about that. You do realise that?" She frowns "if your so sure we're not gonna get him back then why are you getting so worried and defensive?" Michael cuts in. "I'm not! I'm just pointing out your wasting your time. Just like the last time you tried to gain custody back" he's about to speak when Abbie pulls up. "ok, buddy. Time to go" he says to DJ opening the door. "no.. I don't wanna go with the mega bitch" he pouts. "Duncan, Joseph!" My mother snaps at him. "is there a problem?" Abbie asks walking over. "No, no problem" my mother smiles a fake smile at her. Then turns to DJ. "come on sweetie. Dinner's almost ready" she smiles at him. "actually we already gave him his dinner" I tell her and she looks at me annoyed. And I ignore her turning to Abbie. "we were wondering if next  week we could have him over night?"

"you can't he has a routine and he won't settle if it's messed up" my mother cuts in. "well it could help him with the transition and give them both a chance to get used to his routine. I don't see a problem with that" Abbie smiles. Which I can see behind that fake smile of hers has annoyed my mother even more knowing we'll soon be getting him back.

**********

LaToya's POV

I'm sitting in the café waiting for my friend Mollie. I met her a few weeks ago when I came in here. We started talking and really hit it off and it feels great having a friend who I can talk to without having somebody jump down my throat. "hey!" I smile seeing her coming over. "hey! Sorry I'm late. My brother was causing drama.. Again " she rolls her eyes sitting down. "I know that feeling" I giggle. "Michael causing problems again?" She sighs sympathetically. "Not at the moment. He's actually doing pretty well. Him and Ocean moved out last week"

"really? About time they moved into that place"

"I know! they've had it like a month and their only just moving in!" I roll my eyes. "I'm happy their doing well and even getting DJ back but.. Damn that house was cramped with them living there"

We sit talking for awhile about this and that and we're having a really good gossip, then I notice the time. "oh, shoot I'm gonna have to go. Michael and Ocean asked me to baby sit for them tonight" I say quickly getting my things togther. "If your in a hurry I can give you ride and drop you off at their place" Mollie offers. "I would, but their really private about people knowing where they live" I sigh. As much I would prefer to let Mollie drive me there. we all promised we'd keep where Michael and Ocean are living between the family only. "I'm sure they won't mind your friend dropping you off to babysit for them. It's not like I'm gonna kidnap them" she chuckles slightly. "I know that" I roll my eyes playfully. "but they'd only flip out if I showed somewhere where their living and I could do without anymore drama from them" she's about to speak when my phone rings and I see it's Michael. "I gotta go I'll call you soon" I smile and wave goodbye to Mollie and answer the phone.

"hey, I'm just on my way. Sorry I got talking to a friend and..."

"it's fine. I'm just calling to let you know, you don't need to babysit. We're at mom and dads and dad and I are doing a barbecue"

"great! I guess I'll meet you there" I fake a smile down the phone. Michael and I have started getting along again, but it still pisses me off that he get to call Joseph, dad. And now their having another barbecue which has become a regular thing lately. Joseph says it's so we can all connect as a family, but what it actually mean is their all gonna eat some food and spend the rest of the night getting drunk in the back yard.

**********

Joseph's POV

The party/barbeque went off to a good start, but as always LaToya is complaining about the mess and how it's a sin to be drinking, but as I pointed out to her. I'm pretty sure God has other things in the world to be worried about than me drinking and having a fun time bonding with my family.

"why don't you just relax and enjoy yourself?" I walk into LaToya's room and she's lay on her bed watching TV. Because I don't wanna be sitting in the back yard drinking beers like some hobo. It's not exactly lady like" she shrugs. "better not let the girls hear you say that" I chuckle, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed. "what's the real reason you don't want to come downstairs?" I ask softly and do what John said and listen without cutting her off. "and everybody just gets at me for everything when they've been drinking. especially Michael" she sighs after explaining why she doesn't want to come downstairs. "I thought you two were getting along now?" I look at her confused. "we are. But when he drinks he starts getting at me"

"because your picking at him. I saw you snap at him the second you walked through the door. Of course he's going to get defensive with you"

"he was throwing back shots of vodka! He 20 not 21. he should even be drinking and neither should Ocean or Randy... Their all under age" She frowns "so what? Their not out at the clubs or drinking in the streets. Their in the house... Well the back yard and Michael and Ocean see staying here tonight so they won't be driving home drunk... Their just having fun and so should you" she doesn't say anything and I sigh placing my hand on her's. "why don't you just come downstairs? You don't have to drink alcohol. We have plenty of soda and orange juice, plus a whole bunch of food... I'd really like it if you were downstairs with us and so would the rest of the family"

"until Michael starts getting at me. He always gets at me when he's drunk" she mumbles. "Michael won't say anything to you and if he DOES start getting at you, I'll smack his mouth. that always works when he gets an attitude" she giggles slightly and I smile at her through pursed lips. "so will you come downstairs?" I ask softly and she nods.

**

Even though she was hesitant at first. Once LaToya came downstairs and started joining in with everybody. I took Michael to one side and told him quit arguing with her and he agreed to keep his mouth shut and went and apoligised to her. After that LaToya became more relaxed and actually started enjoying herself.

"I never knew Michael could sing" LaToya says listening to him singing on the karaoke machine, which Janet insisted we bring outside. "me neither" I smile watching him. Even though he's completely wasted I can still hear the passion and soulfulness in his voice.

"your turn!" Michael smiles at LaToya coming over to us. "No no no. I'm not getting up there!" She shakes her head. "C'mon you can't do any worst that me" he chuckles trying to convince her. "worse!? That was really good. You have a real talent for singing" I tell him honestly "your my dad. You have to say that" Michael chuckles "he right! you really do" LaToya agrees. "really?" He smiles and she nods "is that a yes?"

"yes" she rolls her eyes playfully "yes? That was definitely a yes, right?" He smiles "yes!"

"so that's a yes?" He smirks at her and I chuckle knowing exactly he's doing "yes, yes, yes!" She giggles completely unaware of what she's saying yes to "yes you wanna sing? Great!" He smiles pulling her up from her seat. "Ocean! Toy wants to do a duet with you!" He shouts over to her as Ocean is choosing a song. "what!? No!" LaToya shake her head as he pulls her over to the karaoke machine. "you just said yes. You can't back out now" he giggles at her, pushing her playing over to Ocean.