-3 Days Later-

Hope's POV

"Okay so one, two- oh God Car!" I say urgently. "Where's the little one?!"

Her eyes bug out and she asks, "Where the heck did she go?! She was right there two seconds ago!" Carli points to the couch she was sitting on while talking to Horan and Moe. The both of us start to scan the room for the youngest of our little pack.

"There!" I say nodding over at Crystal. Carli follows my gaze and lets out a sigh of relief. "Now we're just waiting on-"

"There's Lex!" smiles Car watching as she gets off the elevator with Kelley.

"Nevermind." I laugh. "Chris is over by Tobin and Jay is with Becky." I tell her mentally checking everyone off. "We should get a sign in list." Carli erupts in laughter. "What? I can't keep up with all of them!"

"Aitch there's only four!" she explains still laughing. Coach comes back inside from talking to the bus driver and tells us it's time to start loading up. I put my big duffle over my shoulder and wheel my suitcase behind me. I wait in line behind Allie before passing those two bags to the guy under the bus. I then stand over to the side to direct my kiddos on where to sit. Carli goes ahead and boards while I wait. "Jules take Mal back to Mama please."

"Why do we have to sit back there?" complains JJ pouting. I give her my look instead of the look, which is honestly a lot worse, and nod my head to the door. She sighs but takes Mallory's hand going to hopefully obey.

Alex and Christen both walk up together laughing about something. "Hey Hope." smiles Chris.

"Hey babe." I kiss her temple after putting my arm over her shoulder. "We're all sitting together today so let's head to the back." She smiles and leans her head on my shoulder. I look over her and visibly see Alex's face fall. "I'm sorry we're taking you from your bus buddy but we've got to talk about something very important."

"It's okay." she replies softly with and obviously fake smile. The three of us get on and go all the way to the back. Julie sits by Mallory and Alex sits next to Christen in the rows right in front of Carli's and mine. 

"What do you want to talk about?" curiously asks Mal sitting on her knees facing us. 

"Well Mal-Pal," starts Carli opening her arms for the young forward. Mallory smiles wide before diving into them and settling herself in her lap. "Where are we going today?"

"The airport!" she proudly answers.

"Uh huh." I smile over at her and then look at the other three in front of me. "Since we're going to the airport for the first time as a 'family' we need to go over the rules. There's a lot more of you guys now than last time Car and I had to do this so we really need you to listen and obey."

JJ groans, "Mom I already know the rules. Why do I have to be here?"

"Jay." scolds Carli eyeing her. "You also already know not to whine." Julie sighs and looks down at her hands.

"I'm sorry Mama." she says glumly. "Mom may I sit with you please?" I nod and take her on my knees. I kiss the top of her head while she nuzzles into my neck. 

"Since you know them do you want to help me tell them?" I whisper patting her thigh. She shakes her head no clinging tighter to me. "Okay baby." I kiss her head again. I look over her to Carli to see her looking a little concerned. Julie always wants to be the helper. "The rules are simple; don't leave our sight without permission, the airport is dangerous and there's a lot of people around; do NOT talk to strangers, you know the difference between a sweet fan and a creep by now so we trust your judgement on that matter; be polite; we get a text when you get on your plane, when you land, when you get with whoever you're going with, when you leave the airport, and when you get home. Does everyone understand?"

"Jules and I are going together so do we just text you when we get in the cab?"  asks Press looking at me with curious eyes. 

"Yeah babe. You and Jay need to make sure you stay together." answers Car bouncing Mal on her lap. "You text us when you get with your parents, okay?" 

"Okay Mama!" agrees Mallory taking both Carli and I by surprise. She hasn't called either of us by our nicknames yet. I feel Julie tense a little bit but I ignore it. "When we get to the airport can we go get Starbucks? I want a cookie." JJ immediately sits up straight in my lap and glares at Mal.

"She's never let me have a cookie so why would she let you?" 

"Julie." says Carli in a low voice. "I've already had to talk to you once today. If I have to again you're going to be in trouble."

"Are you going to let her have a cookie?" asks Julie crossing her arms sassily. 

"Julie Beth what has gotten into you?" asks Carli estonished. She gently puts Mallory in the seat next to her. She turns in her chair and faces both JJ and I. "You are not being a very good example for everyone right now." Julie looks down at her hands. "Come sit with me for a minute. We need to have a little chat." JJ nods and gets on her feet. "Mals go sit with Hopey for me please." Mal nods with a little smile and climbs over me to the window seat. Carli takes Julie's arm and sits her on the inside of her row too. She turns to face her which also works to give them a little privacy.

Carli's POV

"Jay what's going on?" I ask concerned. She keeps her eyes trained downward. "You're being very bratty honey. Mom and I need you to show your new sisters how they are to act. You're doing the opposite of that."

"I'm sorry Mama." she whispers still not looking at me. "I'll do better."

"I hope so." I say trying to sound firm and not worried. She's acting weird but I can't quite put my finger on it. "Now I warned you that if I had to speak to you again you were going to be in trouble and I'm having to talk to you again right now aren't I?" 

"Yes ma'am." 

"Alright since I'm having to get on to you right now after I already warned you and you know I don't back out on my promises, you're in time out until we get to the airport. That means you're going to sit right here and be quiet. I don't want to hear a sound come from you. Do you understand me?" She silently nods her head. I turn sideways in my seat, putting my legs in the aisle, and listen to Hope chatter with the girls. 

"So you don't like brussel sprouts huh?" asks Hope looking at Mal. 

"No she HATES them!" exclaims Christen very dramatically. "You practically have to shove them down her throat to get her to eat them!"

"That's not going to work for long." I say giving my now youngest a look. I take her from Hope and sit her in my lap. I hook my arms around her waist to keep her from falling off. "Ju used to be picky but I changed that real fast. She ate nothing but carrots for a week."

Alex's eyes widen and she looks at me like I'm crazy, "You only let her eat carrots?"

Hope chuckles, "No Al she had more than carrots! Carli is exaggerating." We all laugh and talk for a little bit longer until we pull up to the drop off zone. Mallory hops off my lap and takes Christen's hand while I turn to quickly address Julie. 

"Are you going to be nice now?" I ask her raising my eyebrows.

"Yes Mama. I'm sorry." I smile softly at her and kiss her head. 

"I love you pretty girl." 

"Love you too." We both stand up and I take her hand. We climb off the bus, grab our bags, and follow the rest of the team to check in. I look around our huge group and spot the top of Alex's head by Kelly and Allie Long. I lean around Ashlyn and see Mal laughing with Horan with Christen not far away talking with Tobin. We get through check in and security with surprisingly no hiccups. Usually we have at least someone forget to empty their water bottle or something stupid like that. Julie holds tightly to my hand once we get through the security. Hope comes up behind the two of us and picks up Julie by surprise. "Mommy!" she squeals giggling. 

"What?" playfully questions Hope tickling her. "Do you want a snack? Your flight isn't for a few hours." Julie frantically nods her head yes. "Alright then silly goose. Go ask your sisters if they want something too." Hope puts her on the floor and lets her run off. Mal runs back to us and jumps into my arms. 

"Julie said we can get a snack?" quizzes Mal looking at me skeptically. 

"JJ said food!" says Alex joining the three of us. 

"Can we get pizza?" wonders Christen coming to us. 

"Yes Mama please please!" begs Julie hopping on Chris's back. Christen stumbles forward at the sudden weight added to her. "Sorry Chrissy." blushes Jay climbing back down to the floor. Chris puts her arm around her and rest her head on her shoulder. 

"There's a pizza place on the other side of this hall." informs Hope looking at her map. "We can go order one and all share it. That'll be the easiest thing."

"I was hoping for something a little more healthy." I mumble while Mallory tries to climb me like a jungle gym. "Mal stop that." I scold grabbing her waist to hold her still. "If you don't be still you'll get nothing." 

"Well we are at an airport so there's probably some where that sell fruit." says Aitch turning her map around. "But Car I think pizza is going to be the best thing right now." 

"Alright fine." I agree. I put Mallory down and grab her hand. 

"Mama can I get candy?" asks Mal. Out of the corner of my eye I see Julie glare at her again. 

"No." I answer simply still glancing at JJ. "Lex?" I call. She skips up next to me. "Hold Mal's hand for a minute." I pass my youngest off and go over to Julie. "Excuse me Chris but I need to borrow Jay for a second." She nods understandingly and walks up to catch up with the others. Julie bows her head. "Julie Johnston we need to talk." I tell her sternly. She flinches at my tone of voice. 

"N-No we don't." she stutters shaking her head. "I'm fine." 

"You may be but your attitude is not." I tell her. "Stop giving Mal that mean look. It is rude."

"Hey guys what's going on?" asks Becky cautiously approaching us. 

"Nothing Beck-" as if on cue Julie breaks down in tears. Becky looks at me unimpressed. She wraps her arms around JJ and slowly rocks her back and forth. 

"I'll take care of her for a little bit." says Beck. "You go catch up with the others. We'll be right here when you come back." As much as I want to tell her no and take Julie with me I know that will probably not go over well since Ali keeps giving me this side eye daring me to do anything. I sigh and watch as Becky leads Julie over to some chairs. 

"Go Car." demands Ali crossing her arms over her chest. "If you make my niece cry one more time I swear I'm going to kill you."

Becky's POV

I bring Julie over to a waiting area and sit down. I pull her on my lap sideways and rock her. "JJ talk to me kid. What's the matter?"

"M-Mal called Mama, 'Mama'." she says sadly laying her head on my chest. She starts to cry harder so I rub her back and press a kiss to her forehead.

"Shh Jay." I whisper. "It's going to be okay." 

"N-No it's not!" she insist sitting bolt upright. I reach over to the small table next to us and grab a tissue. As she continues to talk I use it to wipe the snot off her face. "Mama and Mommy are mine! N-Not hers! I-I-It's not fair! A-A-And Mama k-keeps get-ting on-to meeeeee!"

"I see." I coo holding a tissue up for her to blow her nose. I wait for her to finish and for her to get a little more of her composure back before addressing the issue. "Mama and Mommy aren't just yours anymore Huga." I explain softy using her nickname. "Now they're Lexi's and Chris's and Mal's. You have to share them sweet girl." 

"Why weren't they happy with just me?" she asks me with her bottom lip quivering and a fresh set of tears building in her eyes. Does she really think she's not good enough?

"Honey your mothers adore you. They love you more than you can even imagine." I tell her truthfully. "They adopted all your new sister's for a reason. Alex has hard family life. She needs some support and some cuddles sometimes." I hug Julie really hard making her giggle. "Christen is in over her head. She was taking care of Mal all by herself. Yeah, Cheney is Moe's momma and her and Chris are about the same age however Mal and Moe are not the same age. Mal is really just a child. She has different needs than you or Moe have. Carli and Hope are able to give her what she needs a lot easier than CP can alone." JJ sits quietly thinking about what I said. "I know this is a BIG change Huga and it's going to take time to get used to it but I know you can do it sweetie. Mama and Mom may not be able to give you as much one on one time but they'll always be there for you forever and ever." I bop her nose making her smile. "Now why does Carl keep having to get onto you?" I question raising my one of eyebrows. She blushes and plays with my hand. "Julie Beth Johnston I believe I asked you a question."

"I was being sassy and kept looking at Mally meanly."

"That's not very nice is it?" I ask gently. She shakes her head no. "You know better to don't you?" She nods. "When they get back you're going to apologize, but until then you're in timeout." I lift her up and sit her in the chair next to me. "Stay right there and don't move. I'll come get you when they're back."

"Yes Aunt Becks." she says sadly. I smile fondly and kiss her head before standing up. I walk over to where some of our other teammates are and chat while keeping one eye on her. This team is something else.