One Month Later

"Yes, Val! The middle school spelling bee winner!" Gerard screamed, cutting a strawberry ice cream cake, upon Katlyn's request. 

After many failed attempts at finding something I really liked to do, I finally figured it out. Competitive spelling. It helped with my quick wit and logic. And after a month of studying and reciting words in front of my family, I won the spelling bee for my school. Which landed me a $100 check and a chance to judge the bee next year.

And I was so proud of myself. And my entire family was proud of me too.

"I just wanted to thank you guys. Ever since I was thrust in Penelope's care three years ago, I thought I would never have a chance at a better life. Penelope was all set to adopt me, and she's blood related to me, which naturally made her the next of kin. But I wouldn't trade you guys for the world, I love you. And Lauren, thanks for running away to Italy with me." I said, laughing when I said the last part.

Katlyn, Stephanie, Will, and Gerard made confused and weird looks at Lauren. 

"You what?" Stephanie said. I burst out laughing.

"I may or may not have went to Italy a few months ago and Lauren may or may not have come after me and we may or may not have made a mini vacation out of it." I said. My entire family laughed and George said, "Hey, where's Reed? I'm surprised she hasn't showed up by now."

On that cue, Reed burst in with her lesbian fabulousness, along with her two dads. I laughed and hugged my girlfriend. "You disaster." I said to her.

"You called for a gay disaster?" Reed said slyly. I laughed and then handed her a slice of ice cream cake.

 "That's not for eating." Katlyn said. Ever since the flute incident, I had grown really close to Katlyn, and we had a lot of inside jokes. I smirked at Katlyn and then we smacked the ice cream cake plate in Reed's face. "Surprise!" 

"I hate both of you." Reed said, getting a paper towel and wiping her face.

I smiled and headed towards the couch. 

"Whatcha thinking about?" Gerard asked, sitting down next to me. I smiled at my uncle and said, "Life. My life. I can't believe I'm here. Out of the foster system. I have a family now. And I wouldn't trade that for the world." Gerard laughed and hugged me. 

"VALERIE SALAZAR-ROLAND I AM SO MAD AT YOU!" Reed said, laughing and attempting to get ice cream off of her glasses. I burst into cackles and hugged my girlfriend.

"Love you too, Reed." I said. Reed smiled at me then chased me into my room. I slammed the door behind her and then George laughed.

"VALERIE SALAZAR-ROLAND, DO NOT MAKE ME COME UP THERE!" George screamed.

Funny. Penelope said the same thing to me once.

But this time, that sentence made me laugh. And smile.

I was home. And this time, I was home for good.

The End.

AN: Wow. I finished a second book. Adopted by Be More Chill is over, and I'm so proud of myself. Thanks to everyone who has read, voted, and commented on this story, it means so much to me and makes me smile so much. So for the final time, hope you enjoyed, and see you in Adopted by Falsettos and Adopted by Mean Girls. Love you all!