Y'all get one last chance to vote if you haven't already, after that I'm not being held accountable for anything that happens.

A or B.

Also, this was done on my phone in the car, sorry for poor quality

-Alex POV-

I watch my boyfriend scramble around the room.

"John, I don't think you understand the gravity of this situation. If one of these demonic children so much as coughs, we're dead. If Lafayette doesn't want to kill us, his husband will. Be careful."

"Alex. Look at me. My middle name is care- fuck!"

The knife roomba scuttles away, a baby ferret on top. I'm not sure why he insisted on bringing the vacuum with. Or why I let him.

"Jonathan carefuck Lauren's. Nice ring to it."

"I'd prefer Jonathan carefuck Hamilton. But someone still needs to propose."

"You could too, you know."

"Not after last time."

I frown and go back to the task at hand. The tiny ferret nips at me as I attempt to swaddle it.

Why did I agree to watch these things?

John is somehow doing a better job on his end. He slaps a bow tie on Flip.

"Shouldn't that be for Tony?"

"Alex. Are you seriously going to gender ferret apparel?"

"I just thought-"

"Listen Alex. I used a big word, I'm right. Besides. Laff and Herc certainly don't stick to the appointed norms that our society has set out."

"Wow John. Such extensive vocabulary. Very hot."

"Can I have my reward now?"

"I don't have any stickers on me at the moment."

My boyfriend just grumbles as he puts Tony in a skirt. Something about this being a hate crime. I just roll my eyes. That's not what a hate crime is.

There's a shredding noise, and I turn to see a ferret climbing a banner.

I give up.

"Time for plan B."

"Alright, I'll get the tranquilizer gun."

"John, no! That's plan C."

I reach for the box on the couch and open it. It's full of tiny packing peanuts. The two of us throw the ferrets in, smiling softly as they jump around inside.

But there's stuff to be done. It's not the time to go soft and lose focus.

"John!"

"Hmm?"

"Put those down. Those aren't yours."

"Alex. This is a second home to me. These people practically raised me. And it's just a photo, what could go wrong?"

With that, the frame slips from his hand. It lands face down on the table. Smooth moves, as always.

I'm just glad nothing is broken. Yet.

"Nice one, carefuck Laurens."

"Shut it."

"I don't know why you're in a funk all of a sudden. If you have something to say, say it."

"Aren't you busy right now? You always seem to be. With everything but me."

"John, you aren't being fair! You know how tight money has always been. We can't go back to the bottom again!"

"No, Alex. You can't go back to the bottom. I don't care about our class. You do."

"I do everything for us. I love you John. And I want to make you happy, give you the best life."

"The best life would include you showing up on time for once. Include suppers together. Date night, like the old times. The best life would include you, Alex. Us. As a priority."

There's an uncomfortable silence as we both head back to the task at hand. The tension is weird. I don't like it. My entire life has been too silent to find it bearable.

"You never told me you were that good at blowing things."

There's a squeal as John's ballon slips from his hand, flying around the room. It crashes into the same photo he dropped earlier.

His accuracy never ceases to amaze me.

John just stares at me, mouth agape. I smirk before going back to work on the balloon. Tension has been lifted. I turn to retrieve the pink piece of rubber from the table when I feel something grab my waist.

I'm spun to face John and I nod.

He pulls me against him, our lips pressing together. I sigh as I tilt my head slightly, tiptoeing to reach better. Johns hands slip under my shirt and run along my hips.

Maybe some things are more important than working.

-Laff POV-

I smile as we open the door to the house.

It's packed full of people. A small sense of déjà vous hits me.

Herc sweeps me off my feet, insisting on carrying me through the door. I don't mind. At all.

There's a cake on the table. Friends scattered around the room. The three animals are huddled together in the corner.

It's perfect.

Philip and George emerge from the hallway, causing my smile to grow wider. It's been awhile.

"If y'all came all the way down here for a party, you'd better have brought chips!"

Philip rolls his eyes before hurling some ketchup chips at my husband. George hands me a box of maple cookies. Quality Canadian snacks.

"What's new with you, Philip?"

"Uh-uh! Philip-soon-to-be-Eacker!"

I watch John give Alex a small push as Philip holds out his hand. George looks pleased as everyone oohs and aahs over the news of their engagement.

"You guys should hire Aaron!"

"You guys should not hire Aaron! Aaron has no idea what he's doing!"

"Aw, Aaron. You did great at ours. It was sweet, especially on such short notice."

"Thanks, Herc. I appreciate it."

I watch Aaron's eyes light up as he soaks up the compliment. I don't think he gets much credit.

But enough about Aaron, there's a wedding going on at some point. And I need to know cake flavours.

"When's the wedding? And do you need catering?"

"Haven't got a date yet, but likely sometime this summer. You know how terrible the weather is up there."

"That means we get another road trip!"

There's a small groan from a few people. Mainly Peggy.

"Guys, we missed last years. It'll be fun."

I smile down at Herc. He appreciates the quality bonding time that occurs only in an hours long bus ride extravaganza.

"Do you remember the first trip to Quebec? It was amazing."

"Yeah, I liked when you and Herc first came on the bus and-"

John's boyfriend delivers a swift kick to his shins. We don't talk about that. Herc was pissed enough that they displayed the video at the wedding. I found it cute. He looked so happy in it. His dorky grin plastered across his face, much as it is now.

My husband takes the two of us to the couch, allowing me to rest against him. I pass him a drink from the table, excited when he takes it. Herc doesn't get drunk often. And drunk Herc is fun Herc.

My parents join us on the couch and I grab Washingdad's hand. He gives it a squeeze before pulling me to him. Herc grabs my waist, attempting to pull me back. Martha and I laugh as the two men stare each other down.

It's not comfortable sitting like this. I shift down between them, arm around each.

Herc gives me a small frown and George sticks out his tongue.

"We got y'all a welcome home gift!"

John slips a large box out from under his chair. Alex flinches as the box is kicked in our general direction. There's a rustling inside as Herc pulls it the rest of the way over. I slit the tape with my nail, and the two of us count to three before lifting the flaps.

Two little eyes stare up at me. And then two more. And two more.

Ferrets pop up from around the white stuff filling the box.

Flip comes barreling over, and I scoop up her and one of her children.

I cry as the little thing nibbles on my finger. It's so tiny. A precious baby that must be protected. I want to keep it safe.

Herc takes the mother so I can pet this one. It's siblings continue to rustle in the box, digging and jumping around.

I love them all.

"That's why we called 29 times."

"John was freaking out during the birth. I have a video for later."

That sounds like an excellent video. Perhaps... wedding material? Someday.

"Yeah, sorry we missed all the messages. But it's official. Alejandro got five years. And my story is out there, making a difference."

"Aww, Laff that's amazing!"

There's mumbles of agreement and congratulations around the room.

I just grin. As small of a victory it is, it's comforting knowing Alejandro is unable to hurt me or anyone else, at least for awhile.

And the small boy at the airport... as far as work goes, it's the people that keep me going. The admiration and joy when I get a chance to meet them.

It's never a challenge for me to mirror their excitement.

"I brought a treat too!"

Peggy leaves the room, rushing back with a large circular piñata. As I catch sight of what's pasted on the side, one thought runs through my head.

What is she thinking?

-Herc POV-

Why does Peggy have a piñata at a welcome home party?

And, more importantly; Why is my mother's Facebook profile picture pasted on the side?

"What is this? Peggy?"

Lafayette looks concerned as he looks at me. I'm confused as well. But not all that surprised. We are talking about Peggy after all.

I just shrug as Peggy offers her idea of an explanation.

"Since Sarah is a terrible person and we all want to murder her, I thought I'd find us a way to vocalize our opinions. Violently. So we can all beat the shit out of this and avoid jail."

I see two possible reactions to this situation. I can laugh, or I can cry.

So I laugh.

This entire comment thing sounds so stupid at this point. I have people. I have Laff. So I can ignore my mother, for now at least. And if there's a chance that smacking a piñata will make me feel better? I'll take it.

Peggy takes the circle and drop kicks it to Natasha. Natasha punches it on its way to John, who steps on it.

Around the group it goes as we all abuse the portrait. It's honestly kind of satisfying.

There's a disappointed sigh as Martha accidentally rips it open with a crane kick. Then the entire room goes silent as something rolls out of the opening.

The single bagel stops, falling at my feet.

Why?

"Peggy, explanation please?"

Angelica looks more like she's pleading than asking as her sister shrugs.

"Sarah doesn't deserve Snickers."

"So you filled it with... bagels."

"Whole wheat. Very healthy."

Natasha just laughs as she tears open the rest of the piñata, hurling a bagel at her 'not' girlfriend. Laff swears that he's going to be best man at their wedding. My bets are on Jordan being best person.

I take a bagel from my mother. It's bland, dry, and boring. It suits her.

I steal my husband back from his adoptive father. He belongs in my lap.

George frowns, and I stick out my tongue. Martha nudges her husband, who smiles and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

"We love you, son. We all do. Don't forget that. And if you or our other son need anything, we're here for you. You just need to tell us what's going on."

"Thank you, sir."

"No. Not sir. Washindad."

"George, let him be! Don't push it."

"Thank you, Washingmom."

There's a small "damn" from the man in my lap as Martha sticks her tongue out at her husband.

It's exactly the same sort of thing that we were doing 8 years ago when I first moved in with them all. Our own special way of interacting, just like as kids.

Martha helping me sneak out while George helps Laff. Neither aware of the others shenanigans.

Family game nights every Saturday.

Huddling around the TV to watch Big Bang Theory.

Laff's first big swim competition, the group of us cheering on the sidelines. All slightly confused. But happy to be together.

Me holding a melted cutting board as Laff panics over the condition of his kitchen.

George drenched as we all laugh at him for falling out of the canoe.

John coming for our weekly supper, where Lafayette would test his newest creations.

Martha helping me piece together Laff's prom dress.

George painting over the ding in his truck from my then boyfriend's parking job.

I don't have parents, not anymore. But these people became the family I needed most.

So many things have changed since Lafayette first brought me in. Even more have stayed the same. We've both been through a lot. But we have each other. We have the Washington's. And we have our friends.

And that's enough.

I look around the room, smiling at everyone. Almost everyone who has helped us over the years is here.

Lafayette sets the baby ferret on his head before taking a bagel and feeding it a tiny corner.

George and Martha are playing an intense game of Rock Paper Scissors.

John and Alex are shooting things at each other.

Peggy and Natasha have challenged George and his fiancé to something that includes standing on their heads.

Maria and Eliza are doing something with each others hair as Thomas and Angelica braid Adrianna's.

James and Aaron are rolling a bagel across the floor with Lily and Oliver.

Jordan and Ellie are terrorizing Flip with Jordan's glasses.

BonBon has been cornered by Tony.

And I'm here holding my best friend. My love. My husband.

It's good to be home. With my family.

I smile down at Lafayette. Everything feels so perfect right now, all our problems pushed out of mind for the moment.

And then my phone vibrates in my pocket.

See, this would've been a perfect ending if the phone didn't go off. But I have more aspects of their lives to ruin if I can.