Emily road beside Minho in the truck, Bear in the back seat beside her backpack. She was quiet all the way to school. He didn't push her, she sat holding his hand tight while he drove with one hand.

"It's gonna be great!" Minho reassured her one last time. "Breathe Princess, stop holding your breath."

Emily release a long slow breath. Minho parked the truck and leaned over, kissed her cheek and whispered one last encouragement before he hopped out of the truck and came to her door. He helped her out and let Bear out, and grabbed her backpack for her. Emily was just closing the door when Sonya and Newt pulled up beside them.

"So...here we go." Newt sighed, he was still in a big brace, but he was walking better now, he still had pain, but the doctors were thrilled with his progress. They started him on the same cell regeneration treatment as Emily and his progress was amazing.

"Yep..." Emily whispered. She looked up at the school, there weren't a lot of people around despite how close it was to the bell. Minho slid his hand into her hand, and gently tugged her forward.

"Come on babe, lets get you to class."

Emily followed, she was doing her best to keep her head up and not flea back to the truck and beg Mama Lee to let her stay at home and have a tutor. The four of them made it up the stairs of the school, and Emily saw the few people hanging around turn their heads and whisper.

"Head up Princess." Minho whispered.

"I'm trying..." She whispered back, her hands were sweaty and her head was sore from clamping her jaw so hard. Bear was pressed closed to her leg, Sonya and Newt were right behind her. Minho pulled the doors open and Emily froze. There was a big banner hanging in the hall.

"Welcome back to school."

Emily looked around to Minho, confused. He just had a small smirk. Kids came pouring out of the side halls, all clapping and calling out.

"What the bloody hell?"

"I feel that Newt. Minho, what the shuck?"

Minho took her hand with a smirk, and a wink and led her down the hall to the stairs to her locker. Sonya had the same knowing smirk as she followed with Newt. Kids she had never seen before were smiling at her and welcoming her back. A few clasped Newt's hand , or patted him on the back.

"Hey, if you need anything let me know."
"It's good to see you back, shank."
"You're up and about! Good to see!"
Welcome back!"

Emily was so shocked she had no words, she just followed with her mouth hanging open. All her anxieties were forgotten, now she was just confused. Emily stopped a few feet from her locker. Her locker was covered in all kinds of stick notes, each with something written on them. Her heart fell. She head sunk, and she looked at the floor. Her shoulders sagged. Things would never change.

Minho stepped in front of her and gently lifted her chin. "Go read them, baby." He kissed her nose gently and pulled her closer to her locker. He leaned on the locker beside hers with his shoulder. Emily looked at him confused, and then back to the locker door. With a shaking hand she pulled one off.

"Thanks for helping with with my bio homework."

She looked up.

"I like your smile, its pretty."

"Girl you fight like a beast in the ring! Keep fighting in life."

"Your work ethic is my goals"

She looked around at the people standing around her. They all had small smiles. Her eyes filled with tears, but not sad or scared tears. Minho's smile and gentle eyes made her feel like it would be okay. That maybe, just maybe now that the people who made her life a literal living hell, were behind bars she could breath heal and become whole again.

"Everyone wanted to welcome you, and Newt back to school. It took you two nearly dying for them to come around and realize how serious things became, it took someone videoing the car hit, posting it and then with Ben and Ava's very public arrest, for the school to realize you had been telling the truth the whole time."

"Well I'm glad my almost death did something."

"No more big dramatic points though, okay? I want you whole and healthy."

"I'll do my best!" She smiled through her tears up at the young man who jumped into the trenches of her messy life and fought beside her.

"Seriously, Em...you make life better. I'm glad you sat down beside my twat of a brother." Sonya said with tears of her own.

"Yeah...its true, Love. Thanks for sitting beside me." Newt limped over and pulled her into a carful hug.

"Agreed. This year has been a great one!" Jeff agreed. "You and me are gonna rule the science world!" He pulled her into a hug next.

"Agreed." Gally nodded, he pulled Emily into a carful one armed hug, and let go and pulled Sonya into a tight hug. "You pulled football out of its own world and now look at the team..."

"We're mingling!" Thomas grinned, holding his intertwined hand up, Newt's face was slightly pink. But they looked very happy.

"See Emmy. We all agree. If it wasn't for you...none of this would have happened. And now...we have two months to live it up, rule the school before we graduate." Minho finally pulled her into his chest, and gave her a soft but familiar hug. She laid her cheek on his chest and smiled at her group of friends. The friends who had decided to claim her, the friends who weren't scared of her messy life, friends who stuck with her through thick and thin.

"I love you guys." She managed to choak out.

"Stop! You're gonna make us all cry!" Sonya cried, fanning her face.

"Newt's already crying! Same with Clint!" Thomas pointed out.

"Am not." Clint grumbled, "Just something in my eye!"

"We'll I'm crying! I know we aren't that close, but you've been super sweet." Rachel said, raising her hand, as a few tears slid down her pink cheeks. Emily laughed as more tears ran down her face.

∼•∽

The last two months of school were hard, but probably the best two months of her life. Without looking over her shoulder constantly she was able to slowly relax, and not just at home. She was slowly becoming the goofy girl at school. She was in physiotherapy 3 times a week and she met with Dr Crawford for her other therapy once a week. Her mental and physical health were improving. She would probably always need her puffer now, with the synthetic lung, but they all said that it wouldn't affect her kickboxing. They said she could slowly start getting back into it. No actually fights for a while still, but she was allowed to start conditioning again.

And she was thrilled, being able to go on runs again. Minho was very cautious, and was very mother hen, but Emily knew the consequences if she pushed herself too much. The physio, the doctor, Jorge and Jo all got together and came up with a plan for her and everyone was happy. Including Emily.

One night at the end of May she got a call, not knowing the number she answered hesitantly.

"Hello?"

"Miss Emily Fitz?"

"Speaking..."

"Hi, this is Darleen Thompson, I'm the head Director of the Science and Medical Department at Wes Ball." Emily's stomach dropped, and her heart started pounding. She pushed off Minho's chest and sat up straight. Minho sat up confused.

"Em-"

She slapped a hand over his mouth, her eyes wide.

"Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

"Yes of course. Just a moment please."

Emily placed the phone mouth piece against her chest and jumped off the couch with a yelp.

"It's the school! MAMA! PAPA! IT'S WES BALL UNIVERSITY! THE SCHOOL! JORGE!" She yelped.

"Well answer it!" Papa Lee poked his head out of his office.

"Ya...ya..." She ran down the hall to her room. "Hi, sorry about that, yes I can talk."

As the door closed Minho smiled after her, and shook his head. He didn't want to say anything until she knew one way or the other, but he had got two offers to school. He had one from Wes Ball and one from another school in the city over. If Emily didn't get into Wes Ball, she had a few others lines up, and Minho was really hoping they didn't have to go to separate schools.

Minho waited in the living room, pacing back and forth waiting for Emily to emerge. When she did, she came tearing into the living room with a wild scream, Mama came running down the stares and Jorge appeared from the stairs.

"Millie? What is going on?"

"AHHH! MINHO!" She squealed and leapt into his arms.

"What? What is it? What did they want?"

"I GOT IT! I GOT A FULL SCHOARSHIP! They give out 2 a year. A full working scholarship to the medical and science program, where its like a coop program with WICKED's medical facility...and..." She paused, pulling away from Minho, a huge smile on her face. She was so excited she was vibrating. Bear was jumping and woofing at her feet.

Minho's smile got bigger. "Let me guess you-"

"I GOT IT!" She screamed, Emily couldn't contain her excitement and leapt into Jorge's arms too hugging him close. Minho laughed and crossed his huge arms.

"I guess I need to make a phone call." He grinned.

"What?" Emily pulled away, and looked at him.

"I got two offers last week, I was waiting to see if you got in to the same school. I know where I'm going to school."

"WHAT?"

"I'm going to call them and take the scholarship. Full football ride, and I took your advice, and I'm taking economics and business!"

"MINHO!" She shriek and flew at him. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her and picked her up off the floor. She was laughing and crying all at the same time.

"I think this means a celebration dinner!" Papa Lee grinned at the two of them.

They were just climbing into the car for supper when her phone buzzed.

Jeff
Em! Please tell me you got the other Wes Ball/WICKED scholarship!

Emily froze and and stared at the phone for a moment. She felt Minho peek over her shoulder. And he chuckled, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"You two are going to be running WICKED soon!"

I did! Jeff you too??
No way! This is going to be the best yr!

∽•∼

The court dates came quickly, Emily was so busy with school and college prep and studying for exams she hardly noticed how soon the dates came. Emily forced herself to go. She almost bailed. It was Jorge who convinced her.

"Millie. Show them they didn't break you. Your up and your fighting and your living your best life now. Go and be defiant. Show them what a Fitz is made out of. No matter how many times they hit, you get back up."

Emily swallowed her fear and went to the court house. Minho, Sonya, Newt, Gally, Thomas, Jeff and Clint, Frypan, Rachel aa d Alby , they all sat in a clump around her. Mama Lee also sat beside her. Bear sat with his head on her lap. Jorge and Papa Lee were whiteness, Sam Isaac was her defence attorney, he just about guaranteed an open and shut case.

Emily sat with her head down most of the day, only glancing up here and there. Minho didn't let go of her hand, she was squeezing his hand so tight she was probably hurting him, but he didn't say anything.

The verdict was handed to the judge in a sealed envelope. Emily felt physically sick. She was shaking so bad Mama Lee and Minho had to help hold her up.

"Ava Paige. Benjamin Archer. Please rise." They both did. The rest of the court all stood up. Minho had a hand on her back. She was breathing through her mouth, trying not to throw up.

"You both are guilty on all charges. No chance of parole. You will live out the remainder of your days behind bars." The judge barked, reading the verdict out loud.

Emily's knees gave out. And she sunk to the floor in huge greatful body wrenching sobs.

She was free. Finally. She was free of her abusers. She was free from her sick twisted bullies. Minho knelt down in front of her and pulled her into a tight hug.

"You did it baby! Your free!" He tilted her chin up and she saw he also had tears running down his face. He smiled so big his eyes creased into half moons.

"I can breath. I can live!"

"Yes you can!" He tucked some hair behind her ear and "I'm so proud of you!"

On the way out of the court house in the parking lot she stopped to thank Steve for everything he had done for her. When there was a wild shriek behind her. Emily turned around. Teresa was storming towards her.

"You!" She screamed. "You have ruined my life! The moment your disgusting dirty lazy father walked into my life! I should finish what Ben tried! You ruined me! You ruined my mother! You ruined EVERYTHING! I HATE YOU!"

Teresa lunge at her. She managed to slap Emily and made her stumble back into Steve.  He pulled Emily away and got ahold of Teresa, he spun her around and slammed her into the car.

"Get off of me!" She screamed. "I can have you arrested! You can't touch me like this!"

"Except I can." He said pinning her down and grabbing his cuffs from his back."You just attack a civilian. You uttered threats And I'm a cop. So whatever you say can and will be used against you in the court of law."

Emily was holding the side of her face, it was stinging, but she felt numb. She saw Minho, Jorge, Mama and Papa Lee all came running from the SUV. Steve was cuffing Teresa as she was screaming profanities and threats at him.

He turned to Emily, and calmly asked, "would you like to press charges?"

Emily looked at Teresa and watched her for a moment. She thought of everything her step sister had done to her physically over the many years, she thought of everything Teresa had said to her; all the insults and threats. All the horrible jokes at her expense, all the situations she put Emily in to be bullied and picked on.

"Yes. All the charges."

Teresa looked thunder struck. Emily took a shaking breath and looked at her step sister. Minho skidded to a halt beside her.

"You have been nothing but a terror in my life from the moment your mother walked into my dad's life. You have bullied me, hit me, and kicked me when I was at my lowest. I watched you distroy everything in my life. But now...now I'm done. I'm done with you. I'm done with your mother...I'm just done. You come anywhere near me and my new family and we will have problems."

She turned to Steve, "I want the restraining order extended and then some. I don't want to ever see her ever."

"All right." He nodded. He yanked Teresa away in cuffs and hauled her back up the court steps to be processed and placed in a holding cell until they figured everything else.

Every grown up stood shocked.

"I knew you had it in you! I'm so shucken proud of you Emmy!" Minho grinned and pulled her into a tight hug. Emily was shaking, but she laughed nervously and then her nervous laughter turned into wild laughter, tears ran down her face. She had stood up to Tess and now she was free from her too! She pulled away and faced her family.

"I love you guys so much. Thank you for fighting beside me. For everything you have done for me this last year. I know...I haven't made it easy and it's been some hard fought fights. Dad always said...it's not about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep going... I've learned the hard way."

"Ma Hija. You're parents would be so proud of you!" Jorge said pulling her into a tight hug.

"I love you Papi!"

"I love you too Millie Girl."

She turned to the Lee's. A shy smile on her face.

"Mama. Thank you for being the only mom I've ever had."

"I told you when you first walked through my door, I would never replace your mother, but I would do my shuck best to be as go-"

"No." Emily shook her head. "You have been the only mother I've known. You ARE my mama." Tears pricked her eyes, she had to take a few deep breaths. "Minho's gotta learn to share."

"Oh child..." She said quietly, tears of her own filled her eyes and they both started crying. Mama Lee pulled her into a tight hug.

"Okay! No more sappy tears! I do believe we have a prom to get ready for!" Minho cried throwing his hands in the air.

"Slow your roll son. That's tomorrow. Today is about Emily. Let's go celebrate. Everyone is waiting for us!" Papa Lee grinned.

"Everyone??" Emily asked.

"Yes. Everyone. Isaac's, the cops involved, all your friends and family..."

Emily couldn't believe her life now. And she just sputtered.

~•~

Emily sat in the chair as her mom did her hair and makeup. Sonya and Rachel and Harriet were already done and waiting. Emily had asked if they wanted to come over and get ready, because she had actual friends now. The guys had gone to Newt's to get ready.

The other moms all buzzed around and chatted and were all a big teary mess. But mama Lee, had called in her friends from the salon and set up a home one. All the girls were giggly and wild. Mama had done Emily's hair and was just finishing makeup.

"Emily, you are beautiful."

"Oh I'm sure Minho is gonna pass out!" Sonya called from across the room.

"Oh come on! Gally is also gonna pull an old school cartoon and his eyes are gonna pop out of his head." Rachel teased.

"Oh please. He's seen me at Christmas in that black little number!" Sonya rolled her eyes.

Emily giggled. She knew Sonya was referring to a different black number. Mama Lee raised an eye brow and looked so much like Minho Emily almost spat her coffee out.

All the girls giggled and talked. And it only got quiet as they all pulled their grad dressss on; so many bright happy colors.

"Your boys are here!" Mama Lee yelled.

Rachel and Harriet left Emily's room. Sonya stayed for a second and took Emily's hands.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

"Em. I love you like a sister-"

"Don't!" Emily cried. "Don't you do anything sapy right now! It's been a shucken long week, and I'm an emotional wreck, you start I'm gonna start crying and I'll ruin everything mama has done!"

"Sorry." Sonya appolagized.

"But... I have loved being your Gus-"

"Ha! As if you still remember that!" Emily interupted laughing.

"Of course! You are Cinderella. I'm your Gus-Gus. Newt was your Jac. And Minho was your Prince Charming."

"Or was he the Fairy godmother?" Sonya asked with a giggle.

"Can he be both?"

"I guess." She shrugged with a smirk.

"He's hotter as Prince Charming."

Sonya giggled. Emily pulled her best friend into a hug.

"Okay seriously, we need to stop or Imma cry off all this beautiful makeup!"

"Come on. Your Prince Charming awaits."

Emily followed Sonya out the door and down the hall. And into the big backyard where w wetone was waiting.

Everyone was milling around, parents, friends, even Alby, but it all faded. All she saw was Minho. Her hero. Her prince charming in her wild fairy tale. She stopped and smiled. She watched with her heart racing as he sauntered towards her with a cheeky smile.

"My My paper bag princess turns into Cinderella." He said quietly.

"You remember that?"

He just hummed. His eyes were intense and demanding yet so incredibly gentle and soft. It was a weird combination. But Emily felt so safe and at home when she looked up into them. He was her home.

"You went from a dirty servant girl to a paper bag princess to my Cinderella to my queen. And I'm never ever going to let you go. You get tired of us...go have a nap. I'm never letting you go."

"I'm not going anywhere. I love you Minho. Always and forever."

"Promise?" He whispered, pulling her close, a hand around her back and his other hand held her cheek, gently running back and forth on her cheek.

"Promise." She whispered against his lips.

He pulled her close for a gentle kiss.

"PERFECT!"

The broke apart, Thomas was there with his phone, taking a quick picture of them. Minho looked at Emily and they both let out loud long happy laughs. All their friends and her new formed family crowded around, ready to get the party started.

Life seemed perfect right now, and after everything she had been through, she doubted it would ever be as bad. Emily couldn't believe her luck. It truly felt like a fairy tale.

Emily smiled. She would be okay. Her dad had said she would always be okay. And now...now she knew it. She would be okay.

And maybe....just maybe... Emily finally got her happily ever after.

THE END

~•~

But... there are prom pictures!

Emily & Minho

Sonya & Gally

Rachel & Frypan

Newt & Thomas

~•~

I can't believe it's finally over. It was a long time coming.

Thank you everyone who stuck through the long long hiatus, and came back strong.
I LOVE YOU ALL!

If you loved this one, check out my other stories.

TMR stories;

Defender/Defer/Destroyer/Indulgence - Alex & Minho

Complicated/Twisted- Charlie & Gally

Healer/Wounded Healer/Broken Healer- Eveline & Newt

A Dandilion Wish - Hope & Frypan

Unintentional Subject/Intentional Killer/Involuntary Victim - Jessie & Minho

The Flaw- Victoria & Gally (on hold)

COMING SOON: Certified Trouble Maker - Raya & ??

Percy Jackson Fanfiction:

Book 1: The daughter of Light
Book 2: Heir of a Titan (working progress)