AN/

Hi everyone! First off, this is a double update because I am inconsistent as fuck *point in gay finger guns. Also long. Just wanted to let you know, this is, in no way, going to be based on how a real situation like this would go down. These situations take months if not years to get through, so for the sake of the book, it is going to be a sped up, inaccurate, court case. Just wanted to make sure you all knew that. Focus on the word inaccurate. I did do a bit of research and tried my best, but the internet is only good for so much.

We all got into the big seven seater, pushing Tobi and Vik into the back. I was, of course, driving, and Simon sat in the passenger seat. JJ was sitting between Ethan and Harry, who were both freaking out for obvious reasons.

"It's all going to be okay," Simon said.
"That's fucking cheesy innnit," Commented Tobi.

"You're nervous," Ethan said, chuckling.

"And how did you deduce that one, Sherlock?" Tobi inquired.

"You never say anything remotely mean unless you're nervous, tired, or hungry."

The car fell silent. We were all nervous, tired, and hungry. The nerve caused us not to sleep and the lack of sleep took away our appetites.

"Let's just get through this, okay?" Vik offered.

"How do we define getting through this because it looks as though Harry is certainly not," Ethan jokes.

He was right, Harry looked like hell. His head was resting on JJ's shoulder, and he looked at though he was a flick away from crumbling like stone.

"No need to be dickheads everyone," I told them.

"I personally back that," Vik agreed.

Simon took an audible deep breath.

"Yes, let's just be kind."

He was stressed, as were all of us. I took his hand and kissed it. He smiled at me.

"Ewwwww gross uhh," Ethan said.

We all chuckled and then fell into a comfortable silence till we arrived.

The situation was weird, obviously. Now, only about four percent of child custody cases go to court as Harry, Rosie, and Josh, Lucas, and Henry's have. Which for starters makes it rare. Secondly, five kids in one case was a seldom occurrence. Also, us. Me, Si, Vik, Eth, Tob, and JJ were weird, and so were our housing arrangements. Which are all hindrances to well, just about everything we want.

"Fuck were going to loose him Si," I said, crying into his shoulder. Simon had dragged me to the restroom. The trial had not commenced yet.

"No we are not. Have hope. That's all me and the boys and Harra and Josh Jr, and Rose need from you. Hope and maybe a little composure." Simon smiled endearingly at me. He wiped my tears with his thumb. He then leaned in to kiss me, and I returned the actions. He held it for a few moments, before I pulled away.

"I love you," I said to him.

He straightened my suit, "Love you too."

I grabbed his hand and we headed to the room.

We sat in the first row. From left to right we were seated as follows: JJ, then Simon, followed by me, then Ethan, Tobi, Lux, Vik, and finally Freezy. Lux and Freezy joined us in the courtroom. Me, Simon, and JJ were witnesses. Harry and his siblings were inside the area.

"Today we are called here to settle the custody of Harry Lewis, Rosie Lewis, Joshua Lewis, Henry Lewis, and Lucas Lewis. I shall start by asking a few questions to the mother and then the father."

The questions were stuff like what's your financial status, and another was what kind custody has been sought. He also asked about any prior agreements, which there was: full custody to the father.

He asked the final question to Greg, "What is communication like with the other parent."

Greg said, "We have not had any. The first time I heard from her was about wanting custody. She never visited or contacted me or the kids to my knowledge."

He was well spoken and calm. All good things.

"Right, thank you. We shall now call upon the witnesses selected by the father."

Simon slowly approached the area in which he was supposed to sit.

"Please state your name and age."

"I am Simon Minter, and I am eighteen years of age."

"What is your relationship with Harry, Rosie, Josh, Lucas, and Henry?"

"Well, Harry lives with me and the boys. He's like a little bro to me. Rosie is also like a little sister. We see her a bunch. Josh also is like a little brother. The two of them often sleepover. After all the times they sleep over Josh still can't beat me at fifa." He was trying to chill Josh Jr. out, sensing his tension.

"The twins get picked up every Wednesday by JJ and Harry. They then come to sleepover. Josh and I drop them off at school the following day, after dropping off the boys to our school. The problem was, we were late every Wednesday. So, not wanting to stop seeing the boys frequently, we set up a meeting with the headmaster. He managed to let the lates on Wednesday not count.

"Do the kids seem happy?"

"Well, Rosie can be moody," I said, smiling at her. She stuck her tongue out at me and we chuckled. It was a little inside joke.

"In all honesty, the twins are perfect little balls of joy. Josh, Rosie, and Harry have all been through a lot, so I can't say they are always happy. No person could always be totally on top of the world after all these three have been put through, but they always feel safe. So, when they are down, they have a place to go to make them happy. I know that much."

"Why did Harry move out of his father's place?"

"Well, us guys, his best friends, all had a house together. He slept over a lot, to be with his boyfriend. Naturally he wanted to move in, and his father, once making sure we were good people for his kid to live with, let him move in."

"Would you please describe the house and arrangement of the house you live in?"

"Yes. So, Josh, my boyfriend, and I share a room with it's own bathroom. Tobi, over there, and Ethan, there, have two separate bedrooms that share a bathroom. Harry and JJ used to have their own rooms, but they slept with each other every night, it seemed pointless, so they shared a room. We have two guest rooms. One is for Rosie and the other for Josh. The twins never like to sleep in their own bedroom when they come over, so they just bunk with whichever one of us they want. We have a kitchen, living room, gym, and dining room throughout the house.

"Who funds it?"

"The money left JJ's name once his parents passed." (AN/I changed this detail, so if you read act one before act two was released this detail has been changed.)

"Is this an ample supply?"

"Yes, extremely. A majority, by JJ wanting, was put into an account in myself and Josh's name so we could manage the finances. Also, we created University funds for all seven of us."

"Which of the kids are you closest to?"

"All of them. I think I have a special bond with each of them. Like Josh is the little brother I've always wanted. We play footie, fifa, have chats about relationships, talk about teachers we hate, all of it. It's great. Harry is like a brother in a different way. I sort of feel more like a guardian for him. Josh Senior and I take care of all his school stuff for the most part, and that is the relationship we have. But of course, I still get to play fifa with him and tease him for doing something stupid. Rosie is the sister I've always wanted. She is the one who I can talk style with and go shopping with. We talk drama and boys. She paints my nails, I paint her. It's great fun. I also love teasing her to bits, it's great. The twins are just so fun to be around. Lucas wants to be the same as JJ, which is so funny. He likes his sports and "goes gym" with JJ. He even says the words Fam a lot, which is a classic JJ line. Henry is more of a bookworm. He is such a smartie. It's kinda crazy. They are just so easy going, and they kinda chill anywhere, which is great. I love all of them to pieces.
Whilst describing his bond with them, Simon had the widest smile.

"Any further comments?"

"No, no, just please remember that we all need each other. We really do."

"Thank you Mr. Minter."

It was then my turn to go, and it was very similar to Simon. I mean I have a different relationship with the kids, but it was essentially the same. I noticed, about an eight through my statement, Lucas found his way into JJ arms, and Henry was sat on Vik's lap. By the time my statement was over, Lucas was still being held by JJ.

JJ's POV

"Ok Lucas, you go sit over there, yeah?" I said carefully.

"No. I wanna go wit you, where you go."

"Just not this once, okay? Promise only this time."

Lucas was stubborn, so he started crying.

"You really know how to get what you want," I mumbled to the boys and Lucas.

"Sir, may Lucas silently sit with me whilst I answer the questions."

"Yes, sure. That will be fine."

"Please state your name and age."

"Hi, I am Olajide Olatunji, and I am seventeen. Most people call me JJ, though."

"Ok JJ, so what is your relationship to Harry, Rosie, Josh, Lucas, and Henry?"

"Well, Harry is my boyfriend. Rosie and Josh are siblings, and Lucas and Henry are more like Nephews, just because I feel so protective over them. Also, we pick them up from school and go to their school events and that."

"So how did you and Harry meet?"

"Well, he had just transfered from another school, and we were partnered for a project. He had no friends, and we just clicked. We both had schoolboy crushes that we didn't admit for a bit, but as soon as we did it felt right. It felt so damn right. It was us, like we were meant to be. God, I felt like I had to protect him with every atom in my body."
Harry was crying at this point, and a few tears were starting to fall from my eyes.

"I still feel like that. He is my soulmate. He has taken me back from every dark place I've been. It's cheesy and ironic, but he is my light. In whatever darkness, it's him. I-i love him, and always will love him."

Lucas looked up at me, "JJ why you crying?"

"I'm good L, no reason."

"Don't be sad."

"I promise I'm not. Shh now. Okay, bub?"

"Okay." He said, snuggling into me.

"You are not required to testify, so why are you?"

"J and Si said I didn't need to say anything at this trial, but I did. I did need to. Because if I didn't, I would not have done everything in my power to make sure that my family was okay. I couldn't lose them without giving everything I had to make sure they were okay. I can't live without them. Simple as that.'

"Thank you Mr. Olatunji, you may be seated."

I picked up Lucas and headed back to my seat. On the way, Harry stood up and wrapped his arms around me. He was still sobbing.

"Babe calm down. We got this," I said to him.

"Love you."

"Love you more." I then kissed his forehead and sat down.

"Promise your okay JJ?" Lucas asked.

I smiled at the small boy.

"Yeah, yeah, Luke."