Demario's POV (Earlier that morning...)

How can you define the true meaning of happiness?

Is it when you enjoy good company with the people you love? Is it when you finally find someone who brings out the best in you? Or is it when you stop merely existing and start truly living- to accept the good things in life while learning to embrace the adversities?

Until now, I never truly what it means to be happy, not when I was putting up with barbed words from the people who made me their prisoner. They made it clear that I was never meant to be happy as long as they dictated my life. I was a flaw in their twisted world of perfection and I had to suffer for it- cleaning, cooking, doing their duties for school and life, and enduring the threats against my life. And despite doing all that they asked, they tore me down jsut so they could feel good about themselves.

I would've given them the entire galaxy on a silver platter yet they would never appreciate it all because it came from me. I gave them all of me even when I had nothing left to give, but they just took more and more while demanding to be something that I knew that I would never be. I used to wonder if I was ever going to be worth anything to them, even now after they're gone. But now, even as I deal with a lot of unresolved issues and Ryan Peavey's impending trial; I learned that they didn't deserve to ask me of anything all because they hated on me.

Since living with the Lomax family and undergoing my transformative life journey, I realized that the scars from the past can either break a man down to nothing or dare one to go the distance and learn to come out stronger. For my situation, I had to rebuild my life while slowly healing and seeing my self-worth for what it was. And thanks to my circle of friends who wish me well, I'm starting to finally embrace myself while learning to be happy.

I couldn't have imagined anything more blissful than this point of happiness for my life- me having a boyfriend who embraced himself despite family who wanted him to suffer, finally making peace with people who were also hurting from my late mother's controlling hand, and finding my purpose for my creativity. The people who wished me the worst had their chance to make my life easier, yet they chose evil and are now paying for it. Me? Well, I can only appreciate this moment of happiness and believe that there will be more to come after the storms.

Folks, if you told me that there would be a time when I would finally find my point of worth after a failed suicide attempt back when I was only ready to end it all after being left homeless and disowned; I would've just called you nuts and just commenced with my exit route. But it wouldn't have mattered because I was now feeling some semblance of peace within myself. And despite what was going on with Peavey, I was going to enjoy my new life and believe that there will be the rainbow after the storms.

Even now, as I finished getting dressed for school and feeling lighter from last night's passionate lovemaking with Oliver, I was ready to love myself for who I was while taking the moments to appreciate what I had. Because I didn't want to lose what I had while caught in the moment.

"Morning, Demario," Joel greeted me as he, Taylor, and the guys (Oliver included) were sitting down to Noreen's omelets and potatoes. "Had a good night's sleep?"

"I bet he did, especially after Oliver made his night," Taylor, for his seriousness, said cheekily, sending me a teasing grin.

I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment as Oliver chuckled before sipping on some orange juice. "Oh, hush," I said, waving my hand to deflect the events from last night."

"Y'all leave him be," Noreen said as she sat down my plate. "Y'all just mad that Oliver made him glow from last night's romp and Demario's got that inner light from being-"

"And most of us are trying to eat," I interrupted, wanting to turn my attention to the day ahead. "Anyway, I know that Ryan's slated to be arraigned today. I won't be there since I want to focus on finals for next week."

"Probably for the best," Joel hummed, spreading jam onto his toast. "No telling what might happen if you were at the courtroom. McGillivray won't try the case since she's connected to you and all that. She has someone else working it for the arraignment and the following trial, but it's likely that bail will be denied since he's still a theat."

"Good," Oliver, who remained quiet until now, commented. "The sooner that he's behind bars, the sooner that we'll be sleeping easier tonight and Demario will soon have peace."

Everyone hummed in agreement as we finished our food and got ready to head out. "Demario, don't make any plans for the afternoon," Taylor said. "There's something that we've been meaning to talk to you about. It'll be at lunch, so make sure to keep your schedule free."

I nodded as I grabbed my backpack. "Sure thing," I replied. "What about?"

He smiled thinly. "Let's just say that today...is when things are going to be made official. Now, off to school with you and we'll see you later."

He didn't have to tell me twice. I let Oliver lead me out the door. "What the heck does he mean by that?" I asked him as we soon greeted Holly and Derrick for our trek to our cars.

It was my boyfriend's turn to smile mysteriously. "You're going to love it," he assured me. "It's a good surprise."

I bet it was.

*******************

The morning of classwork and preparing for the finals came and went as no one dared to bring up Ryan's name despite his arraignment being today. It was as if he didn't exist to anyone anymore, which was fine since plans for the upcoming Winter Concert and Formal were being arranged; I was asked by the Callaways and Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada to open the concert with one of my original songs with a poem that I wrote to precede it. And now it was time for lunch as the PA rang just as I was leaving AP British Lit. "Demario Bader, please come to the main office," the voice intoned. "Demario Bader, to the main office."

I squared my shoulders and made the journey to the office. Two minutes later, I was in the main office and greeted by the receptionist. "They're all waiting for you," was all she said and pointed to the large conference room that wasn't far from the principal's office. "No need to worry, Demario. You're going to love this surprise."

I nodded, heading inside the conference room and surprised to see not only the Lomax clan and the McGillivray-Sullivan clan but also Joel, Gianna, the Nguyen twins, Mr. and Mrs. Callaway, the Tuckers, and also my boyfriend and the gang. "What's going on here?" I asked, confused by the wide grins.

Joel and Taylor stepped forward. "Demario, since learning about your past, Joel and I knew that you're a young man with so much talent yet was hurting from the people who didn't believe in your self-worth," Taylor began. "They made you feel like you were unwanted, hence my husband and I deciding to take you into our home and help you come out of your shell. It hasn't been easy for you as curveballs were tossed your way without much warning. You didn't turn your pain into anger or caused any problems. You just wanted to heal and breathe."

"It's been quite a ride for you, and there's been days you wanted to give up," Joel continued. "But neither of us would allow it. And from the moment we first met you, we believed that all you wanted was a family that you would thrive in. There's going to be more trials ahead of you, especially when it comes to Peavey and all, but I believe that you are a modern-day phoenix that rose from the ashes many times than you know. So I think it's only fair that you become a part of our family."

I was shocked, not knowing what to think. "Really?" I found myself asking.

Judge McGillivray nodded, stepping forward. "They mean it, Demario," she said gently. "The moment that the Nguyens, Jose, Gianna, and I heard your story; we all knew that the people who tossed you out- the ones who should've treated you better- missed out on a fine young man like yourself. Joel and Taylor believed in you as so everyone else here. And like it's been said to you many times, everyone has something to fight for. The question, however, needs to be answered by you: do you believe it?"

I took a deep breath. "Up until a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I believed it myself," I answered honestly. "But now? Well, I started to see things in a new light. And I want to thank y'all so much for helping me get through this so far. The situation with Ryan isn't over, though, but I still believe that I have so much to fight for. I really do."

"That's all we need to hear," Judge McGillivray hummed as she got out some documents. "I am proud to announce that you have been formally adopted by the Lomax family and are also a member of the Cerutini, Beckham, Tucker, McGillivray, Callaway and Sullivan families. And although it's unorthodox, we all see you as part of the family, Demario. Family is never limited by blood ties but also defined by those who care for one another."

The wave of tears crashed over me as I was enveloped into a giant hug before documents were signed and I was fully verified into this mega family.

And just like that, I was finally feeling as if I had belonged.

This needed to be written sooner or later, and I couldn't think of a better time than to get this done since Demario's former family never made him feel loved or belonged back then. This was needed in so many ways that it's only fitting that this chapter would be necessary for what's ahead.

And speaking of which, Demario and Oliver reaffirm their promise of being for one another as the transgender diver has another surprise for Demario in the next chapter. But I must warn you that at the end, some shocking news regarding Ryan Peavey will be made known before...well, you'll have to see for yourselves.

Dedication: annkreeves. Song: "Home" by Jess Glynne.

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