Hope sits on the couch in Ghost and Toast's apartment. She fumbles with her fingers and glances up at Ghost, who was bringing in some hot chocolate.. Her favourite.

She smiles softly as she accepts the cup. Ghost sits down next to her and sighs. ".. Okay.. So what else aren't you telling me?"

Hope blinks and turns to her boyfriend. She was confused.

".. Spencer told me your real name was Hope. You were originally their kid.. And you ran away." Ghost gathers his thoughts. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Hope lowers her gaze and stays quiet.

".. Hope." Ghost repeats sternly.

She flinches slightly and sighs, glancing nervously at him.

"Can you at least tell me why you were crying?" He asks softer, not wanting to scare her.

'I got in a fight with Spencer..' Hope's eyes read.

"... Oh." Ghost mutters. ".. Mind if I ask over what?.."

'I was being stupid.' She replies. 'He was trying to make amends with what we fought over years ago.. But I was still angry. I was crying because.. I knew I had hurt him-- and my family. And he yelled at me.. So I thought he.. He hated me.'

Ghost stares at her. ".. He yelled at you..? That kid?"

Hope nods slowly. 'We used to be so close. But I got angry and ran away after a disagreement.'

"I see.." Johnny runs a hand through his hair. ".. That explains quite a bit."

'I need to fix this.' Hope reaches next to her and hugs her Inky the pacman ghost plushie.

".. I thought you got rid of that because it brought back too many bad memories." Ghost mutters confused.

'... It made me think of Spencer.' She hugs the plush tighter. '... I need to see him. Now.'

"Need a ride?" Ghost smiles warmly. Hope looks at him with brightly lit eyes. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't support my girl?"

Hope grins and hugs him tightly before dragging him to the van.

"Johnny! We're going out!" Ghost hollers before they leave.

--- --- ---

Spencer hugs his Blinkie plush tightly as he blinks away the last few tears. Sally and Billy had come down earlier to comfort him. He was secretly grateful for such caring siblings.

DING DONG

".. Someone's at the door." Billy mutters.

"I'll get it!" Sally squeals and runs upstairs.

There's a few moments of silence. Before a shriek.

"HOPE!!"

The entire family scrambles upstairs and to the front door, where Johnny Ghost and Hope stood.

"Honey.. Isn't that Joy?" Gertrude asks nervously.

"Actually. Hope has been living with me and Johnny for the past few years under the name Joy." Ghost explains casually.

"Hope!" Billy grins and hugs his little sister. Hope smiles softly and looks to her Mama and Papa- who looked like they might cry. Yes. Both of them.

"We're so glad you're okay!" Gertrude hugs her daughter tightly, followed by Papa.

"Why are you here?" Spencer asks, slightly turned away.

Everyone goes silent as Hope turns to her favourite brother.

'.. I wanted to say sorry.'

"Then say it! Say it so everyone can hear!" Spencer snaps.

Hope shrinks down.

"Spencer..!" Sally squeaks.

"You can't just demand a mute person speak to you!" Billy scolds.

"Shut up.." Spencer hisses.

"Spencer. Basement. Now." Papa grumbles.

"I don't want to." Spencer growls in his lisp.

"Spencer..." Gertrude warns.

The family starts arguing and hissing in anger. Nobody was safe from this.

"E..E.." Hope shudders a bit.

"Hope.. Don't strain yourself.." Ghost mutters. "He's just angry.. You don't have to--"

"Enough!" Hope hollers.

Out loud.

Everyone freezes. Nobody moves. They all simply turn to look at Hope, who's shuddering with teary eyes. ".. Don't fight.."

".. She's.. Talking..?" Mama stares in awe.

"Is this possible? Like... Logically possible?" Papa asks Billy, who shrugs.

Spencer stares at Hope, who looks like she might break down at any moment.

".. Hope.." Spencer mutters.

".. I.." Hope covers her mouth. "..."

".. Hope?" Spencer blinks.

".. Uh.. What happened?" Billy asks.

".. Hope?" Johnny looks down at his girlfriend. ".. What's up?"

Hope wipes her teary eyes. "..."

Spencer, without hesitation, steps up and hugs his little sister tightly. Hope breaks down into tears in his embrace.

Nobody speaks a word until Hope is calmed down.

Spencer releases her from the hug. She looks her in the eyes and smiles. ".. I'm sorry. I forgive you."

Hope smiles softly, as her eyes read. '.. Thank you.'

".. You.. Aren't talking anymore." Spencer mutters.

'.. I'm not sure how I spoke.. It might have been because of how stressed I was..' She replies.

".. That's weird. We're going to have to get you a monkey-to-human translator." Spencer smirks.

Hope grins and gently punches her brother's arm. 'Shut up.'

"I don't get it. What's happening." Papa asks Johnny, who simply shrugs. "I have no idea. And I'm her boyfriend."

"Wait- What?!" Papa glares sharply. "You're datin' mah daughter?!"

"Uhhh.." Ghost grins nervously. ".. I should.. We should.. Go.."

"I feel like Hope going with you would make it worse." Billy laughs.

"Right.." Ghost gulps as Papa grabs his shotgun. ".. Hope, you sleep here tonight and I'll.. BYE!" Johnny bolts and hops into the van, instantly driving away.

The family laughs as Papa chases after the van with his shotgun.

".. Poor Johnny!" Sally giggles.

"At least we got our Hope back!" Billy chirps.

"Our family's Hope." Spencer smiles and hugs his baby sister.