The social worker just came and took Claire home. Josh and Jaxon left yesterday, and my house is so lonely and quiet. I'm going to the Powell house today. Alan says he has a surprise for me anyways.

I drive to their house, and met myself in. AJ, Presley, and Rowie are all playing Just Dance Disney Party.

"Hey chickas, lookin' good!" I remark, passing them, and walking up the stairs. Alan's in his office reading. "Hey Al, I'm here," I quietly inform him. He nods, "I'll be with you in a moment, my dear."

He finishes, what I assume, is reading his page, and he turns to look at me. "Come here, love," he pats the stool where his feet were previously resting. I sit down on it, and he wraps his arms around me.

"How ya feeling, kid?" He asks. "Claire's home, which is good for her. But I miss her," I admit, my lip already starting to quiver. "I know how hard this is for you, my Mia. That's why the guys and I talked it over, and we're taking you to WinterJam when it comes to Nashville. And maybe some certain Aussies have even agreed to let us hand out with them," he says.

I smile so big if hurts my jaw. "Alan, you guys are the best. I don't even know what to say. For King & Country?! Ugh, this is huge. I love you so much," I say, hugging him again.

He places a few kisses in my hair, and grins, "I would do anything to make one of my favorite girlies smile."

~*~

WinterJam day. Since Joel and Luke said we can hang out with them, we won't have to wait in the line. I quickly get ready and grab a granola bar on my way out of the house. I want to spend as much time as I can with my two favorite Aussies.

We get to the venue, and flash our passes to the security guards who let the five of us backstage. The first thing I spot is Luke's signature curly hair. I smile, I'm actually in the same room as the Smallbones.

Luke and Joel rush over to greet us. "It's so great seeing you all again," they say to Alan, Caleb, Chad and Joey, who tell them the same thing in return.

"And who might you be, my darling?" Joel asks. "I'm Mia," I say shyly. They both smile and hug me. "It's so great meeting you, Mia. I'm glad we get to spend the day together," Luke says.

They give us a tour of the now empty venue, and I'm on top of the world. These guys are so nice. I help Joel set up the merch stand while, God knows what the others were doing.

"Mia, my dear," Joel says. I look up at him, and nod, "Yes, what is it Joel?" He smiles, and pulls two things from the merch table. "These are for you. First there's the respect & honor bracelet to remind you how boys should always treat you," he says.

I smile, and he helps me slip it onto my wrist. "I know you have a fiancé, but that doesn't give other boys the excuse to walk all over you, understand?" He asks. I nod, "I do."

"And this," he holds up a necklace, "is the Australian penny. It has a special meaning. It's to remind you that you, my dear, are priceless. You're worth more than all the money and riches in the world. You deserve to be treated that way." Joel walks over to me, and clasps the necklace around my neck.

"Did Alan tell you?" I ask him. He looks confused, "About what?" I hold up my arms where my scars are fully visible. I watch Joel's expression change.

"Please, darling, don't ever do this again," he whispers. I nod, "I haven't done it since high school." He grins, "I'm proud of you." We finish setting up the merch table, then go back to where Luke and the guys are chilling.

I sit down on Chad's lap, and lean my head on his shoulder. "Having a good time, lil sis?" He asks. I nod, "Joel and Luke are the best."

Luke smiles at me from across the room, and comes up to me, "Joel had his time with you, now it's my turn." I grin at him, "Okay. What are we doing?"

He thinks for a moment, then asks, "Do you like Starbucks?" I giggle, "Have you met Caleb. Do you think it's possible to be friends with him and NOT like Starbucks." He chuckles, "Good point. Let's go."

I pull on my coat, and tell the others goodbye, and we walk out into the cold Nashville air. "So, how long have you lived in Nashville, dear?" Luke asks.

"Well, I moved in with Alan while I was still in high school, and I liked it so much I never left. I used to live in Missouri," I tell him. He nods, "Ah, I see. I can't believe Alan didn't introduce us earlier."

I shrug, "He might just be too embarrassed of a goofy gal like me." Luke chuckles, "But I hear you met Colton. You're going to him and Annie's party aren't you?" I smile, "Yeah, I'm hoping too. Depends on whether I have my foster kids then or not."

"You foster?" Luke questions, opening the door to Starbucks. I nod, "Yeah. My first little girl, Claire, left just last week. That's why Alan brought me to the concert, to cheer me up."

We're waiting in line now, slowly inching forward. "If you ever want kids to play with, I've got two. Jude and Phoenix are always looking for new mates," he places his hand firmly on my shoulder. I grin, "I'd really like that, Luke. Thanks."

We order our drinks, then begin walking back to the venue. Luke gives me his phone number, which I put in my phone, and he gives me Joel's, telling me I'm always welcome at their houses.

We get back to the venue, and Caleb runs up to me. "Is that Starbucks?" He asks, pointing at my cup. I nod, "Yes."

"Did you get me something?" He inquires. "No," I shake my head, "but you may have a sip of mine." I pass him my cup, and after taking a large sip he seems satisfied.

"So love, is there anybody from this tour you'd like to meet?" Joel asks. "Lauren and Matthew. If they're not to busy," I say. "I'll help you find them, come on love," Luke says, him and Joel leading the way.

We find Lauren and Matthew and they come back to the room where the Anthem Guys are waiting. Matthew sees them and smiles, "Hey guys, I didn't know you we're here. It's been too long!"

They stand up and greet him with bro hugs. "We didn't really plan on being here, but Mia girl wanted to come," Joey says. Matthew and Lauren then turn to me.

"It's so great meeting you, Mia," Lauren says, hugging me. I smile, "I'm a huge fan of your music." She grins, "Maybe we could sing together sometime?" I nod, "I'm totally down for that!" She hands me her phone, and I hand her mine. We quickly type our numbers in and exchange back.

"So Miss Mia, how'd you end up with these goofballs?" Matthew asks me, grinning. "I've been stuck with them since my high school years," I tell him. He nods, "Ah, so you keep 'em in line?" I shrug, "I try my best." He wraps his arms around me in a hug.

"Alan's been telling me you're getting a new little foster girl soon," Matthew says. I nod, "Yeah." He puts his hand on my shoulder, "If you ever want relieved of her for a night, she's welcome to stay with my girls. I'm sure they'd get along." I smile, "Thanks Matt."

Matthew also types his number into my phone. We all spread out on the various couches backstage, and begin talking. I'm sitting next to Alan and Joel, when my phone starts ringing.

"I'll be right back," I tell them, stepping out of the room. "Hi, Miss Hart?" The voice asks. "Yes, who is this?" I question. "This is Amelia Hive, I'm with the fostering agency. I'm calling on behalf of Stephen and Ariel Jordan," she says.

"Yes. I'm so glad they'll be staying with me," I nod. "Miss Hart, you do understand Stephen has had problems in previous costs homes," Ms. Hive informs me. "Yes, but I'm just going to work with him. When can I pick them up?" I ask eagerly.

"Is Monday morning at 9 okay?" She asks. I smile, "Of course it is, I'll see you Monday, Ms. Hive. Thank you for calling." I hang up and practically dance back into the room.

"What's got you all hyper, kiddo?" Caleb asks, raising his eyebrow. "That was Ms. Hive, with the fostering agency, I get to pick up Stephen and Ariel on Monday," I sing.

Everybody tells me how happy they are, that they'll be praying for the kids to adjust well, and that they're proud of me.

I watch the whole WinterJam show in awe. God is so good. I can't believe how far I've come. During one of the last songs of the night, Shoulders, everybody who was performing joins together. I see Luke and Matthew motion for us to join them on stage.

We walk on, and join them in their line. I'm standing between Chad and Luke as we help them sing the bridge to one of my favorite songs.

Once we get done we all bow, the audience cheer. "I want to say a big thank you to my mates on the WinterJam tour, to the band Anthem Lights and Mia Hart for performing this song with us," Joel says into the microphone. We all group hug, and then run backstage.

"Hey, girl, I guess we kinda already performed together," Lauren says. I smile, "Yeah, I guess so. But we can totally do it again. Maybe you could book a tour with the guys?" She nods, "Maybe, but right now in focusing on this tour."

I yawn, and walk over to the couches where we were all chilling before the show. There's Luke on one and Joel on the other.

"Did my boys abandon me?" I ask, sitting next to Joel. He puts his arm around me and shrugs, "I don't know, my dear, but you're welcome to stay with Lukey and I until they return."

I lean my head on his shoulder, and yawn again. "Somebody's tired," Luke chuckles from across the room. "I just wanna go home, but I don't know where Big Al is," I sigh.

"You're welcome to use me as your pillow," Joel offers. I smile, lay my head on his shoulder, and breathe in his smell. "Thanks Joel, you're the best," I mumble, feeling my eyelids get heavy. "No problem darling," he replies.