I wake up the next morning, still asleep on Joel's shoulder. I sit up, and look around, I'm in a strange place. I fell asleep at the venue and now I'm here.

I stand up carefully, so I don't wake Joel up, and walk around. This must be Joel and Moriah's place. I see framed pictures of them everywhere. Wedding photos. Engagement photos.

I also see some of Joel with Luke's family. I smile, he's really got to be the best uncle out there.

"Hey," Joel says, putting his hand on my shoulder. I jump, "Oh my goodness. Joel, you scared the pirouette out if me."

"I'm so sorry, my dear, I didn't mean to scare you," he says. I shake my head, "No Joel, you're fine. What am I doing here? Where's Alan?"

It's funny how me, a grown adult, still looks for Alan when I'm scared. You wouldn't think that, but he's my comfort. Everything's okay when I'm with him.

"Alan was going to wake you up, and take you back to your apartment, but I suggested you just stay the night here with me and Moriah, then I'll take you home so you can get ready to go get your kids," Joel explains.

I smile, "You're a great mate, Joel." He nods, "As are you, darling." We walk together into the kitchen. Moriah is sitting at the table with a cup of yogurt.

Joel and her greet each other with a kiss, then he slides his arm around me. "Moriah, this is Alan's girl, Mia. Mia, this is my wife, Moriah," he quickly introduces. I smile, as she hugs me. "It's great meeting you, Mia."

"What can I get you to eat, love?" Joel asks, scanning the refrigerator for himself. I shrug, not really feeling hungry, I'm mostly nervous. "Do you guys have any granola bars?"

He nods, and opens a pantry to reveal a variety. I select two Nutri-Grain ones, and join Joel and Moriah at the table.

The three of us chat and eat our breakfast. Afterwards, I look down. I'm still wearing the same clothes from last night. My Matthew West Grace Wins shirt, and jeans. My hair is a mess, and all twisted up in my Lauren Daigle headband. My priceless necklace dangles, and my bracelet is still on my wrist. But other than that, I look like a hot mess.

"Uhh Moriah do you have some clothes or a hairbrush I can borrow?" I ask. She smiles, and gestures for me to follow her.

She leads me into her and Joel's bedroom, and opens her closet. "Are you going home before going to the courthouse?" She asks. I nod, "Yeah, I don't know how long I'll have. I just have to get the paperwork."

Moriah grins, and pulls out a very dressy, but not too dressy outfit. It's a black and white polka dot skirt, with a plain white top, and black blazer. "Just in case you don't have time to change at home, hon," she smiles, leaving the room.

I change into the outfit, and smile in the mirror. Joel really thought of everything. I put my gold boots back on, and adjust my FK&C jewelry.

There's a soft knock on the door, and Moriah enters. "Would you like some help with your hair?" She asks. I smile, "If you want."

I sit down on the bed, as Moriah begins brushing my hair out. "Curls?" She asks. I shrug, "Whatever you feel like."

"Actually most of the curls from yesterday are still there, so I think you're good," she says, smiling. I hug her, "Thank you Moriah, for everything. I'll get these clothes back to you, I promise."

"No dear, you're fine. Joel was actually planning on having you stay with us since he met you yesterday. He talked go Alan, and well, those clothes belong to you," she says. I shake my head, "This is too much. I can't accept these." Moriah puts a hand on my shoulder, "You're fine, Mia. We're glad to help."

I leave their bedroom, and go back to the living room. Joel and now, Luke are waiting on the couch. "You look beautiful," Joel says, grinning like a maniac. "I can't believe you didn't tell me you were planning this," I tell him.

"Don't give my brother all the credit, I helped too!" Luke pipes up. I smile and attack them both in hugs, "You guys are seriously the best!" They hug me back, and Luke smiles, "Let's get to the courthouse, my dear."

We walk outside, and before getting in the car I call Alan. "Hey princess," he answers. "Hey dude. Why'd you abandon me without telling me," I joke.

"Hey hey hey, you're an adult. I can't abandon you," he says. "Whatever. Are you meeting me at the courthouse?" I ask. "Yeah, babe, I'll be there. Chad, Joe, and Caleb said they'd meet you at home. See ya soon, okay?" He replies. I nod, "Mhm see ya."

I hang up my phone and climb in the back seat. I direct Joel to my apartment, and then we go to the courthouse.

"Thanks for dropping me off guys!" I exclaim, hugging the both of them again. "Do you want us to wait for you?" They ask. I shake my head, "You don't have to, Alan can take me home. But if you really wanna meet the kiddos meet me at Alan's house."

I get out of the car, and walk up to the steps where Alan's waiting. "Hey sweetheart, have a good time with the Smallbones?" He asks. I nod, "Yeah. Joel and Luke went to your house. They wanted to meet the kiddos."

He nods, "Okay. Let's go meet your kids." He clasps his hand around mine as we enter the courthouse.

We talk to the receptionist, and she tells me to wait a few moments. I sit in a chair, and sigh. "Big Al, do you think Stephen and Ariel will get along with y'all's kids?" He nods, "I do princess."

I smile, in my head I see Alan with his girls. Chad and Fallon with Marcus and Maylee. Caleb and Kelsey with Samantha and Aurora. Joey and Jewel with Jordan and Joshua. Happy families, and soon Owen and I will join them.

I'm officially allowed to see the kids now. Alan gives my hand a squeeze as I get up and follow the social worker into the room. Stephen and Ariel are there, looking nervous. Ariel clings to Stephen's leg. He's biting his nails impatiently.

I hand her the paperwork, and shortly after they're officially in my care. From what I can tell, Ariel is very shy. She's currently speaking only to Stephen.

"I'm really excited you guys are going to be staying with me for a while," I say, after the introductions. We get back out to the waiting room, and Alan stands.

"Alan, this is Stephen and Ariel. Kids, this is Alan," I introduce. The four of us walk out to Alan's car.

"So Stephen, how long have you and Ariel been in the foster system?" I make eye contact with the brown-eyed, dark-haired boy in the rear view mirror.

He shrugs, "For a while. At first they wanted to split me and Ariel up, but I wouldn't let them. I love her too much."

I smile, as Ariel nestles into Stephen's chest. "So guys, just to warn you, I have a big family. There'll be a lot of people. Hopefully it won't be too overwhelming," I tell them.

"I'll be fine," Stephen says, "Ariel will be too. As long as she's with me." I smile, "Okay guys, we're almost there." Alan pulls into his overflowing driveway, and parks the car.

I climb out, and wait for the kids and we walk into the house together. Alan enters first, making sure everybody is calm, even the kids.

Chad and Fallon's kids, Marcus and Maylee, are nine and five. Caleb and Kelsey's girls, Samantha and Aurora, are seven and four. Joey and Jewels twins, Jordan and Joshua, are eight.

Alan gives me the signal, and we enter the room. "This is Stephen and Ariel," I say gesturing to the hugging siblings. Everybody turns to them, smiling and waving.

Ariel buries her face in Stephen's side, who nervously waves. "Hi everybody," he says, shyly.

I crouch down to Ariel's level. "Hey sweetheart, don't you want to meet your new family?" I ask. She shakes her head, "I can't, because we'll just have to leave again."

In that moment, my heart breaks for this seven year old. She's been through this so many times, she's used to leaving. "Oh my dear," I choke out, feeling the hot tears sting my eyes.

Stephen reaches down and pulls me up, wrapping his arms around me. "It's okay, mom," he says, "I'll try really hard to not get in trouble."

In that moment, I believe him. What was causing his trouble, I don't know. But I know he's a good kid, and he would do anything for his little sis.

"Let's go meet your family," I whisper to them. Ariel grabs my hand, and I lead them off to meet everybody.

First, the Powell family. "You guys met Alan in the car. This is his wife Brycie, and their three girls, AveryJade, Presley, and Rowe," I say. The Powells smile warmly and greet their new family with smiles and hugs. The girls quickly engage Ariel in a conversation about Disney princesses, and she smiles.

Next, I lead them to the Grahams. Chad attacks me in a hug, ruffling my hair. Once he releases me, I do the introductions. I watch how Marcus' face lights up as soon as he sees Stephen. He's always wanted an older brother. "Mia?" He asks me. I smile, "Yeah, buddy. What is it?" He grins, "I have a brother now." He does.

The next family is the Grimms. "Ariel, Sam is your age. You guys can be best friends," I tell her. She smiles, and waves shyly at Samantha. The girls seem ecstatic to have a new friend to play with.

The Stamper boys are ecstatic to have another boy to play with, even if he's older than them. I smile watching Stephen with them. He's great with kids.

Owen is so excited for me to begin the next chapter of my life. He's super pumped to meet the kiddos. He can't wait to watch the wedding come together before our eyes.

Lastly, we walk over to Joel and Luke. "Stephen and Ariel, these are my friends Joel and Luke Smallbone," I say. They smile and wave, at Joel and Luke who greet them with warm Australian welcomes.

"Now you guys can play with the kids for a bit, we'll go home soon," I tell them. They nod, and run off with their new friends. I sit down on the couch next to Owen, and lean into his chest.

"They're really great kids. I can already tell. I'm not sure why Stephen got into trouble before, he's a really great kid," I tell everyone.

"I'm sure he is. He's just the sweetest thing ever with Ariel," Kelsey says. "You should be proud, dear, they already love you," Fallon tells me.

I smile, this is such a good feeling. Being surrounded by those you love, while your fiancé plays with your hair, and everybody tells you how proud they are. I couldn't ask for a better family.