"So, in case it wasn't made clear to you, that woman was from Child Protective Services and because of how all of you acted today, she will be back in 20 minutes to take you guys away from me. So we have less than 20 minutes to figure out a way to fix this." I gather everyone for a family meeting in my bedroom so Tyler can be involved.

"Avery, I didn't know." Peter tries to defend himself.

"This isn't the time for excuses, Peter! That is not how any of you should act when someone comes into our home! I guess you have all learned the hard way." I scold them. "Now, everyone needs to start brainstorming a way to fix this."

Logan frowns in the corner, hiding his face from everyone. "I can file for temporary custody to keep them out of the system?" He throws an idea out.

I shake my head. I don't think paperwork will be able to go through in the next-" I look at my watch. "15 minutes."

I pace the small bedroom. "We have to go. We have to hide. If we can get out of town they won't be able to find us-"

"You can't solve every problem by running from it, Ave." Tyler grabs my hand as I pass by. "Especially not this one. You will be thrown in jail."

"Jail time is better than seeing these kids thrown into foster care!" I argue

The doorbell rings.

"No. It can't be her already. It hasn't been a half hour yet."

"Don't let her in." Peter stands.

"I have to." I whisper sadly.

"Lock the doors." He argues.

"She has to let her in or the officers she threaded us will with break it down and we will all be arrested for holding the kids hostage." Logan tries to be the voice of reason in this chaos.

I exit the room to let Maria inside. Just like she promised, she has come back with two officers by her side. I smile when she opens the door despite all of the unhappy feelings inside of me. "Can we talk before you try to take them?"

Maria shakes her head. "I'm afraid I have already reported these kids to be living in an unsafe environment. I am going to have to remove them."

"Unsafe? What part about today showed you the house was unsafe? We have alarms, locks on all the doors. The kids are happy here! They love us. You can't take them."

"Ma'am," an officer begins.

"Please." I interrupt him. "Please don't take them from me. I've had everyone else taken from me. They've had everyone else taken from me."

"That is exactly why I am here. I will place them in good homes."

"This is a good home! This is their home! Please." I continue to plead with the stone-cold woman.

"I am going inside now. If you resist, officer Johnson here will be arresting you and taking you to the back of that car over there. Please open the door so I can enter the home."

I bite my bottom lip. "I can't do that."

"Mrs. Lock, open the door." Officer Johnson speaks, taking a step forward.

"Maria?" Logan asks, opening the door before I have another chance to say no. "Maria Lopez?"

Maria looks up at at Logan. "Logan? I- I didn't know you lived here."

He nods. "I live with Avery and her husband. And my siblings." He steps outside.

This is weird.

"Ah," she smiles. "That's why I'm here. The kids. I have to take them."

"Take them?" Logan asks. "Take them out of their loving home so they can be abused in a foster home?"

"I assure you L-" Maria clears her throat. "Mr. Ratton, the children will be going to good homes."

"I'm sure I don't have to remind you that not all foster parents are kind to their kids." He furrows his brows

"That is a personal matter, sir. I am here on professional business. Now please, open the door or you will both be arrested." Maria shakes her head.

I look over at Logan. I did not know he new the agent so personally. This is really weird.

I hold myself in front of the door. "This is the best home possible for these kids. I'm sorry but I can not let you take them."

"Officers." Maria has them forcefully remove me from the door.

I plead with them to be gentle. "I'm pregnant! Please! Please!" I hear Logan call out for me. He also asks for the officers to be gentle. I shout as they yank me away from my front porch and press me against the ground until I am in handcuffs and can be better controlled. An officer holds me to the ground as the children exit the house with Maria and the other officer.

I scream and cry as she watches the children file into the back of Maria's van.

They pull out of the driveway quicker than I could have ever imagined.

They really took them. They took my kids.