It's Saturday afternoon. Melissa walks in to her bedroom when she sees a note on the bed. She opens the note and sees that it's from Toby. Dear Melissa, I have a special surprise for you.Put on something beautiful and be ready at two o'clock. Love Toby. She looks at her watch. When she sees that one o'clock, she starts to get ready. She is wearing a cream-coloured dress with butterflies that goes above the knee. Black Ballet flats and few bracelets. (Dress-see photo chapter new life). When it's two o'clock she is waiting for Toby in the living room. Wow you look beautiful 'Toby says and gives her a kiss '. You look handsome to. Where are we going Toby? That's a surprise 'Toby says and puts a blindfold over her eyes '. Are we going far away. No. Then I don't need this blindfold? Yes, otherwise it's not a surprise anymore. He takes her next door and takes of the blindfold. Surprise. Toby did you buy this house. That's amazing Toby 'Melissa says and hugs him'. And i have a surprise to celebrate it. He takes her to the backyard where there is a picnic blanket with a basket. The garden is not finished yet but well get to that.They sit on the blanket. When did you do this. The day after your mother was in the hospital , otherwise they would have sold the house to someone else.
In the meantime, Daphne and William have a family meeting in the living room. What's going on dad "Phil asks". I want custody of Christie. I just received a letter where in it says that the court date is in a month. So in about a month we will know if Christie can stay with us officially . Suddenly the doorbell rings. Genny opens the door. She sees Valentina with her lawyer and an pollice officer. Dad it's Valentina. He walks to the door. Good afternoon, what can I do for you "he says with an angry face'. We came to get Christie. I don't think so, you can't just take her. Well she can according to this paper she is her legal guardian. Only when the court states something different you may take her in. Sir I would contribute otherwise I have to arrest you. William steps aside to let them in. What's going on William "Daphne asks". They came to get Christie.
What! "everyone says surprised". As long as the judge hasn't granted us custody Valentina may take her. But I don't want to leave. You have to so come with me "Valentina says". May I first pack my stuff and say goodbye. Hurry up because I want to go back today because I have other things to do. She goes upstairs to get her stuff. Maddy and Caro go after her. I don't want you to leave 'Maddy says. I also don't want you to go "Caro says and pulls on her arm so she can't get her stuff". Maddy starts pulling on her other arm. Girls stop. She bends down. Listen i don't want to go away but I have to. They give her a hug and start to cry. Genny comes into the room to get her sisters.
When she packed her stuff she says good-bye to everyone. She gives Daphne a hug. You have taken me in like I was your own daugher and I will never forget that, because you are like a second mother to me. Dad "Christie says and gives her father a hug". No matter what happens I will always be grateful that I have been able to get to know my father and that I was allowed to be part of this family. Then she says good bye to her brothers and sisters. And then she says good bye to her baby brother. She gives her brother Noah a hug before she puts him back in the playpen. bye little brother I will miss you. With tears in her eyes she walks to the door. Wait! "Genny says". She gives her one more hug and before she knows it she gets a group hug from her brothers and sisters. Hurry up Christie! Wait mrs Vermin what you will be doing is certainly is not more important than this ''the pollice officer says who is moved by this moment". When they finaly let go Christie runs away crying out of the house.
Not much later, Melissa and Toby cheerfully walk into the house. Guys we have good news. But when they see the long faces of everyone it changes. What happened "Melissa asks". They have taken Christie "Genny says with teary eyes". And where is dad. It was too much for him so he has locked himself in the bedroom. Mom is with him. William is crying on Daphnes shoulder. I can't believe I lost her again. Don't worry Darling we're going to do everything to get her back. They will not hurt you.
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The next day everyone comes down for breakfast. Melissa put down a stack of pancakes on the table. William comes down with a grumpy face and sits at the table. Melissa put a pancake in front of him and he starts eating. Good morning dad " the children say". William does not answer back. How are you feeling dad? "Genny asks concerned". I would rather not talk about it. Don't you miss Christie then "Maddy asks". I said I don't want to talk about it! William get's up angry and walks upstairs. Everyone looks shocked in the direction of their father who walks away. Maddy who got really scared by her father's reaction is about to cry. When Mike sees it he gives her a hug before she starts to cry. When Melissa sits down at the table to eat, she sees that everyone isn't eating there food. Even Liam who loves pancakes is playing with his food. Come on kids you should be eating, Christie wouldn't like to see you like this. Sorry I'm not hungry "Genny says and gets up from table. I am also not so hungry "Phil says". When the little ones want to get up Melissa says : Sit! The children sit down and eat.
Autors note: On the picture you see the house of the Jones family and Melissa's new house (they live in an neighbourhood whith the same houses).
