Adopted By The Hemmings (mgc)

Fifteen

Luna stood underneath the shower head letting the hot water scald her skin. She was mentally exhausted and still slightly frustrated with the events earlier that day. Going to school with the boys was definitely going to be interesting. She could only hope that they'd keep their word. Sighing, she shut the water off and began to get herself ready for dinner.

When they had made it home, Liz had said that she had some pretty big news. Yawning slightly, Luna plaited her hair and tossed in over her shoulder. She could hear the boys being loud in Luke's room as she tiptoed to her's. If she was being honest with herself, she really just wanted a few minutes alone.

Curling up in the middle of her bed, she sighed. She felt bad about going off on Mikey earlier, but she had. Luna closed her eyes and shook her head muttering,

"Just don't worry about it."

"Talking to yourself?"  Luna sprung up, gasping softly to find Luke standing in her doorway. She laid back down closing her eyes again.

"What do you need?"

"Mum told me to come get you. Are you okay?"

"Just a little tired. I'll be down in a minute, okay?" Luna kept her eyes on the ceiling, not moving from her spot.

"Are you not excited to hear the "big news"?" Luke came over and sat on the edge of her bed, trying to get her to look at him.

"No, I am."

"Then why, are you acting hesitant? Is it because of what happened today?"

"A bit. I just feel bad."

"Lu, I'm pretty sure Mikey is over it and all of us feel bad too. It's okay. We talked about it a few minutes ago."

Luna stayed silent, unsure of her feelings. Luke waited patiently, knowing how Luna processed things. They heard Liz yell up the stairs.

"C'mon or else she's going to come get us. It's gonna be okay." Luke held his hand out to her.

"If you say so. I still feel bad."

"You should and you shouldn't. We were kind of all at fault for how we acted. The boys and I were kind of jerkish. Not that I really regret it, Lane really isn't a great person."

The two made their way into the dining room only to find the lights shut off completely.

"Luke, what's go -"

Luna was cut off as the lights flipped on and everyone screamed,

"Surprise!"

Luna jumped about five feet into the air and hid behind Luke, who was laughing so hard he had to hang onto a chair for support. Luna's face began to grow hot as everyone else joined in the laughter. Peeking around Luke she took in her surroundings.

"What the heck is this about?" She moved toward Liz, who wrapped an arm around her shoulder before handing her a packet of papers.

"Read this."

Luna was quiet as she skimmed the papers, mostly legal terms jumping out at her.

"Is this what I think it is?"

Luna looked between Andy and Liz as they just smiled at her. Andy finally spoke up,

"Welcome to the family, kiddo. You're a Hemmings."

Luna's chest swelled with happiness mixed with a little sadness. It was real and official. She quickly sat in a chair to ground herself; her heart hammering in her chest.

"You okay, Lu?" Liz crouched down next to her.

"I'm okay. I'm glad it's finally done, and I don't have to worry anymore." She offered Liz a small smile.