Carmen fell in love the minute she saw that silly little grin on his face.

Thirty minutes later they had signed the last paper and put Shay’s bag in the back seat next to him. Shane looked in her rear view mirror back at her brother to make sure his seat belt was on.

“Alright, is everyone ready?” She said.

“Mhmm, yeah,” the two others mumbled.

“Ok good. I think I’m ready for this too.” She leaned over to smile at Carmen and grab her hand. Carmen smiled back as Shane lifted the tan hand to her lips before putting the car in gear.

“Gross, Shane! That’s disgusting, why would you do that?” Shay had a look of horror on his face.

Shane smiled, “Get used to it, bud.”

“So how about we pick something up for dinner since it’s already pretty late? Shay where do you like to eat?” Carmen asked.

“Uh I dunno,” he shrugged. “Maybe in-n-out burger?”

“Yeah that sounds good. But hey before that we need to stop and get that fire extinguisher, I don’t want to forget.” Shane added.

“Why do you need a fire extinguisher, Shane?”

“Uh because Carmen used the last one a while ago and the foster agency requires it. That way, ya know if there is a fire, instead of grabbing you and getting out of the house, I can rush around trying to figure out how to work the thing while you stand next to me and breathe in all that carbon monoxide.” Shane smiled and glanced to the back seat.

Shay and Carmen were both laughing, and for the first time, Shane felt like she had a family to call her own.

It was dark by the time they got home. Shane carried Shay’s bag in and showed him his room. He seemed to really like it and afterwards he gave Shane yet another hug.

“So why don’t you go take a shower and then after that let’s take a look at that cut on your lip, okay?”

Shay nodded and headed to the bathroom.

Carmen was in the kitchen talking on the phone in Spanish when Shane walked in.