Excuse me your honour can I say something please? Renee spoke from the back.

Uh, yes you may.

Um with all due respect your honour, I think I am old enough to know whats best for me.

Oh you do?

Yes sir. And I have been Angies I mean Angelicas friend for more than two years and she is a beautiful and warm and caring person. And her brother is no different. And I never knew what home felt like until I met her and her family. I mean the woman whom I have called mom for all my life beat me for eating too much food, or for waking her from sleeping in her own vomit to clean her because she is too drunk or stoned to do it herself. And sometimes she would just beat me because she felt like it. That night when her boyfriend tried to rape me, she came home and found him on top of me. Know what she did? Her voice shaking from crying, She accused me of trying to take her man and then she beat me so bad I passed blood for days after.

We were all speechless and moved to tears as Renee spoke. Do you know that the first time I felt hands on me that didnt hurt was when Angie hugged me for the first time. Or the first time I ate a meal I didnt have to clean for was the first time Angie invited me to dinner at her home. My mom never called me sweetie, but Bette does and Tina does. She paused. So your honour, if defending Bette and Tinas family is the worst I would have to go through I would do it in a heart beat. If living in an unorthodox family as you put it, whose love for each other is evident in everything they do, then I will do it with my eyes closed. Because I dont think any other family in the world would be better for me than the one I am living with right now. After she was through we were all moved to tears, even judge Garcia. Um thats all I wanted to say.

So, He sniffled and took his handkerchief out, Um I guess the decision has been made. Bette Kennard-Porter and Tina Kennard-Porter, I am placing Renee le Cleire in your custody for a trial period of two years the duration of Patricia le Cleires sentence, at the end of which you can apply for full custody of Renee whereby her mother can sign over all parental rights of Renee to you. During the two-year period, a social worker would visit your home every six months, the first visit being six months from this date, and six months after that until the two-year trial has completed. This case is adjourned till a date to be decided.

There were thank yous and hugs and kisses in the judges chambers. The judge was understanding and gave us a few minutes alone. So, whos up for celebrating? I asked.

Me! Aiden shouted.

How about we invite everyone over to formerly introduce our new daughter.

Hey so what that makes me? The old one? Angelica joked.

Hey smarty pants, come here.