Family Doesn't End in Blood, But it Doesn't Start There Either

"Sarah?" Jared asked from my doorway. "Why did you kick the boys out? Tom said you're really sad and tired. They both are disappointed now. I understand that last night was hard to have to deal with, but you're more upset than I'd ever have imagined."

"Because I can't hurt your family."

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"If you adopt me, I'm trying to be a part of a family I don't belong with. This is your life, Jared. Not mine. I love your family to death, but I can't impose me and my issues on them. I can't make you sacrifice more of your life for me. You sacrifice enough for Gen and the boys and you don't need me adding to it." I replied without rolling over to see him.

"Sarah, will you look at me please?" I turned over. "You belong with us. If you didn't, I would have made you go home a long time ago. We all have issues. Everyone in the world has their own issues. We'll deal with them. It's never been a problem for any of us. I do sacrifice for my family, but I'd do it for you too. You've been an amazing friend since I met you and I've seen you as a daughter this whole time too. I'm willing to do this if you're willing to have me be your adoptive dad. You don't even have to call me dad or Gen mom. Just let me know if you want us to. Take your time." I nodded. He started to head out.

"Jared, wait." He turned and looked at me. "Thanks."

"Of course." I laid there and thought. If he was serious, maybe that should be the choice I make. They'd be great parents and they were always some of my favorite people. I got up and went out to everyone.

"A couple things before I decide." I started. "I hope you both know that I would never ask this of you and that I'm not thinking about this just so that I can say that I'm in your family. I've looked up to you for so long, but I wouldn't use this for publicity."

"Of course we know that. You aren't using this for publicity and we get that. You didn't ask and we offered." Gen assured me.

"The other thing is, can I call Misha and Jensen and talk to them about it too? I think I have my decision but they're my closest friends."

"Yeah of course. Go for it." Jared replied. I went back into my room and called Misha first.

"Hey Sarah. How's it going?"

"Okay. Listen, um, there's some changes happening in my life right now in regards to living arrangements. If you aren't too busy, I wanted to talk about them."

"Yeah. I'm not busy. What's up?"

"Well, long story short, my birth parents found my brother and are trying to adopt both of us back. They aren't good people to say the least. My dad was in jail and my mom was a drug addict. Anyways, I don't get to say no to them adopting me because they filed the paperwork when I was 17 and still a minor. The only way out is for someone to adopt me. Jared and Gen offered but I'm worried about it."

"Why are you worried about it? Jared has seen you as almost like a daughter since he met you the week of the competition. We all did. They'd treat you right."

"I feel like I'd be trying to have a part in their family that I shouldn't."

"If Jared and Gen said it's fine, it is. One of them would have said something if it wasn't."

"Thanks, Misha. How's your family doing? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

"We're good. Miss you, Sarah."

"Miss you too Misha. Bye."

"Bye." I hung up. I called Jensen.

"Hey."

"Hey. Are you busy?"

"Not really, why?"

"I want to talk about something." I replied.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Well, long story short, my birth parents found my brother and are trying to adopt both of us back. They aren't good people to say the least. My dad was in jail and my mom was a drug addict. Anyways, I don't get to say no to them adopting me because they filed the paperwork when I was 17 and still a minor. The only way out is for someone to adopt me. Jared and Gen offered but I'm worried about it." I explained again.

"Why are you worried?"

"I don't want to be trying to have a spot in a family that I shouldn't. Also, Gen was concerned that I won't have 2 constant parents like I should because Jared is gone so long all the time."

"I understand that, but you've pretty much been like a part of his family since he met you. He took to your personality so quickly and he cared deeply about you from day 1. He considers you almost like a daughter as it is. About the constant parent thing, why don't you stay with Jared at his apartment while he's filming and stay with Gen and the boys while he's not. I think then you'll have time with both of them." He suggested. I hadn't even thought of that.

"Thanks. I'll text you what happens."

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye." I went back out to Jared and Gen. "I have my choice. If you're willing, then yes. You can adopt me."

"That's great. We'll take you down to the courthouse this afternoon and find out about the paperwork and stuff."

"Ok. And Jensen had an idea that I think is a good one to make sure I see you both as often as possible."

"What is it?" Jared asked.

"If you trust me, Gen, I would stay with Jared when he's filming and try to get little acting jobs while I'm there to help offset the cost of keeping me in your house for so long and everything, and then when Jared is done filming, I'd come stay with you and the kids. I'll videochat you and the kids as much as possible." I suggested.

"You don't have to pay for anything but I know you like acting so that works for me. What about you, Gen?"

"I trust you, Sarah. You've made it clear that you look up to Jared as a person and that you are his friend and that you aren't trying to steal him from me. I think that's a good idea to be able to see us both." Gen added.

"Thank you both. Seriously you have no idea what this means to me."

"Of course. We love you." Gen nodded in agreement. I joined them on the couch and apologized to the boys for kicking them out.

"What are you thinking?" Jared asked later seeing as how I had been quiet all morning.

"Everything. You've really considered me family since we met?"

"Absolutely. You and I felt the same way about a lot of stuff. You were really considerate of me and how I felt and I just felt like you acted more like a daughter and friend than a fan." He replied." He glanced at his watch. "We should start heading out. We should get there right after they finish their lunch break. Hopefully it's just a matter of paperwork and seeing a judge." He stated. I nodded. We all got in the car and we went to the courthouse.