I had lived in New York with the Luciano's for over a month and things had been considerably well. The transition period for me wasn't easy, but I had promised Alphonso and Katherine that I would have tried to adjust. There were nights when I cried myself to sleep because at times I could not just bury the memories of my parents along with them. It took time, but I was eventually getting better slowly but surely.

Even though the process where the Luciano's got the license to became my foster parents were short, the process of officially adopting me took a while longer. Almost every week, social workers flew out to New York to check on things with my living situation as well as to asked questions to ensure that I was being taken care of properly and wasn't being abused. Due to my situation being extremely sensitive, Alphonso, Katherine, and Ella had always tried their best to make me as comfortable as possible. Dominic was a different story. He never exactly bullied me in any way or anything, but I knew that he was still not okay with the fact that I was now a part of his family. He hadn't talked to me much unless it was a case where Alphonso or Katherine gave him some sort of message to give me, or he wanted to tell me to get out of his way. Though he and I weren't best buddies, I didn't mind being at home with him as part of the family. For the most part, he avoided me like a plague, and I was alright with that.

As time went by, I learned more information about the Luciano's. I had learned that Alphonso was in the hotel and restaurant business and also owned a couple. Katherine was a certified psychologist/ therapist who worked from home via the internet. Her consultation sessions with clients took place via video calls. Katherine had tried her best to get through to me and got me to open up to her. She had become my therapist and through the sessions, she had with me, I've noticed that she always tried to get me to see them as actual parent figures. I did see them as parent figures, but it was a bit difficult to see them as mine. After all, we had only known each other for over a month. However, I had promised them that I would try to transition, therefore I had decided to put some effort into it.

“So we've got some news,” Alphonso announced one evening when we were at dinner.

“Is that good news or bad news?” Dominic asked as he stuffed his face.

“It is good news for us,” Alphonso responded. “The adoption process is almost completed.”

“Are you serious?!” Dominic and I responded simultaneously, though his tone was way different from mine.

I was surprised as well as overjoyed while he was most likely shocked and disappointed.

“Yes seriously,” Katherine smiled “Just a week remaining and then everything will be final.”

“Oh my God, I can't believe it.” I smiled. I was near speechless due to being so surprised. I had no idea that things would have worked out that quickly.

“Believe it,” Alphonso responded, “We can start on getting the papers sorted and add Luciano to your name if you want. We could make it official, although it is totally up to you if you would want to add our name to yours now that you'd be officially adopted, or if you'd like to keep your name as it is.”

“I guess I would like that,” I responded even though I stopped myself from looking in Dominic's direction.

I knew his expression or the death glare he would probably throw at me wouldn't be good.

“I've been always thinking...with everything that has happened. I would love it if I could just start over...like start life anew. If I am taking your last name, I would also want to change my first name. I just feel like a new name would make me feel like a somewhat new person. Maybe... maybe this will actually help me to move on.”

“You are delusional as I thought.” Dominic shook his head.

“Dominic shut it!” Alphonso said strictly.

Surprisingly Dominic never responded.

“That's actually not a bad idea if it is something that you want.” Alphonso responded, “We could actually get it to work.”

“So Kathleen, if you decide to change your entire name what would your new name be?” Katherine had asked me.

“I'm not sure but... I've been thinking and... I really like the name Alexia.” I told them.

“Alexia is a nice name.” Katherine agreed with me.

“It could work,” Alphonso had agreed as well “Alexia Luciano.”

One week later

“You know what this means now, right?” Katherine smiled excitedly as she watched me with the papers in my hand.

“Yeah.” I smiled as I scanned the papers thoroughly.

I had received the papers which proved that I was officially adopted by Katherine and Alphonso. In addition to that my name changed had also become final. It felt like I was being prepared to start the rest of my life as a new individual.

“This is like a whole new life now.”

“It will be a whole new life, Lexi. You are officially Alexia Luciano now. This means more than just a piece of paper. You are officially our daughter.” Katherine responded “And tonight, we're going to officially welcome you to the Luciano's family. We're going out to eat and celebrate.”

“Lexi.” I repeated the nickname Katherine had given me “I like it. It's definitely going to be weird and take some time getting used to, but I think I'll eventually grow into it.”

“This is your chance now Kath...sorry Lexi. It's going to take some time for us too, but we'll all grow into it.” Katherine chuckled which made me laughed “As I was saying before, now is your chance to try to and movement. Keep the good memories of your parents close to your heart but don't allow the bad memories to bring you down. I know it won't be easy but try to keep your head up. Use this new start to make new memories...memories that your parents wherever they are now can look down at you and be proud of. Make them proud Lexi. They wouldn't want you to be unhappy, and I want to be one of those persons that'll help you make them proud. They were lucky to have you as their daughter and I will forever be grateful to them for having you because now I too will be extremely lucky to now have you as my daughter. You may not know this yet Kat- Lexi, but I am happy for the day that you came into our lives. You are a beautiful angel and I already love you so much, my daughter.”

This statement was all it took, and I became emotional. I truly believed that this new family of mine will be a blessing.

“I love you too...” I smiled as I went to hug her “... Mom.”

~|~

“Do I really need to be here? Because I don't see the point in being here celebrating something that I clearly don't give a damn about.” Dominic said when we went out for dinner.

“Dominic!” Katherine warned.

“You know that I'm getting a little tired of your disrespectful attitude. I suggest that you sit and start acting like you do give a damn, or I'll make you.”

“You know what? I'm sick and tired of you guys treating me like a child!” Dominic protested “I am 18 years old for Christ’s sake. I don't need you guys constantly treating me like a kid and telling me what to do.”

“Well if you stop acting like a child then you will not be treated like one. You say you're an adult, then act like one. Lexi is going to be a part of our family now whether you like it, right now you aren't behaving like an adult whining about it. You're not acting like a man, you're acting like a spoiled brat.”

Even though Dominic hated me, I honestly felt bad about the way Alphonso scolded him. He was 18 years old, he obviously felt that it was time he got some liberation and strangely enough I agreed as well. He didn't need to be there with us if he rather he was elsewhere.

“It's okay. I think it would be nice if he is allowed to have tonight off for himself,” I had decided to spoke up for him “He really doesn't have to be here. Tonight is about me and about celebrating. I think you guys should allow him to go out, have fun with his friends, or whatever he had planned.”

“Are you serious?” Alphonso asked me surprised.

Dominic looked at me in surprise as well. I knew that this was the last thing he expected from me.

“Yeah,” responded, I think that if Dominic doesn't want to be here then he shouldn't be forced to do so. I would like it if you allowed him to go.”

“This is a family dinner, Dominic needs to be...”

“Please, just this once.” I said to him.

“Alright, fine.” Alphonso nodded towards the exit “You can go but don't think that we're not going to discuss this further.”

Dominic got up and took up his jacket then leaned near my ear and whispered “Don't think I owe you anything now.”

“I don't.” I responded.

“Good. I will see you guys later.” Dominic said then left.

“I'm sorry about Dominic,” Katherine told me “Don't worry, he'll come around eventually. I doubt it is anything personal.”

“It is okay,” I reassured them, “I think I'm getting used to his attitude. It kinda doesn't bother me anymore.”

As strange as it was, Dominic's behavior had somewhat grown on me. I thought about what Katherine had said and remembered that conversation I overheard. I had overheard Dominic telling Alphonso that he just didn't want another person to be always worried about or trying to protect based on the life they had to lived.

Furthermore, I have no idea what that meant, but I guessed that maybe Dominic was protective of his family and was constantly worried about their wellbeing and safety. Maybe he was afraid of letting me in like a real sister because that way he'd be constantly worried about me too. That was just my theory.

Alphonso had told me to order anything that I wanted on the menu. Throughout the dinner, we had conversations and got to know each other some more. If we were a family then we needed to know as much as possible about each other. Ever since that morning when Katherine had called me daughter and I referred back to her as a mom, she advised that I could continue to call her mom. She said that if we were officially a family then the Mr. and Mrs. Luciano formality would have to end. She however told me that if I was uncomfortable with calling her mom then Katherine would be just fine. I could tell though that she would have preferred if I called her mom though, therefore I decided to pleased her. Alphonso had heard me called her mom and joked about if I wasn't going to call him Dad too. I had decided to humor him and called him that at dinner, but I never thought it would be something that I would eventually get accustomed to.

After dinner ended, and we were on our way back home Alphonso remembered he had something to discuss with me

“You're going to school next Monday.” was what he told me.

“What!?” I yelled.

I hadn't been to a real school ever since my parents died, and I went to live in the Sunshine's Girls Home. There we were taught based on our age groups, and it was like being homeschooled. After almost a year of not being in school, it was a frightening thought for me to be enrolled back in one.

“Yes, Katherine and I have noticed you are a bright girl and based on research on your performance at your last school I know you'll do great. Also, it is advised that we get you enrolled in school by your social worker, we can't have you stay at home for much longer. Monday you'll be going to Holland High school.”

“High school!? Here? In New York?!” I yelled again. I thought that I wasn't supposed to attend high school until I was 15years old, yet I was only 13. This announcement was a bit too much for me to handle. Furthermore, I wasn't ready to get back into the school system.

“Yeah, your performance at your past school was indeed high school performance and the Principal at Holland also thought so too.” he smiled.

“No, not happening. You can forget it. Send me back to England then, send me back to the girl's home but don't send me to school, even worst high school... in the middle of the year at that!” I protested.

“I think you're overreacting.” Kath- mom said to me. “Being allowed to attend high school is the opportunity of a lifetime It is an honor, a great honor.”

“No, this isn't great. This is a nightmare. I can't start high school even in March. Is it even junior high? I don't want to go. Why couldn't I just be homeschooled or something please?”

I know that I probably sounded like a spoiled ungrateful brat, but my people skills were at an all-time low and to be forced to attend high school where I would also be forced to socialize with people, was a terrifying thought.

“Yes you might be thirteen, but you'll be turning fourteen soon. I know that it's already March but according to comments from your past teachers in England you're a fast learner. You'll catch on quickly.” Katherine said to me. “And you are the one who said you want a new start. Starting a new school will give you that new start.”

“I'm not prepared for this.” I told them.

“If you don't give it a shot you'll never be prepared.” Alphonso responded “How about you go and try it out for a week? If you think you can't handle it then we'll look into getting you a tutor. How about that?”

“I don't know,” I sighed, “Maybe... I'll look into it.”

“Good. That's all we're asking.” Alphonso responded.

These two were pretty persuasive, that was what I had learned about them. I finally understood what he meant about mastering the art of persuasion. I didn't know why but even though half the time I was being difficult and stubborn those two somehow managed to persuade me into an agreement with things I really didn't want to.