*August 1st*

Aricka woke up, and got dressed. She was 11 today. Would her new family know? Would they care? The last three families never celebrated her birthday.

She walks downstairs, and it's dark. "Thomas?" she calls. "T-Thomas?" did they leave her? They wouldn't do that-would they?

"SURPRISE!" she jumps as the lights turn on-DODIE'S HERE! So was Thomas, Joan, Talyn, and the Sides. She runs to Dodie, and they hug.

"Dodie, what're you doing here?"

"Isn't it your birthday, silly goose? I'm here to celebrate!"

They didn't forget.

They did care.

About her.

Aricka grinned, and hugged Dodie again. "Thank you Dodie."

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"Okay, Aricka, we know you've wanted a pet for a long time. So, we decided to get you.." Thomas trails off as Logan walks out, and brings in, "A puppy!"

"Aw!" Aricka's eyes widened, and as she held the puppy, it licked her cheek. "Boy or girl?"

"A boy." Logan answers.

"What are you going to call him?" Roman asks, trying to make amends for being so rude to her when she first arrived.

"I'm going to name him..." she thought hard. "Bucky!"

"A fine name for a dog," Roman says, and she smiles at him.

"Just like Roman is."

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Logan got Aricka on space.

Thomas got Aricka a necklace that said her name on it.

Patton got a box full of candy and cookies.

And Virgil got her nail polish.

What did Dodie give her? Dodie gave her this:

"A ukulele!" she exclaimed. "Thanks, Aunt Dodie! I love it!"