(HUGE TIME SKIP)

*flashback*

(you need to read this, or the chapter won't make sense.)

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"Jamie?" Aricka was in her special spot, behind the shady tree in the park. "H-how can I get adoption papers?"

"Why do you ask, honey?" Jamie asks. Aricka bites her lip.

"I-I want to surprise Thomas on my birthday. I-I want to ask him to adopt me, and be my real dad."

Jamie laughs. "Aricka-this is great! I'm so happy. Of course I can help you surprise your family. Want to know something? Thomas called just the other day-he wants to adopt you, too."

Aricka smiles. This was going to be the best birthday ever.

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*time skip to her birthday*

"I'm the one who makes you laugh

When you know you're about to cry

And I know your favorite songs

And you tell me about your dreams

I think I know where you belong

I think I know it's with meCan't you see that I'm the one who understands you

Been here all along so why can't you see

You belong with meStanding by and waiting at your back door

All this time

How could you not know

Baby you belong with me

You belong with meYou belong with me

Have you ever thought just maybe

You belong with me

You belong with me...."

Aricka finishes singing, her voice still slightly off-key-she's still learning, and smiles at Thomas. "I have a gift for you, Thomas." she holds out the present-with the adoption papers inside-to him. "I know it's a little unordinary for the birthday person to be giving presents, but this is-important to me." she starts to get nervous. "Y-you've known me since I-I was ten, and you know all my secrets, even ones Rae doesn't know. You give me cookies when I cry, candy when I'm happy, and we both love Disney." He finishes opening the present, and she froze when his eyes filled up with tears. "T-Thomas-will you adopt me and be my dad?"

"Yes, I will." he says, and she runs to him, and they hug. "So now I can call you Dad!"

"And you'll be Aricka Sanders!"