Yolanfda was driving home from garden shopping to start with her grandfather Hadrian with a call came in from an unknown number and she had to pull over close to home. It had been an unknown nuimber and as Yolie hiung up her phone from the call she took a deep, steadying, trembling breath and rolled her window down as Hadrian's black Mercendes-Benz pulled over behind her, flashers on as he approached her car in concern. Yolie sat in sheer, stunned silence as he stared at the steering wheel.

"Is something wrong?" Hadsrian asked. Yolanda looked up, eyes large and... Rackjed with anxiety as she looked to her grandfather, trembliung.

"Uncle Valents was just arrested on child abuse charges and I was asked to take Ace. I said yes. They said I was the most fiscally stable." Yolie said, voice trembling. Hadrian's jaw dropped in shock, then rage flashed.

"Valents? Arrested? He harmed that bvoy?!" The protective rage ewas real. Yolie nodded, shaking, as Hadian forced a deepo breath, nodding and echaling. "And you'll be Ace's legal guardian."

"Yes grandfather. Ace.. Ace asked for me specifically. Apparently his teacher reported Uncle Valents on Friday. He ran away from the people he was with last night and refuses to be near strangers. I said yes."

"..Hadrian gave a roar of frustration. Valents was... The least kind of his sons and his fist almopst crashed on her hood. Even in his old age, Hadrian was a strong man, and he managed to stop himself, inhaling deeply.

"Then we will have a family meeting. At your house. Let Ace feel safe." Hadrian said, in a voice broking no arguments. Yolie nodded, however, swallowing. Tonight."

"Yes, Grandfather. If you think it best." Yolanda was shaking, then... Hadrian spoke and surprised her.

"What do you think best for him?"

"Huh?" yolanda looked upo. She was surprised, but Hadrian meant it.

"What do you think will be best for Ace?" He asked seriously. Yolie considered. Ace.. Usually stuck alone at family gatherings, or clung to a family member if Valents wasn't there. But he'd asked for her. Wanted her.

"...Family tomorrow. Buit... I think you and I tonight. He'll need.. Prioper clothing... Things to make him feel safe. I know something I should buy him oin the way home. Can you watch the house? Take him inside when he arrives if I'm not home? He.. He likes 'Bird food'. It's.. Buttered corn, with dino nuggets and--"

"A KFC Famous Bowl??" Hadrian smirked. Yolie nodded, and Hadrian did as well. "I will bring him one from KFC, he is not wanting for hot food when he walks in." Hadrian paused. "...Your Uncle wiull pay for this."

"I'll.. Be home as soon as I can Grandfather. And he needs... He needs a blanket... Maybe cocoa." Yolie nodded.

She returned home an hour after Hadrian, walking in and stiopped. Nesting on her couch in blankets was her young cousin.

Ace was buried in blankets as she walked in, listening to Hadrian coaxing him to eat, but when she walked in, Ace looked up with large, wide eyes, face half-hidden by locks of strawberry blonde hair similar to Zeke and Zayne, blue visible eye locking on her, wide and frightened but determined. Even still he was uncertain.

"I can stay? Please?" He asked quietly. "The other people -- thery're... They were...":

"Threy told you not to mention the birds, huih?" Yolie crept closer and Ace nodded.

"They called me fixated for liking the birds..." He murmured.

"Figures. Sorry I'm late. I needed to stop." Yolie apprtoached, Ace blinking as she settled beside him, holding a large plush crow to him gewntly. "Didn't know what siuze so I got the biggest for your rtoom and the smaller however you want." Two more croiow plushes appeared. She had three, a giant one in one arm and the medium and small in the other. "I called my boss, he's giving me paid leave for the week for you too, Ace. Evewryoine's coming over tomorrow to visit, tonight it's me, you, and Grandsire. Or just me if you want." Yolie hesitantly reached, petting his hair. Ace looked shocked, and snatched his new plushiesm burowing in them like a fledgelingm, before he peered at their Grandfather. Hadsrian watched. Yolie watched. Ace considered.

"I remember... Grandfather said you were.. Gardening tofday. May.. I learn with you two? I want.. I want to grow flowers for humming birds. Is that okay? May I?" Ace looked up in hope. Yolie nodded.

"Grandfather will know the best hummingbird flowers, probably.." Yolie nodded. Hadrian nodded as well, and Ace lit up, hugging the old man tightly. Time stoipped.

Nobody hugged Hadrtian since Yolanda was younger. Even Hadrian froze, before chuckling, hugging Ace tightly. Yolie breathed, and approached, embracing both tightly.

"We'll get through this Ace. You're safe now. Safe and home."