#madmax 101 dash 🛹

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Aricka Munson: the time she gained a little sister

If you asked her, Aricka would tell you she’d always wanted a little sister. Someone she could take shopping and do their hair and watch girly movies with and dance in their room to Cyndi Lauper and Madonna until they couldn’t breathe cause they were laughing too hard. Someone she could do their nails on and take them to pierce their ears and do all these things she saw Nancy Wheeler do with her little sister Holly.

Well. When she was 10, a new family moved to Hawkins, and she befriended both of the kids- a boy named Billy, who she stuck with like glue, and his little stepsister, Max.

Max was a fierce little thing, with her fiery red hair and blue eyes. She didn’t take nonsense from anyone, and she would willingly put you in your place if she thought you were out of line. She loved to skateboard, and her favorite thing to do was play games at the arcade.

The longer Aricka spent time with Billy, the more curious Max was about her. The closer Aricka and Billy got, the closer Max was to actually speaking to her.

And then finally, it got to this point. Aricka was taking Max to the grand opening of the Starcourt Mall to go shopping for new clothes.

Let the sisterly bonding begin…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aricka found a parking spot fairly close to the entrance to the mall, and Max hopped out first. “Let’s go-!” She runs around to Aricka’s side and grabs her hand- another new development in their relationship. Billy and Max were slowly adjusting to Aricka’s love of physical touch as affection.

Aricka grinned and grabbed her little backpack-purse before taking Max’s hand and heading into the mall.

It was brightly colored with subtle lighting, which was good because bright lights made Aricka’s head ache. Shops called their attention in all directions, but one in particular caught Max’s - Claire’s, and a bright sign announcing ear piercings. She looks up at Aricka with her wide blue eyes and Aricka already knows that she would be paying for an ear piercing session. “Please-?! I’ve always wanted to. My mom said I’m old enough now, but she never has time.”

“Max, breathe honey, of course I’ll take you,” Aricka says. “I need some new earrings too, it can be fun for both of us.”

Max grins and they head off in that direction.

“Hi!” They were greeted by an overly enthusiastic worker. “Welcome to Claire’s! We have a sale, buy two pairs of earrings get two free, are you interested?”

“We sure are; and my little sis wants her ears pierced,” Aricka says, her hands on Max’s shoulders. She feels the girl tense up then relax at Aricka’s claim of her being Aricka’s sister. “It’s her first time, she’s a little nervous.”

“Well come right on in, nothing to be nervous about!” The lady directed them to a chair. “You just want the one in each ear?” Max nods. “Here, pick out your first pair of earrings, these are our birthstone studs! They match your birth month.”

Max scanned the studs until she found two ruby studs- she was born in July. Aricka mentally noted the month and planned to ask Billy the day, so she could get her a birthday gift. Maybe some new earrings.

“Perfect choice! I’m gonna get everything prepared, you sit tight and wait right here.” Max sits down and looks at Aricka nervously.

“… it doesn’t hurt, does it?” The question was so vulnerable and so worried Aricka stepped closer and held out her hand, letting her grip as tightly as needed.

“A little. Just a pinch. Like getting a shot at the doctor. I’m gonna be right here beside you. If you get scared or worried you squeeze my hand as tightly as you need to be brave.”

“Promise? I’m not gonna be a baby for it-?”

Aricka shakes her head. “I still hold Arthur’s hand when I get vaccinated at the doctors- am I a baby?”

Max shakes her head. “No, Aricka, you’re awesome. Tough. I wish I was like you.”

Aricka blinks at this revelation. Processes momentarily. “Oh kiddo.” Max bites her lip.

“You don’t have to stick around for me and Billy but you do. You give us a place to go when it’s bad. I really like you. Please don’t go anywhere?”

Aricka can’t resist any more and wraps her arms around the fierce little redhead in front of her. Max shyly wraps her arms around Aricka’s middle, face pressed into her shoulder. “I always wanted a big sister. I’m glad it’s you,” she whispered.

Aricka laughs, admittedly a little wetly. “Ditto kiddo. I’ve always wanted a little sister. Glad it’s you, MadMax.”

The lady finally returns and Max let go of Aricka but gripped her hand once again. “Are we ready?” The attendant asks.

Max looks over at Aricka and nods. “I’m ready.”

~~~~~~~~

Billy met them at Scoops Ahoy, two work application forms in his hand. He waves at them and they quickly join him. “Wow; you’re sporting some new jewelry,” he says. “Nice, nice MadMax. Make sure you hide them until they heal.”

“Mom said I was old enough,” the girl says. “Aricka got them for me-! She’s pretty cool. Can she stick around?” Aricka blushes and shakes her head at Billy. The brown-blond boy merely grins.

“I hope she wants to stick around.” Finally it was their turn in line; and they all grinned as they noticed the person at the counter.

“Robin!” They exclaim. The girl grins and says,

“Ahoy there; welcome to Scoops; how can I help you?”

“Two scoops of Superman, cone please.” Aricka says.

“Strawberry, two scoops with chocolate chunks and a cherry on top, in a cone.”

“A scoop of mint flare and pineapple upside down, in a cup please,” Billy says. Aricka and Max playfully tease him for his choice.

“Ewww pineapple and mint?” Aricka says around a laugh.

“Billy-!” Max says with a giggle. He playfully bats back at them and pays for the ice cream, motioning for them to find a booth while he gets the ice cream. He hands the applications to Aricka along with a purple gel pen because he knew it was her favorite color. Max ducked under Aricka’s arm and Aricka squeezes her carefully.

Billy watched them go with a fond expression. Max had only been eight when they moved here, and a lot shyer than she was now. Aricka was a big help in bringing her out of her shell, with her genuine smile and her sincere interest in what Max liked to do. He walked over with the ice cream shortly, setting the tray in the middle so they could reach their desserts.

Aricka grins as she begins eating her frozen treat, watching Max gush about their day shopping together. “We’re not done yet kiddo,” she says. “Thought we could go to that skate shop together, the three of us, you could show us the whole thing.” Max’s eyes light up and she grins.

“I’d love to-!”

“Alright then,” Billy says as he takes a bite of ice cream- okay. So maybe he’d chosen a weirder flavor than he intended. But it still worked nicely together. “Let’s get this party started-!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Stranger Things Character Profile

Aricka Munson

Basics

Full name: Aricka Estelle Munson

Meaning: Aricka means eternal ruler” or “ever powerful”. Estelle means star. Munson is a pet form of the word Magnus which means great.

Nicknames: Stella, butterfly, baby, sweetheart, bright eyes, twin, sis, She-Ra, Adora,

Birthday: April 28th, 1967

Birth place: Fishers, Indiana

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Physical appearance and characteristics

Eye color: hazel-brown with flecks of blue

Hair color: brown but she dyes the ends of it different colors depending on her mood

Height: 5’3”

Dominant hand: her left hand

Notable features: her Mickey Mouse birthmark on her right elbow, her dimples, her freckles across the bridge of her nose and her cheeks

Jewelry: her ears are pierced, she has a helix piercing for her headaches, the top cartilage on her right ear is pierced. She loves wearing necklaces and bracelets and she has a few rings that she wears when she remembers to.

Accessories: a watch that belonged to her mom, she loves wearing beanies, she has glasses, instead of a purse she wears a small backpack.

Are they healthy: she’s as healthy as the average person in the 80s was.

Any allergies: she has a latex allergy, she has spring allergies- pollen, dust; etc.

Glasses: yes. She wears a pair of blue glasses that bring out the blue in her eyes.

Preferred hairstyle: she likes a pixie cut with bangs, her hair isn’t curly like her brothers’ are.

Skin tone: tan

Marks/scars: most of her scars come after the mess with the UpsideDown but here is a list of said scars:

Season one: her knees and hands get scraped up when she falls in the forest looking for Will, she gets a bloody nose from the fight against the Demogorgon

Season two: she falls and hits her head in the tunnels under the pumpkin patch, giving her a mild concussion, she gets cuts and scratches from shattered glass, mostly mild injuries this season

Season three: Aricka, along with Billy, Robin, Steve and Aricka Hopper are taken and tortured by the Russians who have been working under the Starcourt mall, in a search for answers about who they work for. She gains several bruises and cuts, as well as burns from the mall fire. She was also drugged and gets another mild concussion after falling in the elevator and hitting her head roughly against the door.

Chapter four: Aricka almost gets strangled by a demobat when it catches her off guard, she’s almost taken by Vecna but survives, she breaks her arm when she falls trying to get Max away from Jason carver.

Preferred clothing: she’s a rainbow of color, but also likes to have black clothing to even it out. She likes bright makeup and fun hair clips and has a collection of cute outfits she rotated through.

~~~~~~~~~~

Mannerisms

Speech style: she tends to speak faster than her brain forms the words, so she ends up stuttering and backtracking a lot. She gesticulates with her hands a lot when she’s talking; more so when she’s emotional or passionate about what she’s talking about.

Drives/motivation: she’s motivated by protecting her family, friends and loved ones. She would do anything to keep those she loves most safe.

Sense of humor: dark. She has a dark sense of humor, almost an existential sense of humor that is contrary to her bright personality.

Talents: she loves reading, writing and singing. She wants to either be a Broadway actress or a Disney voice actress someday.

~~~~~~~~~

This or that:

Private/public: she’s a private person. Being in public wears her out, she much prefers to spend time with her close circle of friends than go to a loud party.

Leader/follower: a bit of both. It depends on the scenario.

Daredevil/cautious: she can absolutely be a daredevil but when her family is on the line she is always super cautious.

Optimist/pessimist/realist: she’s an optimist and a realist. She can be super optimistic and look on the bright side but she also knows when to be realistic and to not get her hopes up.

Speaker/listener: both. She can talk and talk and fill up silence if needed but also she can be quiet as a mouse and listen to what her loved ones have to say.

Loud/quiet: both. Again she can be as loud or as quiet as the situation calls for.

Messy/organized; messy. This girl tries so hard to be organized but she just can’t keep herself organized to save her life.

Solo/team player: she’s a team player through and through. She knows she can’t do life on her own, she would much rather do it with a team.

Introvert/extrovert: she’s very introverted. Being in public wears her out and she doesn’t like how loud being in public can be.

Relaxed/serious: she’s a very relaxed person unless her family is in danger, then she’s serious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Background:

Hometown: Hawkins Indiana, about a half hour from Kokomo, Muncie and Anderson Indiana.

Social class: lower-middle class, part of the blue collar class.

Education: she graduated from Hawkins and is currently fighting the UpsideDown but she does wanna go to college. Eventually. Someday.

First memory: meeting her best friend Chrissy Cunningham on the first day of kindergarten - they had the same backpack and wore the same Charlotte’s web shirt, and a friendship was cemented.

Worst memory: seeing her boyfriend Billy being beat by his dad when they were 18.

Best memory: kissing Billy Hargrove for the first time at the eighth grade dance when they were 13.

Most important childhood event/why: meeting Billy Hargrove on the swings in fourth grade. Because that’s when her whole life changed. And she met the boy who would later become her husband. Her soul mate. Her best friend for life.

Role models; her uncle Wayne, her older brother Eddie, Joyce byers, Jim Hopper, Claudia Henderson.

Where does she live and with whom: at the trailer park with her uncle Wayne and three brothers.

Where does she want to live: in California with Billy; Max and her and Billy’s future kids.

Type of childhood: happy. Safe. Loved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Family:

Mom: Barbra-Anne Munson

Dad: Alan Munson

Siblings: three brothers: Eddie: Arthur and Ralph. She’s the second of four quadruplets.

Best guy friend/boyfriend/Husband: Billy Hargrove

Best girl friend: Chrissy Cunningham

Best friends: Aricka Hopper, Dori Henderson, Steve Harrington, Chrissy, Robin, Patrick, Eddie, Arthur, Ralph, Jonathan, Vicki, Gareth, Jeff and Grant

Favorite kid of the party: Max Mayfield-Munson

Any kids: several- Michael, James, Annabeth, BJ, Kevin, and Angela Munson.

Pets: a dog named Spike and a cat named Charlie.

~~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

You keep your eyes OPEN, Billy Hargrove-!

(Aricka x Billy, Aricka and Max.)

Trigger warning: heavy mentions of blood/gore; mentions of Billy almost dying, allusions to the torture Billy and Aricka went through, Billy talks Aricka through a first aid procedure where she tapes his chest up, mention of a medically induced coma, allusions to the abuse Max and Billy face at the hands of Susan and Neil. If I missed anything let me know and I’ll fix it-!

“Oh no, no you don’t,” Aricka presses her hands over the gaping wounds on Billy’s chest. His blood stained her hands a crimson red. His eyes started to close and she wasn’t gonna let that happen. “Look at me. Eyes on me water boy. I’m right here with you.” She looks away and yells, “MAX-!” Before turning her focus back on Billy. “You don’t get to leave me like this. You keep your eyes open Billy Hargrove. Stay with me. Stay awake. Don’t die on me Billy. Stay with me. Don’t go. Don’t go.”

By this point Max had ran over with Aricka Hopper’s first aid kit, and popped it open, setting in on the ground beside Aricka. “Hold his hand Maxie. I’m gonna try and clean him up,” she instructs. “Hey, Billy; talk me through this, you were the one who had a first aid class.”

Billy weakly grips Max’s hand. “…get the cloth pad in the kit, cover the wound- go two inches past if possible.”‘Aricka does as instructed, and catches her breath as she sees bubbles.

“Billy- I see blood bubbles,” she whispers.

“Tape it,” he says; looking at her. “Three sides- tape it. No air- no build up in there.” She does as he says, running her fingers through his sweaty curls. “Don’t cry- butterfly. Gonna keep my promise.”

She wipes her eyes and laughs. “You better.” She helps him to a sitting position. “I at least remembered that part.” He leans against her, his head on her shoulder. “Ambulance is coming. Just hold on a little longer.”

“… is it really over?” Aricka nods, her torn Scoops uniform hanging off her shoulder. Billy’s was in worse shape- burn holes and ripped sleeves and the shorts were in tatters at this point- but they were alive.

“It’s over Billy. We got out.” Max hears someone call her name and runs to see what’s going on. “I’ve got you. Not leaving your side.”

“Promise?” He looks at her and all Aricka could see was her future- Billy was her everything. Her past, her present, and her future. He would be her first and last everything.

“I promise,” she whispered. Steve walks over then; looking as beat up as Aricka felt. He takes the sight of the two of them in, relief a prominent emotion.

“Ambulances are here, let’s get you out of here,” he says, helping Aricka and Billy to their feet, then Aricka and Steve both support Billy as they walk out of the smoldering mall.

Paramedics immediately ambushed them, but Billy’s tight grip on her hand kept her from being separated from his side. “I’m his girlfriend, please let me go with you? And his sister is here somewhere-MADMAX-!” She yells. The girl runs to them; and with the approval of the paramedics they climb in the ambulance, each grabbing one of Billy’s hands.

Then they take off for the hospital, where the healing process would begin.

~~~~~~

They had to put Billy into a medically induced coma for a few days- his injuries were more serious than expected. Aricka had helped significantly with her first aid attempts, but now Billy would sleep until the doctors decided his body could handle being awake.

Currently, Max and Aricka were holding silent vigil by his bedside. “… can he hear me?” The 14 year old girl asks, her hand shaking where it was holding Billy’s.

“Sure he can. He’s just sleeping Max. He knows you’re here.” Aricka’s words were enough to get the girl talking,

“Billy, I don't even know if you can hear this. If this hadn’t happened, I would've said "that's ridiculous, impossible." But that was before I found out about alternate universes and monsters, so I'm just going to stop assuming that I know anything.” She strengthens her grip on Billy’s hand. “Basically, you saved El’s life. You saved my life. I play that moment back in my head all the time. And I don’t have to imagine myself running to you, pulling you away. Because Aricka and I did. And everything will be okay again. I want to become friends. Good friends, like a real brother and sister. Before moving here I would’ve thought that was stupid. I thought you hated me; I thought I hated you. But we got a second chance- and now maybe we can be true siblings. I’ve always wanted an older brother. I’m glad it’s you.” Tears drip down Max’s face, but she doesn’t bother to wipe them off. “If you can even hear this, and I really hope that you can. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry, Billy. I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you sooner. I’m sorry it took me so long to say all this. Love, your dumb little sister, Max.”

Max presses her face into the blanket on Billy’s bed, shoulders heaving with the weight of her emotions. Aricka walks around to her, kneels down and wraps her in her arms. Max willingly goes, curling up as small as possible in Aricka’s lap. “Shh,” Aricka whispered. “It’s okay Maxie. He loves you. He might not say it, but he loves you. And he knows you love him. You guys have had it so rough for so long, but now it’s gonna be better. You two can have each other’s backs when I can’t be there with you, it’ll be fine.” Her hands smooth down that fiery red mane of hair, Max clinging to Aricka like a lifeline. Aricka kisses the top of her head, a sisterly, dare she say maternal love for the girl in her arms as strong as the love she had for Billy filling her. “I’ve got you, sweet girl. We’ve got you, Max. We’re gonna get both of you out of there, we just have to be careful about it.”

The two girls stay until visiting hours were over, then Aricka took Max back to the Munson’s trailer for the night.

Max wouldn’t be going back to the Hargrove trailer until Billy got better.

~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

The rescue of Billy Hargrove and Maxine Mayfield

(Aricka x Billy, Billy Hargrove and Max Mayfield, The Munson Four (mentioned)

(CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING: heavy mentions of child abuse; heavy mentions of blood and injuries, Neil Hargrove is his own warning, Aricka slams a plate onto Neil’s head.)

Aricka Munson was busy doing her homework the day Billy and Max were freed from their parents’ custody. She’d been buried in her work, writing some essay she didn’t even remember about now, when she heard an ear splitting scream from the Hargrove trailer.

She didn’t hesitate- she grabbed the walkie-talkie her and her three brothers shared and pressed the button, stuttering a “code red, Hargrove trailer, HOPPER HELP-!” And ran out the door to said trailer. She didn’t even knock, she slammed the door open and stopped short at what she saw-

“BILLY-!” The eldest of the two was on his back, his father hovering over him, fist drawn back to strike. Billy’s face was bloodied and bruised, and she could see marks on his knuckles from where he tried fighting back.

Max was huddled against the wall, tears and blood trickling down her own cheeks. Aricka itched to go wrap her arms around the girl and around Billy but first she had to get Neil sidetracked.

“HEY-!” She yelled again. Neil wheeled around, anger and hatred in his cold, empty eyes. “I’m sick and tired of you being a bully and picking on innocent CHILDREN-!” She grabbed the nearest item- a plate- and slammed it into his head, it shattering to pieces as Billy rolled over to avoid the inevitable glass falling on him, shielding his head as he did. “Max, go to uncle Wayne’s and call the police, NOW-!”

Max took off, before Neil could even try running after her Aricka slid between the girl and the man. Neil legitimately growled at her, and she rolled her eyes. “You act all big and mean, but you have to beat up your own SON to feel good about yourself. It’s sickening. I pity you, Neil Hargrove.”

The man roared and ran at her, like he was about to hit her-

But a hand wrapped around his fist stopped him. Billy was suddenly standing in between Aricka and Neil; a dangerously cold glare on his face. “You. Don’t. Touch. Her.” He said, cold and full of steel. “I’m done letting you push me and Max around. The cops are on their way. I’m going to press charges. And I’m getting Max out of here.”

Neil paused momentarily, only to get over the shock of Billy fighting back, fighting for Aricka, before he got his footing back and tried to push Billy against the wall-

And then chaos erupted.

“FREEZE-! HAWKINS POLICE, PUT YOUR HANDS UP!” Aricka Billy and Neil all did as told, but Hopper only advanced on Neil. “Neil Hargrove, you’re under arrest for domestic and child abuse; physical assault and forgery.” He wrenched Neil’s hands behind his back and slapped the cuffs on.

Billy leans heavily against Aricka as they watch Neil get escorted out to the waiting police cruiser. He groans softly and she turns to face him. “You need the hospital,” she says, and it worried her slightly when he didn’t even try to argue with her. “C’mon baby, uncle Wayne can take us. I’m sure my brothers wanna see you, make sure you’re safe now. Max can meet us there.”

Billy nods, wrapped his arms around her. “Just- just stay with me, okay? I- I need you with me right now.”

Aricka kisses his sweaty forehead, “I’ll always be here for as long as you need me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the night was a grueling affair. They had to document all of Billy and Max’s injuries, take statements from everyone involved at the scene; and they had to document the cuts on Aricka’s hand from the plate breaking. (She wasn’t in any trouble because she was defending Billy.)

Billy kept a hand on her shirt, wrapped in the hemline. She kept a rhythm of petting his hair, his cheek, his hands as the doctors worked. He answers quietly, in few worded sentences, sometimes looking to Aricka for answers, and she filled in when she could. His arm was casted- he chose a blue cast the shade of the ocean- his ribs were treated with bruise cream and ice. They were currently discussing surgery dates for his nose- it had got broken as well.

Max’s wrist was sprained from when Billy pushed her away from Neil, and she was generally shaken up from the events of the night. She would go home with Aricka and Steve Harrington and Billy would go with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What felt like years later, Wayne was pulling back into the trailer park and in front of the trailer Aricka had never been more grateful to call home. She helped Billy out of the truck, kept an arm around his middle, and they walked inside together. “You sit on my bed and relax, I’ll be in after I use the bathroom,” she says softly with a kiss to his cheek. “I love you.”

He nods and squeezes her hand as she leaves. When she returns he was lying on his back, staring at the stars on her ceiling. “Hi baby,” she says, and carefully joins him, making sure she didn’t jostle his injuries.

He immediately- cautiously- rolled over and laid his head on her chest. “You- you- you’re here,” he whispered. She tangled her fingers in his curly hair, pressing her face into it.

“You couldn’t have made me stay away unless you asked,” she whispered back. “I love you Billy, and I’m never leaving you. I’m gonna help you through this like I’ve helped you through everything. I’m so proud of you for being so brave and telling Hopper everything. For fighting back and saving me from him-,”

“You saved me first,” he countered.

She softened. “We saved each other, then.”

He melted back against her. “Is it really over?” His voice sounded so small and soft in that moment. She rubbed his back and scratched his scalp.

“Billy Hargrove, you’re free, my love. He can never touch you or Max again.”

He hides his face in her shirt again, and she lets him. “… I love you, too,” he whispered finally. The words wrapped around her heart and squeezed and she sneakily wiped away a tear from her eye.

“I’ll always love you, Billy Hargrove.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Aricka and Billy adopt Max

(Aricka x Billy, Aricka and Max, Billy and Max)

(Warning: court proceedings, pregnancy test mention)

Summer of 1986:

It had been a grueling year and a half. From saving to hire an attorney, to home visits, to getting paternal rights stripped, to filing the petition, to finally get to this moment.

Aricka and Billy were finally able to adopt one Maxine “MadMax” Eden Mayfield. After today; she’d be Maxine Eden Munson- Billy and Max wanted to take Aricka’s last name, and let the Hargrove name die off. Max hadn’t been able to sleep for weeks, neither did Aricka or Billy. They were all too worried Susan would object, too worried Neil would escape prison. Too worried something UpsideDown related would happen and they would miss the court date.

But finally, at last, the day had come. The three woke up early, since the finalization was in a court in Indy, and quietly got dressed. Max was wearing a dress without argument, since Aricka was able to find some that suited her style, that weren’t overly feminine or girly. The one she wore today was a warm teal, which went down to her knees, and she paired it with black leggings, a white cardigan wrap, black sandals and she pulled her hair up in a bun. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror- she still looked like herself, but she felt more grown up than she had before. She grabbed her bag with her book, sketchbook, and colored pencils before leaving her room.

Aricka was wearing a pair of black slacks, a white cable knit sweater, and black boots. Billy was wearing his favorite red shirt- all the way buttoned even though he felt nervous, black jeans and his nice boots.

As she finished her hair, he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her neck. “You realize after today we’re technically parents?” He asks. Aricka smiles at the thought.

“Good thing Max is such a good kid,” she says. “She does what she’s told when she’s told, she makes good grades and decisions, and she has a solid support system. I think we’re gonna be fine.” She turns around and puts her hands on his shoulders. “You’ve been a great support figure for her since you met her. You’ve always protected her, shielded her even when your methods weren’t the best. You were in survival mode as much as she was, and you never blamed her for anything.” She kisses him once, twice, three times. “We’re all this together, my sweet boy.”

He nods, kisses her once, twice, three times. “I love you,” he offers shyly. She smiles softly back.

“I love you even more.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max stuck close to Aricka as they walked into the courtroom, Billy’s hand on her shoulder. “Please be seated in the front row, the judge will be in shortly,”‘the bailiff said. Aricka quietly thanked him as they took their seats.

Max gripped Aricka’s hand as they walked into the courtroom, Billy’s hand on her shoulder. “Please be seated in the front row, the judge will be in shortly,”‘the bailiff said. Aricka quietly thanked him as they took their seats. The 15 year old sat between her sister in law and big brother as they waited for the final hearing to begin.

“All rise, the US District Court of Southern Indiana is now in session, the honorable Judge Alan Kerry presiding.”

Everyone stands as the judge enters, and the soon to be family glances at each other in nervous and excited anticipation. “Please have Maxine Mayfield sworn in,”

The judge says. Max stands and approaches the bench as she’s sworn in. “Now, Max- I remembered you prefer to be addressed as such- do you understand why we’re gathered here today?”

“Because my older brother and his wife want to adopt me,” she says with a tremble of emotion in her voice. The judge’s face softens.

“Max, do you want Aricka and Billy to adopt you? To have parental rights over you and to protect you until you come of age, and even after that?”

“Of course I do- they’ve basically raised me since I was nine,” she says.

“Alright. Please be seated.” Max sits and Aricka and Billy hug her close. “Mr. William Munson please approach the bench.” Billy gets up and does as told, swearing in as his sister had. “Now William- is Maxine your half-sister, whose mother married your father?”

“Yes Your honor,” he says.

“And they both have waived their parental rights for Maxine?”

“Yes, your honor,” Billy replies. The judge nods.

“Mrs. Maxwell in your professional opinion, is this the best option for all involved parties?”

“Max loves her brother and sister in law. Yes this is absolutely the best option for all involved parties.”

“Mr. Munson do you want to adopt Maxine Mayfield? To have parental rights for her until she’s of age, and even after that time?”

“Yes,” Billy said. He never thought he’d be a parent so young, but he loved his little sister more than he thought possible. And he knew Aricka did, too. This was what they’d been working toward for three years now. Not a chance of cold feet in sight.

“Please rejoin your sister. Mrs. Aricka Munson please approach the stand.”

The judge asks Aricka the same questions and she answers each one with a firm confidence. “If I may have William and Maxine return to the stand please.” Both of them stand and join Aricka up front. “After carefully reviewing this case, the visit findings and all the required procedures, I am very pleased to announce that I am now going to sign the document which will proclaim one William Dacre and one Aricka Estelle Munson the legal guardians of one Maxine Eden Munson. May I be the first to offer a warm congratulations on becoming an official family.”

The three turn to each other and Max jumps into Billy’s arms, Aricka wrapping her arms around them both, all parties crying and laughing. “Thank you, your honor.” Aricka says suddenly, Max and Billy echoing her sentiment.

“You are most welcome,” he says. “Court’s dismissed! Miss Munson, would you like the honor?” He offers her the gavel, and Max smirks- an echo of Billy’s own- and accepts the gavel, tapping it firmly on the bench three times.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The three burst out of the courtroom together, hands linked as they head to Billy’s Camaro. Aricka gave up her passenger seat so the siblings could have a moment together to talk and process what had happened, smiling as she snapped a Polaroid of the moment. Billy had wrapped an arm around his sister tightly, like she might vanish if he let go. Max was leaning towards him with her head on his shoulder, the two whispering things Aricka couldn’t hear.

Soon they left the parking lot and headed to Max’s favorite fast food place- Wendy’s- and got a celebratory supper. They chatted together and made plans for Max’s official move-in day to the house Billy and Aricka owned. Max was still gripping Aricka’s hand, the latter still with one surprise up her sleeve.

“Well…” she began as she finished her sweet tea. “I know today has been super emotional but I have one more piece of good news to share.” She smiles at Billy. “We’ve been married exactly one year, my beloved. And remember me asking if you’d ever want kids of your own?”

“I said yes if it was with you,” he nods.

“Well….” She pulls a small box out of her purse. “Open it.”

He does and his brow furrows as he takes in the pregnancy test. Then it hits him. “Wait…”

Aricka nods, tears glistening in her eyes. “We need to paint the second guest bedroom my darling. We’re gonna have a baby; and Max, you’re gonna be a big sister-!”

Max absolutely squealed and hugged her sister in law, “I’m gonna be the best sister/aunt ever,” she promised.

“I know, Max. I know you will.”

~~~~~~~

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