Upon discovering Sam's infidelity, Devin confronted him, uttering "What about the other children you had with your chick and dudes?" Sam flatly denied the existence of any other children with a sly smirk, but Devin remained skeptical, filled with anger and disbelief. "How could you betray me and our two wives? Are we not enough for you?" Devin was devastated, while Sam silently left the house, leaving Devin's anguished words unanswered.
In a flurry of determination, Devin clutched the keys to the van in his hand. He embarked on a mission, driving to every orphanage within a 50-mile radius. With tireless effort, he located all the children Sam had abandoned. Sadly, there was no trace of the other parent; they had either met an untimely end or had callously forsaken their responsibility. As a result, Devin found himself responsible for an additional ten children, adding to the family's existing brood.
Among the elder children was Ash, who was not content with staying at the Denver-Smith-Heart household. As soon as they arrived home, he made a quick escape. The remaining children, accustomed to new family members arriving, gathered around. "Oh, great, more new kids," Connor grumbled as he picked up his brother. Devin attempted to lighten the mood, expressing happiness and introducing the newcomers as siblings, hoping that the other children would accept them.
In the midst of the commotion, one of the girls complained about the lack of space. "No worries," Devin responded, clapping his hands together while uttering inaudible words. Miraculously, the house expanded, boasting more spacious rooms. "That should solve the problem," Devin said with a huff, nearly collapsing in exhaustion. Charlie swiftly caught his mother and gently placed him on the couch. "Be careful, Mom," he cautioned as he stood up from his kneeling position beside her.
In the realm of fantasy, a cat boy yearned for the warmth of a real family. His longing echoed in a soft purr as he gazed at Devin. With a radiant smile, Devin embraced the cat boy, assuring him, "Yes, I can be your mom." Overjoyed, the cat boy snuggled close, seeking comfort in Devin's embrace.
Curiosity sparked in Devin's mind as he inquired, "Do you all already have names?" Each member of the group introduced themselves, except for one who had mysteriously run away. Devin's question hung in the air, unanswered.
Two weeks later, he sent those children to school along with his other kids. Ash was enrolled in the same class as David and Blaze. Although he acted indifferent towards his siblings, he quietly ensured that no one bothered them.
Every day, the group picked up Atom, Vinny, Cameron, Cassie, and Yo from middle school and then proceeded to elementary school to collect Lee, Leigh, Maxine, and Sumi. During the walk home, Sumi enthusiastically displayed a drawing he had made, but to his disappointment, no one paid attention to him. In his eagerness to reach home sooner, Sumi ran ahead of the group. Suddenly, a car failed to stop at a red light, prompting Ash to rush over and pull Sumi to safety. As Ash gently placed Sumi on the grass, he noticed tears streaming down Sumi's face.
"You have to be careful, Sumi," Ash advised with a composed tone. "You didn't see my picture?" Sumi exclaimed, his arms flailing about in anguish. Witnessing his distress, the others rushed to his side to ensure his well-being. Recognizing that Ash would not stick around, they escorted Sumi back home.
As the sun illuminated the early morning sky, Sumi's heart fluttered with joy. He woke up to a delightful surprise, finding his photograph adorned on his desk, accompanied by a warm note. Overwhelmed with happiness, he let out a cheerful laugh and raced around his room. The thought of Ash witnessing his portrait filled him with an indescribable sense of exhilaration. However, the reality of school loomed over him, reminding him of the daily routine he could momentarily escape. Instead of getting dressed, he yearned to continue his carefree running, but alas, he had to prepare for the day ahead.
Ash, filled with trepidation, maintained a deliberate distance from his newfound family. Fear consumed him, whispering doubts about his worthiness. Despite his heartfelt affection for them, he was reluctant to acknowledge it, even to himself. Unlike those who knew him well, those who were still unfamiliar with him remained unfazed, showing no inclination to pressurize him into a closer relationship.