THE CADETS (by Andy)

Julian and Luc are becoming one. I am so happy. Emi as well with Andres and Steve. Luc is made of honey, all the kids want him. Emi is crazy about Luc, both of the Duarte brothers have integrated perfectly with our families.

Uncle Lucas talked with their uncle but did not work. The person is a half brother of the Duarte brothers Dad and was not interested in having them with him. Julian told uncle "Thanks God", they did not want to be with him. Their Mum`s family lives in USA because she was an American, but no one from that side even had tried to contact them. Uncle talked with them about adoption and was a very tense moment for Julian. He did not know how to explain to uncle how grateful they are, that they want to stay with us but did not want to lose his Dad last name. Uncle answered that he understood and was agreed, that he then will go for full custody until they became 21yo, but that when they meet that age did not mean they will have to leave because they will have covered College in full and will leave when they decide after graduation because our home is their home. Both brothers hugged uncle crying and when Julian hugged Luc he ask him "Then, I will have to see your ugly face for all those years to come?", Luc "Look who is talking", Julian "Thank you Horneck. Is a privilege for us to be part of your family and have you as a brother", Luc "Your welcome. Is mine too Duarte. Welcome to our families". Then Luc went to his Dad and hugging him "I love you so much Dad", uncle "I love you too son". A Judge approved the full custody, the Duartes are our new brothers. YES!!

Yesterday is when Julian and Luc started assisting to the Academy. A lot of proceedings up and down Madrid with the brothers to get the full custody quick. Is the first time I saw Uncle Lucas in his uniform besides pictures. Luc asked him why he was in uniform and uncle told him to be patient. It was unusual to take Andres, Steve, Emi and my self, wearing suits, to the Academy. At the main gate a cadet explain uncle and we all stepped out of the vehicle. What we saw was impressive. 900+ Cadets in two lines at each side of the main road, all the way to the main building. A captain shout attention, then walked towards uncle, salute him and offer him his sword. Uncle touch the sword, salute again and uncle, Luc and Julian stood up in attention, salute and start walking. The four of us were walking in front of them. As we were passing, the cadets start the clap code thing and follow us in two lines all the way to the main building. There were an enormous sign hanging "Happy birthday Horneck. Welcome back Duarte." All the Cadets have a black ribbon on their sleeves signifying mourning for Duarte`s Dad. Then the band start the Spaniard national anthem to rise the flag. After that all the Cadets made a line and were offering condolences to Duarte and wishing Luc a happy birthday. They are all so cool, they went high five with Andres, Steve, Emi and me and attach a black ribbon in our sleeves at the main entrance.

Julian and Luc have a load of homework and are in study mood for the weekend. Luc did not want to run a party because the Duarte brothers mourning. They told Luc not to but Luc told them that is ok. We all went to our favorite seafood restaurant and have a good time there. Yesterday early morning, Andres, Steve, Emi, Julian and my self hide in Luc`s bathroom. I heard Luc calling my name but I did not answered and he thought I was out of the bedroom doing something, then when he opened the door we went "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! and grabbed him, throw him on the bed and hugged and kiss him. He start to cry. My Luc is so sweet. Then every body came in to congratulate him. Was pretty cool. Later downstairs, we gave him our presents. Then the Duarte brothers came from upstairs and we all came kind of tense, they made a two red birthday cards, heart shaped and told Luc "We have no presents for you Horneck for obvious reasons, but these two cards represent our hearts that is what we want to give you and your parents in your birthday, and to the Mentzy and William families as well. Here they are. We love you Horneck. The best wishes for you." Luc just started at them for few seconds, frozen, as tears start rolling down his cheeks, then sobs, and he hugged both of them at the same time telling them "Oh God Julian and Emi. This is the most priceless present I ever had. Thank you guys. I love you both." We all shed a tear.

Luc ask his parents to allow him to launch the video blog as a birthday present. Uncle will go back to the US next week and call Luc and me this morning for a chat with uncle Robert, Steve Mum and my Dad, about this issue. Uncle Robert explain to Luc about why he did not want Andres to go public. He told Luc that Andres is still in a process of healing and to remember that when Rob passed away, he went into a none speaking or eating mood for eight days until Luc talked to him and he cried for the first time and start speaking again. Steve Mum told him that Steve is in the same situation and will be very sad for him to watch videos about all what happened. And my Dad told him that he have to pray and think about this before allow me to go public, that he will get back to him about this. So, uncle Lucas told him that they understand his motive for the video blog and they agreed but that he have to think about his little brothers first and if he decided to launch the video blog, have to be done lots of editing. And to think about the impact that will cause in Andres and Steve, even with the editing done properly. Luc start tearing down and answered them "My little ones are priority in my life. I will never do something that will hurt them even if is for a good cause or motive. Maybe in a far future I will consider about this. Now I do not want to launch the video blog. I love you all. Thank you." We all went and hugged him. They told Luc that they are very proud of him, that he made the right decision. Uncle Lucas told him "I love you son. I know you will made the right decision. I was so sure, that is the why I gave you the go ahead. I know you will came to this conclusion. I think I know your heart a little, am I?", Luc "You know me completely Dad. Than you. I love you." Then Luc did one of the things he does to me in front of every body for me to hide my face in his chest and to see it all red because he likes how cute I look when that happened, that is in his opinion. He just grabbed my face and stamped a long full mouth kiss. He started to laugh still kissing me, because I start like "MMMM" and he saw how wide my eyes were open and at the same time I was moving my arms like in a wings motion. Of course, every body start laughing and I was not able to let go of him. He just carried me on arms all the way out of the room, me hiding my face in his shoulder. I love Luc but I am planning my retaliation. He may fall in the pool full clothed one of this days.

We are getting ready to go shopping with the Duarte brothers. Luc get all excited when his Mum told him to get ready and Luc went like "So cool Mum, where is the credit card?" his Mum "Oh no Lucas Horneck, don`t even think about it. I want clothe for them but not a whole clothing or shoe store. Your anti (which is my Mum) and I will go with you all."  Luc "MUUuum" LOL. I love our families. We all kids throw a laugh and Luc went like "What are you all laughing at?", I went close to him with my lips as a duck-billed like "bubu-bubu-bubu-bu", UGH! that was a bad decision. He grabbed me and tickles me until I peed in my pants. Our Mums just rolled their eyes and Luc`s Mum ask mine "Do you think we will be able to do it for another year with these two?", and they throw a laugh while exiting the bedroom. Then we all attacked Luc, grabbed him, took off all his clothe and leave him naked in the bedroom. LOL

Kids be careful out there. Allow no body to abuse you.
Parents show expressive love to your kids.

With love,

Andy


P.S. Is 10:32PM and we just came from shopping. Was all fun. Luc went with all of us and start telling the Duarte brothers how many pieces of everything to choose. We went first to the tennis shoes area and Luc told them to choose four pairs for each one. They went teary eyes and we hugged them meanwhile Luc were telling them not to, to please understand that is happiness for us to be there for them and to not forget they are our brothers now. Luc Mum and mine were watching the situation and Julian started at her asking her "Four pairs for each of us Ma`am?", Luc`s Mum "Yes Julian, is fine. Follow Lucas directions he is doing just fine. He knows what I meant back in his bedroom before we came. You will need dressing formal shoes, sport shoes, sport and formal pants, two suits each, t-shirts, boxers, shirts, socks and few more things, so don`t you worry. Is fine." Emi extend his arms indicating to Luc`s Mum that he wants to hugged her (Emi is 12yo), she bend to reach him and he told her "Thank you." and kissed her, anti "Your welcome sweetheart." and kissed him back. Julian place the pair he was trying on the floor, cover his face and start sobbing. Anti and my Mum hugged him and he broke down for about five minutes. Julian "You doesn`t know how good feels to know that we`re not alone Ma`am, specially for my little brother. When I learned about my Dad I was going crazy thinking about him and if we will going to end separated in different foster homes and all that. (Looking at Luc) And you just show up with your so big heart and put in motion all this Horneck." (Emi jump on him and hugged him crying) Emi "Please don`t cry July (He calls Julian, "July") we will going to be ok now". Julian grabbed his face and told him "I know you know I love you but I haven`t told you that I love you as often as I have been suppose. Do you know how much I love you little brother? I love you with my whole heart" Emi hugged him tight and we were just tearing down out of happiness. Julian is learning quick how good is to give expressive love. YES!!  They are pretty raw emotionally and will be for a while. I can`t imagine what is to lose your Dad, but we`re here for them and they are doing so good so far. The rest of us didn`t get anything for our selves, except for couple of notepads I choose. We are just so happy to see them happy. I call my Mum appart and ask her about two laptops for them and my Mum told me "Very good idea, go for it and surprise them", I told Luc "I`ll be back. I`m going to electronics with my Mum". Luc ask me with his eyes and I told him in mute mode "Laptops", Luc (In mute mode too) "YES!". I have to inform Luc where I go if we are together and I want to separate from the group to do something, because if I do it without letting him know and at any giving moment he doesn`t see me around, he will go ballistic. Luc is so protective with all of us. Back at the house, we leave them by them selves in their bedrooms. Each of them got his own bedroom connected for a door. They are sleeping together which is cool meanwhile they fully adapt and time pass for them to heal. Is their decision when to start to sleep separate. Then the four of us went back and knock the door, they opened and Andres and Steve gave them the laptops that were wrap as gifts. They opened and start to cried again. Julian (tears rolling down his cheeks, Emi as well) Horneck.........Horneck, Luc seat in between them on the bed and place an arm around both shoulders and ask them "Are you really mean it when you told us that you want to be our brothers?" Julian and Emi at the same time "Sure we did", Luc "Then please, this is the way we treat our brothers. We really love you both." Luc tight the side hug and we all went and hugged them. Emi kiss everyone of us and guess what? Julian too, and they said "Thank you so much. You just incredible." Luc "No, we are your brothers."