Changes

The children (in order of book portrayal) are:

The children (in order of book portrayal) are:

*Gareth--portrayed as the oldest biological child.  His story is portrayed in ''[[Gareth (book)|Gareth]]''.  He followed his parents into the medical profession, and now operates the medical clinic along with two of his adopted siblings (Jay and Janessa).

*Gareth--portrayed as the oldest biological child.  His story is portrayed in ''[[Gareth (book)|Gareth]]'', the first book in the series.  He followed his parents into the medical profession, and now operates the medical clinic along with two of his adopted siblings (Jay and Janessa).

**Aria (nee Jensen)--a friend of Janessa's from nursing school.  Originally from [[Sacramento]], after her mother's death she falls into depression and is fired as a nurse after coming to work intoxicated.  She leaves the medical profession and eventually moves to Serenity Point to work as the clinic's receptionist.  Ultimately she and Gareth begin dating and eventually marry; Aria returns to the nursing profession as the clinic's "backup nurse".

**Aria (nee Jensen)--a friend of Janessa's from nursing school.  Originally from [[Sacramento]], after her mother's death she falls into depression and is fired as a nurse after coming to work intoxicated.  She leaves the medical profession and eventually moves to Serenity Point to work as the clinic's receptionist.  Ultimately she and Gareth begin dating and eventually marry; Aria returns to the nursing profession as the clinic's "backup nurse".

*Jaylen "Jay"--one of two Black children adopted by the Halversons. His story is portrayed in ''[[Jaylen (book)|Jaylen]]''.  He and Janessa are biological siblings (Jay is older by two years) whose mother died of a terminal illness (the father's absence is not fully explained).  He is the business manager for the clinic, and frequently clashes with Gareth over operations (requiring Janessa to intervene).

*Jaylen "Jay"--one of two Black children adopted by the Halversons. His story is portrayed in ''[[Jaylen (book)|Jaylen]]'', the second book in the series.  He and Janessa are biological siblings (Jay is older by two years) whose mother died of a terminal illness (the father's absence is not fully explained).  He is the business manager for the clinic, and frequently clashes with Gareth over operations (requiring Janessa to intervene).

**Michelle "Misha"--the new (as of the second book) doctor at the family clinic.  She, her mother (Denise) and adopted daughter (Ciera) move to Serenity Point from Atlanta, after her younger brother (Ciera's biological father) is killed by a gang (her older brother leads a rival gang; Ciera's mother planned to abort the baby, but Misha agreed to adopt).

**Michelle "Misha"--the new (as of the second book) doctor at the family clinic.  She, her mother (Denise) and adopted daughter (Ciera) move to Serenity Point from Atlanta, after her younger brother (Ciera's biological father) is killed by a gang (her older brother leads a rival gang; Ciera's mother planned to abort the baby, but Misha agreed to adopt).

**Payton--Jay's son, whose existence is not known by Jay until the child's mother discloses it (she is signing away her parental rights (it is hinted that the mother's fiancé does not want to raise another man's child, especially one that is hinted at being mixed-race).

**Payton--Jay's son, whose existence is not known by Jay until the child's mother discloses it (she is signing away her parental rights (it is hinted that the mother's fiancé does not want to raise another man's child, especially one that is hinted at being mixed-race).

*Janessa--Jay's biological sister, also adopted by the Halversons.  Her story is portrayed in ''[[Janessa (book)|Janessa]]''.  She works in the clinic as a nurse.

*Janessa--Jay's biological sister, also adopted by the Halversons.  Her story is portrayed in ''[[Janessa (book)|Janessa]]'', the third book in the series.  She works in the clinic as a nurse.

**Will--a long-time friend of Gareth and Jay, who begins dating Janessa.  Their relationship ends after he and Janessa are seriously injured in a car crash (Janessa ends it, being consumed with fear of losing someone else close to her), but is later resumed.

**Will--a long-time friend of Gareth and Jay, who begins dating Janessa.  Their relationship ends after he and Janessa are seriously injured in a car crash (Janessa ends it, being consumed with fear of losing someone else close to her) but is later resumed.

*Kayleigh--works as a manager for a "five-star resort" located north of Serenity Point.

*Kayleigh--works as a manager for a "five-star resort" located north of Serenity Point.  Her story is portrayed in ''[[Kayleigh (book)|Kayleigh]]'', the fourth book in the series.

*Charlotte "Charli"--works as an elementary school teacher in Serenity Point.

*Charlotte "Charli"--works as an elementary school teacher in Serenity Point.  Her story is portrayed in ''[[Charlotte (book)|Charlotte]]'', the third book in the series.

**Layla--Charli's daughter, portrayed as a young school-age child.  Her father (Blake) is originally portrayed as absent from their lives but returns (not knowing of Layla's existence) with another daughter.

**Layla--Charli's daughter, portrayed as a young school-age child.  Her father (Blake) is originally portrayed as absent from their lives but returns (not knowing of Layla's existence) with another daughter (Amanda).  They resume their relationship, and after Skylar announces her pregnancy and asks them to adopt her child, they have a quick wedding.

*Lee--a veterinarian (he will be introduced in the sixth book in the series)

*Lee--a veterinarian.  His story will be portrayed in ''[[Lee (book)|Lee]]'', the sixth book in the series (he is not introduced prior to this).

*Wilder--works during the winter as a ski instructor.  Otherwise, he travels around the country and the world, seemingly without any plans (thus earning him the name "Wilder the Wanderer").  It is later revealed that he helps rescue children from human trafficking.

*Wilder--works during the winter as a ski instructor.  Otherwise, he travels around the country and the world, seemingly without any plans (thus earning him the name "Wilder the Wanderer").  It is later revealed that he helps rescue children from human trafficking.

*Cole--initially a high school student who is a top-level basketball star, later goes to college.

*Cole--initially a high school student who is a top-level basketball star, later goes to college.