Fosters: Blackhawk (12 page)

Brantley looks at him then me.  I
nod.  He laughs hugging me.  He looks at his caseworker
wiping his face.  “I’m sorry I yelled at you.  I don’t
want to leave my family.”

Ms. LePage nods with shock on her face. 
Brantley runs into the kitchen.  Cloud stands up.  “I’m
Cloud Blackhawk.”  He puts his hand out and she shakes it
still looking shocked.  I’m smiling the whole time. 
Cloud sits beside me; he leans over kissing my head.  Friggin
guy.

“It’s nice to meet you; I'm Brantley's
caseworker Ms. LePage.  So you’re willing to adopt him
CJ?”  She’s looking from him to me like we’re a tennis match.
 

Cloud pulls his wallet and slides a card to
her.  “No WE are adopting him.  It’s not a question, it’s
a decision.  If you send the information to the email on the
card they will handle whatever needs to be done.”

She looks at the card then at him shocked
again.  I hold in my smile.  “This is Mitch Baxter’s
card.”

“You’ll reach the company actually.  I work
for Baxter Security.  They already said they will handle
whatever I need.  Mitch’s lawyer will take care of the court
paperwork.  Jamie says it will go faster that way.  I
talked to him right before I got here.  Ben James from the MC
also has help available if I need it.” 

She nods with her mouth open.  I laugh, I
can’t help it.  “I’ll get the paperwork started and over to
Baxter's by the end of the week.  The MC guys are a little
overwhelming.” 

If she only knew, I nod with her.  I can't
figure out why him making the decision for us to adopt Brantley
isn't causing me to run in the other friggin direction.  I
just met the friggin guy; he lives in my house, is making lifelong
commitment decisions about my kids and is adding on a damn
garage.  What the fuck is up with that?  I smile glad
Christian isn't home to catch my swear.  Ms. LePage stands so
we do, "Congratulations CJ.  I'll just say goodbye to Brantley
and let myself out."  I nod still smiling at her.

Cloud looks down at me.  "Sorry to spring
that so quick.  I just finished talking to Jamie in the event
that we need help with something like this.  I told him and
Ben I'm all in with you.  So you have Club and the Baxter's
protection."  He's looking a little nervous.

"What does 'all in' mean exactly."  I ask
hoping it's what I think. 

"Just like it sounds.  I jumped all in
giving you a commitment that I'm here to stay. We have a lot to
talk about and now isn't the time for that but I mean everything
from living together, marriage and babies.  All in forever."
 

"Holy shit!  This is moving really fast and
I should be running.  Why the hell am I still standing here?"
 I say to myself then realize I said it out loud.  

He friggin laughs and kisses me lighting my damn
body up again.  "I love you CJ, I'm not taking any chances of
you running away.  You feel it too.  Those three small
words that have the power to change our lives forever.  I see
it and feel it, just like you."  

Friggin guy!  "I love you too Cloud, I'm
not afraid to say it but I'm afraid it's a dream.  It's hard
to believe."  

"I get that.  We'll talk when the kids go
to bed and make it easier to believe."  He guides me to the
kitchen.  

"You want babies?"  I ask wondering if I
heard him right.

"Fuck yeah."  He says in my ear.  I
smile thinking he's friggin perfect.  The little guys come in
so happy and excited.  We get the snacks in them while they
get it all out.  

Once homework is done Cloud takes the kids
outside.  They have a blast playing in the new tree
houses.  Christian is even playing.  Cloud gets the grill
running and mans it while I make a salad and some sweet corn. 
I love that he's helping.  My ex never did anything. 
Jeremy sticks close to Cloud as we're getting dinner on the
table.  He sits at Clouds left, that's Christian's spot but
Christian smiles and sits on the side of me.  Brantley tells
them what the caseworker wanted to do.  Then he tells them
what Cloud said.  Joey cries, Christian doesn't say a word or
even move, his hand is frozen halfway to his mouth, he's seeing
something.  I move his hand down to the table and wait. 
Cloud watches.  Brantley talks to Jeremy and Jacob.

"It will be ok.  It will all be ok."
 Christian says, a tear rolls down his cheek.  I wipe
it.  He's still gone.  Brantley looks over then back to
the boys. 

Christian starts shaking and tears come
quicker.  Fuck, what is this?  I look at Cloud, I don't
know what to do here.  Cloud gets up and lifts Christian, he
starts crying out loud.  Jeremy follows Cloud into the living
room.  I follow but Cloud tells me to keep the kids
calm.  I have no idea what to do.  Joey is watching the
door. 

"Cloud won't let anything happen to him Joey."
 I say softly.  She nods looking at me then looks back at
the doorway.  We finish eating and clean up.  I wrap
Cloud, Christian and Jeremy's plates.  

Brantley is worried, "I shouldn't have told
anyone.  I'm sorry CJ.  He feels more than us, I should
have let you tell him."  He's crying.  My friggin
word.  These kids are so damn sensitive to the others.
 

"Brantley look at me."  He looks wiping his
eyes.  "You did nothing wrong.  If DSS is pushing the
cases like yours, Joey and Christian are in the same boat.  He
would know that.  He would also know I wouldn't let them be
taken away from us.  He's ours just like you are."  He
nods wiping his face on his shirt.  I laugh.  "Go clean
up and help Taylor keep Jacob busy.  I need to see what's
happening."  He hugs me and runs up the back stairs.
 

"I'm waiting here.  Can you tell me if he's
ok when you’re done."  Joey says with tears in her eyes. 
I kiss her cheek and nod.  

In the living room Cloud has Christian on his
lap.  It looks like he's sleeping with his head on Clouds
chest.  Jeremy is on the side of them holding Christian's
hand.   Cloud looks up at me.  His eyes are worried.
 "Danny is bringing Tess over.  He went to sleep. 
Jeremy calmed him.  I asked him to stay in case Christian
still needs him."  

"Thank you Jeremy."  I kiss his cheek as I
sit on his side.  He looks at me then back at Christian. 
We sit all in our own heads. 

"She's here.  The fairy is here."
 Jacob says from the stairs.  I look at Cloud.  

"Tess."  I get up and go to the door. 
Danny is just pulling up.  Friggin kids and seeing shit.
 

Tess is smiling.  A man helps her
out.  He's Danny's son, I see the resemblance.  Darren
and Jessie get out the back door with Max.  Wow, a whole troop
shows up with one call.   

The kids make it up first.  They hug me and
go in without a word.  Danny smiles but his eyes are
concerned.  "CJ, my son Rich, he's the second head of Security
for the MC."  Max is following them. 

"It's nice to meet you Rich but I'm worried
about Christian, he's sleeping and hasn't woken up."  

Tess grabs my hand, "It's ok.  We're here
now, we will help."  She keeps walking.  Rich nods at me
and holds Tess' hand walking in the house.

Danny smiles, "She would know CJ, its sooner
than I thought but she'll help us fix it."  I nod and follow
them.  She goes straight to the living room.  I guess she
would know.  

Jeremy is standing up looking nervous. 
When I walk in he comes to me.  Tess kisses his cheek. 
"You did good Jeremy.  It helped him."  He smiles for
her.  She sits by Cloud; Max puts his head on Christian's
leg.  Rich and Danny sit.  I don't know what to do,
should I offer them drinks?  Jeremy turns toward me, I pick
him up and sit with him on my lap.  

Cloud is telling Tess what happened.  He
was crying and Cloud couldn't understand all he was saying. 
It was something about Taylor.  

"It's the first time he sees anyone get
hurt.  He doesn't know how to handle it.  Max will
help.  Jeremy helped him too."  She's not smiling. 
She's holding something back.  

"What's going on Tess?"  Danny says.

"He hears people too.  I don't know what's
a dream and what he hears.  I don't do that.  It's too
hard."  She has tears in her eyes.

"Do you think Steve can help?"  He asks.
 

"I'm here now.  I'll see if it's more than
I can do."  Rich says.  Him too?  This is so much
more than I ever thought it was.  

Christian moves.  Tess takes his
hand.  He cries and moves over to her hugging her.
 "Please help me."  

She kisses his head.  "We'll help you
Christian.  We're all here to help you.  You're so strong
Christian.  It's going to take more but we're here and we
won't let you go.  You're not alone anymore."  She's
rubbing his back talking to him.  Max is right there with
them.  He calms down and looks around surprised to see
everyone.  

"It's ok.  Only family here.  You'll
meet a lot of us but we're here for you buddy."  Rich tells
him.  He nods.  Looking at Rich intently.  "Yes I'm
Tess' husband and Danny's son."  He smiles at Christian.
 

Christian looks at Cloud then me.  "Jeremy
shouldn't be here."  

"He helped calm you Christian.  I'll take
him up with the boys if you think it's ok now."  Cloud tells
him.  

"Yeah.  Thanks Jeremy.  I think it
will be ok."  Christian tells him.  Jeremy gets down and
gives Christian a hug.  He takes Clouds hand and walks
out.  I'm a little overwhelmed.  I look at Christian
hoping he feels the love I have for him.  

"Me too CJ.  I don't know what to do. 
It's getting harder."  He looks so small saying those
words.

I go to him and hold on.  "We'll do it
together, Cloud said whatever it takes.  That's what we'll do,
whatever it takes."  

Cloud comes in lifting both of us and sits with
us on his lap.  "What do we need to do Tess?"  I
laugh/sob.  It’s that easy.

"Sally called about getting a dog ready for
him.  It's a retriever.  It will take a few weeks then
they have to train together.  He needs more than me because of
hearing everything."  She looks at Rich.  He nods.
 "Rich can help with that.  He can teach him how to stop
everything from coming in.  Danny and Sally can teach you how
to help with the dreams.  If he can learn to control them he
can live and be happy.  I think Joey should learn that
too.  She's old enough to understand and help.  Am I
forgetting anything Danny?"  She looks over at him.  

"We need to look at school for him.  This
isn't going to be easy on him because of the other kids.  The
visions can be brutal while he's learning to control them.  We
can't leave him vulnerable at school with no protection.  I
don't know how he gets through hearing everything without a way to
filter it now."  Danny looks at us. 

"We can get him a tutor until he feels ready to
go back or until he graduates.  Whatever makes it easier on
him."  Cloud says.  I love him so friggin much tears come
to my eyes.  He's helping a little boy he just met.  

"We'll all help CJ.  That's what the
Brotherhood does, we take care of our own.  Your family is
part of our family now."  Rich says to me.  I'm shocked
he is in my head too.  I just shake my head.  Friggin
people in my head today.  He laughs.  "You'll get used to
it and we can work on blocking that from happening."  

"I hope so because now Jeremy is in my
head.  I'm having trouble keeping my head straight all alone,
now every friggin body is in it."  I tell him.  They all
laugh even Christian.

They talk everything out.  I have nothing
to add so I just listen.  Christian will meet with Tess and
Danny starting tomorrow.  I need to figure out how to get him
out of school with his caseworker and DSS.  Rich will be here
tomorrow after work to help him start blocking.

"CJ it will all work out.  I'll talk to
Pres; he'll help clear a path with DSS.  With the Baxter's
backing you, it won't be a problem."  Rich says interrupting
Cloud, Danny and Tess.

"I keep forgetting about DSS.  We need to
tread carefully here.  Are his parents working to get them
back?"  Danny asks.

"Oh no.  He's not leaving here.  He'll
be happy and grow to be strong and a great help to the Club."
 Tess says so happy she makes us laugh.  Christian just
looks at her then he looks at me and smiles.  

"I guess that's settled."  Danny says with
a smile.  

Cloud laughs.  "Christian are you ok with
all we've talked about?  Is there anything more you need to
sleep tonight?"  

He looks at each of us then at Cloud.  "I'm
scared but Tess says it will be ok.  I'm supposed listen to
her.  She'll help.  Thank you all for helping."  He
stands up goes to Danny and hugs him.  I'm shocked.  He
trusts him.  He hugs Rich then Tess; he pets Max and thanks
him too.  I'm just watching him.  He kisses my cheek and
walks up the stairs.  

Cloud starts laughing and then we all do. 
What a friggin strange day this turned out to be.  If I'm
honest, nothing has been normal since the rapist entered my
house.  Laughing helps.  

Tess looks at me.  "I'll see you tomorrow."
 She stands.  Rich comes to her side.  

Cloud stands and sets me down.  "I'll get
the boys."  He takes the stairs two at a time.  

"CJ if Pres gets involved with DSS he'll have
the adoption paperwork done in days.  I'm speaking from
experience here, I got five kids that way.  Are you ready for
that?"  Danny says.

"Yes."  I won't let them go anywhere. 
They're mine already.  

He gives me the biggest smile.  Rich
laughs.  "Poor Cloud.  My dad thanks God for you, he's
not the only one taking in strays anymore."

The boys come down and hug me.  "They're
going to be ok CJ."  Jessie says for Darren.  I sign back
'thank you for helping with them'. 

"We take care of our own."  Jessie
says.  I guess that's it.  They walk toward the
door.  I shake my head smiling, friggin kids.