Family Life
\nPart 1: Moving In
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Summary: What happens with someone has an urge to have a child and the other one doesn\u2019t? It\u2019s called compromise. <\/p>\n
Thank you to Helena for naming this baby. \ud83d\ude42 She\u2019s like my very own cheerleader. Hugs, sweetie. <\/p>\n
Word Count: 6,000 <\/p>\n
Jim was kissing Blair and he was very hot and bothered, but noticed that Blair wasn\u2019t having the same reaction. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wondering if we could talk about something very important to me,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cRight now?\u201d Jim wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim pulled away from Blair and looked at his lovers face to see if he could judge what was wrong by just looking at him. Blair was harder to read then that. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, you\u2019ve got my attention, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, there is nothing wrong. I just want to talk to you about something important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim pulled the sheet up from the bottom of the bed and covered them both up and said, \u201cOkay, shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would you think about raising a foster child?\u201d Blair began. <\/p>\n
Jim\u2019s mind tried to get wrapped around this, since he was thinking it was something horrible. Blair must have been feeling his biological clock ticking. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, we\u2019ve discussed adopting and we agreed that two cops weren\u2019t a good choice for an adoptive couple. Remember?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI talked to someone downtown the other day and she asked me if you and I had ever thought about fostering. She said she has a 15 year old boy that would be a good match for us,\u201d Blair rambled on. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen? When were you downtown?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what you\u2019re focusing on? When I had to testify in the court house the other day. The day you didn\u2019t finish up the paperwork like you had promised.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would this person think we would be good candidates?\u201d Jim questioned. <\/p>\n
Blair sat up in bed and gave all of his attention to Jim. \u201cIt was Teresa from the DA\u2019s office. She\u2019s got a 15 year old that has no where to go. She thought we would be good role models.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChief, she doesn\u2019t know we\u2019re gay,\u201d Jim reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know, so I told her as much. She said we could ask him how he felt about it. If she can\u2019t find a home for him, he has to go to a not so nice foster home and she doesn\u2019t\u2019 wish anyone to go there,\u201d Blair continued. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou told Teresa about us without even talking to me?\u201d Jim got up from the bed and started pacing. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you\u2019re focusing on the wrong things here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would a normal 15 year old want to think about living with two guys that are gay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe thinks he wouldn\u2019t mind. He\u2019s a tough kid. He\u2019s in football and needs some major role models. I told her I would ask you about it,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim sighed and said, \u201cWe have to have time to discuss this and think about it, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have time, Jim. He\u2019s going to be transferred to the other place in about three weeks. The place he\u2019s at right now doesn\u2019t really take in older kids, so it\u2019s not working out,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo we have to discuss it and decide tonight? Blair, I just know you can\u2019t be expecting me to decide something life altering like this in one night,\u201d Jim barked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, sit back down and talk to me. I mean, really talk. I want to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh you want to do this, so fuck me, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop it, Jim. You know I can\u2019t do it alone. We both have to be on board,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it would work. We don\u2019t really have the room for anyone else to share our house with either,\u201d Jim reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe might be able to turn the next loft into part of this one. I checked and it\u2019s for sale. We would be able to make the kitchen and dining room much bigger, enlarge the bedroom downstairs and we would have two bathrooms like we\u2019ve wanted for ages,\u201d Blair said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI take it you\u2019ve given this a lot of thought. Why am I just hearing about it tonight?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cTeresa asked me not to say anything until she checked to see if we would be able to pass the Foster Care credentials. She called me this morning and told me that her boss said he thinks we would be excellent candidates for Foster Care. The second bedroom upstairs could be his leaving the large bedroom downstairs for an office or a second child we would be able to foster,\u201d Blair again had put a lot of time and effort into this argument. <\/p>\n
\u201cI see you\u2019ve put a lot of thought into this,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you at least think about it?\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n
Jim sat back on the bed and said, \u201cWhat if I say no?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair looked wounded for a moment and then said as bravely as he could, \u201cThen we would just stay like we are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs there anything wrong with the way we are?\u201d Jim asked nervously. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m missing something Jim. I really wanted to try this, but like I said, only if you\u2019re willing to go along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, if I don\u2019t agree, I know you\u2019ll be unhappy and if I do agree, I might be unhappy. So what do we do?\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair looked at Jim with nothing but love in his eyes and said, \u201cI asked, you answered. That\u2019s all I can ask for. If you don\u2019t want to do it, then we won\u2019t. I\u2019m sort of tired, can we go to sleep?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re turning away from me already,\u201d Jim said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cCurl up behind me and hold me, okay? I\u2019m tired and would love to relax and go to sleep. Things will look better tomorrow,\u201d Blair lay down on his side of the bed with his back to Jim. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled Blair into his body until they were almost one and said, \u201cHow much are they asking for the condo next to us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Jim. I was forcing you to do something you didn\u2019t want to and that was wrong. Let\u2019s go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I\u2019m curious about the condo. How much are they asking?\u201d Jim repeated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe people that were in it, defaulted, so Mr. Benson is only asking what is owed on it, which is $60,000.00 and I didn\u2019t think that was too bad. I checked at the bank to see if I could get a loan for it and I prequalified. The payment wouldn\u2019t be bad at all,\u201d Blair said trying not to get excited. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, he probably wouldn\u2019t want to come live with us anyhow,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cProbably not,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cCall Teresa tomorrow and ask her if the foster home he\u2019s in will let him stay there for a few weeks longer until we get the loft made bigger,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair turned around and smiled at Jim. \u201cYou\u2019re willing to give it a try?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m willing if you are. Babe, I don\u2019t want things coming between us. I think we could do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair beamed with happiness and kissed Jim very hard. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019ll call Teresa tomorrow?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure about this, Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure. I want you to be happy. It\u2019s going to be hard when he turns us down, but if you want to do this, we can keep trying until we get a child that doesn\u2019t mind us being gay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you be happy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, if you\u2019re happy, I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I call her right now and ask her to bring the papers to us tomorrow so we can start the ball rolling?\u201d Blair asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cGo ahead.\u201d Jim replied. He knew that this is what Blair wanted and he wasn\u2019t kidding when he said, if Blair was happy, he was happy. Blair was the light of his life. <\/p>\n
Blair called Teresa and they talked for quite some time. Jim noticed that Blair looked upset and Jim knew it was bad news already. He closed his cell and said, \u201cI\u2019m sure it won\u2019t work out. She told him about us and he said he doesn\u2019t think it would be a good fit. And then Teresa told me about him having a little brother. He\u2019s 13. They want to place both of them in the same home. The not so nice foster home will take both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, there is no way two boys are going to want to live with us. It\u2019s just part of life. I\u2019m sorry, babe. I know you wanted it to work out, but sometimes things just don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCould we at least fill out the paperwork, do the work on the loft and be ready if the chance ever came up?\u201d Blair asked sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, we\u2019ll fill out the papers tomorrow on our day off and we\u2019ll go to the bank and get the money for the loft. I\u2019ve got enough in savings from when I was in the service,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had no idea you had that much in savings,\u201d Blair said somewhat surprised. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou never asked. I put you on my checking and savings account, so you have the right to use the money just as well as I do,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow about me buying the condo next door, putting it in both of our names and you can use cash for the renovation?\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that sounds like a good idea. It\u2019s going to be expensive hiring all the contractors that we\u2019re going to need. But it will be nice to have two bathrooms and two bedrooms and an office. This is going to work, Chief. Then we\u2019ll get some new furniture too. I think we need twin beds for the bedroom upstairs and new office furniture. We\u2019ll pass the inspection with flying colors, you just wait and see,\u201d Jim assured him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like the idea of having a new kitchen done up. We\u2019re going to have top of the line appliances too. Everything will be perfect,\u201d Blair promised. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled Blair into his arms and began to kiss him with much passion. This time, Blair was with the program and was interested, big time. The two men didn\u2019t talk anymore, while they made love. Jim didn\u2019t really like talking while he made love to Blair. So Blair usually tried to keep things nice and quiet for Jim. Besides, he made up for it when he lay in his arms afterwards. Then he talked Jim\u2019s leg off. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
The following day flew by. They filled out all of the paperwork at the Foster Care System , picked up the papers that people from work would have to fill out and delivered them to Major Crimes and also got things rolling on buying the condo next door. Jim called contractors to see what it was going to cost them and he had five different companies coming to the house. They hired an appraiser to see what the unit was worth and they went and looked at it. It was in a lot better shape then Jim and Blair\u2019s. They would have to match the wood floors in the nicer unit to have everything go together. <\/p>\n
Simon stopped by at 7:00 that night and knocked on the door. Jim and Blair were making up lists of things they needed to do with the other condo. Jim got up and answered the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou must really be busy, if you didn\u2019t open it before I knocked. You always do that and drive me crazy,\u201d Simon joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are busy. There is a lot of work to get done and we\u2019re trying to get it done in a three or four week time period,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought the young man didn\u2019t think it would work out with the two of you?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe did, but Blair is hoping that we could get the place done and have them over with Teresa and they could make a decision after that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat makes a certain amount of sense, I guess. At least you\u2019re in a good school district. That makes things a lot easier,\u201d Simon pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur junior high and high school are two of the best rated schools in Cascade. We\u2019re hoping that will help with the decision also. The fifteen year old plays football and we\u2019d like to have him go where the football is one of the best,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSandburg, I don\u2019t want you to get your hopes up about this. Nothing may come of it,\u201d Simon reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know, Simon. I know. But at least we\u2019ll be ready if someone else comes a long and they don\u2019t mind two gay guys to help raise them,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo are you buying the condo next door?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we got the appraisal done today and we\u2019ll get the paperwork done tomorrow. Simon, we could use about a week off to get this stuff taken care of,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, you\u2019ve got the time, don\u2019t worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon handed a manila envelope to Jim and said, \u201cHere is all of the paperwork from Conner, Joel, Henri, Rafe and myself. Everything you need is in here. Good luck with everything. You know where we are if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Simon. That will make things move much smoother. They needed these as soon as possible. She\u2019s going to be shocked to see them tomorrow morning,\u201d Blair commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like a beer, or coffee or something?\u201d Jim finally asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I have to get going. I\u2019m helping Daryl find an apartment for college,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, I bet you\u2019re having a ball spending time with him,\u201d Blair guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I am actually. He\u2019s such a good kid, that\u2019s why I\u2019m so glad that you\u2019re going to try and foster a child. You were both a big help with Daryl and you were good role models. Thank you,\u201d Simon remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy thank you, Simon. That was really nice of you to say. We hope that we get a foster child too, but we\u2019ve got time,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m off. See you in a week. It will actually be ten days with the weekend off. So we\u2019ll see you in ten days,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks again for everything,\u201d Jim said as he showed Simon to the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Simon,\u201d Blair called out from the sofa. <\/p>\n
\u201cAgain, good luck with everything. Call if you need any help with anything,\u201d Simon commented as he walked out the door. <\/p>\n
Once the door was shut and locked, Blair said, \u201cHe\u2019s got to be one of the best bosses we could ever hope to have.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree with that. Now what else do we need for Teresa?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe papers filled out from your dad and your brother. We dropped them both off today, so hopefully they\u2019ll fill them out soon,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me go and call them,\u201d Jim said walking to the phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, don\u2019t bug them, we don\u2019t want to piss them off,\u201d Blair pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, calm down. They\u2019re my family. I can call them any time I feel like it. Let me just check in on them,\u201d Jim assured Blair. <\/p>\n
Jim dialed the phone and talked to his dad first and then called his brother. He walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Blair and said, \u201cThey\u2019re finished and they mailed them to Teresa first thing this afternoon. They figured it would be easier then us having to pick everything up. So that\u2019s all done with. What\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to have the paperwork drawn up for the condo and we can take that to our bank. The sooner we get this done, the better,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll do it first thing in the morning, how is that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I love you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to work out, I can just feel it,\u201d Blair said snuggling up to Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cEven if it doesn\u2019t, we\u2019ll be ready for someone else if they can accept us,\u201d Jim reminded Blair, so he wouldn\u2019t get so excited. <\/p>\n
\u201cI really wanted Max and Drew to get used to us before they turned us down. I think they would only have to spend a short time with us and they\u2019d be hooked,\u201d Blair said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
The next week went super fast. They got everything filled out for the Foster Parent Program, received a case manager named Barb and they got everything filed with the bank. Since Jim and Blair were putting so much down on the place it was moving along much quicker then they had all planned. Closing date was set up for two weeks later. Jim had gotten the quotes from the contractor\u2019s and they were all within a decent range. He would just have to choose which one he liked the most. That would be the hard part. He and Blair had liked everyone so far. <\/p>\n
It was going to take two weeks to do everything they needed to do in the condo\u2019s, so in one month\u2019s time, they would be all set for foster children, if everything went as planned. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
One month later: <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked into the loft and just kept staring at it in awe. It didn\u2019t look like the same place that was for sure. There were now two bedrooms upstairs and two baths downstairs. The kitchen and dining room were everything a family would need. It was beautiful. Jim had picked everything out for the kitchen, but the rest Blair had picked out. The boys were amazed it was their new home. <\/p>\n
They walked up the second set of stairs to see the bedroom they had chosen for Max and Drew, just in case and it looked wonderful. All Jim could think of was what a great job Blair had done on the decorating. Jim wouldn\u2019t have known where to start. It seemed to come easy to Blair. It was a very simple room, not done up like a child or anything. More like a teen. It would be perfect if the boys decided to give Jim and Blair a chance. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, everything looks fantastic. I think we did a pretty good job, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair went into Jim\u2019s arms and didn\u2019t speak for a short while. He was so moved by everything, he was in a bit of a shock. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay, babe?\u201d Jim asked sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love the house. I love you and I can\u2019t believe how lucky we are,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI say we have poker here at the house this weekend to show everyone the house. What do you think?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great. We could show it off and break it in at the same time. I think it would be fun,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll ask everyone tomorrow at work if they can come,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay and I\u2019ll let contact our case manager and let her know that the house is ready to be inspected by the Foster Care System. Barb will be thrilled that we\u2019re ready for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen do you think they\u2019ll show up?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think they come unannounced and surprise you,\u201d Blair responded. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if they came during the poker game?\u201d Jim worried. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s not like they would come at night, I don\u2019t think. And besides, we\u2019re not a rowdy bunch anyway. Let them come and see our friends in action. They might be pleasantly surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. I\u2019ll ask everyone to come tomorrow. This weekend will be our first party,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
The two men enjoyed their home that night, going from room to room, trying to get used to it. It was beautiful. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, is it just me, or is that the best bathroom we could have ever asked for?\u201d <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cI do believe it\u2019s the nicest bathroom I\u2019ve seen in years. I\u2019m glad it\u2019s ours. And it\u2019s great that there are two of them now, so we wouldn\u2019t have to share with anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the soaker tub and the wonderful new shower stall. It\u2019s just beautiful. I can\u2019t believe it\u2019s the same place. We done good, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
They made dinner for the first time that night in their new kitchen and used their dishwasher for the first time. Both men were really loving it. <\/p>\n
They watched the game on their new big flat screen television and felt like they were at the game. \u201cWow, this takes on a whole new feel doesn\u2019t it?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like we\u2019re there,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t we splurge before?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t have a need. Now we do and it\u2019s done. We did a good job too finding all of the best sales on everything. So we not only got new, but got everything on sale. Everyone doesn\u2019t do that,\u201d Blair bragged. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo one does that, Chief. You were really good with the sales. That was your doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m exhausted. Want to go to bed and snuggle?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Jim said. He shut the tv off and locked up everything. Then he and Blair both got ready for bed in the bathroom. They walked up the stairs and got undressed. Jim slid in bed first and Blair slid into Jim\u2019s arms. Jim kissed the back of Blair\u2019s head and said, \u201cSee you in the morning, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before long all that could be heard in the loft were sweet little snores from the two men. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
The next morning, while at work, Blair called their case manager and told her that they were ready for an inspection. Barb said that it would probably take place in the next few days. Blair would be glad to have it over with. It was the last thing on the list of things they had to do to qualify. <\/p>\n
They were filing paperwork when Jim\u2019s phone rang. He answered, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Jim, it\u2019s me, Barb Chase, could you and Blair meet us at your condo in about an hour?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me check with my boss really fast, I\u2019ll put you on hold,\u201d Jim said as he pushed the buttons. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to do the inspection in an hour,\u201d Jim said to Blair as he headed to Simon\u2019s office. He knocked on the door and heard, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim opened the door and said, \u201cSimon, we have to show the loft for an inspection in one hour. Could one of us take off to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth of you go, it would look better that way. But don\u2019t think you have the entire day off,\u201d Simon barked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would never think that, Simon.\u201d Jim smiled all the way back to his desk and picked up the phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cBarb, we\u2019ll be there in an hour,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, we\u2019ll see you then,\u201d Barb said before she hung up. <\/p>\n
Jim hung up the phone and said, \u201cIs it just me, or is it going really quickly now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYup, it\u2019s going fast. I can\u2019t believe we\u2019re almost there,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s finish up these reports before we leave, so Simon won\u2019t get on our case about that. I don\u2019t want to take advantage of him at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood thinking. You finish them,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cHere is the second one. You get it done and I\u2019ll get the first file done. That way we\u2019ll both be finished within a half-hour,\u201d Jim said seriously. <\/p>\n
Blair took the file and began to work quickly so they wouldn\u2019t be late for the inspection. Before long they were both done and dropped them off in Simon\u2019s office. Simon was very pleased to see the finished product and said, \u201cGood luck, guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Simon. We\u2019re going to leave now,\u201d Blair announced. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee you this afternoon,\u201d Simon stated as he pushed them out the door. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair arrived at the loft and Barb was there with two other people waiting for them. Jim looked at his watch to see if they were late. They weren\u2019t, these people were just early. <\/p>\n
\u201cHello Barb,\u201d Jim said casually. <\/p>\n
Barb smiled and said, \u201cJim Ellison and Blair Sandburg this is John Smith and Fran Paul. They\u2019re going to be doing the inspection today. Then we\u2019ll want to talk to both of you when it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim shook hands with both of them and then Blair did. They were both nervous, that couldn\u2019t be helped. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on upstairs,\u201d Jim said as he led the way to the elevator. <\/p>\n
Once upstairs, Jim opened up the loft door and Barb, John and Fran all looked around in awe. It was lovely, of this there was no doubt. Barb was the first to speak, \u201cJim and Blair is it okay if we just look around and take notes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Barb. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
For the next 45 minutes the three of them took notes and looked at everything. They ended up back in the living room where Jim and Blair were waiting for them and Barb said, \u201cWe have some news.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax and Drew are reconsidering the move to your house. They have both thought it over and decided that they would like to meet you. Everything is up to code and all we need now is the meeting with you two and Max and Drew. Could we set that up for soon?\u201d Barb inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow soon, is soon?\u201d Jim wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow? Would that be too soon?\u201d Barb answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have school tomorrow, so after classes. They go to the school that is in your neighborhood, so we would be close by. I would like them to meet the two of you and have them make their decision. They aren\u2019t doing that well in the home they\u2019re in,\u201d Barb said. <\/p>\n
Blair looked worried and somewhat upset. \u201cWell, why don\u2019t we meet them tonight? You could come after we get off work, couldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh that would be ideal. We\u2019re all concerned about Drew. He\u2019s very shy and quiet and he\u2019s become even more so since they\u2019ve been in this home. I think he would come out of his shell with the two of you helping him,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be here at 6:00 tonight, so anytime after that works for us,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be here at 6:30 then. Thank you for working around your schedule. I know it\u2019s been hard going through all of this, but you\u2019ve passed everything with flying colors. Any child would be lucky to have you as his Foster Parents. See you tonight,\u201d Barb said happily. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were dying to hug each other, but put it off until after they all left the loft. Then Jim hugged Blair and said, \u201cDo you believe it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, I woke up this morning and had a good feeling. I hope this works out. They still might not like us. So we don\u2019t want to get too carried away with this,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho doesn\u2019t? I\u2019m going to be excited until they tell me not to be. I\u2019ve already decided where I would like to take them clothing shopping. I know we have an allowance for spending for the boys, but could we use our own money if we wished to?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as it\u2019s not there\u2019s I\u2019m sure they won\u2019t mind,\u201d Jim said almost laughing at his mate. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe better get to work so we can get home tonight by 6:30,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
They left the loft and they were both smiling all the way to the station. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Simon called from his doorway, \u201cEllison, Sandburg, my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you calling sir? I just wondered how the meeting went,\u201d Simon teased. <\/p>\n
Blair bounced in place and said, \u201cThey want to meet us at 6:30 tonight. Max and Drew. Do you believe it?\u201d <\/p>\n
Simon hugged both men and called everyone over to his doorway. \u201cJim and Blair might have two foster children as of tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim sighed at the thought of trying to keep it quiet, so they didn\u2019t get too excited. <\/p>\n
Conner said, \u201cThis is wonderful news. I\u2019m so happy for you. If you need anything, let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes this mean our poker game is off for Saturday?\u201d Rafe asked. <\/p>\n
Brown slugged him in the arm and said, \u201cWay to go. Really supportive, Rafe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would we call it off? It would be nice if they met our friends right away. Don\u2019t you think, Chief?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, they would love to meet all of you and the sooner they would get used to seeing all of you the better,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
They all talked for awhile and then Simon said, \u201cGo ahead and take the night off. Go relax and wait for Max and Drew. Good luck to both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Simon,\u201d Jim said cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, man, what he said,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
The two men cleaned their desks off for the day and walked down the stairs to the parking lot smiling. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
At 6:30 sharp, there was a knock at their front door. Jim opened it up and smiled when he saw the two young men standing with Barb in the hallway. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome in, you must be Max and Drew. My name is Jim Ellison and this is Blair Sandburg,\u201d Jim introduced quickly. <\/p>\n
Blair shook both of their hands and said, \u201cCome on in. Don\u2019t be shy. This is our home and you are most welcome here. We\u2019re typed up a list of things you might like to know about us and anything else you need to know, just ask.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max looked down at the paper and was surprised to find personal information on the sheet. Jim said, \u201cCome in and sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n
They followed Barb in and sat in the living room, while looking around. Jim could tell they liked the place immediately. <\/p>\n
Drew was the first one to break the silence. \u201cDo we get to share a room?\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair stood up and said, \u201cIf you come with us, we\u2019ll show you your room. Yes, you\u2019ll be sharing.\u201d The room off the dining room and kitchen is designed to be an office for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys followed Jim and Blair up the stairs and smiled when both of them smiled. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cThis is a nice room. We could stay in this school district?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, everything will stay the same. You will both have cell phones because Blair and I need to know where you are after school and things like that. But other then that, you\u2019ll find out that you can bring friends over and do things that everyone else does,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen could we move in?\u201d Max asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould tonight be too soon?\u201d Blair asked just as hopefully. <\/p>\n
Drew smiled at Max and said, \u201cWe could move tonight, Max.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Chase, could we move tonight?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf Jim and Blair would like to have you, that would be fine,\u201d Barb said. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cDo you need help with moving everything over?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have anything but a few clothes, so there is nothing to move,\u201d Max replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, tomorrow we\u2019ll be clothes shopping,\u201d Blair said. \u201cAnd it looks like you both need shoes too. So we\u2019ll have you all set for Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both boys smiled and said, \u201cThank you for being so nice to us. We really dislike the other house. They aren\u2019t nice at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have rules, boys, but hopefully we can work through them just fine,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t mind rules or chores. We like to earn our keep,\u201d Max stated. <\/p>\n
Jim thought it sounded so sad coming out of a 15 year old\u2019s mouth. <\/p>\n
Barb said, \u201cWe\u2019ll be back in about 30 minutes. We\u2019ll see you then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked everyone to the door and closed it. Blair hugged Jim as soon as they were alone. \u201cDidn\u2019t they seem to be great?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I agree, they were great. I need to call Simon and tell him we need tomorrow off and then they can all meet them on Saturday,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Jim picked up his cell and called Simon. He was only on it for about five minutes and closed it and smiled at Blair. \u201cHe gave us a week off to shop for the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great, because they need everything. We should probably start shopping tonight. We could go to Walmart and get underwear, socks and lounge wear for now, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, we\u2019ll go as soon as they get here. They\u2019ll probably be glad to get some new things. I doubt that those people showed them any type of compassion at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you\u2019re probably right, Jim. Now let\u2019s wait for them to come back,\u201d Blair said as he pulled Jim out to the balcony and they waited for Barb\u2019s car to get there. <\/p>\n
About 15 minutes later, Barb drove up and beeped when she saw them on the balcony. She had paperwork with her and the boys each had a brown paper sack with their things in it. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair walked inside and opened the door to all of them. \u201cWelcome to your new home, boys,\u201d Blair said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Blair,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, thank you,\u201d Drew repeated. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim and Blair, I need you to sign these papers really fast and then I\u2019ll give you their birth certificates and things like that. I\u2019m guessing you have a metal box or something to put them in?\u201d Barb asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have a safe,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh that\u2019s right, that\u2019s where you keep your guns when you\u2019re not working, am I right?\u201d Barb inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that was one thing that everyone seemed in agreement about,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cSign right here and here and Drew and Max are yours. I\u2019m so thrilled for all of you; I just can\u2019t even begin to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair signed everything they needed to and Barb called the boys down from their room and said goodbye to them. \u201cIf you have any problems, you know my number, Max. Call me with any questions, understood?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Mrs. Chase. We\u2019ll be fine. This seems like a really nice place and Drew is doing well already. He put his toothbrush in the bathroom already,\u201d Max said smiling. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair had to smile at that. They were glad that the boys were settling in already. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye, Barb. Hopefully we won\u2019t need you anytime soon,\u201d Jim said shaking her hand. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Barb. You\u2019ve been a great help and we appreciate it,\u201d Blair said as he shook her hand too. <\/p>\n
Barb hugged Max and Drew goodbye and walked out the door. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cHow about a trip to Walmart for underwear, socks, slippers, loungewear, pajama\u2019s, whatever you wear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great. We don\u2019t have much,\u201d Max said shyly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you don\u2019t have to worry about that any more, Max. If you need anything, you just have to ask us. We\u2019ll discuss it and go and take care of the problem,\u201d Jim instructed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Jim. You have no idea how horrible it was at the other house for Drew. They separated us, so I couldn\u2019t be with him to help him too. That\u2019s why we\u2019re so thrilled to share a room,\u201d Max confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell that is the past. Now we\u2019re going to be living in the future. No worries, guys, okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to us,\u201d Drew answered happily and smiled more then they had seen since they met him. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go shopping,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were thrilled. They knew that they were going to have their hands full with two teens, but they didn\u2019t care. This was going to work. <\/p>\n
End part 1 <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 2:
\nSettling In
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,369<\/p>\n
Blair lay in Jim\u2019s arms early the next morning and Blair whispered, \u201cDo we tell the boys about your Sentinel senses?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would you want to do that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey might find out later and get upset that you could hear what they said and so on. They might want to be a little more careful about what they say and do around here. I think we owe it to them to tell them about the senses,\u201d Blair insisted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to confuse them and they don\u2019t need that right now. This is their first week of school and us. Let\u2019s give them some time to fit in first,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair gave in because he didn\u2019t feel like fighting Jim on this anymore. But he wasn\u2019t going to give it up all together. He felt the boys should know about Jim and it was as simple as that. <\/p>\n
Jim was lying there not thinking about anything and almost asleep when he heard Max talking. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think they kiss and stuff when we\u2019re not around?\u201d He asked his little brother. <\/p>\n
\u201cI guess. Does that bother you, Max?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it doesn\u2019t bother me, but I would be freaked out if they kissed in front of us, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI guess I don\u2019t really care. They\u2019re so nice. They\u2019re really good to us Max and I don\u2019t want to go back to that other place. Please don\u2019t tell me we have to,\u201d Drew pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to say anything to them. But I don\u2019t like that they sleep in the same bed. It\u2019s gross,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, promise me that you won\u2019t mess this up for us. This is the best place we\u2019ve ever had. They\u2019re nice, who cares if they\u2019re gay. Did somebody say something to you at school?\u201d Drew wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Blair came in a dropped some paperwork off at the office and the guys from the team asked me who it was. I told him he was my foster parent and they said he looked like a fag,\u201d Max whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo what? I don\u2019t care what they think, Max. You shouldn\u2019t care either,\u201d Drew whispered back. <\/p>\n
Jim turned to Blair and said, \u201cOkay, we\u2019ll have a talk with the boys this morning about my senses. I just heard them talking and I don\u2019t think they would want me to listen to them while discussing us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre they disgusted by us or something?\u201d Blair asked, leaning into Jim for comfort. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax is. Drew is still on our side, but it won\u2019t take much to change his mind. Chief, I don\u2019t know if this is going to work,\u201d Jim got out of bed and started putting his lounging pants on to go downstairs. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, take your shower, I\u2019ll start breakfast and I\u2019ll tell the boys all about you,\u201d Blair said sweetly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should you have to do all of the hard stuff? Wait until after I get out of the shower and we\u2019ll tell them together,\u201d Jim said as he grabbed his clothing and walked down the stairs. <\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Jim,\u201d Drew said from the table. <\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Drew,\u201d Jim said quietly. <\/p>\n
Drew watched him go into the bathroom and wondered if he had heard them talking. He got up from the table and walked upstairs to talk to Max. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, I think Jim heard us talking,\u201d Drew believed. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, he couldn\u2019t have,\u201d Max assured Drew. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe looked upset and was very quiet this morning. I just know they\u2019re going to get rid of us now,\u201d Drew said worriedly. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew stop worrying. Get ready for school and knock it off,\u201d Max fussed. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou better not have ruined things for us,\u201d Drew said as he walked down the stairs to the bathroom for his shower. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Drew,\u201d Blair called out from the kitchen making Drew stop and smile. At least Blair seemed to be all right. Drew wondered what was wrong with Jim. <\/p>\n
By the time Jim got out of the shower, both boys were done getting ready for school and were sitting at the table waiting for Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cI told the boys we have something to discuss with them,\u201d Blair said quickly. <\/p>\n
Jim sat down and took a drink of his coffee that Blair had thankfully poured for him ahead of time. \u201cI need to tell you guys something. If you\u2019re going to talk about us, you have to do it more quietly. I hear everything and I don\u2019t want to be invading your space, but we have to live here together, so we\u2019re going to have to figure something out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cI called school and told them you were going to be late. We need to tell you about Sentinel senses.\u201d Blair went on to tell them all about Jim and his senses, making both boys stare at Jim like mad. When he finished he asked, \u201cDo you have any questions?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo like we can never say anything in the house?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot if you don\u2019t want me to hear it. I\u2019m going to try and turn down my hearing so I don\u2019t hear everything you guys say, but I can\u2019t promise I won\u2019t hear something you don\u2019t want me to,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
Max seemed a little irritated by the entire thing but Drew was upset. \u201cYou heard us this morning, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Drew, I did. But then I went into the shower and didn\u2019t hear you anymore,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo we have to move back to the other place?\u201d Drew asked sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Blair said, \u201cyou\u2019ll get used to us soon enough. Give yourself time and us too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max turned to Jim and said, \u201cSorry about the things I said this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, you don\u2019t have to be sorry. You don\u2019t have to like our lifestyle, that\u2019s not part of the deal. You can hate our lifestyle and that\u2019s fine. I just hope that you\u2019ll some day learn to accept us and we can be a real family,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Drew looked over and Jim and Blair and said, \u201cI want us to be a family too. Max will get better, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he doesn\u2019t have to get better. He doesn\u2019t have to like what we are or what we do. I just want him to be happy in this home,\u201d Jim remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am happy in this home and you and Blair don\u2019t bother me too much. I\u2019ll get used to you as time goes on. I promise. I promised Drew that I would never make him leave here and I don\u2019t intend on breaking that promise,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, then we\u2019ve got a deal. You guys have your privacy when I\u2019m not around, but when I\u2019m here, tone it down a little. Okay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Drew said, \u201cI understand and it\u2019s fine by me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max stood up and said, \u201cWe better get going to school. We can make our first classes if we leave right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cBoys if you have any questions about us, you know you can ask us anything, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Max and Drew both nodded their head in the affirmative. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Now come on and I\u2019ll drop you at school so you have more time,\u201d Blair said as he grabbed his keys. Blair had invested in a new car, he had a nice Chevy SUV, so he had plenty of room for Max and Drew and their friends. <\/p>\n
As he drove them to school he said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you have some friends over this weekend? You\u2019ve got the Wii and the Guitar Hero, you can drive Jim nuts with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew started to laugh but Max didn\u2019t. \u201cWe don\u2019t need to have anyone over, we\u2019ve got each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, this isn\u2019t going to work if you\u2019re embarrassed of us. We have to all try and work on this,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m trying. It\u2019s not as easy as you think. I like girls and I have no one to talk about it with,\u201d Max said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, I\u2019m bi. I liked girls before I fell in love with Jim. So I understand. I can talk with you about anything,\u201d Blair promised. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd me too?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou too, Drew. I\u2019m here for either of you. I\u2019m always willing to listen to both of you. I wish you could reconsider having some friends over,\u201d Blair tried to encourage them. <\/p>\n
Drew smiled and said, \u201cI\u2019m going to ask Bill if he\u2019d like to come this weekend. Do you mind meeting his mom?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind at all. Give them our numbers and they can call me anytime. It would be nice to hear some laughter and noise in the loft after the quiet week you\u2019ve had. I know you must be bored,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not bored at all, Blair. I like you and Jim,\u201d Max admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, good, but think about having someone else over. It\u2019s not like we\u2019re going to make out on the sofa or anything,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
Max blushed because that\u2019s what he was thinking about. \u201cI\u2019ll think about it, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, now get to classes, guys and I\u2019ll see you at 6:00 tonight. Call me when you get home so we know you\u2019re all right,\u201d Blair reminded them. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll call,\u201d Drew said as he got out of the SUV. \u201cThanks for the ride, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are most welcome, now have a good day. We\u2019ll see you tonight,\u201d Blair said as they both headed up to the school. <\/p>\n
Blair drove home and knew he was going to have to talk Jim into a better mood and honestly, Blair wasn\u2019t exactly in the mood for it that day. <\/p>\n
He walked in the front door and Jim was upstairs making their bed. Blair walked up and hugged him and said, \u201cThings will work out, Jim. They like us, they just need to find a middle ground. Max is having a hard time right now, but he\u2019ll come around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I need to be more patient and remember they\u2019re only kids,\u201d Jim assured Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, where is my lover and what have you done with him?\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m right here and I\u2019m trying to fit in too,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
Blair kissed him and said, \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t even get my motor running. I\u2019m horny as hell,\u201d Jim said with some frustration showing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to get them used to us first. We can\u2019t scare them right now,\u201d Blair reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow is our day off and the guys will be in school all day. What about then?\u201d Jim planned. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds like a deal to me,\u201d Blair agreed happily. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair got home that night, there were two boys in the house that they didn\u2019t know. They looked like nice boys and Jim hoped that they were. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim and Blair, this is Mark and Mike. They are brothers too and live down the street. We\u2019ve been playing Wii all afternoon and we had a good time. We ate a snack and cleaned up afterwards, so you don\u2019t have to clean up after us,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to meet you, Mark and Mike. Would you like to stay for dinner?\u201d Jim asked as he took something out to fix. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we have to get home by 6:30 or we\u2019ll be in trouble,\u201d Mike said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you need a ride home?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we\u2019re walking. Thanks anyhow. See you tomorrow, Max. See you tomorrow, Drew,\u201d Mike said as he gathered up his things and went to the door. <\/p>\n
Mark said, \u201cMaybe you could come to our house tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew and Max both looked at Jim and Blair to see what the answer was. <\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cI don\u2019t see why not as long as you call us at the station and let us know where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks,\u201d Drew said bouncing in place, reminding Jim of a very young Sandburg. <\/p>\n
The guys walked them to the elevator and then walked back in. Max asked, \u201cWas it all right that they were here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, as long as from now on we know about it. It\u2019s good to let anyone know when plans change,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great that you made friends so close by. They seem nice,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Jim was starting dinner and just listened to the guys talking to Blair. Jim felt a little left out now and then, but he had to remember that Blair was much more open and easier to talk to. At that moment, Drew walked up and said, \u201cCan I help with dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cThat would be great. Do you know how to peel potatoes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I do, but you have to show me where the peeler is at,\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Jim showed him and the two of them talked about school and work while they made dinner. Jim found Drew quite comfortable with him and Jim was comfortable back. Maybe things would work out. Jim kept smiling, making Blair and Max smile too. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cGet washed up for dinner, guys. It\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n
They rushed into their bathroom and washed their hands and Jim was beaming with happiness. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re settling in, aren\u2019t they?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think so. I for one am thrilled,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMe too,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
When they came out they all sat down at the table and ate a nice home-cooked meal. Drew said Grace every night thanking the good lord for Jim and Blair and all of the wonderful food they fed them. <\/p>\n
Life was indeed good. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 3:
\nWorking Things Out
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,959<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were in the bullpen when Blair\u2019s cell phone went off. \u201cSandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Sandburg, this is Miss Mitchell at the school and I need you to come down and see the principal right away. It\u2019s about Max, he was in a fight today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs he alright?\u201d Blair asked quickly, making Jim pay attention. Blair knew that Jim would be listening in from then on. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to be all right, but he started the fight, so we\u2019re going to have to suspend him for three days from school. We need you to come and talk to us as soon as possible,\u201d Miss Mitchell said, not sounding very friendly at all. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be right there,\u201d Blair said before he closed his cell. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe just one of us should go so Simon won\u2019t be so pissed off when you say you have to leave. He\u2019d be really irritated if both of us took off,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right, I was just hoping for some moral support. This is our first call from the school and Max is getting suspended? For crying out loud, I don\u2019t believe this. He\u2019s such a quiet non-violent type of kid. I\u2019m just surprised. I\u2019ll go and tell Simon I have to go to the school,\u201d Blair said quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019re right. I need to be there too. We\u2019re doing this together and Simon will have to understand. He\u2019s a parent, I\u2019m sure he will,\u201d Jim said as he grabbed his jacket. \u201cBut you get to tell him we\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh thanks so much, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair walked to Simon\u2019s office and knocked on the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d Simon barked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon there is a problem at school and they are suspending Max. So Jim and I need to go and take care of things,\u201d Blair said hoping that Simon would understand. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you still here? Go. Get it taken care of. We\u2019ll see you tomorrow,\u201d Simon ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, sir,\u201d Blair said softly as he walked out of the room. <\/p>\n
Conner walked up to him and said, \u201cTrouble, Sandy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust have to take care of things at the school. Max got in some trouble,\u201d Blair explained somewhat. <\/p>\n
\u201cCall me later and fill me in. Don\u2019t let them boss you around too much and don\u2019t listen to everything they say. It might not be Max\u2019s fault. He seems like a really nice boy and I hate to see him get in any type of trouble,\u201d Conner said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Conner. I need to go with Jim now. Talk to you later,\u201d Blair said quickly as he moved to the elevator where Jim was waiting as patiently as he could. <\/p>\n
They got on the elevator and Jim said, \u201cWhy did you tell Conner? Now everyone will know that Max is a trouble maker. I would like to keep some things private.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, we don\u2019t know what happened yet. He may not be in any trouble. We\u2019re going to see what happened and go from there. Understood?\u201d Blair growled. <\/p>\n
Jim looked at the floor and said, \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot going to cut it, Jim. You instantly thought he was bad. First we find out what happened and then we move on from there,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. I\u2019m sorry, really I am,\u201d Jim said quietly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would he get in a fight? He\u2019s just not the type at all,\u201d Blair wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is the type if they are pushed hard enough. Maybe something was said about us. Maybe things aren\u2019t going as well at the school as we would like them to be? What if someone is giving him a hard time about us being gay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, let\u2019s not jump to conclusions. It might be nothing and it might be something totally different. It might have something to do with Drew. We just don\u2019t know yet. So let\u2019s not worry until they give us something to worry about. There is one more thing, no flying off at the handle while we\u2019re there. I don\u2019t need two hot heads to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise to be good, no matter how badly I hate doing it,\u201d Jim assured Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, now let\u2019s get on the road,\u201d Blair said as he stepped out of the elevator. <\/p>\n
The drive over was quiet. Both of the men were thinking and both were thinking of similar things. Blair was sure it had something to do with the gay issue and Jim was sure it had to do with Max living with two guys. Both men were worried. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
They walked into the school office and a woman said, \u201cMay I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we\u2019re here for Max Miller, we\u2019re his Foster Parents,\u201d Blair said calmly. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u2026 Just one moment,\u201d the woman said. She walked into the office next to her office and shut the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are they saying?\u201d Blair asked Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I\u2019m not listening. I\u2019m on my best behavior, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, listen,\u201d Blair ordered and Jim opened up his hearing so he could hear what they were discussing. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey both came, can you believe it? It\u2019s no wonder the poor kid hasn\u2019t got a chance in this school with them coming around,\u201d the woman said angrily. <\/p>\n
A man said, \u201cWell, we\u2019re going to have to deal with them. I just don\u2019t know what to say. I don\u2019t approve of this whole living situation and we shouldn\u2019t have to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree, Mr. Carter, but we have to talk to them and Max,\u201d the woman reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cSend them in,\u201d Carter ordered. <\/p>\n
Jim leaned down and said, \u201cWe\u2019ve got our hands full, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair looked at him and whispered, \u201cBad?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBad,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
The woman walked out and said, \u201cI\u2019m Miss Mitchell, would you follow me, please?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair followed him into the principal\u2019s office. The man stood up and said, \u201cMy name is Mr. Matt Carter and I\u2019m the principal of this school. We\u2019ve got some problems going on here and I think we need to address them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cWhere is Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll join us in a while,\u201d Carter said coldly. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019ll join us now. I won\u2019t be discussing what happened without him in the room. Please call him in right now,\u201d Blair suggested firmly. <\/p>\n
Jim was impressed with how Blair was handling it so far. <\/p>\n
Mr. Carter went to the door and opened it and said, \u201cBring Max in, now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miss Mitchell walked away glaring at Jim and Blair through the doorway and retrieved Max and brought him into the room. <\/p>\n
Max looked somewhat relieved to see Blair and Jim standing there. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really sorry,\u201d Max said very softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to tell them what the fight was over?\u201d Carter asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone said something horrible about you and Blair and things you did to Drew. So I hit him,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair looked at Carter for his next move and Carter said, \u201cAs you can see he\u2019s out of control. This might not have happened if he would have been placed in a decent home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair stood taller and glared at Carter. \u201cDecent? You\u2019re saying we\u2019re not decent, law abiding citizens?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what I\u2019m talking about here,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m not sure I do. What are you talking about? Are you accusing us of hurting Drew in some way? Are you accusing us of doing anything illegal?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey need to be in a normal home with normal parents. There is no way they won\u2019t get teased by everyone that knows that they live with two men,\u201d Carter answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t answer my questions. Are we being accused of anything?\u201d Jim asked once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not. We have no proof that you\u2019ve done anything to Drew that we know of. But this can\u2019t go ignored,\u201d Carter said rather snidely. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat you know of? So you think there is something going on and no one was called? Why haven\u2019t you turned us in if you think this is going on?\u201d Blair asked this time. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe may file a report today after we talk to Drew,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to have a talk with Drew without us present?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we have the right to talk to him anytime we choose to,\u201d Carter said nastily. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we have the right to call a lawyer. In fact, I think we\u2019re going to do that now and we\u2019re going to sue this school. Max has done nothing wrong. He acted in the appropriate way that anyone would when someone said something like this about their Fosters. The boy who said this should be in this room right now, not Max as far as I\u2019m concerned. We\u2019re taking Max home and calling a lawyer right now. By the way, Carter, do you know what we do for a living?\u201d Blair asked bitterly. <\/p>\n
\u201cProbably lawyers,\u201d Carter said with a smart ass smile. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re cops. You\u2019re going down for this, Carter. This won\u2019t be allowed. Max and Drew will be home schooled until we have a meeting with the board. Then we\u2019ll see if you\u2019re still employed before we bring them back,\u201d Blair said. Blair opened up the door and told Miss Mitchell, \u201cWe need Drew right this minute. He\u2019s not staying here any longer then he has to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miss Mitchell said, \u201cMr. Carter, can they take him out?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you asking him for? We\u2019re the Foster Parents, we can take him whenever we like. Now do what I ask or we\u2019re calling the police right now,\u201d Blair bellowed. <\/p>\n
Jim was ready to pop both of them in the mouth, but he had promised Blair he would be good, so he was going to be good. <\/p>\n
\u201cCarter, I would get on the phone now and set up a meeting with the board as soon as possible. My lawyer isn\u2019t going to wait. I don\u2019t want money, I want someone in this job that gives a damn about kids,\u201d Blair shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you\u2019ve let this get out of control,\u201d Carter said quickly when Blair was quiet for one moment. <\/p>\n
Jim took over, \u201cYou\u2019re out of control, Mr. Carter. You will be sued. I don\u2019t care what my partner said. You\u2019re going to be made to pay. These boys have had enough problems in their lives haven\u2019t they? It\u2019s time they had a decent life and whether you agree or not, you can ask Max, he\u2019s living a decent life. We\u2019ve given he and Drew a good life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn your opinion, Mr. Ellison, but no one else agrees with you,\u201d Carter shouted this time. <\/p>\n
\u201cFine, we\u2019ll get this settled in the court system. We\u2019re used to the courts, you\u2019re not. We\u2019ll be ready and in the mean time, get ready, yourself for another job. I won\u2019t be happy until you\u2019re gone,\u201d Jim said very angrily. <\/p>\n
Drew walked in and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on boys, we\u2019ll discuss this on the way home,\u201d Blair said as he led the boys out to the hallway. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Mr. Ellison, everyone knows they\u2019re being raised by fags, so why not give them a fair chance in life and let them go elsewhere? If you really cared about them as much as you say, you would give them a better life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim stormed out of the office and caught up with Blair and the boys. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Drew asked once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cWait until we get out to the car,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you angry with us?\u201d Drew asked sounding very young and scared. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m not angry with you two at all. Now let\u2019s get in the car and we\u2019ll talk about this,\u201d Jim said softly this time. <\/p>\n
When they got in the car and they all buckled up, Blair turned and said, \u201cDrew, Max was told today that Jim and I did terrible things to you and he punched someone\u2019s lights out and he got in trouble for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t the other kid get in trouble? That\u2019s a big fat lie,\u201d Drew said angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, don\u2019t worry about it, I took care of it,\u201d Max replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, violence is never the answer,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you mad at me for hitting him?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m mad at you for not calling us and letting us help you with it. We can\u2019t go around hitting people. If we could, Jim and I would have hit Mr. Carter about 20 times already,\u201d Blair joked a little. <\/p>\n
Max smiled, so the tension was easing. But Jim was very angry and wasn\u2019t going to calm down that easily. <\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Carter said that the kids all know about you being raised by two gay men and they won\u2019t let you forget it. I\u2019m wondering if we\u2019re the best placement for you, Max and Drew. Why wouldn\u2019t you want to be happy with a normal family?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair was speechless, which was very unusual, he was never speechless. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want a normal family, then. I can handle the guys in my class. I won\u2019t hit anyone from now on, I promise. But we don\u2019t want to move. We like it at your house. We made some new friends and everything,\u201d Max reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, what are you thinking of?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thinking of two young men that have to deal with being teased every day by idiots just because you and I felt like we could make a difference. Well, we sure made a difference today didn\u2019t we? They\u2019re out of school, one that they didn\u2019t want to leave and we\u2019re getting a lawyer. What part of this was ever in our game plan, Blair?\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s not in our game plan, but that doesn\u2019t make the jerk right. We have a right to have a family, just as much as Drew and Max do. They didn\u2019t choose someone else, they chose us. Now calm down and think before you say things in front of the boys,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re old enough to know the truth, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cPlease don\u2019t fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Max hates when anyone argues with anyone else. Our parents used to do it all the time and then they split up and neither of them wanted us. Is that what you and Blair will do too?\u201d Drew asked unhappily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we won\u2019t argue anymore. But we have to think about what\u2019s good for you. You can\u2019t leave a school that you\u2019re happy in just because of us,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI agree,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut Max, we just left,\u201d Jim reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor the day, not forever. I can handle those guys. They don\u2019t really bother me. Honestly, they don\u2019t.\u201d Max argued. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting a lawyer and we\u2019ll have you back in school in no time. In the mean time, we\u2019ll home school,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, how do you think we\u2019re going to do that and work too?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of us will have to work nights for the time being. I\u2019ll gladly work nights for a few weeks if need be,\u201d Blair volunteered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWait a minute. I just want to go back to school. I don\u2019t want to be home schooled, that would make things worse. If they think they won, it\u2019ll be harder for us when we go back,\u201d Max interjected. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou think they\u2019ll let the boys back in school tomorrow?\u201d Blair asked Jim.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could try. We\u2019ll take them and tell Mr. Carter and Miss Mitchell that we\u2019ll have our ears to the ground for any problems that they make. We could try it. They might just let this drop,\u201d Jim assumed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll still get a lawyer, though, right?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
Max looked sadly at Blair and said, \u201cI just want to go to school and fit in. I don\u2019t want to make waves. I wouldn\u2019t even mind slugging someone and getting sent home for three days if it worked and I\u2019m sure it did. They found out I\u2019m not a pushover.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cBlair, I think the boys know what\u2019s best for them in the long run. I thought it would be letting them go to another home, but Max and Drew have made it clear that they\u2019re happy with us and that\u2019s all that counts for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just want to fit in. Working things out are hard enough as it is, we don\u2019t want lawyers and all of that. Please?\u201d Max asked Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Blair answered, not agreeing with any of them, but realizing that he wanted the boys to be happy and if that made them happy, then so be it. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, we\u2019ll try to go to school tomorrow then,\u201d Drew said sounding relieved. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we have a half a day to kill, would you boys like to go to an art gallery with me. I have a friend that has a new display of Native American Artifacts that I would love for you to see,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds fun, Blair. I would love to go,\u201d Drew answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo would I,\u201d Max replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cActually, it sounds like a good idea to me too,\u201d Jim said smiling at his lover. Jim knew that it was going to take more then that to get Blair to smile, but he was wrong. Blair smiled at all three of them. \u201cSo where is this gallery?\u201d <\/p>\n
Blair gave him directions and they all started talking about anything and everything and Jim got the sense of a real feeling of family for the first time. It felt good and he was glad that Blair had talked him into all of this. But that didn\u2019t mean that Jim was going to let Carter off easily. No, Carter was going to be watched from this day on. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 4
\nLetting Go
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,435<\/p>\n
When they got home from the art gallery, Blair excused himself into the office and left Jim with Drew and Max. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs he all right?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s going to call a friend of his that\u2019s a lawyer. We\u2019ll see what we need to do next,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cCan I help make dinner?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great. You can both help. We\u2019re having stew, so one of you can peel the carrots and one can peel the potatoes. There are two peelers in the drawer. Five potatoes and ten carrots, please,\u201d Jim instructed. <\/p>\n
Both boys got instantly busy and started doing their chores. Jim liked hearing them talk about school and friends while helping him. It was a nice feeling. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cTeresa, this is Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs something wrong, Blair?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNothing that you can\u2019t help me with,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cFill me in. What\u2019s going on?\u201d Teresa asked nicely. <\/p>\n
Blair did just that. He told her everything that had happened that day and what they planned on doing the next day. When he was finished, he settled back to hear what she had to say. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to get an appointment with the school board as soon as possible. So I\u2019ll call tomorrow and set that up. I\u2019ll also be with you whenever the board convenes. Don\u2019t worry about a thing, Blair; this is in our hands now too. Relax and enjoy your family life,\u201d Teresa promised. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Teresa, I don\u2019t know what I would have done without you,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll contact them in the morning and tell them that the boys will be continuing classes until we meet. I\u2019ll call you if there is a problem of any sort,\u201d Teresa said before she hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
When Blair walked out of the office, he could smell the stew cooking and it smelled wonderful. \u201cWow, someone\u2019s doing a good job cooking. It smells great in here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cIt was quick and easy because both of the boys helped get everything ready. Now it just has to simmer for the next hour and we\u2019ll eat dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI called Teresa and she said she would call and set up the appointment with the school board. She said it would look better if she did it. We\u2019re supposed to take the guys back as if nothing happened and see what they say. She\u2019s going to go with us to the meeting when they call it,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, we don\u2019t have to miss school,\u201d Max said. \u201cI have a test tomorrow and I think I\u2019m going to pass it with flying colors. I hated to miss it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Blair for looking out for us. You too, Jim,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our job, Drew. We take it seriously. Now let\u2019s go ahead and set the table and get ready for dinner,\u201d Blair ordered with a smile on his face. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
The following morning, Jim walked in with the boys and Mr. Carter glared at them. \u201cMax is suspended, he can\u2019t be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m waiting on our meeting with the school board, so until that happens, he\u2019s not suspended. He\u2019s here and will go to all of his classes as usual,\u201d Jim growled. <\/p>\n
Miss Mitchell said, \u201cYou can\u2019t tell us what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can and I will. Our lawyer is talking to the school board this morning. We\u2019ll see how strong you look when the school board hears what you have said to us,\u201d Jim reminded them. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just saying what everyone wants to say but didn\u2019t have the nerve,\u201d Miss Mitchell said hatefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax and Drew, go to your classes,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
The two boys hurried off before Mr. Carter told them not to. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho do you think you are, coming in here and telling us what to do?\u201d Carter asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a parent and that\u2019s what parents do,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cReal parents are a mom and a dad, not two men. We\u2019ll remind the board of that,\u201d Miss Mitchell said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf I hear that you have done anything to these boys in the next few days, I\u2019m going to sue before the hearing. Am I understood?\u201d Jim warned. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlease leave,\u201d Mr. Carter said angrily and walked back into his office. <\/p>\n
Jim never wanted to smack someone as badly as he did Carter. That man was evil and cruel and wasn\u2019t going to stop at that, Jim could tell. <\/p>\n
Jim walked out to the SUV and got in. \u201cWell, I think he\u2019s going to give us plenty of trouble.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fine, we have plenty of time to fight him with. The state is behind us 100%, and he\u2019s got no one behind him,\u201d Blair reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe may need to check in with the boys during the day,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, cell phones aren\u2019t allowed at school, so we\u2019ll have to wait until they get home. Stop worrying. They\u2019re smart boy\u2019s, they\u2019ll call us as soon as they\u2019re home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you heard from Teresa today?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not yet, but she\u2019ll call when she has news,\u201d Blair assured Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want to see done about Mr. Carter?\u201d Jim inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see him demoted and I want Miss Mitchell fired. She deserves even less then he does,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Blair\u2019s phone rang at that moment and he answered, \u201cSandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Blair, this is Teresa. I have an appointment, but they want to meet today. This afternoon at 3:00 is the time they set aside. Will that work for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we\u2019ll be there, don\u2019t you worry. Are you going to be able to make it?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019ve set aside the time for myself, so that I will be there from the beginning. Hopefully this will be a one shot deal. But you never know with the school board. Don\u2019t bring the boys unless they ask for it. They didn\u2019t and I can\u2019t see dragging them through this unless they insisted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you at 3:00, Teresa,\u201d Blair said before he closed his cell. <\/p>\n
\u201cAlready today? That means we\u2019re going to have to take time off again. Simon might lose his patience if we do this,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the breaks, Jim. He\u2019s had to take off a lot of time for Daryl. So I don\u2019t want to even hear anything about it. These are our boys and I want them to be happy,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can tell Simon,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI will, it\u2019s not a biggy to me,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve noticed that when it comes to the boys, you\u2019re a fighter,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve never had anyone in their corner before Jim. They deserve someone. I\u2019m glad to do it and I noticed you didn\u2019t mind either,\u201d Blair said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see how this school board meeting goes and then we\u2019ll make plans after that.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
At the station, Jim and Blair filled everyone in on what had happened to Max and the treatment they all received afterwards. Joel was the maddest of all. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think someone should go down there and punch his lights out. He doesn\u2019t know us, he wouldn\u2019t put two and two together,\u201d Joel said. <\/p>\n
\u201cViolence isn\u2019t the answer, Joel. That\u2019s what we told Max too. He\u2019s going to try and be calmer about things. We told him to try and not care what people say about Jim and me. After all, they don\u2019t matter to us at all,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you need anyone to go with you to the school board meeting?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were going to ask you, Simon. We thought it would look good to have our boss with us. They don\u2019t need to know that we\u2019re friends too,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would be proud to go along with you, they need to be stopped before someone really gets hurt,\u201d Simon agreed. <\/p>\n
Rafe said, \u201cDo you need anything from us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cNo, we\u2019re good. Thank you all for being here for us. That means the world to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you going to do if you win this thing with the school board?\u201d Conner questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to start letting go. It\u2019s time that all of the anger, hurt and pain leaves. Those boys had enough of that in their lives already. Now we\u2019ll just be letting go,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
Everyone went back to work at their desks and tried to pretend that something big wasn\u2019t about to happen. <\/p>\n
At 2:00, Jim and Blair went in to Simon\u2019s office. \u201cSimon, do you think we should get there somewhat early?\u201d Blair asked <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I do believe that would make sense. Let\u2019s go now,\u201d Simon said as he started for the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Simon for everything you do for us,\u201d Blair said very gratefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, what he said,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo need to thank me. Remember you two came to Peru to help Daryl and me, so let\u2019s just say friends do this for friends,\u201d Simon pointed out. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Jim, Blair, Simon and Teresa sat down at the table with the chairs and waited for the board to convene. Jim was getting nervous and hoped he didn\u2019t blow this big time. <\/p>\n
Blair noticed that Jim was getting antsy and said, \u201cStay calm, big man. Remember this is for the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019m going to do my best,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
The school board convened and they introduced themselves to Jim, Blair, Simon and Teresa. Then Teresa stood up and introduced everyone sitting at the table to the board. <\/p>\n
\u201cCan you tell us what is going on, Mr. Ellison?\u201d Mr. Kline asked. <\/p>\n
Jim began telling them the entire story and didn\u2019t leave anything out. He even said what they had told him before he left that day about doing what was good for the boys. When he was done he sat back down. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have anything to add, Mr. Carter?\u201d Mr. Kline asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe just felt like someone had to take a stand against this type of thing happening at the school. It\u2019s a sickness and should be stopped. Those boys would be better off with a normal family,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor your information, Mr. Carter, I was raised by two women and I turned out just fine. Now first of all, we\u2019re going to demote you to assistant principal and put in someone that is good and understanding for all of the kids. You will have to answer to him or her and a report will be filed weekly for one month on your progress. If you show no progress, then we have no choice but to let you go. We can\u2019t have people like you making up rules. The board makes the rules, not you,\u201d Mr. Kline said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about me?\u201d Miss Mitchell asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou will be demoted to receptionist at the front desk and you will either like it or you can leave,\u201d Mr. Kline answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis hardly seems fair. Just because you were raised in that sickness too, doesn\u2019t make it right,\u201d Miss Mitchell shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cMiss Mitchell, you have a choice. Either you\u2019ll be a receptionist at the front desk or leave. Which will it be?\u201d Mr. Kline ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t leave, I have bills to pay,\u201d Miss Mitchell answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen you\u2019ll be there tomorrow morning to answer phones at the front desk. Now, I think this takes care of everything. I want it to be written that if those boys are treated badly for any reason there will be another hearing and this time, no one will keep their jobs. Is this understood?\u201d Mr. Kline asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstood,\u201d Mr. Carter answered, unhappily. <\/p>\n
Mr. Kline went over a few more things and then he called an end to the meeting. He informed Jim, Blair and Teresa that they would be receiving a copy of the minutes taken from the meeting. <\/p>\n
They all got up to leave and Teresa said, \u201cWow, this went really well. We lucked out not having to fight them on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon looked at his friends and said, \u201cCongratulations, men. It seems like it worked out well. But I would watch that Carter and Mitchell, they seemed a little fishy to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll stay on top of it, Simon, don\u2019t you worry,\u201d Jim assured him. <\/p>\n
Blair\u2019s cell rang and he saw it was Max. \u201cHey Max, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a good day today. No one gave us any trouble. Can Mike and Mark come over while you\u2019re gone, or do they have to wait until you\u2019re here?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey can come over now, because we\u2019re on our way home. I\u2019ll make up a treat for all of you when I get there. Talk to you soon,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Blair closed his cell and said, \u201cThey had a good day. They\u2019re happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim sighed with relief and said, \u201cThank God.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them we would be home in a few minutes. Mike and Mark are coming over and I\u2019m going to make S\u2019mores for them,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHot damn, I love S\u2019mores,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to come Teresa and Simon?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would,\u201d Simon said quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have to get back to my office, but thank you anyhow. I\u2019ll talk to you all later. Have fun eating your S\u2019mores,\u201d Teresa said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cFollow us over, Simon and we\u2019ll have you stay for dinner too,\u201d Jim added. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be nice. Thank you. I\u2019d like to get to know the boys a little better. That\u2019s one way of doing it. Thank you for having me,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for standing up for us. Whenever we need you, Simon, you\u2019re always there. You\u2019re the best boss and friend we could ever hope to have,\u201d Blair admitted. <\/p>\n
Simon left and Jim and Blair got into their SUV for the ride home. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you believe how easily that was taken care of Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I do. I believed in standing up for what we thought was right and it turned out for the best. I\u2019m glad that we didn\u2019t let them win,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe boys are going to be so glad to know that nothing is going to happen to them. At the same time, they\u2019ll be thrilled to know that Mr. Miller won\u2019t be their principal anymore. Oh who am I kidding? They\u2019re sitting at home right now saying how much they want their treat,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, everything is going to be fine. It\u2019s time for letting go of the anger we all had and moving on,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I love you, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 5
\nBrothers
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,574<\/p>\n
It was a bright and beautiful Saturday morning when Drew woke up to a smiling Max sitting on his already made bed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s up? Why are you up and ready? Today is Saturday. We\u2019re just bumming around the house today. Jim and Blair have to work, did you forget?\u201d Drew asked shaking his dark head trying to wake up the entire way. <\/p>\n
Max continued to smile and brushed his hand through his opposite, blond hair and answered, \u201cWe\u2019re going to have a meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout what?\u201d Drew asked nervously. <\/p>\n
\u201cAbout Jim and Blair. We need to discuss and see if they\u2019re doing what they said they would do and if we\u2019re feeling good about them,\u201d Max instructed. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t tell me you want to move, Max.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, I didn\u2019t say anything about moving did I? I want to know how we\u2019re doing in this household.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I at least take a shower first?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, I\u2019ll make your bed while you\u2019re showering and getting dressed. Hurry it up, will ya?\u201d Max ordered. <\/p>\n
Max walked down the stairs and into the bathroom and hoped he would say all of the right things to Max today. Max had told him a month ago that they were going to have a meeting and see if Jim and Blair met all of their requirements. Drew sure hoped they did, because he really liked it at Jim and Blair\u2019s house. He showered and dressed as quickly as he could and walked back upstairs to have the \u2018meeting\u2019. <\/p>\n
Max was sitting on the end of his bed, so Drew did the same on his own bed. \u201cSo what are we going to talk about?\u201d Drew wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to discuss everything about this arrangement. First up, is the house, what do you think of it?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love this house, don\u2019t you?\u201d Drew inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew don\u2019t just ask questions, answer them. What do you like about the house?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I love the house because we have our own room and bathroom. Everything is nice and clean. We get clean sheets every Saturday, which is something we never knew before. We get to put up any pictures on the walls that we want, although, we don\u2019t. Why is that, Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we don\u2019t feel comfortable in this house,\u201d Max suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cI do. I do feel comfortable. I just don\u2019t want to muck up the walls with junk and ruin the nice clean look that we have. That\u2019s why we haven\u2019t hung anything up yet,\u201d Drew said proudly that he thought of the reason on his own. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and agreed, \u201cI think you\u2019re right. The bedroom is very comfortable, but I wouldn\u2019t want to mess it up either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you like the bathroom, Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s not to like? We have a shower and a whirlpool tub. We have everything we need in there and anything we ask for, they get it for us. Why wouldn\u2019t we like the bathroom?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe kitchen is cool. There is plenty of room for all of us to help cook and I like helping with dinner. Do you?\u201d Drew questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, I like spending time with them in the kitchen too. It\u2019s a nice way to pass the time. Plus, they are teaching us cooking. I like that a lot,\u201d Max admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cMe too, I really like that we know how to make our own breakfast now and they trust us to make them breakfast. I think they\u2019re getting used to us too,\u201d Drew confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo the kitchen, the bedroom and the bathroom all work for us so far? Am I right?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, all of them work. I love the living room, especially when we watch the big screen tv together. I feel like we\u2019re a family then, do you?\u201d Drew wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like the feeling at Mike and Marks when the family is all together and lately I\u2019ve been feeling that here too. I think we\u2019re getting used to them and they\u2019re getting used to us,\u201d Max declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you like eating dinner with them every night? Or do you miss eating in our room?\u201d Drew inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love eating at the table with Jim and Blair. I feel really good when we\u2019re all together,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMe too, Max, me too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the house is working, in other words? We have no complaints about the house or the rules?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind picking up after ourselves and I feel like we owe them that much,\u201d Drew acknowledged. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that they would want us to do anything because we owed it to them. I think they want us to learn how to do chores in exchange for our allowance. And speaking of the allowance, what do you think of that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew thought a moment and said, \u201cWe\u2019ve never had an allowance, so I don\u2019t know what to say. I like having spending money and feeling like we earned it too. So I guess I like that part.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that part too, Drew. Do you mind any of the house rules?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, to be honest, I think they make us go to bed too early. We should be able to stay up later, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Drew observed. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut if we stayed up later, we wouldn\u2019t be able to get up in the morning as easily and have all the time we need to do our chores. Right?\u201d Max remarked in Jim and Blair\u2019s favor. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true. We do get up early. Do you mind doing chores every day, Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I feel like we should. They do so much for us, it\u2019s something little we can do for them. Do you hate doing chores, Drew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no, I just wondered how you felt about them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, the house is fine, the chores are fine and we like having an allowance. Is there anything else that you like about this place?\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like having friends over and Jim and Blair not checking on us every minute,\u201d Drew divulged. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, Jim can hear us all over the house, so he\u2019s probably listening to us, don\u2019t you think?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I never thought about that. He probably doesn\u2019t trust us then, he\u2019s probably listening and taking notes for Blair,\u201d Drew commented almost sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, I didn\u2019t mean it in a bad way. I just meant that Jim knows we\u2019re not doing anything wrong, so why check on us. We\u2019re pretty good guys, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Max. We\u2019ve lived in a lot of different homes before this. I hope this one lasts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max shook his head in the affirmative and said, \u201cSo you like having friends over? You feel comfortable having them know about Jim and Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKnow what?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAbout Jim and Blair being a couple,\u201d Max reminded him. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, sometimes I forget myself. I don\u2019t care if anyone knows. If they are our friends, they will understand and accept them, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cYou\u2019re a really good little brother, have I told you that lately?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot lately, but I knew it. I love you too, Max.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I just wanted you to know it. We\u2019ve been pretty busy for the last month and I haven\u2019t had enough time to do things with you that I used to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because we have Jim and Blair spending time with us now. We don\u2019t have to do everything for each other, they help out. I like going to the movies with them and out to eat. I just love spending time with them. Does this mean we\u2019re a family?\u201d Drew wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cDrew, you\u2019re my family. You always will be. I don\u2019t think Jim and Blair will ever feel for us like a real family. That\u2019s something only parents do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t think they like us?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course they like us, Drew. But they don\u2019t love us. That\u2019s a family thing and we\u2019re not getting that here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not their kids. We\u2019re just someone for them to take care of so they can feel good about themselves,\u201d Max said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, you really feel that way?\u201d Drew asked just as sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I wish they did feel towards us in that way, but we\u2019re not their kids. We\u2019re never going to have that feeling. We better get used to that, Drew. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, we had parents and they weren\u2019t nice to us. What about that? Why didn\u2019t they love us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause they were selfish idiots, that\u2019s why. Anyone would be thrilled to have you as their kid, Drew. You\u2019re a really nice boy. So am I. We\u2019re good kids,\u201d Max assured Drew. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen why couldn\u2019t Jim and Blair love us some day? If not now, maybe someday later on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just don\u2019t want you to get your hopes up, Drew. I want you to realize that we\u2019re just Foster kids. That\u2019s all we\u2019ll ever be,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019ll never get hugs from them when it\u2019s time for bed? Mike and Mark still get hugs at bedtime. I miss getting hugs. They\u2019ll never hug us just because?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cProbably not, Drew. Do you like Jim and Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like them more then anyone we\u2019ve ever been with. They\u2019re the best. I really, really like them. I think I might love them like parents. Is that wrong, then?\u201d Drew asked unhappily. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not wrong, but I would never say anything, because they might make us leave then,\u201d Max decided. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have any more questions, Max?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I think that\u2019s all of them. My last one might be if we had to move tomorrow, would you be upset?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI would cry, honestly, I would. You know I don\u2019t cry, Max, but I would if we had to leave. I really like it here with them and I love Jim and Blair. I don\u2019t know why we can\u2019t tell them how we feel,\u201d Drew said, looking very confused. <\/p>\n
\u201cGo ahead and tell them then. See what they say,\u201d Max almost dared him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just might. I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll make us move,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope not, because this is the best place we\u2019re ever going to have. I don\u2019t even mind when Jim looks at Blair like he wants to kiss him,\u201d Max admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind if they kissed. It wouldn\u2019t bother me at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it would bother me either. Maybe we should tell them that,\u201d Max wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re staying, right?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cUntil they kick us out, yes, we\u2019re staying.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I\u2019m glad. Now can we go play some Wii before Jim and Blair get home from work?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, come on, you\u2019re going to get your butt kicked.\u201d<\/p>\n
They laughed as they walked up the stairs. Little did they know that Jim and Blair were in the parking lot and Jim had heard most of their conversation. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Jim, I can\u2019t believe they worry about this stuff. Poor little guys,\u201d Blair said sadly as Jim filled him in on each subject they discussed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re getting hugs tonight and there\u2019s no way around that,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, they\u2019re going to know you listened. That might upset them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll drive away and call from down the street. We\u2019ll see if they\u2019re in the mood to go to a movie today and out to eat for dinner,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, but that won\u2019t fix everything they\u2019re worried about,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hugging them today when we get home, so just forget about not hugging them,\u201d Jim warned. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll right. Let\u2019s call from down the road and tell them we\u2019re on our way home and want to take them out. Then when we get there we\u2019ll give them each a hug and tell them what a good job they\u2019re doing with everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim drove down the street and parked. He pulled his cell out and called the house number. Max answered, \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Max, its Jim. Would you and Drew like to go for a movie and dinner tonight? We\u2019re on our way home now and just wondered if you felt like making plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Jim, that would be great. We wanted to see the Iron Man movie really bad, do you think we could go and see that?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, that would be terrific. We\u2019ll be home in about 20 minutes, so you guys be ready, okay?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready. We\u2019ve got our chores done and everything,\u201d Max bragged. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou boys are the best. Thank you. We\u2019ll see you in 20 minutes,\u201d Jim said before he closed his cell. <\/p>\n
Jim filled Blair in on what Max said and Blair smiled. \u201cGod, they\u2019re good boys aren\u2019t they? We got very lucky with those two. I\u2019m going to make a point in telling them daily how well they\u2019re doing. I\u2019ve been trying not to push it, but I think they need to know how we feel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cI totally agree with you. We couldn\u2019t have asked for nicer boys. They are the best of brothers and I\u2019m proud of that. \u201c<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cCome on, it\u2019s been long enough. I want to see our boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you know what, Blair? If I want to kiss you, I\u2019m going to kiss you from now on. They don\u2019t mind. Neither of them do. We\u2019ve been dancing around them this whole time, when we should have just asked them.\u201d <\/p>\n
Jim drove into the parking lot and they got out. The boys were on the balcony waving to Jim and Blair. Jim and Blair both waved back and gave them a giant smile. <\/p>\n
When they walked in the door, Blair immediately hugged Drew and said, \u201cThank you for the greeting. It means a lot to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew hugged him back and said, \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim hugged Max and said, \u201cDitto.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max hugged Jim really hard and said, \u201cYou know what? We really like you guys. We want to stay with you forever. Is that all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled and so did Blair. Jim finally recovered enough to talk and said, \u201cThat\u2019s fine with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, if you want to kiss or hug Jim, why don\u2019t you? This is your home too. You should be comfortable enough to do that in front of us,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Jim leaned down and kissed Blair and said, \u201cThanks, guys. This means a lot to us. You\u2019re the best guys around. We\u2019re very grateful for both of you. Thank you for giving us a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cThank you for giving us a chance too. We really like you guys a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cI hope I don\u2019t scare you off, but I love you boys. You\u2019re the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew beamed with happiness at the remark and answered, \u201cWe love you guys too. We were afraid to say it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever be afraid of anything in this house. Understood?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstood,\u201d They both answered at the same time. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo who\u2019s up for Iron Man 2?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Both of the boys ran to get their jackets and Jim and Blair just smiled at each other fondly and knew that today was a turning point. They couldn\u2019t ask for a better day. <\/p>\n
Upstairs, Max whispered to Drew, \u201cI think they heard us. But I don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither do I, brother, neither do I.\u201d<\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 6
\nMeeting the Family
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,676<\/p>\n
Everyone was sitting at the dinner table and Jim said, \u201cI think it\u2019s time you meet my dad and my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cThat would be nice, he would be like a grampa to us, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair said, \u201cYes, and I\u2019m calling my mom to see if she can stop by Cascade and meet you two. She always wanted grandchildren, so this will be the next best thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew looked happily from one face to another and said, \u201cI can\u2019t wait to meet everyone. We\u2019ve never had a real family before. This is sort of exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim laughed and replied, \u201cDon\u2019t get too excited, Drew. My family isn\u2019t that much to speak of. My dad will probably find something to bitch about and my brother will ask if we\u2019re insane.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair burst out laughing and said, \u201cBoy, are you right about that. My mom will probably do much of the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you want us to meet them, if you\u2019re worried about what they\u2019re going to say or do?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a month, Max, it\u2019s time to share you with everyone else,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s nice and I think they\u2019ll like us,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure they will,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
They all began to clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Max washed and Drew loaded, that was the normal routine while Jim scrubbed down the table and counters. Blair looked on to make sure everything was done right and realized he had the best job of all. <\/p>\n
Jim went into the office and dialed his dad\u2019s number. <\/p>\n
\u201cEllison,\u201d William answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cHi dad, this is Jim. I wanted to ask you over for a barbecue this weekend. We have someone we want you to meet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d William wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe took in two foster children last month and they\u2019re beginning to settle in and I wanted them to meet you and Steven,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou and Blair adopted two kids?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we\u2019re just foster parents. Drew is 13 and his brother Max is 15. They\u2019re great boys, you\u2019ll like them dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure I will. What time and day do you want me there?\u201d William inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Saturday at 2:00? We\u2019re going to have steaks, if that\u2019s all right with you,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I love steaks, Jimmy, so that\u2019s fine with me. But your brother is in Japan working out some deal so he won\u2019t be able to make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s too bad, I was hoping Drew and Max could meet him,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be back on Sunday, as far as I know,\u201d William explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all right, we\u2019ll have them meet him another weekend. He\u2019ll be tired after getting off the plane on Sunday. We\u2019ll see you on Saturday at 2:00. Thanks, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to thank me for coming over and seeing my son,\u201d William said almost laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be great to see you with them. Wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Jimmy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked out of the office and said, \u201cIt\u2019s your turn Chief. I invited dad for Saturday at 2:00. So it\u2019s a plan. See if your mom can make it by then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOff I go,\u201d Blair said as he hurried into the office. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cSo what is your dad like?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a grouch nine times out of ten, but he\u2019ll be on his best behavior since you guys are here. He can be a really nice man when he wants to be. You might like him. I know he\u2019s going to like the two of you. It\u2019ll be his second chance at being a better parent.\u201d Jim laughed making Drew and Max wonder why he said that. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I\u2019m sure he\u2019s a nice guy,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a nice guy most of the time, but it can be moody,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Max laughed and said, \u201cWe\u2019ll be on our best behavior while he is here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax, you\u2019re both always good, so that\u2019s not a stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Jim for having the barbecue and inviting family over. We\u2019re not used to that at all,\u201d Max explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThings are different now, Max. Things will continue to get better as time goes on, you wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Blair finally tracked down his mother and said, \u201cNaomi, you finally have grandchildren and we\u2019d like you to come this weekend to meet them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean I have grandchildren, you\u2019re with Jim,\u201d Naomi inquired. <\/p>\n
Blair sighed and said, \u201cWe\u2019re foster parents to a 13 year old boy and his 15 year old brother. They\u2019re great kids, mom and can\u2019t wait to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re almost grown, Blair. Why wouldn\u2019t you get some younger children that you could mold?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not Playdoh, mom. They\u2019re already molded and they are great. Both of them are A students and they like me and Jim a lot. So we can\u2019t ask for more then that,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can be there Saturday morning, if that\u2019s not too late,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great, mom. You\u2019re going to love them. They are so damn sweet. They\u2019ve been here for a month and we felt it was time to introduce them to our families.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve had them a month and didn\u2019t tell me?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, not everything is about you. These boys had a horrible life and we were focused on giving them a good one instead. Wait until you see how nice the loft looks. We bought the one next to us, so it\u2019s bigger and we have more room. We have a Murphy bed in the office, so you can stay in there while you\u2019re here. Will that be all right?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, that will be fine, sweetie. We\u2019ll see you Saturday morning. I\u2019m going to stay a week and get to know the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great, mom. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy pleasure, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Blair.\u201d <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Blair walked out of the office and said, \u201cWell, you\u2019re going to be meeting Naomi on Saturday. She\u2019s going to spend the week with us. I hope you boys don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fine with me, Blair,\u201d Max said honestly. \u201cWe\u2019ve never been around grandparents, so we\u2019re sort of excited about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried to tell them not to get too excited,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom is sort of odd sometimes, so I need to tell you about her. But she\u2019s got a good heart and will love both of you to death.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get upstairs and start our homework. See you later,\u201d Max said leaving the room. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for having the grandparents over, Jim and Blair. I\u2019m really excited,\u201d Drew admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cGlad to hear that,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cGo do your homework and we\u2019ll talk to you later,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Saturday morning: <\/p>\n
They had all finished breakfast when there was a knock on the door. Blair continued cleaning up the kitchen while Jim went to answer it. He knew it was Naomi and opened it with a smile on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew it was me didn\u2019t you, Jim?\u201d Naomi said as she fluttered into the living room and gave him a huge hug. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, this loft is wonderful. Blair mentioned you did some redecorating, but I had no idea it would look this fantastic. Where are my grandchildren?\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew and Max walked up to Jim and smiled at Naomi. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god, they are full grown already. You must be Max, come and give me a hug,\u201d Naomi ordered. <\/p>\n
Max hugged her and then Drew did too. \u201cAnd you must be Drew. You are both handsome boys. I bet your keep Blair and Jim on their toes don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try not to,\u201d Max answered, seriously. <\/p>\n
Naomi threw her head back and laughed loudly. \u201cI was only teasing, Max. You look like a perfectly good young man, I\u2019m sure you don\u2019t give them any trouble at all. I\u2019m glad of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair came out of the kitchen and said, \u201cHi mom, it\u2019s good to see you again. What do you think of the loft now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just telling Jim how gorgeous it looked. It\u2019s so nice that you have somewhere for me to sleep so I don\u2019t have to leave my grandsons the entire time I\u2019m here,\u201d Naomi said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cWilliam is coming over today too, he hasn\u2019t met the boys yet either,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe lives in town and you didn\u2019t tell him, Jim? I bet he was angry when you told him,\u201d Naomi speculated. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t seem angry, I told him we were trying to let the boys fit in first before we brought in more family members and he seemed to understand that. He\u2019s looking forward to meeting them, also.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShow me your rooms, Max and Drew,\u201d Naomi bossed. <\/p>\n
They walked up the back staircase and had Naomi following them closely. When she got upstairs she said, \u201cYou don\u2019t have your own rooms?\u201d<\/p>\n
Max was the first one to answer, \u201cWe like to share.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you wouldn\u2019t like privacy at some point. Maybe they could put a wall up in a few months,\u201d Naomi planned. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe really like sharing a room, so we don\u2019t need a wall up,\u201d Drew said nicely. <\/p>\n
Blair walked up the stairs and said, \u201cNaomi, they like sharing a room, so stop making plans for them. They\u2019re happy the way they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut honey, it might be because it\u2019s the only choice they had,\u201d Naomi said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we asked them about turning the office into a second bedroom and they wanted to share a room. So let\u2019s drop it, mom. They take care of their own room and keep it this clean on purpose, do you believe it?\u201d Blair asked teasingly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey certainly don\u2019t take after you then,\u201d she said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that Jim likes the place clean, so we all work on it. All of us,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Drew honey, you need to let loose and let things get dirty now and then. It won\u2019t hurt anything,\u201d Naomi ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cMom, they like the clean room, so drop it,\u201d Blair commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go downstairs and see the rest of the house. It looks terrific,\u201d Naomi stated before she took off down the stairs. <\/p>\n
Blair stopped Drew and Max and said, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to listen to anything she says. Just try and smile.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe like her, Blair,\u201d Max said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, she\u2019s funny,\u201d Drew agreed. <\/p>\n
They got downstairs and Jim was showing her the office and the bathrooms. She was blown away. She just couldn\u2019t believe it was the same loft. Jim had pulled the Murphy bed down and she set her bag on it. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about a game of cards?\u201d Naomi asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe play 5000 Rummy with Jim and Blair, do you play that?\u201d Max asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho do you think taught Blair?\u201d Naomi answered, snickering. <\/p>\n
They spent the rest of the morning playing cards, making lunch and then getting things ready for the barbecue. At exactly two o\u2019clock there was a knock at the door, Blair went to open it because Jim was out starting the grill for the meal, but Naomi beat him to it. \u201cHello William,\u201d she said as she opened the door up wide. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, Naomi. It\u2019s been awhile,\u201d William said nicely. <\/p>\n
\u201cLook at this loft. Do you believe all of the changes?\u201d Naomi asked, swirling her arms around the room as she walked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like the same place, that\u2019s for sure. It\u2019s very nice, Blair. Did you and Jim do the work yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had most of it done, but we did all of the final decorating, if that\u2019s what you mean,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me run and get Drew and Max so you can meet them, William.\u201d Naomi started up the stairs to find them coming down. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re just in time to meet your grampa,\u201d Naomi announced. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in and hugged his dad and said, \u201cDad, this is Max and this is Drew. They\u2019ve been dying to meet you for awhile now.\u201d<\/p>\n
William shook hands with both of the boys and asked, \u201cSo do you like living here with Jim and Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love living here with Jim and Blair. This is the best home we ever could have asked for. Would you like to play cards with us? Gramma is playing too,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can call me Naomi,\u201d she said quickly not liking the sounds of gramma. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh sorry,\u201d Max said just as quickly. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a big deal Max. I even call her Naomi most of the time. Everyone does. You call her whatever makes you comfortable,\u201d Blair said as he walked out to help Jim on the balcony. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat sort of cards are you playing?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201c5000 Rummy, we love the game,\u201d Drew answered, \u201cdo you know how to play it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sure do. They taught me this some time ago,\u201d William said as he sat down at the table to play. <\/p>\n
Blair smiled as he looked into the house. The boys were doing well with the grandparents. Here Blair had worried, but he shouldn\u2019t have. They seemed to like each other just fine. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, what could you use help on?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI could use a kiss and then the meat from the refrigerator,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
Blair stood on his tip toes and kissed Jim. Then he walked in to get the meat from the kitchen. He heard Drew and Max laughing at something William was telling them, and he hoped it was kid appropriate. <\/p>\n
He grabbed the meat and walked out to the balcony once more and said, \u201cCan you hear what your dad is telling the boys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s telling them stories about when I was a smart mouth kid and I\u2019m not happy about it,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, the boys were laughing and getting on great, so I think you\u2019re over thinking it,\u201d Blair said trying to calm him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want Max and Drew to know I was a smart mouthed kid. Oh hell, now he\u2019s talking about how loving I was to Steven. He\u2019s switching gears, really fast. I think he saw me glaring at him,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, cool your jets. The boys are having a good time. This is what we wanted to do is show them off. Let the grandparents be themselves and stop worrying,\u201d Blair bossed. <\/p>\n
\u201cDad seems to be enjoying them. I was so hoping he would be nice to them and it looks like my hopes were answered,\u201d Jim said smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe make a really nice family, don\u2019t we?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we do. And now with the grandparents it\u2019s even nicer. Dad just asked the boys if they wanted to see Iron Man 2 with him tomorrow and they said yes. They didn\u2019t even mention that they\u2019ve seen it twice,\u201d Jim declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cSee, it\u2019s working out. I told you not to worry,\u201d Blair reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
\u201cYour mom is now telling them that they need some new clothes and she\u2019s taking them shopping on Monday after school. They said they would like that. They\u2019re sports, if nothing else,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
Blair went into the house to tell them they had to clean the table off for dinner. They all pitched in and had it set in no time. Blair had made vegetables on the grill and they were already in a bowl waiting for the steaks. Blair had made the salads up earlier, so he set those on top of the dishes. <\/p>\n
Jim walked in with the steaks and said, \u201cDinner is served. Naomi, I know you\u2019re not that big on beef steaks, so I made you a nice chicken breast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy thank you, Jim. See, boys, this is how son-in-laws are supposed to treat their mother-in-laws,\u201d Naomi kidded. <\/p>\n
Everyone started eating and Jim and Blair looked at each other and smiled. This was a perfect family get-together. There was nothing like meeting the family. <\/p>\n
The end <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 7
\nIntrusions
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,461<\/p>\n
After six months of living with Jim and Blair, Max and Drew were settled in and were very happy. Things were going along rather smoothly. All four of the men were happy, not just the young ones. <\/p>\n
Max and Drew were at school and Jim and Blair were at the station having a regular day until the phone rang and Jim answered it. <\/p>\n
\u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, it\u2019s me, Barb Chase, I need to talk to you and Blair as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim knew it wasn\u2019t good news hearing from their case manager, so he was on alert right away. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d rather we talk in my office, if you don\u2019t mind. I could see you around 3:00 today if you have the time,\u201d Barb said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll see you at your office at 3:00. Talk to you then,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone with a frown on his face. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Is something wrong with the boys?\u201d Blair asked, instantly worried about Max and Drew. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot that I know of. That was Barb Chase and she wants to see us today at 3:00. She didn\u2019t want to discuss what it was about on the phone. What do you suppose is up?\u201d Jim asked, hoping his lover would know the answer. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea. We\u2019ve done everything we\u2019re supposed to, the boys are doing well in school and out. I don\u2019t know why she\u2019s calling us unless their parents want them back,\u201d Blair said worrying his lip. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to do some checking on Josh and Martha Miller. Maybe they are going to try and get them back,\u201d Jim said just as worried as Blair was. <\/p>\n
Blair watched as Jim typed in Josh Miller and brought up his file. \u201cChief, he\u2019s still in prison, so it\u2019s not him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was in jail or prison also, what about her?\u201d Blair wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
Jim typed in Martha Miller and brought up her information. \u201cShe\u2019s out and living in a half-way house. Do you think that she wants the boys back already?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Jim. We\u2019ll have to wait and see. Go and tell Simon that we\u2019ll be taking off at 3:00. Hopefully he doesn\u2019t have any plans for us,\u201d Blair ordered. <\/p>\n
Jim got up, walked to Simon\u2019s door and knocked on it waiting for his reply. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome on in, Ellison.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim walked in and said, \u201cDo you mind if we take off at 3:00 today. Well, actually about 2:30 for a meeting with the case manager for the boys?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs something up?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe just called and said she didn\u2019t want to discuss it over the phone, so we need to go to her office and see what\u2019s up. I looked up the boys\u2019 parents and their mom is in a half-way house and that worries us a little.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell good luck. We\u2019ll see you tomorrow. Call me tonight if you need to talk to anyone,\u201d Simon offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll see you tomorrow then. We\u2019re going to take off now. It\u2019s just about time anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell Sandburg to try and not worry,\u201d Simon stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll try, Simon, but it\u2019s hard not to. When they aren\u2019t your own, someone can take them away quite easily,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll work out, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Simon. See you tomorrow,\u201d Jim said as he left the office and shut Simon\u2019s door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re out of here. We\u2019ll go show up at Barbs a little early and see if we can find out what\u2019s going on,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
They got ready to go, said their goodbye\u2019s to everyone in the bullpen and left for the day. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
The drive over to Barb\u2019s office was rather quiet, considering both men were nervous. Finally Blair broke the silence and said, \u201cI would just die if we lost Drew and Max.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going to lose them. I bet the mother just wants some visitation or something,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou think?\u201d Blair asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, who wouldn\u2019t want to see them? They\u2019re great kids,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you\u2019re right, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about anything, until we have something to worry about,\u201d Jim said trying to sound hopeful. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, you sounded just like me for a moment,\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cEverything will be fine, you wait and see,\u201d Jim promised. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
They got to Barbs office, about a half hour early and sat down in the waiting room. A woman was in there and she kept staring at Jim and Blair. She got up and walked over to them and said, \u201cAre you Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and you are?\u201d Jim asked wearily. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Martha Miller, Max and Drew\u2019s mom. It\u2019s so good to meet you. I\u2019ve been told about everything you\u2019ve done for the boys and I can\u2019t thank you enough,\u201d Martha said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our pleasure, they\u2019re great kids,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Barb opened up her door and said, \u201cI see you\u2019ve all met. Come in to my office and we\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all walked into Barb\u2019s office and sat down. Jim felt like he was going to pass out, but didn\u2019t want to say anything to Blair, because he knew Blair was scared too. <\/p>\n
Barb said, \u201cMartha has cleaned up her act and wants to be in the boys life again. She wants to start with Saturday visits under our supervision, and work up to taking them for weekend visits. She just got her own place and is working now. You\u2019ll be happy to know that she has passed all drug tests that were needed to get back in the program. So we\u2019re going to start visitation this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were stunned, to say the least and didn\u2019t know what to say. Neither of them said anything and hoped they would wake up from this nightmare. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim and Blair do you have anything to say,\u201d Barb asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is there to say? We don\u2019t have any rights evidentially,\u201d Jim said unhappily. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, you\u2019re foster parents, you knew going in that they might go back to their parents some day,\u201d Barb reminded them. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that, but I was hoping it would be before we got attached to them,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re going to set up 4:00 on Saturday, is that time good for you?\u201d Barb asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see that we have any choice,\u201d Jim stated and got up from the chair to leave. Blair followed him angrily. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t do this in front of the boys,\u201d Martha pleaded, \u201cI needed a fresh start and I got that. I\u2019d like to be in their lives and them in mine now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever,\u201d Jim said as they walked out the door. <\/p>\n
Barb caught up to them at the elevator and said, \u201cThere will be other foster children, Jim and Blair. There are a lot of kids that need homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis mother has been out of their lives for six years, you can\u2019t tell me this is going to be good for them,\u201d Jim almost shouted. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have the boys ready at 4:00 on Saturday,\u201d Blair said very sadly. <\/p>\n
They got into the elevator and rode down in silence. After all, what was there to say? <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
That afternoon when the boys got home from school, Jim and Blair sat them down in the living room to have a talk. <\/p>\n
Blair started the conversation, \u201cYour mom is going to start visiting you and hopefully getting custody of you for weekend visits. She\u2019s coming on Saturday to see you and I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be glad to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d have to leave here?\u201d Max asked panic apparent in his voice. <\/p>\n
\u201cEventually you would have to leave, yes,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we were doing well here,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt has nothing to do with the four of us. It has to do with a mother\u2019s rights. No matter how bad we\u2019ll feel, it\u2019s what the courts would want her to have. She\u2019s your mom and she has the right to try again,\u201d Blair pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if we don\u2019t want to see her?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, she\u2019s your mom. She\u2019ll get a court order and you\u2019ll be forced to see her. You may as well just follow the rules and see her for four Saturday\u2019s and see where that takes you,\u201d Jim said trying not to sound as scared as he was. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you don\u2019t want us to go either?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not. You\u2019re our family. It\u2019s going to kill us, but a mother has the right to be with her children,\u201d Blair remarked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about when we needed her? She was never there for us. I practically had to raise Drew myself, they were never there,\u201d Max said with tears in his eyes. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s just get the visits over with and see where it takes us, okay?\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Drew and Max got up and went upstairs. Jim listened and they were both upset. \u201cThey aren\u2019t taking this like I thought they would.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you think they would jump at the chance to get back with their mom?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I did. I would have given anything to see my mom again, so I figured they would feel the same way,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that she\u2019s going to have her hands full, because they don\u2019t want to go with her,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know the courts will make them go,\u201d Jim reminded Blair. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know. But tell that to two teens that don\u2019t want to leave the only home they\u2019ve had in six years. It\u2019s going to be hard for us and them,\u201d Blair said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Saturday at 4:00: <\/p>\n
Drew and Max were sitting in the living room nervous as all get out waiting for their mom to get there. By 4:30, Jim expected a call, but never got one. <\/p>\n
Blair got up and called Barb. \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBarb, we\u2019ve been waiting for Martha for the last half hour and she\u2019s a no show so far. Do you know what\u2019s going on?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet me check and get back with you, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair hung up the phone and said, \u201cShe\u2019s going to check on your mom now and see why she\u2019s late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe must not really want to see us if she can\u2019t even be here on time,\u201d Drew decided. <\/p>\n
Max said, \u201cShe\u2019s always been that way. She won\u2019t come and the courts will keep making us wait for her and she\u2019ll not show up each time. It\u2019s the way she is.\u201d<\/p>\n
At five o\u2019clock Jim said, \u201cYou can go change into anything you want if you feel like it. She\u2019s evidentially not coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
The phone rang and Blair answered, \u201cSandburg.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, it\u2019s Barb. Tell the boys that she can\u2019t make it this Saturday, but will try for next Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBarb, this isn\u2019t right, do you think?\u201d Blair almost whispered. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe said something came up. We have to give her a few chances,\u201d Barb said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever,\u201d Blair said before he hung up. He turned to the boys and said, \u201cShe\u2019s not coming today. Maybe next Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe won\u2019t come. She had plenty of chances for the last six years and didn\u2019t come, so why would she come now?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you guys want to go out to eat tonight, while you\u2019re all dressed up?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cClaim Jumper?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf that\u2019s what you feel like, then that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do,\u201d Jim answered. <\/p>\n
They got ready to go and went out for an evening of fun. They all decided that they would see Robin Hood while they were out and about, also. They all enjoyed it a great deal and had a wonderful time. <\/p>\n
When they got home, Max hugged both of them before he went up to get ready for bed. \u201cThank you for the nice night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not to be outdone, Drew hugged them also. \u201cI had fun, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair smiled at both of them and said, \u201cGood, glad to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSee you in the morning, Jim and Blair,\u201d Max called out from the staircase. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we\u2019ll see you at breakfast,\u201d Drew added. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair decided to watch a little tv up in their room before they retired for the evening and were doing as much when the phone rang. <\/p>\n
Jim answered, \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, this is Barb. You don\u2019t have to worry about Martha coming next Saturday. She got picked up dealing and using drugs. She\u2019ll have to go back to prison. The boys can relax. I know they weren\u2019t happy about the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Barb. I\u2019ll tell them right away,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Blair looked at him when he got off and said, \u201cBad news?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for us. She got picked up using and dealing drugs, so she\u2019s going to have to go back to prison. I need to tell the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
They both put their jeans on and a tee shirt and walked down the stairs and then up the back ones. Jim knocked on their door and heard, \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you both still awake?\u201d Jim asked peeking in the doorway. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we\u2019ve been talking,\u201d Drew replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to let you know that your mom got picked up tonight and has to go back to prison. I\u2019m sorry, guys,\u201d Jim stated. He didn\u2019t tell them the cause. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s always liked drugs more then us, so I\u2019m not surprised. We just got done saying we\u2019ll probably never see her again,\u201d Max confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you would like to see her at prison, we could take you,\u201d Blair offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we don\u2019t want to see her. We don\u2019t really even remember her except for bad things. We\u2019re better off without her,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you need to talk to us about anything, you know where we are,\u201d Blair said before they walked out of the room. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight,\u201d Max and Drew said at the same time. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Max. Goodnight Drew. We\u2019ll see you both in the morning. Sleep well,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got back up to their room and took their clothes off and slid into bed. Blair whispered, \u201cI don\u2019t know about you, but I feel like celebrating. Are you game?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to you, I\u2019m always game,\u201d Jim whispered back. <\/p>\n
They made slow, quiet love and lay in each other\u2019s arms until they both fell asleep. It was so nice now, that both of them felt comfortable enough to make love with Max and Drew in the house. They knew they couldn\u2019t be really vocal and that was just fine. <\/p>\n
As time went on, they knew they would probably have to tackle the mom issue again, but they were ready for it. So were Drew and Max. <\/p>\n
They were a family. Nothing could change that. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 8
\nFun with Jim and Blair
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,805<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair? Blair, are you home?\u201d Drew called out through the house very loudly. <\/p>\n
Blair looked over the railing and said, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I come up for a minute?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, I\u2019m just putting clean clothes away. I put yours on your bed in your room,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGuess what?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t even imagine, so tell me,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
Drew laughed and said, \u201cGrampa called me and Max and asked us if we could go camping this weekend. Would that be all right? He said he has a cabin in the woods and wants to teach us how to fish and cook our own food that we caught.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Max?\u201d Blair noticed that Drew was alone. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s downstairs talking to Mark and Mike. I told him I would come up and ask you,\u201d Drew was practically bouncing on the bed in his excitement. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave you ever been camping?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that\u2019s why we\u2019re so excited,\u201d Drew explained. <\/p>\n
At that moment, Max came through the front door and said, \u201cDrew, did you find Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on up, he\u2019s up here,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
Max flew up the stairs and said, \u201cSo do we get to go with grampa or not?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s something we should talk to Jim about too, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, where is he?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe ran to the store for dinner preparations. He\u2019ll be back in a flash and then you can ask him. Let him get the bags in the door first,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll watch from the balcony and then go down and help him carry everything up. We can ask him while we\u2019re coming back up,\u201d Drew decided. <\/p>\n
Blair thought they were too cute, being this excited about camping. <\/p>\n
Both boys rushed down the stairs and waited on the balcony as planned and saw Jim and came running through the house. By then, Blair was downstairs and he almost got knocked over by Max. \u201cSlow down, the camping trip isn\u2019t going anywhere. And remember that Jim has the final say in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we\u2019ll remember,\u201d Max said as they flew out the front door. Blair watched in the parking lot and watched Jim\u2019s face light up with a big smile when he saw how excited they were about going somewhere with his dad. \u201cLet\u2019s go upstairs and talk about all of this up there,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
Drew talked non-stop all the way up the elevator and when Blair opened the door, Jim looked drained. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, isn\u2019t it nice that your dad asked them to go camping?\u201d Blair questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was sort of hoping to take the boys ourselves one weekend and spend the time with them,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh Jim, we can go with you anywhere, anytime. Let us get out of your hair for a change. Think about the alone time you\u2019ll have with Blair,\u201d Max declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re staying in a fancy cabin that grampa has in the woods. Have you ever been there?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we\u2019ve both been there a couple of times. Grampa likes to go fishing and hiking. You would have to listen to everything my dad said. I don\u2019t want to have to worry about you while you\u2019re up there,\u201d Jim said, firmly. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll call grampa right now,\u201d Max said happily and jumped up and down all the way to the telephone. He hit the speed dial and heard his grampa say, \u201cEllison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGrampa, its Max. Jim and Blair said it would be fine to go camping. What do we need to take with us and when are we leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time do you get out of school on Friday?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt 3:30, are we leaving on Friday?\u201d Max asked hopefully. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we\u2019re going to have an entire three days of camping. This is going to be great fun. I\u2019ve got all of the gear up there already, so you don\u2019t have to bring a thing, except clothing. I\u2019m even bringing all of the food,\u201d William said cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be ready at 3:30, grampa. Thank you again for doing this,\u201d Max said before he hung up. <\/p>\n
Drew looked thoughtful for a moment and said, \u201cWill our cells work up there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a land line in the cabin, although you\u2019ll be so busy you won\u2019t even remember to call us,\u201d Jim stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cA land line?\u201d Drew inquired, totally confused. <\/p>\n
\u201cA phone hooked up in the cabin. You don\u2019t need cell phones there. Thank goodness because they don\u2019t work there,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
The boys took off for their room and Jim leaned down and kissed Blair. \u201cAlone time, what shall we do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe heard that,\u201d Drew called out playfully. <\/p>\n
Jim started putting away the groceries and Blair helped him. Then they started building dinner. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have Sunday off, but I wonder what our chances of having Saturday off are?\u201d Blair wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
\u201cConner is off this Saturday, so I hate to ask her. We\u2019ll just make the best of our time alone. We\u2019ll see if we can\u2019t get off early on Friday or Saturday,\u201d Jim suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood thinking. I wouldn\u2019t want to take Conner\u2019s Saturday off. Simon has it worked out so nicely that everyone gets a Saturday off from time to time. I like that about his scheduling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sort of wanted to take the boys camping our way with tents and all of that, but if they want to spend time with my dad, I guess I shouldn\u2019t bitch, eh?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
Blair pulled Jim down for a quick kiss and then went back to making dinner. \u201cIt\u2019s great how your dad loves spending time with them. I think he really loves them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim beamed with happiness at this remark. Jim always wanted to give him grandchildren, and this is as close as they would ever get. <\/p>\n
The evening flew by with dinner being served, cleaning up afterwards and then the boys doing their homework. Jim could hear them upstairs talking about nothing but the trip coming up. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re really excited, Blair. I think they\u2019ll have a good time,\u201d Jim supposed. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, it\u2019s going to be great. And it\u2019s going to be great for me and you too,\u201d Blair reminded Jim. <\/p>\n
Jim wiggled his eyebrows and walked into the office to write some bills before it was bedtime. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair got off at 3:15 on Friday, so they were at the house waiting for the boys when they got home. <\/p>\n
Jim said, \u201cDo you have everything packed that we told you to?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, that and more,\u201d Max said cheerfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re even taking some of our books from school, so we can do some homework, if we have time,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have homework, you better make time,\u201d Jim advised them both. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Drew answered smiling. <\/p>\n
\u201cEverything will be fine, Jim and Blair. You have a good time too,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Drew and Max waited on the balcony for William to get there and when they saw him, they flew into the house and said, \u201cWell, we have to go. Grampa is here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait until he comes up,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just excited,\u201d Drew confessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not you,\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
Both Drew and Blair laughed at that remark and waited as patiently as they could for William to come through the door. Finally there was a knock and Drew flung open the door and said, \u201cHi grampa. We\u2019re ready when you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey waste no time, do they?\u201d William kidded. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, they\u2019re really excited dad. But they have some homework they need to get done while they are up there, so please see that they do that too. Other then that, have a good time, all three of you,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Drew hugged both men and then it was Max\u2019s turn. \u201cThanks for letting us go, Jim and Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for giving us a weekend off,\u201d Blair said just as happily as Max sounded. <\/p>\n
Jim helped them carry their stuff down to William\u2019s SUV and they got in and Jim and Blair waved as they drove down the road. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited about the down time, but at the same time, this is our first time away from them in seven months. It\u2019s sort of weird,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cAbout that time alone, how about a nice hot shower with blow jobs involved?\u201d Jim whispered in Blair\u2019s ear. <\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Blair said rushing up the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. Jim laughed all the way up the stairs. <\/p>\n
They went in their bathroom and stripped and jumped in their shower. Jim was first to go down on his knees and suck Blair until Blair couldn\u2019t even think anymore. He came moaning Jim\u2019s name rather loudly for a change. They usually had to be very quiet with their lovemaking, but this was different. <\/p>\n
Blair went on his knees next and sucked Jim until Jim howled out his name, as he came down Blair\u2019s hot, excited throat. <\/p>\n
Then they stood together and kissed and washed each other off. When they were all done, they got out, dried off and put their robes on. Even if no one was there, there could be a chance that they would come back. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what I would like to do tonight?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to cuddle in bed with a bowl of popcorn and watch The Blind Side on the big tv up there,\u201d Jim commented in hopes that Blair would like the idea. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, I loved that movie. I know you haven\u2019t seen it yet, but you\u2019re going to love it,\u201d Blair assured him. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re all right with that?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m more then all right with it. I love cuddling with you, man. It\u2019s going to be great,\u201d Blair surmised. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s eat a light dinner and then go upstairs and lay like broccoli,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
Blair laughed and went into the kitchen to make them up a chef salad. They had all of the fixings for it. Blair just had to put it together. If nothing else, they always had good food in the house. <\/p>\n
They took the chef salads and walked up the stairs. They sat on their bed with their handy-dandy lap trays and began to eat their meal. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, this is excellent, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re most welcome. I love a salad now and then.\u201d<\/p>\n
They ate and talked while just sitting next to each other soaking up the love in the room. When they were done, Blair took the plates and bowls downstairs and rinsed and put them in the dishwasher. <\/p>\n
Before long he was back upstairs, but this time he had a movie with him. He put the movie in the DVD player, took his robe off and slid into bed with Jim. They snuggled and got ready to watch the movie. <\/p>\n
Jim was really into the movie big time and went to say something to Blair and realized Blair was sleeping already. Jim smiled and pulled his lover in closer and watched the end of the movie, then hit stop and shut the tv off. He curled in behind his lover and very quickly went to sleep. He hadn\u2019t even checked the locks on the doors. He was more tired then he imagined. <\/p>\n
The next day, they worked, came home early and did more of the same thing they did Friday, except this time, they watched Sherlock Holmes. Neither of them had seen it and Conner brought it for them to watch. Jim liked cuddling in bed with Blair. They didn\u2019t get to do it that much except when they were exhausted at night. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Sunday morning, Blair got up and made coffee and some homemade cinnamon rolls. Blair had this good recipe and took it out and put it on the counter. He had plenty of time to make them because Jim was exhausted and would sleep another hour or so. <\/p>\n
When Jim smelled the cinnamon rolls cooking, he woke from a deep sleep and smiled. God, Blair was good to him. He would not only have coffee waiting but cinnamon rolls too. <\/p>\n
Blair had the newspaper sitting on the table, waiting for both of them to read. They did this every Sunday morning. Sunday was one of their days off every week, so that never changed. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, the loft smells wonderful. I love those cinnamon rolls. I\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, eat up, there are plenty. I made enough for your dad and the boys when they get back too.\u201d<\/p>\n
After breakfast, they took a shower and got dressed for the day. \u201cWhat should we do today before everyone comes back?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go to Home Depot and look at some things. You can always find something you need at Home Depot,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, let\u2019s go to an art gallery or something that you would totally enjoy. It\u2019s my way of paying you back for sex and breakfast,\u201d Jim joked. <\/p>\n
Blair looked through the paper and said, \u201cThey have a place where they are showing some Native American Indian relics. Would you mind seeing that?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be great. Thanks for everything, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome. Now let\u2019s get to the exhibit before everyone gets back. I figure they\u2019ll be back around 3:00 don\u2019t you suppose?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cLets leave a note just in case,\u201d Jim said as he walked to the chalk board and wrote down where they were going to be. \u201cThey can call us on our cells if they get back before we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood thinking, man. Now let\u2019s get this show on the road. Did I mention how much I loved spending all weekend with my main man?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly about six times, Chief. I feel the same way too.\u201d<\/p>\n
They left for the afternoon and knew that their weekend was almost up, but they didn\u2019t care. It had been filled with love, laughter and happiness. It was every bit what they had hoped it would be. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair arrived at 3:30, William\u2019s SUV was in the parking lot. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt least they got home safe,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go find out what they thought of your dad\u2019s idea of camping,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
The walked into the loft and both of the guys hugged them hello. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the best time, Jim and Blair. Grampa wasn\u2019t kidding when he said it was a nice cabin. He taught us how to catch fish, clean them and cook them. So we ate what we caught Saturday night. It was great fun,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you had fun, Drew. You look rested and peaceful. We\u2019re glad to have you back home again,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you have fun, too, Max?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the best weekend we\u2019ve had in a long, long while. Not that we don\u2019t enjoy hanging with you guys all the time, but it was nice being with grampa. Thanks again, grampa,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem. Well, this old man needs to go home and rest. They wore me out,\u201d William joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for everything, grampa,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome. Glad to be home though, aren\u2019t you?\u201d William asked. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cThere is no place like home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim and Blair were so happy to hear that. It was nice having the boys around all the time, but it was a nice break this weekend. But they were glad to have them back once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cBye, dad. Thanks for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Jimmy, bye Blair,\u201d William said. <\/p>\n
Jim locked the door after William left and they turned to the boys and Blair said, \u201cSo who wants to tell us about their weekend?\u201d<\/p>\n
They all walked into the dining room and sat down, eating cinnamon rolls and drinking milk while they told the wild tales of their weekend. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
Recipe for Cinnamon Rolls: <\/p>\n
HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS 4 1\/4 to 4 3\/4 c. all-purpose flour
\n1 pkg. active dry yeast
\n1 1\/4 c. milk
\n1\/4 c. granulated sugar
\n1\/4 c. butter
\n1 tsp. salt
\n2 eggs
\n6 tbsp. butter, softened
\n1\/2 c. packed brown sugar
\n2 tsp. ground cinnamon
\n1 recipe Maple Nut Glaze or Powdered Sugar Glaze
\nStep 1: In a large mixer bowl combine 1 1\/2 cups of the all-purpose flour and yeast. Heat the milk, granulated sugar, the 1\/4 cup butter and salt just until mixture is warm (120 to 130 degrees) and the butter is almost melted, stirring constantly.
\nStep 2: Add milk mixture to flour mixture; add eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds; scrape sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. (Dough will be soft.) Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball.
\nStep 3: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double (about 1 to 1 1\/2 hours). (The dough is ready for shaping when you can lightly and quickly press two fingers 1\/2 inch into dough and indentation remains.)
\nStep 4: Punch dough down. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough in half; shape each half into a smooth ball. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
\nStep 5: On lightly floured surface roll half the dough to 12×8 inches. Spread with 3 tablespoons softened butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half over rectangle. Roll up from a short side. Seal edges. Make a second roll with remaining dough, butter and sugar mixture.
\nStep 6: Slice each dough roll into 8 pieces. Arrange slices, cut side down, in a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Cover; let rise until nearly double (about 30 minutes).
\nStep 7: Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. Invert at once onto a wire rack. Cool slightly. Drizzle rolls with Maple Nut Glaze or Powdered Sugar Glaze. Serve warm.
\nMakes 16 rolls.
\nMAPLE NUT GLAZE:
\nIn small bowl combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup or 1\/2 teaspoon maple extract and enough water or milk (2 to 3 teaspoons) for drizzling consistency. Stir in 1\/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans.
\nPOWDERED SUGAR GLAZE:
\nCombine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and enough milk (about 3 to 4 teaspoons) for drizzling consistency.
\nFREEZING AND REHEATING:
\nBake and cool rolls as directed, do not glaze. Wrap in moisture and vapor proof wrap. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
\nTo reheat in a conventional oven, wrap frozen rolls in foil. Place in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until warm. Drizzle with your choice of glaze.
\nTo reheat in a microwave oven, wrap 2 of the frozen rolls in microwave-safe paper towels. Micro-cook on 100% power (high) for 1 to 1 1\/2 minutes or until warm. Drizzle with glaze. <\/p>\n
Family Life Part 9
\nFriends
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,089<\/p>\n
The Benson boys were on their way over to Max and Drew\u2019s house. They were going to spend the day and the evening. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo you believe mom and dad said we could go? I thought for sure they would say no when they met them and found out they were gay,\u201d Mark said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I was surprised too. I think it\u2019s because they\u2019re cops, mom and dad trust them more then a normal person,\u201d Mike surveyed, \u201cmaybe dad even thought he could get out of a ticket now and then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both boys laughed as they walked. Their dad drove like their gramma did, so there was no chance of a ticket. <\/p>\n
\u201cI really like Jim and Blair, do you?\u201d Mark asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s not to like? They\u2019re really nice to Max and Drew. They\u2019re super nice to us too, so why wouldn\u2019t I like them?\u201d Mike answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo you don\u2019t mind that they\u2019re gay?\u201d Mark inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not any more. I did at first, but I got used to them. I saw them kiss in the kitchen once and it didn\u2019t even gross me out,\u201d Mike replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI really like Max and Drew. They are the best friends we\u2019ve ever had at this school. I like that they don\u2019t drink or smoke, too. I was sick of hanging out with everyone that did,\u201d Mark said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard finding good friends, but when you do, you sure don\u2019t want to screw it up,\u201d Mike stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s for sure,\u201d Mark agreed. <\/p>\n
They looked up and saw Max and Drew on the balcony waving to them and they both waved back and then headed into the building to go upstairs. <\/p>\n
Max opened the door and said, \u201cCome on in. Ready for some Guitar Hero? I\u2019ve been practicing. So you better watch out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBring it on,\u201d Mark answered. <\/p>\n
Blair was in the kitchen as they passed and Mark said, \u201cHello Mr. Sandburg, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow boys, I\u2019ve asked you to call me Blair. Mr. Sandburg sounds like my grampa or something,\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, Blair. Hello, how are you?\u201d Mark asked once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m doing very well thank you, and how are you?\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting ready to beat Max\u2019s butt in Guitar Hero,\u201d Mark said as he smiled. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Blair. Where is Jim?\u201d Mike asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had to finish some things at the station, so I\u2019m alone today. Would you boys like a snack?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love one, thank you,\u201d Mark answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know it\u2019s almost lunch time, how about I make sandwiches for lunch?\u201d Blair offered. <\/p>\n
Max smiled over at Blair and said, \u201cThank you, Blair. That would be really nice. Can we help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you go up and play your game and I\u2019ll call you when lunch is made,\u201d Blair said as he shoed them off. <\/p>\n
The boys went gladly up the stairs and started playing their Guitar Hero. Blair was glad that Jim wasn\u2019t there to hear it, it would have hurt his ears. <\/p>\n
He made up deli sandwiches, got a bowl of Jell-o out of the fridge with fruit in it and set it on the table along with all the condiments for the sandwiches. He then pulled out some dip and chips and put it on the table. There was enough to feed an army, so there just might be enough for the four of them. <\/p>\n
Blair went to the stairway and said, \u201cLunch is served.\u201d<\/p>\n
All four of the boys rushed down the stairs and washed their hands in the bathroom. Then they sat at the table and began to eat. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is great, Blair, thank you,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, what Max said,\u201d Mark agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cPut all of your plates in the sink when you\u2019re done. Enjoy,\u201d Blair said as he walked into the office and let the boys have time alone with their friends. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have the best foster parents in the world, I hope you know that,\u201d Mike pointed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah, we know that. Believe me we lived at some doozies before Jim and Blair,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWere you ever mistreated?\u201d Mike asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had one man that hit us quite a bit. We didn\u2019t even have to do anything and he hit us. He had a really mean temper,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
Drew sighed and said, \u201cLet\u2019s not bring him up. Instead let\u2019s be grateful for Jim and Blair coming into our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey seem really nice,\u201d Mark deduced. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey are. You get what you see with them,\u201d Max replied. <\/p>\n
Totally switching gears, Mike asked, \u201cHave you seen Iron Man 2?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThree times,\u201d Drew said laughing. <\/p>\n
\u201cBummer, we were hoping we could go and see a movie tonight,\u201d Mark said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind seeing it again, \u201cDrew offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t either, if you want to go, we can go tonight,\u201d Max said, \u201cI need to ask Blair first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019d love to go if he says it\u2019s all right,\u201d Mark said happily. <\/p>\n
Blair walked through and said, \u201cDo you guys need more juice?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thank you, we\u2019re doing great, Blair. Thank you for everything. Do you think we can go to the movies tonight with Mark and Mike?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cDepends on what you plan on seeing,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIron Man 2,\u201d Drew answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou guys have seen that movie three times already. Aren\u2019t you sick of it?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave you seen it?\u201d Mike asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we went with the guys, one night,\u201d Blair replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we wanted to see it, but not if they\u2019ve been too many times already,\u201d Mark said. <\/p>\n
\u201cCould you take us, drop us off and pick us up when it\u2019s over?\u201d Drew asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why not. Would you like to go to the early show today?\u201d Blair offered. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah that would be good. Then we don\u2019t need any snacks at the theater. I\u2019m still stuffed from lunch,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to give you extra money in case you feel like something while you\u2019re there,\u201d Blair stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Blair,\u201d Max and Drew said together. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou are most welcome. Now run upstairs and get ready to go while I do the dishes. Then look in the paper and see when it\u2019s playing,\u201d Blair suggested. <\/p>\n
They rushed up the stairs, all giggles and laughing and Blair loved the sounds of friends in the house. Nothing quite beat it. Once Blair had everything put away and the dishes loaded in the dishwasher, he called the boys down. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you find out when it\u2019s playing?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn 40 minutes, so we could go right now and play a couple of video games before the movie,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo video games at the theater. I like to have a parent around when there are video games involved. Okay?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Max answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready when you are, Blair,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, let\u2019s get going then,\u201d Blair said smiling at all four boys. They looked so happy and excited to be seeing Iron Man 2 for the fourth time. <\/p>\n
When Blair drove up and dropped them off, he said to Max, \u201cCall as soon as you need a ride home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. We\u2019ll be careful, Blair. Don\u2019t worry,\u201d Drew said. <\/p>\n
They walked into the theater and Blair drove home, hoping that Jim would soon be back. When he drove up, he saw Jim\u2019s SUV and smiled. He looked up when he got out of the vehicle and saw Jim drinking a beer on the balcony. Blair waved and Jim waved back. <\/p>\n
Blair almost flew up the stairs, he was so happy to see his lover. He didn\u2019t know why, but he was excited to see him. <\/p>\n
He walked into the loft and into Jim\u2019s arms and kissed him deeply. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, someone is horny,\u201d Jim teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want sex, I want to dance with you for an hour while the boys are at the movie. We\u2019ll have an hour of our own time and I choose dancing,\u201d Blair instructed. <\/p>\n
Jim put some music on that Blair loved to dance to and they began to sway to the music. <\/p>\n
Jim kissed Blair\u2019s neck and said, \u201cDid all four boys go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they\u2019re the best of friends, it\u2019s nice to see them all together,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all lucky to have each other,\u201d Jim added. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust like we\u2019re lucky for all of our friends at work. We have the best of friends, don\u2019t we?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon is the best friend we could ever hope to have. Joel is always there for us no matter what is going on. Conner would die for us. Rafe and Brown would just as soon not tell us how they feel but they like us too. Yes, we\u2019re very lucky, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim, have you told Carolyn about us or about the boys?\u201d Blair asked out of the blue. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would you ask that? Who cares if she knows about anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI care. I want her to still be friends with you and I\u2019d like her to meet our boys,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, she doesn\u2019t like the two of us being together, so the chances of ever having her here is slim to none. I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe does know about us?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I felt I owed it to her to tell her the last time she was in town. She wasn\u2019t happy about it. In fact, she said she was going to make trouble for us. But she never did. I think she was jealous of us,\u201d Jim guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cProbably so and with good reason. She probably always wanted a happy life with you and instead you found it with a very hairy little guy,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you calling little?\u201d Jim joked back. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to keep Carolyn as a friend if we could, Jim. Do you think that\u2019s doable?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Chief, I don\u2019t. Too much baggage and she won\u2019t forgive me. She always wanted a child and I didn\u2019t think it was the right time then, so seeing us with two kids would probably make it even worse,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
They danced without talking for awhile and then the phone rang. \u201cThat\u2019ll be the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim picked it up and said, \u201cYou ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Jim, yes, we\u2019re ready. We\u2019ll be waiting out front for you,\u201d Max said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be right there,\u201d Jim said before he hung up the phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe four guys are ready,\u201d Jim said as he pulled Blair in for a last kiss for the evening. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready,\u201d Blair called out, as he shut off the stereo equipment. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen let\u2019s go get these friends,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNothing beats friends. I\u2019m glad they have them and we have them too,\u201d Blair declared. <\/p>\n
Jim smiled and said, \u201cWe\u2019ve all got a good life, Chief. Thankfully we plan on having many years of that life with our friends and each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
They drove across town to get the boys, both men humming, You\u2019ve Got to Have Friends.<\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve Got to Have Friends Lyrics<\/p>\n
And I am all alone
\nThere is no one here beside me
\nAnd my problems have all gone
\nThere is no one to deride me<\/p>\n
But you got to have friends
\nThe feeling’s oh so strong
\nYou go to have friends
\nTo make that day last long
\nI had some friends but their gone
\nSomeone came and took them away
\nAnd from the dusk till the dawn
\nHere is where I’ll stay<\/p>\n
Standing at the end of the road, boys
\nWaiting for my new friends to come
\nI don’t care if I’m hungry or bored
\nI’m gonna get me some of them<\/p>\n
Cause you got to have friends
\nLa la la la la la la la la
\nFriends, I said you,
\nOh you, yeah you, I said
\nYou got to have some Friends
\nSomething about friends
\nJust right friends
\nFriends, friends, friends<\/p>\n
I had some friends oh but they’re all gone, gone
\nSomeone came and snatched them away
\nAnd from the dusk until the very dawn
\nYou know here is where I gotta stay
\nHere is where I gotta stay
\nAnd I’m standing at the end of a real long road
\nAnd I’m waiting for my new friends to come
\nI don’t care if I’m hungry or freezing cold
\nI’m gonna get me some of them<\/p>\n
Cause you got to have friends
\nThat’s right friends
\nFriends,\u2026.I gotta see my, I gotta see my
\nI gotta see all of my friends, friends
\nFriends, friends, friends
\nOhhh<\/p>\n
Family Life Part 10
\nFighting
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Patt<\/p>\n
Word Count: 3,046<\/p>\n
Jim got done in the shower and was getting ready to shave when he heard Drew ask Blair, \u201cDo you think we could have some friends over this weekend?\u201d<\/p>\n
Without pausing, Blair said, \u201cOf course you can have some friends over this weekend. That would be super.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we should see if Jim has any plans first. It\u2019s on Sunday,\u201d Max advised. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, its fine with Jim, don\u2019t worry about it. He\u2019s a pushover most of the time,\u201d Blair assured them both. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, okay then. We\u2019ll plan on asking four guys over to play Wii all day Sunday. Are you sure we won\u2019t drive you nuts?\u201d Max asked once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. Who else is coming besides Mark and Mike?\u201d Blair inquired. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re new to the school and don\u2019t have many friends yet. They\u2019re twins and their mom will probably want to meet you first. They\u2019re names are Sam and Seth. They\u2019re really nice. We all get along really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I\u2019m glad to hear that friends are working out for you. Now I better get ready or I\u2019m going to be late for work,\u201d Blair started up the stairs to get his things for the shower. <\/p>\n
Jim came walking out, dressed and ready and said, \u201cSo what\u2019s new at school?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith us?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course with you, who else would I be wondering about?\u201d Jim joked with Max. <\/p>\n
Max smiled and said, \u201cI got an A in my exam in History yesterday. I forgot to tell Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI got an A in my Math class. I love Calculus,\u201d Drew said almost shyly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s terrific, both of you. What a good job you must have done on studying,\u201d Jim surmised. <\/p>\n
\u201cDid you hear that we\u2019re going to have friends over this weekend?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSure did. That\u2019s nice,\u201d Jim said as calmly as he could, considering he was ready to wring Blair\u2019s neck. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure you don\u2019t mind?\u201d Drew asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more the merrier,\u201d Jim said and got a cup of coffee, but the smile didn\u2019t make it to his eyes and the boys noticed. <\/p>\n
Max shrugged when Drew looked at him for an explanation. <\/p>\n
Blair got into the shower and Jim said, \u201cDo me a favor guys, would you tell Blair that I had a meeting with Simon at 7:30 and he\u2019ll have to drive his own SUV in?\u201d <\/p>\n
Max looked stunned. They always drove to work together. Max knew that Jim was angry about something and it was probably over them. <\/p>\n
\u201cAre you mad at us?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not. You\u2019ve done nothing to displease me in any way. You\u2019re both great boys. Now stop worrying and give Blair the message for me,\u201d Jim said as he walked out the door. <\/p>\n
As soon as Jim was in the parking lot, Max watched from the balcony and said to Drew, \u201cThey\u2019re fighting. Blair just doesn\u2019t know it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThings have been going so well, I was hoping that things would be different here,\u201d Drew said sadly. <\/p>\n
\u201cI guess not. They\u2019ll fight and then they\u2019ll break up and then they\u2019ll place us in a new home,\u201d Max believed. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh god\u2026\u201d Drew said sounding even sadder then he did before. <\/p>\n
Blair came walking out the door and said, \u201cWhere\u2019s Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he was angry. He drove to work early and said you needed to drive your own SUV,\u201d Max said as bravely as he could. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, he left? We always go together,\u201d Blair said as he walked out to the balcony and saw for sure that Jim had left the parking lot. Sure enough, there was an empty space where Jim\u2019s SUV used to be. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re sorry for starting trouble. It must have something to do with the weekend,\u201d Drew assumed. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t start any trouble. Jim is the one that started trouble and he\u2019s going to hear about it big time,\u201d Blair assured them both. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t fight,\u201d Max pleaded. <\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we won\u2019t fight. I\u2019ll just talk to him like an adult would,\u201d Blair promised. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe he had plans made for Sunday,\u201d Drew guessed. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe he should have stayed and shared those plans with us then. He needs to get used to life being a little bit differently. He\u2019s been spoiled for years,\u201d Blair joked. <\/p>\n
Both of the boys smiled at the attempt at humor and Max said, \u201cWould you give us a ride to school today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, get your things ready and we\u2019ll go right now,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
The boys got their things and they all took off for the day. Blair dropped them at school and then dialed Jim\u2019s phone from the SUV. It went right to voice mail, making Blair even madder. <\/p>\n
Blair slammed it into drive and drove down the street, but it wasn\u2019t unnoticed. Max saw the look on Blair\u2019s face and knew he was angry. Things might get ugly over this, he just knew it. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
When Blair walked into the bullpen, Jim was in Simon\u2019s office. Blair sat down at his desk and fumed all alone for a while, until Conner walked up and said, \u201cGood morning, Sandy. How are you this fine day?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust fucking great, Conner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, then. Back to work I go,\u201d Conner said moving off to her own desk giving Blair the \u2018evil eye\u2019. She had learned said, \u2018evil eye\u2019 from Sandy. <\/p>\n
Jim walked out and sat down at his desk. He didn\u2019t say good morning, how are you or fuck you. He totally ignored Blair all together. Everyone noticed and wondered what was going on. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, may I speak to you in Interrogation Room 1?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s being used by Rafe,\u201d Jim answered shortly. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen, how about number 2?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever,\u201d Jim said as he got up and walked towards the interrogation room, he knew Blair would get his way. He always got his way. Well today, things were going to change. Jim was standing his ground. <\/p>\n
When he got into the room, he sat down at the table and waited for Blair to enter. Blair entered all right, but he was one pissed off partner. He walked in and slammed the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the fuck is your problem today?\u201d Blair asked outright. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, we always drive together, I thought it was understood that we drive in together,\u201d Blair said as calmly as he could. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, maybe I understood that you would ask me about things in our life that you just take for granted,\u201d Jim retorted. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just know you\u2019re not talking about the boys having someone over on Sunday, right? We want them to have friends over, Jim. It\u2019s important that they have a life outside of us,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen why didn\u2019t you at least ask my opinion?\u201d Jim wondered aloud. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all upset because they knew you were mad at me and they know it\u2019s their fault. They\u2019re probably already planning the next home they\u2019ll have to go to,\u201d Blair shouted. <\/p>\n
Jim stood up and shouted back, \u201cStop being so over-dramatic. It\u2019s a misunderstanding. They don\u2019t have to move because I\u2019m pissed off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, maybe I want to move. I don\u2019t like the way you\u2019re acting and I also don\u2019t like the way you treated the boys. How dare you make them tell me you left early and to drive my SUV in? Who the fuck died and made you Pope?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo because I drove into work without you, you\u2019re going to move?\u201d Jim asked, suddenly interested. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you\u2019re being a prick. Those kids don\u2019t need that shit. In fact, I want you to move. They can stay at the loft with me. Why should their life change just because you\u2019re an asshole?\u201d Blair continued shouting. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m not moving. You\u2019ll just have to sleep in the office,\u201d Jim said as he stormed out of the room. <\/p>\n
\u201cFucker\u2026\u201d Blair whispered and knew Jim had heard him when Jim turned and glared at him. <\/p>\n
\u201cGrow up, Ellison,\u201d Blair said as he walked by him and sat down at his own desk. <\/p>\n
Simon frowned from the office. He could tell something was up with Jim this morning when he came in all alone. But now seeing the two of them together didn\u2019t help at all. Blair was very angry and Simon wondered what Jim had done this time. <\/p>\n
\u201cSandburg, my office,\u201d Simon called out. <\/p>\n
\u201cShut your mouth about private things,\u201d Jim snarled. <\/p>\n
\u201cFuck you,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
Blair walked in and said, \u201cIs there a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would guess there is and his name must be Ellison,\u201d Simon stated, chewing on his unlit cigar, furiously. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimon, it\u2019s no one\u2019s business what we\u2019re fighting about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, keep in mind that all of this family stuff is new to him. Maybe you should cut him a break?\u201d Simon asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cA break. I\u2019ll give him a break. Now if you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to get my work done so I can go home and calm the boys down. They were upset this morning when Jim though his temper tantrum and left the loft.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no, not in front of the boys,\u201d Simon fretted. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, in front of the boys. He\u2019s as mature as he is old. I told him to get out of the loft, but he refuses to go,\u201d Blair mentioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cSandburg, you don\u2019t really want to have him move do you?\u201d Simon questioned. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I want is to start the damn day over again, so we could work this all out, but he\u2019s being an ass, and has made that impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlair, calm down. One of you is going to have to give in and apologize, for the boys\u2019 sake,\u201d Simon suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s not going to be me,\u201d Blair said walking out of Simon\u2019s office and sitting down at his desk once again. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see you in Interrogation room 2,\u201d Jim ordered. <\/p>\n
\u201cTough shit, Jim. I\u2019m not in the mood,\u201d Blair said pulling a file and starting to work on it. <\/p>\n
Jim started pounding things on his desk and made everyone look his way. Conner walked over and said, \u201cJimbo, may I speak with you please?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim followed Conner into Interrogation room 2 and shut the door. \u201cWhat do you want, Conner?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to know if you hate Blair or do you dislike those boys that much?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about? I love Blair and I love the boys too,\u201d Jim said as calmly as he possibly could. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not acting like it. You\u2019re acting like you\u2019re five years old and didn\u2019t get your way. Tell me honestly what started this fight,\u201d Conner suggested. <\/p>\n
Jim told her what was said while he was in the shower and then what Blair had told the boys. Then he just stopped. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, he should have asked me first,\u201d Jim said adamantly. <\/p>\n
\u201cShould have asked you what?\u201d Conner asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cAbout Sunday, Conner. The least you could do is pay attention if you\u2019re butting your nose into our life, at least listen to what I\u2019m telling you,\u201d Jim barked. <\/p>\n
\u201cFuck you, Ellison. You\u2019re acting like a child and one that needs a fucking spanking, at that. If I was Sandy, I would never forgive you,\u201d Conner opened up the door and stormed out. <\/p>\n
Jim leaned against the wall and took some deep breaths. <\/p>\n
His phone rang and it was Max. \u201cMax, why are you calling during school hours?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I know you\u2019re mad at us, but please don\u2019t fight with Blair. He was just trying to make things better for all of us. He tries so hard all the time. I don\u2019t want him to be in trouble because of us. We don\u2019t need to do anything on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was starting to calm down, only to have it replaced with anger at himself. Blair was right. The boys did blame themselves and Jim just couldn\u2019t have that. <\/p>\n
\u201cMax, I was angry at Blair for not asking my opinion, but that was all. It\u2019s going to be all right. Don\u2019t worry about anything. And I don\u2019t want you talking on your cell again while you\u2019re in school. Am I understood?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou promise that things will be fine tonight?\u201d Max asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cI promise,\u201d Jim agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll right then, I\u2019ll go back to class. Please don\u2019t be mad,\u201d Max said once more. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not mad, Max. Stop worrying, all right?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see you tonight then,\u201d Max said before he closed his cell phone. <\/p>\n
Jim sighed and realized he was going to have to fix this and now. He was going to have to eat crow, whether he liked it or not. <\/p>\n
He dialed Blair\u2019s cell phone and Blair answered, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMax just called me from school. Come into Interrogation room 2 and I\u2019ll tell you about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim closed his cell and waited all of two minutes for Blair to come rushing through the door. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Blair asked frantically. <\/p>\n
\u201cChief, first let me tell you that I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Jim started. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened to Max? Why are you sorry?\u201d Blair yelled. <\/p>\n
\u201cNothing happened to him, but you were right, he was worried that it was because of them that we\u2019re fighting. I\u2019m sorry, I\u2019ll try and do better,\u201d Jim said, eyes looking at the ground as he talked. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, do you realize how badly you hurt the boys today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Chief, I do. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019ll apologize to them tonight. That is if you still don\u2019t want me to move.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair stood there a moment and thought about the idea of Jim moving and shuttered. He hated the idea of being separated from Jim. They were in love, damn it and they could overcome this. <\/p>\n
\u201cJim, I\u2019d sooner die then have you move,\u201d Blair confessed. <\/p>\n
Jim pulled Blair into his arms and said, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry. I was hurt this morning when you didn\u2019t ask my opinion and it just flew out of control.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, that part is my fault. I should have asked you when you came out. I shouldn\u2019t have decided it on my own. I\u2019m sorry for doing that. But we have to be careful how we act in front of these kids. They were probably already moving themselves into a new home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you forgive me for everything I said and did?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ll forgive me too,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll explain everything to the boys tonight, so they don\u2019t feel left out of the loop,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood idea. It\u2019s a plan,\u201d Blair agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get our work done, so we can actually leave at 5:00 as planned. I\u2019m sorry I made you drive your own vehicle in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t do it again,\u201d Blair warned and Jim knew that it was something he really needed to listen to for a change. <\/p>\n
\u201cI promise,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get back to work and we\u2019ll talk when we get home,\u201d Blair said as he walked out of the room, followed closely by Jim. <\/p>\n
Conner saw them both smile at each other and knew they had worked things out. She was glad. She hated seeing them mad at each other for anything. <\/p>\n
Conner walked up to Jim and said, \u201cJimbo, are we still invited for poker Saturday night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Christ, I forgot all about it, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Blair. We\u2019ll do it another weekend. One when we don\u2019t have to get up early for the boys,\u201d Jim said softly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll plan poker for another Saturday, Conner. Would you pass the word?<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, glad to see you two worked out your differences,\u201d she said as she walked up to Rafe and Brown. <\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
At 5:30 Max and Drew were standing on the balcony waiting for Jim and Blair to return. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope they\u2019re talking and not fighting anymore,\u201d Drew declared. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hate when they argue, so I hope they\u2019re both in a good mood when they get home,\u201d Max confessed. <\/p>\n
At that moment, Jim and Blair both pulled into the parking lot, parked and got out of their SUVs. They walked hand in hand up the stairs, giving both of the kids a good feeling about things. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey must have made up,\u201d Max surveyed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank goodness for that,\u201d Drew said happily. <\/p>\n
When Jim and Blair came in the door, Jim hugged both of the boys and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry for being such an ass this morning. We had plans Saturday night and I was just thrown off by Blair not asking me first. But it\u2019s not a big deal. We moved the poker game to the next Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom now on, we\u2019ll get both of your permission,\u201d Drew said, sounding so grown up it made Jim sad. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not necessary. I just got me feelings hurt and took it out on Blair, which ultimately came down on your two,\u201d Jim explained. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t mind calling our friends and putting it off a week or two,\u201d Max suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, we\u2019re going to have fun. Blair and I will make up all of the food and snacks for you and your friends. You\u2019ll have a good time, we\u2019ll see to it,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
Max hugged both of the men and then walked up the stairs. Drew said, \u201cHe was worried we would have to move again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, and I\u2019m sorry for that,\u201d Jim apologized again. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe really like it here and didn\u2019t want to leave,\u201d Drew admitted. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood, we really like having you here too,\u201d Blair said easily. <\/p>\n
Drew walked up the stairs and Jim pulled Blair into his arms. \u201cI\u2019m really sorry. I need to understand that these boys need special care all the time. I can\u2019t destroy them like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for seeing it, Jim. That\u2019s the first step. And I\u2019ll try and include you in all decision making from now on. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything is okay with me as long as it includes you and the boys in the equation. <\/p>\n
\u201cGood. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d Jim replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat should we do now? Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s say we make dinner?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re on,\u201d Blair answered as they walked into the kitchen to prepare a nice dinner for the four of them. <\/p>\n
Things weren\u2019t always easy, but as long as everyone talked, they would be all right. <\/p>\n
The end<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Life Part 1: Moving In By Patt Summary: What happens with someone has an urge to have a child and the other one doesn\u2019t? It\u2019s called compromise. Thank you to Helena for naming this baby. \ud83d\ude42 She\u2019s like my … Continue reading