cast no shadow. (the lost boys).

Chapter Eleven: New Beginnings

I wasn't sure how Max planned to convince David to let Laddie stay with us, but I hoped his approach would work. Once Max and I emerged from his office, Laddie bounded over and leapt into my arms, wrapping his legs around my waist.

"Were you good for Maria, little one?" I asked, smiling at him.

"Oh, he was great," Maria replied with a warm smile.

I thanked her and left the store with Max, still holding Laddie securely. The boys were waiting for us, David looking at Max with a raised eyebrow while the others seemed unsure.

"I think we should have a little chat, don't you?" Max suggested to David.

"Should we?" David replied, smirking slightly.

"Yes, we should," Max insisted firmly. David rolled his eyes and followed Max back into the video store, heading for the office.

I took Laddie's hand and led him to a nearby bench. As we sat down, I gazed at him with concern, hoping Max knew what he was doing. Dwayne, Marko, and Paul joined us, leaning against the railing coated with chipped blue paint.

"Am I not gonna be allowed to stay with you?" Laddie asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Don't say that. Of course you are. I'm not leaving you," I reassured him, pulling him into a tight hug. His head rested on my chest, and I gently stroked his hair.

Dwayne, who had been leaning against the railing, moved to sit beside us. He placed his arm on the back of the bench, and Laddie instinctively scooted closer to me, causing me to chuckle softly.

"I didn't know you wanted kids," Dwayne said quietly, clearly having overheard my conversation with Max.

"Yeah, I've always wanted them. It's just not really possible for me," I admitted, laughing bitterly.

"I wanted kids too," Dwayne confessed, his gaze fixed on Laddie.

"You did?" I asked, continuing to stroke Laddie's hair. Dwayne nodded, looking down at Laddie, who was now looking at him with curiosity.

"Why won't the scary man let me stay with Lizzie?" Laddie asked Dwayne, tilting his head slightly. He smiled slightly at the nickname for David.

"It's not that he doesn't want you to; he's just... stubborn. He doesn't like change or things being thrown at him," Dwayne explained. I rolled my eyes at the description. "But don't worry, I'm sure you'll be staying with us."

"Really?" Laddie asked hopefully.

"Definitely," Dwayne assured him. Laddie's face lit up, and he hugged Dwayne tightly. At first, Dwayne was hesitant, but he eventually returned the hug. It was clear he had already grown fond of Laddie.

I sighed with contentment and glanced over at Paul and Marko, who looked bored and were playing a slap game. I shook my head with a small smile and wondered when Max and David would finish their discussion. After about ten minutes, they emerged from the store.

Paul and Marko stopped their game, and we all approached Max and David. Laddie held onto Dwayne's hand as we walked.

David's face was tight, but he muttered, "He can stay."

"Yay!" I exclaimed, wrapping David in a tight hug. He sighed deeply but hugged me back.

"Now that that's settled, I need to get back to work," Max announced.

"Thank you," I said, grateful.

Max nodded with a smile and went back into the video store. I released David, and Laddie clung to me tightly.