Safe and Sound

2. Coming Home

Chapter 2
Coming Home

Sitting in the car on the drive home was nerve-racking to say the least. My grip on the steering wheel had turned my knuckles white.

Jodie was sitting in the front seat of the car, looking apprehensive, and the boys didn't know anything about my plan to adopt her.

"Are you sure about this?" She asked again, fiddling with the hem of her t-shirt, "I mean, it's not too late to take me back if you're having second thoughts. I wouldn't blame you if you were."

She'd been doing this ever since we left the hospital, and the closer we got to home, the more she started saying this. I didn't believe she was doing this to make me take her back, but because she was scared about what was going to happen.

And I didn't blame her. I was scared about the implications of doing this. But it didn't matter, because I wasn't going to regret this decision.

"I'm sure, Jodie. I couldn't have you staying in the hospital indefinitely, and I want to give you a home that you feel safe in. A home that you can be happy in."

A small smile tugged at the edges of her lips. She hadn't had a stable home environment in about six years, and for three of those years she'd been living on the streets or running.

"Okay. I'm just scared. What if they only liked me cause I helped John? What if they don't like me living with you?"

"With your brains and sarcasm? I doubt they would want to get on your bad side. They would be mad to do that." I told her, getting another small smile out of her, "And the way they talk about you, I don't think they'll mind you living with us. If anything, you'll have to have Gordon and Alan extracted from you, and duct tape John's mouth to stop him from asking you questions at three am."

When we pulled into the street, I noticed my mothers' car was in the driveway. As far as I could tell, everything was going according to plan.

"Operation Surprise is go." Jodie muttered, as she started wringing her hands together.

"Everything is going to be alright." I told her as we pulled into the drive next to the other car parked there, and getting out, "And I promise we will go out and get you some clothes, and stuff for your room."

"It's been a long time since I've had a room to myself. About six years, but it could be seven."

"That long?"

"Yeah. Anyway, into the belly of the beast, and out of the demons arse." She muttered, getting out of the car and grabbing her rucksack.

I rolled my eyes, getting out as well.

"I know where that comes from, you know. One of my favorite movies growing up, but my mother didn't like me watching it. Used to watch on the sly. How did you see it?"

"They used to do 'Movie Night' at the hospital sometimes. They played it during my first couple of weeks there."

We got to the front door, and I put my finger to my lips before I put the key in and turned the key in the lock.

There were hushed whispers coming from the den. They'd agreed that between five and six, we would have quiet time. A time where the older ones could do homework, and the Terrible Two had to do something that wouldn't distract anybody, like watching a movie.

When we got into the hall, I held out my hand to stop her before walking to the closed sliding doors and opening them.

"Hey boys." I greeted, smiling at them, "How are you?"