Found Family

Chapter 3 - Office Work

I rushed up to my office and prepared to answer the many questions I knew my employee's would have. Once I sat down I heard a knock at the door. Thus began the hour of questions ranging from 'How did you do that?' to 'Who will replace Mr. Torres?' I answered each person with a calm tone while in my head I wanted them all to leave. I had yet to have lunch and I had a call at 12 pm to 2:30 pm which only gave me time to get to the house for the CPS worker to show up. I took a deep breath after the last man left. Then my phone rang, time for my call with Japan.

After two and a half hours, we had the contract finalized and plans for another contract to invest in a small music company in Japan. I hung up and raced downstairs to go to the house. I got home with 5 minutes to spare till the CPS worker arrived due to a crash on the highway. I took a deep breath and walked through the front door hoping this meeting would go smoothly, needing to leave for the office again at 5 pm to take another call at 5:20 pm. Mark greeted me in the kitchen and I found the boys and Eve sitting in the living room watching a Spiderman movie. I smiled at the sight of them calm and hated myself for having to break the peaceful bubble they were in. However, I didn't have to as the doorbell rang. Mark got to the door and brought the tall, thin and severe looking CPS worker into the living room. I smiled graciously at her and asked "Would you like any refreshments?"

"No, thank you. We have much to discuss, Miss Clarke."

"Of course Ms..."

"Mrs. Matthews."

"Mrs. Matthews, do the boys need to be here while we discuss?"

She glanced at the boys before saying "No, only Miss Smith and you have to be present."

I turned to the boys and said "Boys, Mark can take you to the basement and you can continue the movie there. I believe Lucy is almost done with some cookies which you can eat down there."

They took the hint and even Griffin went downstairs without a word. I nodded for Mark to follow them. I then moved to sit on the couch beside Eve, Mrs. Matthews sat in the chair across the table that was in the middle of the couches and chairs in this room. She spoke first, asking Eve questions. "Miss Smith, how old are you?"

"18"

"And do you have a way to provide for your brothers?"

"No"

"Do you wish to put them in foster care?"

She hesitated before saying "Y-yes"

"Then understand that you, as a legal adult, will have to provide for yourself. Your parents' company will be sold and the new boss will figure out how to handle the employees. Your brothers will most likely be separated in foster care."

Eve nodded with defeat. Seeing the despair in her eyes I spoke up "Mrs. Matthews, I believe I have a solution to this problem that would keep the family together."

I saw her eyes soften with relief, it was clear she hated breaking families apart but had to keep up a professional mask. She nodded for me to continue. "I would be willing to adopt all four boys and buy their family's company. Eve, as a legal adult, is free to go where she pleases but I can take care of her brothers."

Silent tears began rolling down Eve's face as she stared at me in shock. Mrs. Matthews looked just as shocked but recovered quickly asking Eve "Miss Smith would you be willing to give custody over to Miss Clarke?"

Eve blinked and turned to Mrs. Matthews saying "Yes"

"Well then I will bring the papers for you to sign over tomorrow. What time works best for you?"

"Tomorrow at 6:30 pm would be best for me, you are welcome to stay for dinner as well. I presume you would like to inspect the house to make sure it is a safe environment. By then I should also have plans for them to attend school."