Found Family

Chapter 6 - Home 2/3

Four Hours Later

It was noon now and the boys were helping me make lunch. I decided to make sandwiches for lunch with fruit, vegetables and some chips. I had the boys help me set everything up. Wren, Griffin and Liam made their own sandwiches and Wren helped Nolan make his while I cut up the fruit and veggies. Liam put the chips in a bowl and helped Griffin set the table. I had just finished cutting up a cucumber when I heard the doorbell. I went to get the door and found Mrs. Matthews standing there with a man standing slightly behind her.

I smiled at them both and said "Mrs. Matthews and I presume Mr. Matthews?"

They both looked taken aback before the man said "Yes, Ms. Clarke"

"I apologize. I ran a background check on you Mrs. Matthews after we met. I like to know who exactly I'm letting in my home, especially now that I have four new family members. During the check I found out that your husband is also a CPS worker. That and he has been watching me and the man behind me warily in a stance that suggests he's prepared to jump in front of you to protect you."

They stood there in shock and I turned to Jason who was indeed standing about three feet behind me, "Jason, there is no need to be so scary to our guests, they are just here to make sure this is a safe environment for the boys."

He nodded sharply before smirking at the still stunned expressions of the Matthews. He spoke before I could, saying "She didn't become the richest woman in the country by being stupid or ignorant."

Before he could say anything else I opened the door wider and motioned for them to come inside. As they followed I spoke "Jason is a member of my security team, Mrs. Matthews the man you saw last time was Mark and he is my head of security. Like Jason said I am the richest woman in the country, this is not bragging but mere fact thus requiring a certain level of protection. Mark and Jason are the only two aloud around the boys. I trust my team with my life, but the boys are most comfortable around Jason and Mark. Now let's head to the kitchen for lunch before we discuss everything else."

We walked into the dining room where the boys and I had laid the spread of food. The boys were already sitting at the table when we entered. I smiled reassuringly at them and said "Boys, this is Mrs. and Mr. Matthews."

The two adults smiled gently and the boys smiled shyly back. I sat at the head of the table and the boys sat in their usual spots next to me. Liam on my left with Wren beside him and Nolan on my right with Griffin beside him. Jason had followed us in and he sat next to Griffin while Mrs. Matthews sat next to Wren, her husband next to her eyeing the food in delight. "Now since obviously no one is hungry let's just stare at the food." I said and we all laughed digging in.

We had eaten in comfortable silence before Mrs. Matthews asked a question, "Is this how all meals are at this house?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand Mrs. Matthews?"

"Do the boys always sit next to you like this? Are all the meals balanced like this?"

I furrowed my brow slightly confused before understanding dawned. The boys had automatically sat next to me and became comfortable here instead of trying to avoid me. That and the meal was in fact very balanced, with fruit, veggies, protein and chips. The boys had grown used to the fact that I wanted them to have a balanced diet and having junk and sweets was okay but only sometimes as treats. "From day one the boys have been welcome to sit wherever they like, they decided to sit like this and that has not changed. Yes, I want the boys to grow and be healthy. We do have things like chips and sweets but only after they have eaten enough of everything else."

She nodded, satisfied with my answers. We continued eating with Jason joking around with the boys and I. Once lunch was done I had the boys take the dishes to the sink, I would do them later. Mrs. Matthews looked surprised by this and I said " Mrs. Matthews, is there a problem with the boys being responsible for their dishes?"

"No, not at all. It's just that most of the time when I visit, the parents kiss up and pretend to pamper the kids."

"I have no intention of pretending. The boys take care of their own dishes, I will wash them later."

She nodded pleased.

"Why don't we go sit in the living room and talk? I assume you would like the boys present?"

"Yes, please."

We walked to the living room and sat down on the couches. Mrs. Matthews started "What are your plans for their schooling?"

"Wren, having finished high school already, has taken up my proposition to work for me at my company. I will be teaching him the ins and outs of business, and he will be paid like any other employee and I will set up an account for him to use as he wishes. If Wren wishes to, he will also go to college but I would like him to be settled here before he decides to take any classes. Griffin, Liam and Nolan will be going to Sunvalley Academy where they will be able expand the knowledge they already have. I have information on the school and their enrollment right here if you would like to see it."

I handed her a folder with the information. She took it and looked it over with her husband. Her eyes went to the last page where the receipt of their enrollment was and said "The government cannot pay you enough to cover this cost."

"About that, I refuse government aid. Very simply, I don't need it. Please focus that money on children who are in less fortunate situations. I'm quite sure I can cover all expenses."

She looked up at me with her eyes glassy. I smiled and said "Why don't the boys show you their rooms? I'll stay here so you can talk to them privately. I'm sure your husband has some questions that he has been dying to ask."

Mr. Matthews blushed slightly and Mrs. Matthews chuckled. The boys showed her their rooms, I smiled at their excitement. Mr. Matthews watched me before he finally spoke, "You love them."

It wasn't a question but I answered anyway "Of course. They are family."

"What if they don't feel the same way?"

"Then that's understandable. They had their trust broken at a very early age by the people who were supposed to protect and love them. I have been very open with them and have told them several times that they are family to me now. I have also said that if they don't feel the same then that's okay. Either way it's my job to protect and love them"

He thought for a moment before asking another question "You don't seem to have many servants?"

"I have one housekeeper, who takes care of the house and cooks for me. I gave her the day off today, seeing as it is Sunday. Before the boys came I worked 7 days a week. However, I will now always be home on Sundays and hopefully Saturdays as well. I have already told the boys this. With my line of work, I am often at the office from 7 am to 7 pm. Again this will also change, I will be at the office from 7 am to 5 pm. If I have other work then I will do it in my home office."

He nodded again and turned to Jason "What are your thoughts on this whole ordeal?"

"Mr. Matthews, frankly, this is the best decision Ms. Clarke has made. Ever. As you can tell, she loves these boys. I've worked for Ms. Clarke for 3 years now, I've been overpaid, overfed and underworked. This woman has literally forced me home before. I mean she drove me home and shoved me into my house saying that if I came to work she would just keep doing the same thing. Hell, yesterday she threatened to overpay Lucy, the housekeeper, if she came into work today!"