DNA or Nurture

Adjusting

The next day, Amelia was called into social services. When she arrived, Mackenzie Matthews came over to talk to her.

"You're kids are safe with a nice foster mom." Mackenzie stated "And in order to gain custody of your kids back you'll have to go through our program."

Amelia nodded, "I'll do whatever it takes. I didn't abandon them. I went to rehab to get sober. I'm ready to be an amazing mom."

"Alright first you're going to have to start attending AA meetings to stay sober. Staying sober is the hardest part." Mackenzie explained

"I will." Amelia replied. Then she asked, "Could you tell me their foster mom's name? I won't try to find her. I'm just curious."

Mackenzie shook her head, "I'm sorry I cant, but I promise you your kids are in excellent care."

Amelia nodded, "Alright I understand."

A week later, Harvey is finally out of the hospital. He and his sister, Harper are relaxing at their foster home with Addison. They are playing Monopoly when Addison's pager goes off. She looks at it and sees that she was paged 911.

"I have to go, but I'm going to call Sam over to watch you. I should be back in a few hours." Addison says as she starts to stand up.

"No!" Harper cries as she clings to Addison "Don't leave me, Addie."

"Oh sweetie, I'll be back. I promise." Addison replies

Harper just clings tighter and cries, "Don't leave me, Addie. Please stay. I need you."

Addison's sighs softly and feels her heart sink in her chest She feels so bad, but she has to go. She takes off her dragonfly necklace and hands it to Harper. "Here sweetie, you hold onto this for me until I get back. This necklace is my promise that I will come back."

Harper held the necklace carefully, "It's your special necklace."

Addison nodded, "I know, but right now I really have to go."

"Okay Addie. Bye and don't worry I'll take good care of your necklace." Harper replied

Addison left to go to work, and Sam came over to watch Harvey and Harper. 

That night, Harvey woke up crying in the middle of the night. Addison had put a baby monitor in her room, one in Harper's room, and one in Harvey's room so she could hear them if they needed her in the night. So she heard Harvey immediately, woke up, and ran to his room. She sat on his bed next to him, and held him in her arms.

"What's wrong, buddy?" Addison asked in a calming voice.

Harvey didn't respond because he was crying.

Then Addison asked, "Would you like me to sing to you?" Harvey just nodded.

Addison smiled and sang the song 'I'll stand by you'. Harvey listened to Addison's soft voice and slowly started to fall asleep.

Addison tucked Harvey back into bed as she finished the song. Then she said, "Goodnight my sweet boy. Sweet dreams."

Then she quietly exited his room and walked back to her room to go back to sleep.

In the morning, Addison is downstairs cooking breakfast while Harper and Harvey are upstairs getting ready for the day. Harper was the first one ready and walked downstairs for breakfast, which Addison was still cooking. Harper sat at the kitchen counter.

"Morning princess." Addison said to Harper

Harper smiled, "Morning Addie." Then she asked, "Do you have work today?"

"Not unless I get paged. " Addison replied

Harper nodded, "So what are we doing today?"

"Whatever you and Harvey would like to do." Addison responded

Harvey comes bounding down the stairs and then runs to the kitchen, "Morning Addie. Morning sissy."

"Morning bubba." Harper replied

Addison smiles, "Morning prince. What's got you so excited?"

"Nothing, but Addie I was wondering if we could go to the beach today?" Harvey asked

Addison smiled, "Harvey, buddy, have you looked out the window lately? This house is on the beach, so of course we can go to the beach."

Harvey turned around and looked out the window, "Oh I knew that. I'm not used to it yet."

"Addie? Can we go to the Aquarium today too?" Harper asked

Addison nodded, "Of course, sweet girl."

Later that day at the aquarium, Harvey and Harper are looking at the small sharks.

"Look, Addie!" Harvey said excitedly

Addison smiled, "I see, bud."

"Can I touch one?" Harvey asked "Like those people are."

Addison nodded, "If you'd like too."

Harvey smiled and then touch a small sharks the way the lady was showing them how.

"Would you like to touch one, sweetie?" Addison asked Harper.

"Will you touch one first, Addie?" Harper asked

Addison nodded, "Of course."

"Addie, it feels so slimy." Harvey stated

Addison touched one of the small sharks the way the lady had shown.

Then Harper touched one too. She smiled and giggled, "Oh, its so slimy."

Addison smiled and nodded, "Yes it does feel slimy."

Meanwhile, Amelia is in a parenting class. That was one of the requirements she had to complete to get her kids back. The other requirement is that she stays clean and sober for a year.

When they were done at the aquarium, they went home and got on their swimsuits and walked into the backyard onto the beach. When they one the beach, Harper and Harvey built a sandcastle, while Addison watched them and read a little of her book.

"Addie!" Harvey called "Come join us."

"Okay, bud. I'm coming." Addison replied as she put her book down and walked over to Harper and Harvey and helped them build the sandcastle.

Once they were done with the sandcastle, Harper said, "Race you both to the ocean." As she started running towards the water

Harvey stood up, "No fair." Then he started running to the water.

Addison shook her head and smiled as she ran to the water, and joined Harper and Harvey.

An hour later, all three of them were sitting on the porch laughing.

"I had fun today." Harper said "Thanks, Addie."

"Yeah thanks, Addie." Harvey added "That was a lot of fun."

Addison smiled, "I had fun with you too, kiddos."