A Different Type of Family

December 31

Alexander Joshua Adams Foster was packed to leave BU. He served his time and it felt bittersweet. He would be leaving Bruce Hale by himself and without support at BU. At least, they would see each other at ABCC. AJ was waiting for his grandparents to come pick him up since he would be staying with them until he can be trusted to go home.

His anger issues and moods would no longer be tolerated and he knew that. Bruce eyed his best friend. "HEY," Bruce added.

"Hi," AJ replied. "I will miss you."

"Me too. At least we can see each other at ABCC," Bruce added. AJ nodded.

"That's true," AJ added. "But it won't be the same."

"True," Bruce replied. Their was a knock at the door and the BU home leader came to get AJ.

"AJ your grandparents are here," he added. AJ nodded and got his bags in order and left.

"This isn't a goodbye," AJ added.

"Not in a long shot," Bruce replied as they both boys' nodded. A few minutes later, AJ was gone and Bruce sighed as he shut the door and sat on the bottom bunk.

At the Cooper home, AJ used the room he shared with Ty and he was glad he was in a place he knew and loved. "How are you baby?" Sharon asked.

"Fine grandma. I just miss Bruce. I was hoping mama would foster him," AJ added.

"Honey. She has eleven kids to worry about. Even though you are here, she still worries about you," Sharon added.  AJ nodded. "Dinner in ten. We have guests."

AJ nodded as he flew downstairs and eyed his brother's, sister and mama. "Hi everyone."

"AJ!" the siblings added. He smiled wide.

"Hi mama," AJ added.

"Hi baby boy," Lena replied. "How are you?"

"Happy to be here. But I miss Bruce."

"I know my baby boy," Lena added. "And I hope you know why I could not foster him?"

"I know. Too much kids," AJ added. Lena nodded. They ate dinner and talked about when school would start up again.  "It is eleven of us."

Before Lena and the other kids left back home, she talked with AJ. "You have therapy once school starts."

"I know mama," AJ added in a smirk.

Two weeks passed and the kids went back to school. Callie went to her therapy session and AJ went to his first one. He was anxious and nervous.

"It is natural to feel anxious and nervous," Callie added. "It is scary to share secrets."

"I guess," AJ added. Callie was called and a few minutes later a lady came to see AJ.

"AJ Adams Foster? I'm Jamie Stevens."

"That's me," AJ added. He walked to follow her. 

With Jamie Stevens, "How did you feel about finding out you were adopted?"

AJ sighed. "Like I was lied too. It hurt."

"Do you feel loved and belonged?" she asked.

"I do. But I wish she had told me since I was little that I was adopted," AJ added.

Jamie nodded. "What were the options?"

"If she didn't adopt me. My biological father would have put me in foster care."

"How did you feel about that?" she asked.

"Hurt. He didn't want me since my real mom died."

"Anything else?" she asked.