Family is Everything - Linstead Fanfic

Chapter 10 - Real Family

"What did you need to talk to me in private about?" Erin asked Jay as she sat next to him on the hospital bed.

"Well, you were saying something about that kid, right? Andrew?"

Erin nodded, not knowing where he was going with this.

"I had a dream where his dad came and told me I needed to take care of his son and adopt him and raise him well. I mean, I knew his dad from the Rangers, but this felt like way more than a dream. Baby, I wanna adopt that little boy."

"Oh my god, Jay! Me too!"

-/:-/:

"Hey, Cody, Landon, where's Em?" Will asked as he saw his nephews approaching.

"With Andrew. I love that kid, he's the best." Landon smiled, Cody nodding in agreement.

"Well, let's go check on 'em."

Will and the twins went to Andrew's room and saw the two, asleep side-by-side.

"I think Em just found a new best friend." Cody laughed.

"Does he have any family left?" Landon asked out of the blue.

Will shook his head. "From what your parents have investigated, it was just him and his parents. Clearly, the mom was a psycho and I'm guessing the dad wasn't around enough to realize it."

"That's awful."

"Yeah, I wish we could adopt him. I'd love a little brother."

-/:-/:

"Hank, please help us out with this. You know someone who can jump the line, right?" Erin asked Hank over the phone after telling him their decision to adopt Andrew.

"If you're sure about this, yes. Karen Adams from DCFS, she's my kinda person plus she owes me a favor. I'll give her a call and tell her to meet you guys over there."

"Great, thanks."

Within the hour, Karen Adams was there.

"So, what's the situation with the kid? He hasn't even entered the system yet." Karen asked them, ready to write down what they said.

"His mom killed his dad and the mom sent him away with some guy who abused him, my guess is the mom did too. Jay knew the kid's dad from the Rangers, neither he or his wife had any remaining family left." Erin informed her.

"Well, if all that checks out, I do owe Hank a favor. If what you say is all true, my guess is Andrew will legally be your son by next week. By the end of September at the latest."

-/-/-/

"So, why're we all in here for a family meeting?" Emily asked as she, Landon, Cody, Hank, and Will stood in Jay's room, all surrounding he and Erin.

"We have some good news." Jay told them, smiling at Erin.

"And what would that be?" Landon asked.

"Well, in light of recent events, Mom and I have decided that we are going to adopt another kid." Jay said, Erin smiling.

"Wait, what? Really? Is it Andrew?" The kids asked, getting excited when Erin confirmed that it was indeed Andrew.

"Yes! Andrew is my best friend!" Emily cheered, over the moon excited.

"Guys, what do you think about it?" Jay asked the twins.

"It's great!" Landon said.

"Yeah, Drew's the best!" Cody agreed.

"Does he know yet?" Emily asked.

"No, but you can tell him." Erin decided, Jay nodding.

And so Emily skipped off to her buddy's room.

"Andrew! I have great news!" Emily called as she entered his room.

"What?" He asked, looking up from a Rubik's cube Will had given him.

"You're going to be my brother! My mom and dad are adopting you and you'll join our family!"

"Really?!" Andrew asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Yeah! Is that good news or bad news for you? How do you feel about it?"

"It's great! I'm going to get a real family!"