Brothers for the Summer [Discontinued]

Chapter 26- The Lawyer

Archer

On the way home from the football practice that I missed for the most part, Isabella convinced me to talk to Holly about my depression. When we got to the house, we all greeted Holly and gave her lots of hugs.

"Holly, can I talk to you, please?"

Holly frowned. "That's not a good look. What's wrong, baby?"

"We'll leave you alone." Isaak said as he, Garrett and Isabella left the room.

I was really nervous now. Shaking, I sat down on the couch with Holly. She rubbed my back.

"Hey, calm down. Tell me what's on your mind."

I nodded. "Well, I...I think I'm depressed. Cuz I just feel sad all the time. I don't even want to play football anymore. I spent most of today sleeping or crying with Isabella in your car... Isabella said I should tell you."

Holly sighed, stroking my hair. "Well, you were right to tell me. Do you think you might know why you are so upset?"

"I'm scared of my parents hurting me and forcing me to be someone I'm not. I want to stay here with you. You're the best mom I've ever had. And this all started in the hospital, probably because I was or am still in shock over Isabella. But I think it was just building up for years from just being in a place I don't want to be."

Holly hugged me when my eyes started to get watery again. She rubbed my back and let me rest on her for a while.

"It's okay, sweetheart."

Isabella

I was with my dad in the kitchen as we desperately tried to overhear the conversation between my mother and Archer.

I shook my head. "He's depressed because he doesn't want to leave us for his stupid abusive parents. Have you figured out the legal situation for the adoption?"

My father nodded. "We contacted our lawyer in which we'll invite over to explain more of what has to be done when we get the boys on board."

I smiled. "Which, as you can see, will not be hard. Can I tell them yet? Please?"

"Yes, we can."—I followed my father into the living room where he called a "family meeting,"— "Everyone to the living room! Boys, we have something very serious we have to discuss about."

Garrett and Isaak joined us in the living room and we all sat on the couch.

"D-Did we do something wrong?" Isaak trembled.

My mom laughed at Isaak's anxiousness and hugged him, calming him completely. "No, baby. No one's in trouble."

Isaak's eyes dropped closed and his breathing slowed. I could have believed he was falling asleep on her. Not that it would surprise me. He was probably exhausted from practice.

"Okay..." Isaak mumbled. "Then what are we talking about, mom?"

Although it was mostly subconscious, I loved that the boys already thought of my mother as theirs. And I know that it warmed my mother's heart as well.

Isaak perked up. "I'm sorry, Holly. I'm tired. I know you're not my mother."

My mom smiled and caressed his cheek. "Yet."

"What?" the boys asked all at once.

My mom looked at me, knowing I was dying to tell them. Hardly able to contain my excitement, I started, "Okay. So, Isaak, remember when you told me you wished my family could adopt you guys?"