Two's Company, Three's Love

CPS Call-Out

A/N: If y'all didn't see this coming, I don't know what's wrong with ya! Just kidding :P But we all know there's jerks in the world who just have to rain on everyone's parade.

Will the trio get to keep Cerise? Will anyone be taken to jail? Read on to find out! ;)

They were back home a few weeks later as the band were getting ready to do some festivals they had been invited to. Several other groups were playing as well. Home Free were rehearsing their show and figuring out what songs to do, which they were going to have to cut, and the lighting since this wasn't a normal show. They wouldn't have the time they normally did for a show. The little festival circuit was starting in Nashville which Tim was very grateful for.

Amarelle was at home one day with Cerise, since school would be starting in a few weeks and Ama wanted to get her into a "school routine", working from home. She'd cleaned what little had needed to be cleaned right after breakfast. Cerise was playing in her room when their came a knock at the door. Ama wasn't expecting anyone since everyone was busy. She set her laptop on the coffee table and moved to answer the door. There stood a woman, in her mid-40's, office dress, with a file and clipboard in her hands.

"Hello. May I help you?" Amarelle politely asked as she looked at this woman who was staring at her.

"Yes. I'm Denise from Child Protective Services. We were called about a child. Cerise Rupp. Is she here?" The woman told her.

"CPS? Why were you called?" Amarelle immediately questioned, an uneasy feeling washing over her, "She's in her room playing for a little bit."

"Who are you and what relation are you to the child? Where is the child's parents? May I take a look around your house?" Denise questioned.

"Her father is rehearsing for a show. Her biological mother passed away giving birth to her second child. I do not feel comfortable letting you in to our home without Adam here." Amarelle stated.

"Will you call the child's father and get him here, please?" Denise asked.

"Absolutely. Please wait outside."

Amarelle walked back to the couch where her phone was. Her hands were shaking as she hit the speed dial for Adam. Sitting on the couch, she could see Denise walking around their yard looking at things then writing on her clipboard. It made the young woman very nervous.

"Hey sweetie! You know we're in the middle of rehearsal, right?" Adam chuckled.

"You need to come home immediately!" Ama's voice cracked, "A woman from CPS is here. She wants to take a look inside the house."

"WHAT?! What happened? Why is she there?" The panic in Adam's voice catching everyone's attention.

Tim looked at Adam with a raised brow. Rob began scratching his beard as they waited for Adam to get off the phone.

"Baby I don't know. She called Cerise by Rupp. She wanted to know who I was, what 'relation' I was to her, where her parents were, and then asked if she could 'take a look around the house'. I told her I wasn't comfortable with that and then she asked if I'd call you." Ama explained, "Please come home quickly!"

"We'll be there as soon as we can. Stay calm. Keep Cerise calm." Adam's voice cracked slightly before they hung up, "Guys, I gotta go. CPS is at the house right now wanting to look around. I'm sorry."

"What? Let's go. We can finish rehearsal later." Tim exclaimed as he walked to his husband and grabbed his hand.

"I'll call Luke and let him know what's going on. If y'all need anything, please let us know. Keep us in the loop." Rob quickly told the pair.