Collision✔️(Wattpad version)

Therapy

Wade

I spoke to Luke, and he referred me to a therapist for Blake. He had been lashing out at school and not adjusting at home. I was afraid he would hurt himself or one of us. He may be six, but he saw a lot in those six years.

I took him to a child therapist, and she started him drawing a picture. Since most children can't express themselves like adults, she had him do it that would help him. A picture speaks a thousand words.

Once he finishes, she took the picture then had him draw more. Once he finishes, she pulled me aside.

"Mr. Hardwick, from the pictures, it seems Blake dealt with things he shouldn't have," she explained to me.

I looked at him as he sat there quietly.

She explained the pictures showed how Blake saw things. The drug use, the yelling, the fear, being quiet. Blake was lashing out because he had no way to deal with it, and it was fear. Fear of going back. He would need constant reassurance. I nodded.

I walked over to him and took a seat.

He looked at me. "You will not leave me, will you?" It was a simple question, yet so heartbreaking.

"No, I promise," I assured him. "Your mommy did bad things, didn't she?"

"We had to be quiet. We had to stay in our rooms. Our mom made Brooklyn cry. Then she shook and died. I covered Brooklyn's eyes," he told me. I sat there, stunned. He protected his sister.

He sat there. The look in his eyes mixed with fear and loss. I reached over and touched his hand. He recoiled a bit, but I held it. He needed to know that I would hang on and never let him go. He looked at me with his big eyes and I saw it, hope.

After that day, we continued with the therapy sessions. Eventually, Cole came with us. We watched as he lashed out at us, but the therapist directed us to comfort him. He needed reassurance.

It was rough, and there were days I didn't think we would survive this. Cole reminded me that all kids need love. That he hadn't gone too far, that we couldn't help him. Blake also wasn't like Louis or others. He was angry and had to work through it.

Cole and I kept at it with Blake. He needed us, and we needed him. We needed a miracle right now.

Then one day, it came. Cole called someone, and they came over. I opened the door to find Colton standing there. He came in and asked to see Blake. I got him, bringing him into the room. Colton sat down with him.

"I heard you're having a hard time," he said as Blake nodded.

"When I was your age, I had a hard time, too. I also saw my mom die when I was older," he explained to Blake.

"You did," he asked a bit surprised.

"Yep, and I didn't know my dad, but this special guy took me in and became my dad. He showed me that people could be good. Because of him, I had a wonderful family. See those two guys standing there?" He pointed at Cole and me.

Blake turned and looked at us.

"They want to give you the love just like Luke gave me, if you let them," he told Blake.

He turned and looked at Colton. "Will they hug and kiss me?"

"All the time," Colton assured him.

"Will they read me bedtime stories?"

"Maybe two or three," he answered.

"Will they yell at me?" Blake asked with furrowed brows.

"No, they may discipline you, but they won't yell at you," he assured him.

Then he leaned over and whispered into Colton's ear, "Will they love me?"

Colton looked at him and smiled. "Why don't you ask them?"

"Okay," Blake said.

He got up and walked over to us. He looked at us and then asked, "Will you be my daddies and love me?"

At that moment, my heart exploded with happiness. I crouched down. "We would love to be your daddies and love you. We were waiting for you."

Cole crouched and looked at him, "You don't know how much we wanted to hear you say that."

Then we watched a smile form, a genuine smile. The first time since we brought Blake and Brooklyn home, he never smiled until today.

"I love you, dads."

"We love you too, buddy," we said as we both hugged him.

We looked at Colton and mouthed, "Thank you."

He nodded and got up, leaving us alone.

After that day, things got better. The therapy sessions were going better. Things at home were much better. Cade would play either car with Blake or ponies with Brooklyn. Cole and I would tag team with baths, bedtime stories, hugs, and kisses. We had three kids to deal with at home. Yeah, we still read Cade bedtime stories, just older versions.

As for desserts, it was four against one. They wanted treats before dinner, but I put my foot down. One of us had to be the serious one. Yeah, right, I ended up getting tackled.

Movie night became even better, as we all argued over movies. For a three-year-old, Brooklyn is stubborn. I didn't mind because we ended up watching My Little Ponies.

Having a house full of boys and one girl was interesting, but it worked with us. While we were at work and Cade and Blake were at school, Brooklyn stayed with Colton and Lia. Rain would also come by and visit with her. They played ponies together.

My family was everything to me, and I was so damn grateful they came into my life. Not only did I get an amazing husband and father, but I got three equally amazing kids. You can't ask for a better experience than that.