Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Five: The Bully

"Okay."

Wade was looking at Mikey, who was sitting on Lauren's lap. He had clung on to her as she had told Wade everything. Everything she had heard his mother say to him, the marks and scars, and bruises. How she had watched him being thrown to the ground as his mother told her to 'take him then' and how she had.

"I know it's kidnapping, Wade, but I couldn't leave him." Lauren said. Mikey looked up at her and then to Wade. Wade had a good energy around him. He liked him. He felt safe like Lauren and Maia. Wade gave him a small smile.

"I know, and I understand. I think I know a way to make this right." Wade said, reassuringly. "Mikey is obviously comfortable in your care. He's safe. You have employment, now?"

Lauren nodded, relief flooding through her. She knew that Wade would be able to help her. "Yes, Ted got everything sorted with me today."

"Okay. I'll need pictures of the evidence. Bruises, cuts, scars, welts, all of it. I'll need a written statement from you about what happened, and all that you know about what his life was like with his parents. I'll also need to know the address you found him." Wade said. He was writing it all down as he spoke, Lauren nodding. "I'm going to go and try to get you temporary custody for now. I have a judge who is a friend and has no tolerance for child abuse. This is an extreme case of child abuse and neglect and I think she will listen. She'll understand."

Lauren didn't know how to thank him. "Wade...I don't know how you tolerate mother. I really don't."

He chuckled. "She is who she is. I don't know why or how she gets so cruel. But someone has to love her, or she'll go completely bitter."

Lauren shook her head. "I suppose."

Wade shrugged. "I know, and I don't condone what she did today. I hope she feels remorse over it. I really do."

"She's a mean old lady and I don't like her." Maia said, her arms crossed. She shook her head. "She scared Mikey on purpose, and she doesn't like him. He's a nice boy, grandpa Wade. He's my baby brother, and she needs to say sorry!"

Lauren felt such pride for her daughter. Maia was so strong for being so young. Wade gave her a sad smile. "Yes, she does owe Mikey an apology."

"Well, I think we've had enough of mother for the rest of the day. I'm taking the kids out to the van and then into town. There's a large park. Maybe we'll go there." Lauren said. Mikey looked at her again.

Wade nodded. "I'm going to start this as soon as you get me the statement and the photos, okay?"

"I'll do it." Lauren nodded.

***

"Mikey."

Mikey looked up. They were driving to someplace called 'a park' and Maia was very excited about it. She said he was going to have fun, and that she would push him on a swing. He didn't understand any of that, but if she was excited maybe he should be too.

"Mikey this is going to be so fun. I remember this park. They have the tallest slide! Have you ever gone down a slide?" Maia asked, bouncing on her feet. "It's so much fun, I'm going to show you it all, everything."

"Everything?" Mikey asked. He was growing worried. "What if I don't know how to do everything?"

Maia noticed he was growing upset. "That's fine, that's why I'll show you first. And I'll slide down the slide with you. I'll hold you and we'll do everything together." Maia sat beside him. He was wearing the clothing that she had set out for him. He was clutching his book.