Welcome To The Family

Chapter Two

In her homey office, decorated with photos of children and corny motivational posters, Ma sits engaged in a seemingly meaningful conversation. "Seventeen-year-olds? Yes. Two."

Babe pops his head through the door frame with a grin plastered on his face. When Ma notices him, he produces a mouth-watering breakfast platter from behind the wall. She places her hand on her heart and returns the grin. He sets the plate down in front of her and kisses her on her head. She mouths, thank you.

"Sorry, yes, I'm still here. Tomorrow? Yes, that works for us. See you tomorrow at 9 am, Miss. Miss Hendricks. Sally Draper. The pleasure is all mine. Buh-Bye." Sally exchanges her landline phone for the steaming plate of pancakes, eggs, and fruit.

"It's your birthday. Why are you cooking for me?" says Sally.

"I couldn't sleep." Plopping down into the lone chair in front of her desk. "And a thank you for saving Beckett's soul." Babe bites into his nail.

"Stop that. It's not like he was going to murder you."

"He's made me pass out before. As the Joker would say, he's just one bad day away." Babe slips his gnawed-on hands into his pocket. "So, what was the call? Is someone getting the old show and tell treatment?"

"Stop calling it that. Yes, and either you or Beckett may be getting adopted tomorrow."

"What? Why one us?" His heart fills with confusion and hope.

"I don't know she said she's looking for a seventeen-year-old."

"Kind of strange."

"I agree, but her background check was crystal clean. I looked up her address on Google. It's quite the home."

"Can I see?"

She flips the computer around to show a lovely three-story home.

"Wow, upper-middle-class. Plus, no Beckett? I think I might just ditch you guys."

"Everyone has their faults, dear." A soft smile releases tension in Babe's shoulders; he watches as her eyes drift over his red hair towards the hallway behind him. He turns around to see a blur disappear behind the door way. He assumes it's Yani.

"I'll go check on her." He makes his way towards the hall and inspects both directions of the entrance.

Yani runs up and wraps her arms around his leg. "I don't want you to go."

"Hey, now." He laughs, embracing the flank. "She might not even pick me. The home does look nice. It's the orange hair destiny."

"Of course, she's going to pick you, dummy, you're the best." She begins to tear up. His eyes start to shake as she's the only one in the house that feels like a real sibling.

"Maybe I could ask her to adopt us both."

Yani responds with a grunt digging her face further into his hip, "That won't happen."

The house mother comes around the corner. "Yani, go help Babe pack. I want him to be ready if he's adopted tomorrow, and it gives me time to prepare the house-- for the adoption."

"I already know there's a surprise party."

Ma glares at Yani. "I plead the fifth!" She flees upstairs.

"We have to stop letting her watch those crime shows." Babe runs up the stairs after her. "I'm coming for you!" Yani shrieks in response.

Ma notices Beckett, who's just woken up on the couch. "Someone's getting adopted?" He rubs his eyes, hoping it'll help him adjust to quickly back to reality.

Babe packs clothes into a suitcase. "Can't forget this!" Yani picks up a signed 'Babe Ruth' baseball from a dresser. He accepts the ball and gives it a look over but then returns it.

"I want you to have it. Only if I get adopted, though, if not, I'm taking it back. Deal?" He holds out his pinky finger.

"Deal." She connects her pinky with his. With their free hands, they give each other a crisp high five.

"Do you want to get adopted?"

"I mean, of course. I've been dreaming of it since I knew I could be adopted. Plus, I could use a year away from this place. It's not like I have any friends around here." He sees Yani drop her head. "Except you, of course. I'd come to visit you as often as I can. It'll be like me going off to college."

"BABE!" The house mother calls from downstairs.

"I'm not finished packing," Babe calls out.

"You can finish later."

He wished he could spend more alone time with Yani on the off chance he's adopted. Yani grabs his arm and pulls him out of the room. The cake is just as important as quality time. Beckett rudely rushes past them on the stairs. Babe rolls his eyes and continues down the stairs, approaching Ma and a group of four orphans who only seem to be there for the cake.

"SURPRISE!" Ma yells, and the rest of the group lingers unenthusiastically behind.

"Oh, wow, I didn't expect this at all. I'm astonished!" He quickly shoots his tongue out at Yani. The chocolate cake on the table has yellow frosting on it. 'Happy 17th Birthday Baby', this frosting mixup happens every year.

"You'd think after seventeen years they'd know my name is Babe. Or you'd make the cake."

"Make a wish." Says Ma.

He puckers his lips, and as he's about to blow out the candles, one of the orphans asks. "Where's Beckett?"

Upstairs, Beckett grabs and unzips his mostly packed suitcases. The grab bag is ready to go in case of emergencies. Unlike Babe, he doesn't fantasize about adoption. He's happy in the foster home. Not that he thinks Babe should be adopted, he wants to turn 18 and live on his terms. This isn't the first time he's jumped to these measures. He attempts a disappearing act almost every time some sad sap shows up to adopt. This time he needs to make a speedy exit as most people come in to look for the younger kids.

He packs a couple of stray clothing items and picks up his pace in fear that Ma or an orphan will have noticed he's vanished. Hopefully, they'll think that he only skipped the idiot's birthday. He zips his packed bag shut and heads over to the only window in the room. He wedges it open enough for him to crawl out. He tosses his goodies down on the floor and lowers himself on to the old wooden ladder attached to the side of the house. The only reason Ma hasn't taken it down is that her Chimney Bellflower plants sprout all along it during the summertime. Stepping down, his foot gets caught in a vine of Bellflowers. The wooden rung snaps and Beckett tumbles down two stories while attempting to kick his foot free. His body thumps against the ground. He lays their motionless, his chest still moving with air.

"Probably off pouting somewhere." Yani teases and pats the head of the toddler. Babe closes his eyes and whispers to himself.

"Please come true." He blows out the candles.