The Help~(Completed♡)

Money Honey

Damon's P.O.V.

"Hey, I want you to quit your job.", I said as Ash and I sat at the table with Mason and Kiara. They both froze, looking up from the laptop as Ash glanced at them,

"Should we talk about this later?"

"No.", I shrugged, "You don't have to if you don't want to. But... I just did the math and I made as much as I make in a year as a teacher in a month at the office."

"Holy shit why are you teaching?", Mason asked. I sent him a look,

"Language. My classroom is different than my home."

"Sorry.", he blushed.

"And because teaching is my passion. It's what I love doing."

"What's the office?", he asked.

"I'm a disciplinarian on the side. I have my own business."

"Why does that not surprise me?"

"Dame, are you sure?", Ash asked.

"Positive." He let out a breath,

"Thank god. I hate my job."

~~~~

"So... you can't pick me up?", I heard Mason ask his dad through the phone. "Um- no, no it's fine dad. Have fun. Be careful. Yeah. I love you too." He cane back into the dining room, grabbing his jacket, "Hey I uh- I gotta get home. Sorry."

"Do you need a ride?", I asked.

"No. It's not that far."

"I'm not letting you walk. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah I uh- my dad is going on a date so I guess he won't be home until tomorrow."

"Do you wanna just stay over?"

"You're okay with that?"

"There's no doubt in my mind that you're gay, meaning you won't be having sex with my daughters. So yes, I'm okay with that."

"Dad. Jesus.", Kiara muttered.

"Hey, even if it was the case, I trust you."

"I'd love to stay over. Thanks.", Mason chuckled.

"Anytime. But Ash will have to drive you if you need a ride tomorrow. I have to go into the office." He nodded a little as Kiara looked up,

"Can I come with you one day?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Why?" She shrugged,

"Just curious. I bet the whole place is a disaster because daddy does all the cleaning."

"Hey! You're not completely wrong."

"Exactly."

~~~~

Kiara flopped onto the small couch in my office,

"So... people pay you to spank them?" I nodded,

"Essentially, yes. It's more than that though."

"What'd you mean?"

"It's just like when you're in trouble. I never "just spank you". We talk about it and I comfort you afterwards and make you feel better. It's pointless to discipline someone who doesn't understand what they did wrong. Then mistakes just get repeated and people are hurt. You have to communicate."

"I just can't believe people pay you to hit them. Like what!?" I chuckled,

"Baby, later in life, when you're grown and have your own family and everything, you might look back and be grateful for it. Or you might even find yourself in the same position as people who come to me. There have been a lot of times in my life where I wished I had the guidance and structure and discipline that I hope we give you guys. I was completely lost when I hit adulthood and I didn't have anyone to go to for help. It was really difficult and I vowed to make a better life for my kids." She got up and walked over to where I leaned on the desk, hugging me,

"You did. I-I guess I kinda am grateful for it. I mean, I hate it and it sucks, but it has helped me draw lines between what's right and wrong and things that exceptions can be made for and stuff. And I'm grateful I'm not being hurt here."

"I am too. But what do you mean about exceptions and stuff?"

"Like the other week when that boy kept grabbing me and I eventually hit him. I wasn't in trouble because I was defending myself, even if I did hit someone. But I can get in trouble for words because they're disrespectful."

"I make rules to keep you guys safe. Now and in the future. If you make a bad reputation for yourself now, it's really hard to come back from it."

"I know. But you did."

"I never necessarily had a bad reputation. Just... the result of my parents having a terrible one. What you do effects everyone around you for the rest of your life. People still give me dirty looks in stores sometimes if they know who I am and who raised me. It's their loss though because my life is fantastic now. And i did that by myself with the people who care about me."

"I'm proud of you." I chuckled,

"Thanks baby. I'm proud of you too."

~~~~

"Hey, um, do...do you want us to adopt you?", I asked Kiara as we drove home with chinese for dinner. She looked up at me,

"I-I-" She paused, "I absolutely love you and your family. I do. But I-I don't think I'm ready to he adopted yet. I'm sorry D."

"No, no. Do not be sorry baby."

"I can still stay?"

"Of course. Kids don't usually get moved from our house. If you aren't ready, you aren't ready. You can stay forever and we never need to legally adopt you if you aren't ready."

"Thanks. It's just- I-I guess I'm still scared. I still feel like things could change."

"I understand. But they won't."

"My head knows that. And my heart. I-I can feel how much you guys really love me and care about me. My instincts just start freaking out whenever I start to get to comfortable."

"I've noticed."

"What? How?"

"Sometimes you'll lay on the couch with us or ramble on about a story and then you'll just stop and freeze up and your whole demeanor changes. It only happens when you start to slip into this headspace where you feel safe and at home. It's my goal to get you to be comfortable in that mindset and not feel the need to panic and jump straight back into your box. You're making really good progress though and I'm proud of you."

"I'm really glad you guys understand and you're so patient with me. I know it's frustrating."

"Nothing we haven't dealt with before baby. When we started fostering, we prepared for the worst case scenario. Violent, hateful, sad, closed off, whatever. But then Ellie bounced into the house. She called us both dad within two days and she was so, so positive and trusting and loving that I figured we had jumped the gun assuming all foster kids were these broken, absolute disasters. It just depends on the person and what they've gone through and where they've been. The twins warmed up to us quick, but sometimes they still back away when I talk too loud. Jason still leaves the room if there's any kind of conflict. Everyone has their things and it's okay. It's a part of life baby."

"You guys are really, really good at what you do. I know I'm gonna get better living with you guys."

"Me too baby."