We're Still Standing...Book 5

Getting My Boys

Julian POV 

"Hey kiddo, you want to go out for lunch?" I asked Shane, he was watching a movie covered up to his neck laying on the couch. He glanced at me and looked back at the TV. 

"Shane, come on, you need to get your butt up and do something. I know how your feeling, I miss my mates and the family as well but do you see me laying around doing nothing? No because I have things I need to take care of and you are the most important thing I am trying to take care of so come, go take a shower and we'll go get lunch. Maybe even go back to the science museum?" I said and he jumped off the couch and ran to his room. I chuckled. I knew mentioning the science museum would do the trick.

I know he misses Ryan, l miss Zander, Kaiden, Ian, Seth, and Zeke but I can't let myself feel the loss of them not being near me because I'd crumble and won't get up. We talk a lot on the phone and facetime but it isn't enough especially since we are a new mated sixtuple, I love the sound of that. It's been a long time waiting to become complete and as one. I sleep on the couch, being in that room where we spent so much time in, that first evening and night when we first made love, it hurts so I have the door shut and just avoid that hallway. I could sleep in another room but the only way I'd sleep in a bedroom again is when I'm with my mates so the couch is fine. At times Shane will sleep on the love seat or recliner, he said he does it because he doesn't want me to be alone which is sweet so I let him. 

"Ok I'm ready!" Shane said, he seems to be in a better mood.

"Talked to Ryan, I take it?" I asked as I grabbed my wallet and phone.

"Well no but I'm excited to go to the museum!" He blushed and I wrapped my arm around his shoulders. 

"Well alright, let's go eat first though, I'm hungry."  

"Ok. Can I get waffles with whipped cream and bacon?" 

"You can order whatever you want Shane." I said and he smiled at me. 

"Later on after we get back, we can call the family to talk to them, see how they are doing if you want." 

"Yea, I would like that. I talk to Brandon and Matty a lot since Brandon knows my phone number so he always calls me from the house phone and Matty is always with him so we talk at least four times a day." 

"Wow you talk to the little ones more than I do." I said and he giggled. 

"Well you are busy, we all know that. It isn't because you don't care daddy. Besides, who wants to talk to their dad all day long?" He's such a smart butt. I ruffled his hair and he smiled.

"I suppose you're right. I have to go out tomorrow morning, your brother's will be with me when I get back, I got emergency guardianship of them until we go to court, I know it isn't going to be easy but I can't leave them in foster care when I am here in the same city with ways to help them." I said and he stopped walking so I stopped and turned to face him. 

"They're my brother's and I love them because they're family but please don't leave them alone with me, I don't know what they will do to me." He said and I hugged him. 

"Shane you will be safe with them with me, if they touch you again, I hate to say it but I will send them to another room in the hotel until they calm down. I won't send them back to foster care, they're going to be my son's as well so helping them is what I will do. I love you kiddo, and I will in time love them as will everyone else. It's going to be an adjustment for us all but we don't leave a man behind, that is what the Marines taught me and I live by that every day." I said looking into his eyes and he nodded and hugged me.

"As long as they don't touch me in a bad way, I'll be ok with them in the suite, not near me but in the suite. I know they were hurt, just like I was so I expect them to lash out but I won't be their punching bag anymore."