Adopt Me [HIATUS]

Chapter 4: Almost

Shadow spent a large amount of money and time in preparing the child's room. From painting it, to setting up the furniture, to making sure everything was perfect. He didn't want all this work to go to waste. He wanted everything to go perfectly, and he wanted to make sure all this work he was doing wasn't just for nothing.

He went to classes every single day during the reconstruction of the room, and actually learned more than he thought he would during them. Like how to help the child if they get hurt, how to comfort them, basically just how to be an actual parental figure to them.

Every time Shadow learned something new made him think of his beginning years in life. If he was born instead of created, would his parents be this way with him? Would they be there for him if he had bad days? Would they help teach him things like how to read and how to write?

It would appear that he would never know, because he couldn't change the past, nor should he try, as the past made him into the being he was today

It took Shadow a few days to completely set up the bedroom, since he had to go out and buy the furniture he was going to put in the room, like the bed frame and mattress, the bookcase, the dresser, and the toy chest, which he found out he had to put together himself. Then he went out to buy miscellaneous items, such as toys, children's books, and some children's clothes.

Everything he did involved social interaction, which he despised, but it did sort of mentally prepare him that he wasn't gonna have much alone time after this whole ordeal was over. He was going to have someone else living in his house with him. This would be the first time he wasn't living alone in over 50 years. It was going to feel very strange, no doubt, but Shadow felt like this was something he had to do. For himself

After a week of rebuilding the room, he felt as if it was ready for the child. So he phoned the weasel who interviewed him some time ago, asked if they could schedule a day to meet so Shadow could show him the reconstructed room.

The weasel agreed and they set up a meeting that Thursday. Shadow thanked him, and hung up, walking back into the bedroom again to view his work again. He was actually impressed with himself. The room looked very well done, and he assumed that the child he will end up fostering will love it as well. Or at least he hoped so. He really hoped that the child he would take in wouldn't be a brat of any kind. He hoped that the child had good manners, and that they knew how to listen.

Eventually, Thursday arrived, and so did the weasel. Shadow shook hands with Samuels again once he came in, and lead him to the child's room.

Upon entrance, Samuels halted his movements and stood in the doorway, stunned.

"Oh my." he said, taking a few steps inside.

"Is something the matter, sir?" Shadow asked, following the weasel inside.

"Well, I was just not expecting you to get this much done since we last spoke." Samuels admitted, looking around the room. "It's quite fantastic. You must really be committed to this, Mr. Shadow."

"I... I suppose I am." Shadow replied, nodding slightly.

Samuels looked around the room, checking to see if everything was child friendly, and everything was suitable for a child. He made sure everything was stable, clean, and safe for any child who would come in here.

"Based on the theme around here, I'm assuming you'd like to foster a boy, yes?" Samuels asked.

Shadow nodded and said, "I just feel like it would be easier for me to get along with a boy, than a girl. Since I'm also a male, I feel like I'd be able to connect with the kid more."

"I understand." Samuels replied. "And what age range are you going for?"

"A younger kid." Shadow said. "About four or five years old."

"Alright." Samuels said, writing down Shadow's preferences. "Well, in about eight weeks, you'll be able to come down to the house and meet the kids."

"Thank you, Samuels." Shadow said, shaking the weasel's hand again, and lead him out the door.

After Samuels had left, Shadow breathed a sigh of relief. He was so nervous that he wouldn't pass the inspection and all the work he had done the past week would have been for nothing. He was so relieved that he passed. All he had to do now was just continue his classes for the next eight weeks, then he could go meet the kid he was going to foster.

Speaking of classes, he realized he needed to head out to the class he was having that night.

He headed out, hopped on his motorcycle and rode his way to the building where he held his classes in.

After walking in, he was greeted by his instructor, Ms. Taylor.

"Welcome back, Mr. Shadow." she greeted as he walked through the door. "It's a pleasure to have you with us again."

Shadow just nodded and took his seat, prepared to learn whatever more he could in becoming a foster parent. He listened to every question and every answer to said questions, writing down every new piece of information he could. He wanted to be fully prepared with this choice he was making.

One particular question he'd heard before, and thought about answering, but his introverted side of him decided it would be best to keep quiet. But it seemed his instructor had different plans.

"Mr. Shadow?" Taylor called. "Do you know the answer?"

Shadow looked up in slight alarm, as he was not expecting to be called out like that. The question was; If your child is hurt, what do you do? Shadow decided to save himself the embarrassment and answer the question rather than just staying quiet.

"You check how bad the injury is, and tend to it to make sure it isn't bleeding, and it isn't badly bruised." Shadow answered. "And make sure to comfort the child through the whole thing."

"Very good, Shadow!" Taylor chirped.

Shadow gave her a slight smile, but then just went back to listening.

It stayed that way for the rest of the class. Shadow listened to everything, absorbing every new bit of information he could get. And he'd be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued.