Kai

Two Weeks Later

After my visit to the Foster home, I'd begun to think. And although I still hadn't made a decision on who to take. The children were all lovely. Some were troubled and confused by their own shadow. It was saddening as I sat there session after session. Not wanting to take anyone, simply because I wanted to take them all.

Jimmy Colton was a little sweetheart, with big brown eyes and vibrant red hair. He was adorably well spoken, and polite. His freckles were the cutest thing I've ever seen, and he was a cutie pie by all means.

'Ok Jimmy, time to go.' Mrs. West spoke, gazing at me with sympathy in her eyes. The red headed boy hopped from the chair beside Mrs. West, and quietly exited they room.

'It is hard isn't it?' She asked and I nodded simply, looking down at the file.

'Yes it is, but I'm sure I will find the perfect one.' I spoke and she nodded. 'I just wish that I could take care of them all in some way you know. But the Government only grants me two Children, since I'm a single Man.' I grimaced and Mrs. West nodded with a slight shrug.

'Well you have many choices to choose from. Though it is quite smart to only adopt one, to ease yourself into Parenthood.' She advised and I nodded at her. 'I'll be right back Mr. James. I must run to the library to retrieve some Books that Carlisle assembled for the Toddlers Reading Time.' Mrs. West added, as she rose from her Desk. 'We'll continue when I'm back shortly,' she spoke as she walked around the desk to leave.

'Take your time,' I smiled up at her.

I resumed reading through the files she had given me, upon my arrival. Going through the most important intel, on the Children at the Home. I felt a bump on my foot, and looked down to see a small rubber replica of a soccer-ball rolling away from my right foot. There was a tiny giggle and my eyes widened as I saw him.

The cutest little thing I'd seen since coming here. He was crawling on all fours, his raven hair bobbing as he tried catching the ball. The child paused at my feet, grabbing the ball but ended up plopping down on his rear. I could only guess he was Asian, for he was quite tiny though he looked to be at least two years of age. Asian babies were known for their tiny bodies, and extremely adorable faces.

All babies were cute to me, matter of fact all Children were beautiful. But this beady eyed boy had me head over heels in a second. Wasting no time, I stooped to my knees picking up the ball and handed it to him. He took it with eager hands, quickly hugging it to his chest.

'You're welcome. What are you doing roaming about all by yourself?' I asked but he gazed at me confusedly.

He stood there in silence, and I figured he couldn't quite understand what I said. He tilted his little head, gazing at me in wide curiosity. 'Do you like football?' I asked and he nodded beaming up at me.

I couldn't help myself, so I picked him up. Gaining a scared look from the Boy. 'Don't worry Kiddo. I won't hurt you,' I reassured him, yet he still looked a bit petrified that I'd hoisted him up. 'Do you want to go outside and play?' I asked and he nodded swiftly with a small giggle, burying his face into my shoulder shyly.

'Oh Ryu, why isn't James watching you.' Mrs. West groaned, as she walked back into the Office.

'Who is James?' I asked, idly rocking Kai in my arms. The boy played with my face, but dealing with children was my specialty. So his poking prodding of my cheeks was somewhat normal to me. He was shy at first, but it seemed he had warmed up to me after a short while.

'He's this charming Boy, who's been watching Ryu since he came here a few weeks ago.' Mrs. West spoke, walking to the door.

A brown haired boy no older than 13 ran into the room. His eyes searching frantically around. He spotted Ryu and he clutched his chest, only in relief I could guess. 'There you are!' He remarked loudly and Ryu, the boy giggled thrusting his arms towards the older one who I could guess was James.

'James,' Mrs. West put on a scolding voice, but I was too focused on the boy to even notice or realize what was taking place.

'I'm sorry Mrs. West, but Max was being a jerk again and I didn't see that Ryu ran off. We were just across the hall.' His little voice was polite, and his beady eyes filled with genuine guilt.

'It's ok you beautiful boy,' Mrs's West cooed and the boy blushed lightly, looking away. His eyes settled onto Ryu in my hands, and a smile lit up his face but soon faltered as he realized I was a stranger.

'Ryu is leaving?' He asked, and his eyes began glistening as he teared up. My heart twisted in my chest instantly, as I saw the fear of him losing Ryu. It would seem they were more close than just James watching over the toddler.

'Only if Mr. James decides on it.' Mrs. West spun around to face me, her eyes filled with hope.

If I was to adopt Ryu. The Oakland Ridge Foster Home would receive a Grace. A Check, that could only be considered Mrs. West's Government Salary. which could help with a few things. Things would get much better for a few months. I could even get talking to the Chicago Institutes Board. To get more people to come in to the Foster Home. hopefully to even adopt as well. But things would have to wait, I just had to focus on adopting Ryu if it was permitted.

'But Ryu is my Friend.' James' eyes filled with tears, that streamed down his cheeks. 'Please don't take my Friend.' He faced me, pleading with his eyes. He began sniffling loudly, and if my heart could break anymore than it just did at that very moment. I would have no choice, but to take another Child instead of the one I held.

'I-. Do they both come as a package?' I asked suddenly, and completely out of impulse. Catching myself off guard, but the look on Mrs. West's face only made it obvious. There was no turning back, ever.

It was still crazy and the look on her face had me feeling stupid. 'Well, we don't do packages. But you can definitely file an Adoption Suit for both. It will be much faster for Ryu, because he just got here. James on the other hand, I'm not sure he's going to want to leave.' She grimaced slightly.

Mrs. West ambled forward, resting her left hand atop James' shoulder. 'I know you don't want Ryu to go. But Mr. James here, would hopefully want to adopt you both. So that you and Ryu won't be separated.' She explained to the crying boy.

'You mean take us both with you?' The boy asked his eyes alight with hope, as he gazed up at me.

'Yes James, I would very much like it if you both came with me. I know it's hard for you to not have any Parents, and I am willing to give you a home and take good care of you and Ryu. But only if you allow me to,' I went on and he shifted his gaze to Mrs. West, wiping at his cheeks.

'We don't have a Mom or Dad.' James held his head down, his freckled face twisting in sadness. 'All we want is a family' he spoke in a sad voice, as he gazed down at the floor coiling his little hands together.

I quickly bent down to my knees, resting Ryu before me. Ryu clutched on to both me and James, his little head currently pre-occupied with watching his little pale legs. 'How old are you James?' I asked and he gazed up at me, his soft brown eyes digging through my soul.

'I'm 13,' he spoke barely above a whisper, apparently still worried he might lose Ryu. He still didn't look up at me, as he answered but I knew why.

'Well James, I like Ryu but I can't take him away from you. So how about this, you both come home with me for a couple weeks and see how you like my place.' I spoke with a wide smile, but the boy only nodded primly gazing at me in curiosity. 'Then you both can decide if you want to stay there with me.' I offered, and the boy gazed up at me with a weak smile.

'Are you going to be our father now?' He asked and I chuckled lightly.

'Yes, but only if you want.' I added watching his lips widen.

'Ok,' he nodded and I looked up to see Mrs. West gazing at me, almost as if she wanted to cry.

'So is that a yes?' I queried and the Boy nodded vigorously, and my happiness spiked to a higher level.

'This is a most wondrous day.' The older Woman swirled excitedly, walking up to me as I rose from the ground. 'Two children get adopted. We finally get a good enough Grace to fix some things around here.' Mrs. West added and I returned her smile.

I gazed away from the woman and focused my attention on Ryu and James. Both of them had moved and was now playing a distance away in a corner of the office. Happiness filling their faces, as James spoke to Ryu in a Baby voice.

'I wasn't sure about adopting two Children. But it appears I have no choice,' I chuckled and Mrs. West smiled brightly at me.

'Despite all that Mr. James. You have made two boys very happy today. I've already gone through your files, and you already know that I have granted you permission to adopt here through the Chicago Agency.' She explained and I nodded with a grateful smile.

'Glad I could help in some way. I'm also glad that you would be receiving Appraisal checks, that can help you with stuff around here. But first I need to know about them.' I added and Mrs. West clasped both her palms together.

'Very well, let me get their files. I think it's in the old Office.' She spoke as she tapped her chin.

She soon left and quickly returned with two files. I could feel her happiness, bouncing off of her in waves. Her megawatt smile was also proof, that it was a good day for her and the Foster Home.

'This is for both Boys. Ryu Ken Chung has been here, just two months after his birth. Whereas James has been here for only a couple of weeks. He's always dreamed of having a family.' Mrs. West was gushing, and I could understand her exuberance.

I was a bit ecstatic myself, as I only came here to see if I would be persuaded to adopt. Although, I did love Children a lot and I wasn't all to surprised that I would be leaving with two Boys. But I digressed, and read through their files. To learn more about these two little people, who became Friends even though one was a Toddler. They were about to become my Sons, and turn me into the Father I'd always wanted to be since Him and Timothy. It wasn't much information to go off of in the file. but James was left neglected and hungry in his Parent's rental Home here in Chicago. He was moved from Foster Home to Foster Home, and the list was a whopping three. I could only guess Mrs. West didn't quite want to send him away, and I could understand that dilemma all too well.

Ryu' story was just as tragic, only the poor toddler had lost both Parents due to a car accident one year and some months ago. He was with a Sitter at the time, and fortunately too for he would have probably suffered the same fate. I wasn't sure why that thought made me uncomfortable, but I was slightly relieved. He was alive and well, and it seemed for a purpose too. I was about to become his Father.

After three years of putting my life on a set path. Saving money and building myself as a person, and trying to be a good Teacher. Now I get to be a Parent, and I was excited with no way of describing it.

'I'm so nervous but excited!' I exclaimed loudly and Mrs. West chuckled loudly, patting my shoulder gently.

'I'm excited for you as well. Being a Parent is the most beautiful thing in this world, though it is quite strenuous of course. But your records as a Teacher makes you quite suitable for the role.' She divulged and I shrugged marginally.

'So what's the process? I would like to get started right away.' I spoke to Mrs. West who gazed at me, with a certain fondness a Mother would to her Son.

'Well, first you will have to fill out some Adoption forms. Then I'll submit them to the Chicago Agency, and they'll take at least a day to get back to me with a Permission form for me to sign.' She explained as she walked back to her Desk, sitting down and pulling out a drawer. 'I will then submit my Form to the Board, and they will review it. My form is basically a letter of recommendation, but you would have to get one of those from two people as well.' She went on and I narrowed my gaze, as I sat opposite to her.

'Two people?' I queried suddenly nervous.

She then handed me two forms, and nodded. 'One should be from a Colleague, or your Boss. The other should be from a Family member that you are close to.' She finished and I nodded, already narrowing down my Mother and Boss, Mr. Beckett.

Mr. Beckett was a very kind, middle-aged man. Who had Children of his own. One of which was adopted, as well. He would be pleased to know that I intend to adopt. To give a Child, or Children a home they can feel secure in. We shared a great Work relationship, so his letter of recommendation would be forthright.

'Ok, and after that what happens?' I asked and she cast me a wide smile.

'I'll submit all the paperwork that will go through the Agency for the stamps of approval. When that is done they will send it to you in the mail, or you can pick it up here. Once you have these forms, you can take Ryu and James home. And as you said, they will stay for a while. Of course you'll get a few visits from a Social Worker or two, who will come and assess the new environment the Boys are in. But don't worry about that, I'm sure they'll be pleased with what they see. Within these two weeks, the Boys will be able to make a choice, if they want to stay.' She spoke with an excited voice and I smiled at her from across her Desk.

'That seems like an awful lot. But it will be worth it, and this process will only take at least a couple weeks.' I spoke with a little excitement in my voice as well.

'It will be very much worth it. But I do have a question.' She frowned slightly, and I pursed my lips.

'Ask away,' I remarked and she hesitated for a few fleeting seconds.

'Do you plan to give them your last name?' She queried with an odd gaze and I thought about my answer.

'Yes I would give them my name. It's only right, since I will now be their Father.' I went on and she smiled, seemingly pleased by my answer.

'Good,' she spoke with a bright smile, handing me the Forms to begin. 'These are the Forms. Just fill out all the necessary areas and I can have them sent to the Office as soon as time permits.' She advised and I took the files, with an eagerness I haven't felt before.

I turned my attention to Ryu and James, as the older boy played with the youngest. Marveling in the beauty of their bond, that was nothing short of Brotherly. I sighed in angst, preparing myself mentally for the road that was ahead of us. For the adoption process wasn't exactly going to be easy, but I was ready for the fight. I was also ready to be a Father, to these two Boys. To protect them with my love, and even my fists if it came down to it. To have them look at me, like Timothy looked up to his Father on day.

I just hoped that I wasn't in over my head.

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