Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 16:52:29 -0500 From: Miguel Sanchez Subject: The Pilot III Ch 23 Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimers Apply Author's Note: I did a bit of a re-write on Chapter 21. You might want to check out the revised chapter before going too much further. Miguel Sanchez I reply to all emails, except flames. You may write me at miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com I hope you enjoy this story. Miguel Sanchez The Pilot III Shane and Robert's Life Chapter 23 At 4:30 the doorbell rang and Robert answered the door. "Good afternoon Dr. Peterson," Robert said. "It's nice you could make it to our home." "Hello Mr. Wright," he said. "Do I detect some hostility?" Dad stepped forward and said, "He's not hostile sir, he just didn't expect to be blindsided at his place of employment." "And who are you sir," the doctor asked. "I'm Buck Taylor," he said. "I'm Shane's father and Robert is my son too. We are no strangers to the adoption process. I adopted Shane when he was younger than the twins. I must ask why I detect an attitude when you couldn't just walk into my son's school and take his time." We were talking when the doorbell rang. Shane answered it and Linda was there. She walked in and saw the man and said, "Who the hell are you?" "I'm Dr. Stanley Peterson," he said. "And who might you be?" "I'm Linda Eggleston," she started. "I'm the Director of DCFS and I know Dr. Stanley Peterson. I've work with him for a number of years and you sure aren't him." Dad looked at the man and said, "Now who in the hell are you?" Robert went to the phone to call the police when the man said, "I'm Dr. Murray. I was asked to interview these people by Mavis Mitchell." "Grandma?" Jeremy said. "What is she doing? We have no intention in living with her." The man looked at the twins and said, "Well she wants to care for you boys." I looked at the man and said, "No she doesn't. She wants the boys to take care of a man that should be in a nursing home." "What?" the doctor asked. He was about to speak when the doorbell rang again. I went to the door and a man said, "I'm Dr. Stanley Peterson, is this the Taylor residence?" "Come in," I said. Dad went over to Dr. Murray and said, "Look doctor, the twins don't want to live with them." Linda then said, "Did you know that LA County Social Services have stated that that they aren't good candidates to care for two teenagers?" The doctor took a deep breath and said, "I must apologise to all of you. I had no idea things were like this. I talked with her and she said she and her husband missed their grandsons and wanted to finish raising them." Linda looked at him and said, "I hope next time you get more information before you take on another client. I also hope you don't lie as to who you are again too." Robert said, "Yeah, I was ready to call the police on you." Meanwhile the real Dr. Peterson was watching the goings on. After Dr. Murray left Linda said, "I would like you to meet the real Dr. Stanley Peterson." Robert and I stepped beside Dad as the Doctor said, "I must say you handled that with smooth heads even though I could tell a couple of you were getting quite mad." Dad shook his hand and said, "That's something I taught my boys over the years." The twins came over and put their arms around Robert and me as I said, "Dr. Peterson, these are the twins. This is Jeremy and that one over there is Aaron." "Nice to meet you," the doctor said. "Look, can we sit down on the sofa so we can talk?" Jeremy then said, "Don't you want to talk with us in private and have us lie down?" "Hehehe," Dr. Peterson laughed. "I don't do that son. I think you've watched a few too many movies." We all went over and sat down when I looked at Linda and said, "Sorry to ignore you Linda, why did you come over?" "I wanted to introduce you to Dr. Peterson," she said. It's getting late and I need to get home. I'll talk with you all later." I showed Linda to the door then went back and sat down. The doctor looked at Dad and said, "Buck, I understand you adopted your son. Is that why he wishes to adopt?" Dad looked at him and said, "I'm sure that has a large bearing on it." "Why did you adopt?" he asked Dad. "Well, he had just lost his parents and grandmother and I become his foster Dad," Dad said. "Then we had some interesting things happen and that showed me just how much I really love him. I also realized that I loved being a father and I wanted to continue raising him." The doctor looked at the twins and said, "Jeremy, why do you want Shane to adopt you and not Robert so you can be with Aaron." "I will be with Aaron," Jeremy said. "Our Dads will continue to live here. They help take care of Granddad. I didn't mean it like that Granddad, but you know what I mean. I guess it's because I've really gotten attached to Shane as Aaron has to Robert. I don't want to live any where else." "I see," the doctor said. "Aaron, how has it been since your parents died?" Aaron's eyes started to water and he took a minute before he answered. Robert gave his hand a squeeze as he said, "It's been great. Dad has been here for us when we cry and need someone to talk with. It's also been hard on them because we have gotten moody too but they just give us some space." "Jeremy, how has it been for you?" he asked. "It's been good," Jeremy said. "Shane is good to talk with because he knows what I'm going through." "Is that what he says?" The doctor asked. "I know what you're going through son." "No," Jeremy said. "Dad knows what I'm going through because he went through it too. His parents were killed in a wild fire. Talking with me brings back memories for him but we talk it out together. We sorta help each other. I don't think any other person can do that for me." "I see," the doctor said. "Shane, I didn't know you lost your parents. I apologise for what I said." "Do you miss your parents?" the doctor asked. Aaron spoke first saying, "We miss our mother." "But not our father," Jeremy finished. "Why not?" Dr. Peterson asked. The twins looked at each other as if communicating then Jeremy said, "He never loved us." "Were you his step children?" the doctor asked. "No," Aaron said. "We weren't turning out as he wanted us to be. We have our own interests but that never mattered to him. We just want to be ourselves." "What about your mother?" he asked. "Did she let you be yourselves?" "Yeah," Jeremy said. "She knew we were twins, but we're also individuals." "Robert," the doctor said. "Tell me a little about you." "Well," he started. "Dad fostered me until I was 18 and even put me through college. I'm a teacher at the school he sent Shane and me to." "Do you date?" the doctor asked. "I really don't have much of a social life," Robert said. "I work from 7:30 to 4:30 then I come home and take care of Aaron and do my lesson plans plus grade papers. I just haven't met someone I would like to date. They would also have to know that I have a teenager I foster and accept that." "That is true," the doctor said. "It is usually the other way around with the woman having a child." "Shane," the doctor started. "What about you?" "I haven't met a girl who I thought could put up with me," I started. "I have my career, my Dad and my foster son. I fly helicopters and am on duty 24 hours then off for 48. They would have to know I have 2 careers, the fire department and my son." The doctor was busy writing as he asked questions then he said, "I think I have all I need. I see you all love each other and there is a strong support group here. I wish you all the best." The doctor put his note pad away then Dad showed him to the door. The twins hugged us and Jeremy said, "I thought that went pretty good." "Yeah," Aaron said. "I thought you were gonna blow it bro." "Never," Jeremy said grinning. "No hair around it." I rolled out laughing when I heard that. "I'm glad you two didn't make any comments like that when the doctor was here." Dad came over and sat down, "I think you were yourselves today. I'm glad no one lost their temper earlier." "Easy for you to say Dad," Robert said. "I was ready to kick his ass." "I know you were son," Dad said as he headed for the kitchen. "And I'm glad you didn't because it would have shown when the real doctor arrived. I don't understand why he didn't say who he was and how he got Dr. Peterson's name." "I don't know," I said. "But I think he got his eyes opened." Dad took two pizzas out and put them in the oven then said, "I'm glad we have Jess in our corner now. I just get this feeling that we haven't seen the end of Mavis Mitchell." The twins quickly ate their dinner then called over to John and Billy's and said Jake could come over. When Jake arrived he hugged the twins but he could tell something was bothering them. He kissed each boy then said, "What's wrong guys? Something's bothering you, I can tell it?" Jake took them by the hand and led them back to their bedroom. He stopped briefly to close the door then led them over to the bed. He motioned for Aaron to lie down then he slid in followed by Jeremy. They cuddled together then Jake asked them again, "Now tell me what's wrong?" "Everything is coming undone," Aaron said crying softly. "What do you mean, coming undone?" Jake asked. "Our grandmother is saying she wants us," Jeremy said through tears. "And Shane said all they want us for is to care for our grandfather," Aaron said. "What does Uncle Shane and Uncle Robert say about all this?" Jake asked. "They said she won't get it because Social Services in Los Angeles say they aren't good candidates to raise two teenage boys." "Well there you go," Jake said. "You have to trust them guys." "We do but," Jeremy said. Jake sat up and asked them, "But what? Either you do or you don't. But I'm telling you that you aren't facing this alone. Those three men out there are doing everything possible to get you into their family for ever." The twins got quiet for a long time while they thought about what Jake said. Jake leaned over and kissed them then said, "Look, Uncle Shane said I had to trust John Monday when I wanted to go into the courtroom knowing my father was going to be there but I was scared. I didn't want to see him but I wanted to hear the judge say he was guilty of what he did to me. I looked up at John then took his hand and went in there. I even told him off. I took that leap and John didn't let me down. I totally trust him and Billy." Dad, Robert and I were talking on the couch when suddenly we heard the twins' bedroom door open and them running into the living room. I looked and then the twins flew into out laps. "Oh Daddy," Jeremy said crying into my shoulder. "We're so scared. Please help us." Aaron was babbling into Roberts shoulder. "D-dad daddy help me. I can't lose you. I love you. Please help me." I was lost as to what brought this on. Jake sat in between Robert and me then said, "They heard about their grandmother and they're scared. I think they really want to trust you but they are scared they're going to lose you like they did their mother." I was getting the picture now. I knew they heard what was said before but I thought they also heard that we were prepared to fight for them with everything we had. I rubbed Jeremy's back and said, "I'm here son and I'm not leaving you." "Daddy please don't let them take us," Jeremy wailed. "We're not son," I said. "Jess and Linda won't let it happen." Jake came around and hugged both boys trying to calm them down. I could tell how much he loved them but looked totally lost at how to help them in their time of need. Dad saw the tears starting to flow down his face and he opened his arms for him. He didn't see it at first until I tapped his leg then he leaped into his arms. "Oh god Granddad," Jake said. "I feel so helpless. I love them so much." "I know you do son," Dad said. "We're all here for them son. They just have to know that and trust us that we're doing everything we can to get the adoption approved." Jake got his tears under control but Aaron and Jeremy were still crying. Aaron said, "Dad, why is my grandmother doing this? She doesn't even know us." "I don't know baby," Robert said. "I'm sorry I ever mentioned them," Jeremy said. Jake got up and asked them, "Would you like to go back and lie down?" They just shook their heads no and that hurt Jake. He went back and sat on Dad's lap and quietly cried. It really hurt to see Jake like this. My heart was being ripped to pieces as Jake cried not being able to help the twins and because the twins have appeared to have lost hope in our ability. We sat there holding the boys for several hours. The twins finally stopped crying and I said to Jeremy, "Do you want to sit up and be with Jake?" He saw Jake in Dad's lap and smiled at him. Jake saw this and moved to his side. He took Jake's hand and said, "I love you baby with all that I am but right now I really need my Dad. Please try to understand and not hate me." Jake knelt down and pulled Jeremy into his arms. He started crying as he said, "Oh baby, I could never hate you. I just feel so helpless right now. I love you so very much and it just hurts to see you like this. Your Dad is right there as he will always be and I'm not going anywhere either." Aaron was looking at him as he was talking to Jeremy. "I love you too sweetheart," he said. Jake went over to him next and they hugged. Jake had a very good idea where the twins would want to sleep tonight but he didn't want to be alone either. He went back over and sat on Dad's lap then asked him, "Can I sleep with you tonight Granddad?" Dad just drew in closer to his chest and said, "Of course you can son. We're here for you too." I noticed the twins were sound asleep in our arms so Robert and I went to carry them to our room. I also found another way of telling these two apart, Jeremy weighs more than Aaron when they're asleep. I got to my feet and started walking when I briefly lost my balance banging into the table behind the sofa. When I did, a picture of the boys' mother fell off. I heard the glass break and I said, "I'll clean that up in a minute Dad. Let me get Jeremy into bed." I laid him down then quickly stripped him and pulled the covers up. I went back out and got the dust pan and broom and started sweeping up the broken glass. I picked the frame up and slid the photo out when an envelope fell out. This had been placed behind the picture and in front of a piece of cardboard. I just set everything on the table until I was sure all the broken glass had been swept up. I put the broom and pan away then came back into the living room. I looked at the small white envelope. I turned it over and the name Joan was written on the front of it. I looked at the back and it was still sealed. I felt it and all I could feel was a piece or two of folded paper. I debated opening it but decided to turn it over to Jess. I saw Dad still sitting with Jake and he was watching me clean up the mess. I went over to them and asked Jake, "Are you going to be alright tonight?" He leaned over and hugged me saying, "I'll have Granddad, Uncle Shane. I'll be OK. I hope my loves will be better in the morning." I kissed him on the cheek and said, "I'm sure they will, after a good nights sleep." I gave Dad a hug and kiss then went back to the bedroom to check on Jeremy. When I got there, I saw my son curled up next to his brother. I stripped and did my nightly business then curled up next to Jeremy. As soon as he felt me get into bed, he rolled over and cuddled next to my body. I was mentally exhausted from the night's activities so it didn't take me long to fall to sleep. To be continued