Date: Wed, 19 May 2021 00:33:34 +0000 From: entirelyawesome Subject: Finding Holland - Chapter Four Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction; this story may depict sexual acts between adolescent boys. If reading such a story is illegal where you reside, please do not read any farther. This work of fiction belongs to the author and should not be re-posted or reproduced without his permission. Generous donations from readers like you support this amazing platform, please consider contributing to Nifty: http://donate.nifty.org/ *** Finding Holland - Chapter Four When the police officer arrived, Holland quickly opened the trailer door. The young officer took one look at his battered face and bruised neck then had him to step outside. She inquired about anyone else being inside or any weapons. After escorting Holland to the back seat of her squad car, she called someone on her radio then waited for backup to arrive before searching the trailer. She asked Holland to tell her about what had happened to him so he simply took out his phone and played the video of the abuse--she immediately called for an ambulance. An emergency medical team arrived and took Holland to the local hospital where he received x-rays and a fully evaluation to ensure he did not have an internal injuries from the beating. An hour later, he had learned from the police his dad had been apprehended and charged with assault--he was now safe. Holland's phone, which was now in police custody as evidence, was what led to his prompt arrest. *** Once she was certain Holland was no longer in danger, Ms. Wright visited Monica and Hanna at their home to inform them about the incident. She also let them see the pictures and the video--both women were utterly devastated by what they saw. "I have to go to him," Monica said, almost pleading with Ms. Wright, near tears. "He will be released from the hospital later today then place in the custody of Child Protective Services. After my colleagues have him, we will be able to place him back with you as his foster parents." "As soon as I get a flight booked, I'm leaving to go get him..." Monica said turning to Hanna, "this is all my fault Holland got hurt. I suggested he silently protest his custody...but I never imaged he would be beaten..." Monica was grief stricken over the knowledge of what had happened to their gentle boy. Hanna knew not to argue with her wife once she had that determined look on her face, so she spoke tenderly, "Should we tell the boys what happened to Holland when they get home from school?" "No, not until we get him safely back home. Just tell the boys I'm on a business trip and will be back tomorrow," Monica said, already booking a flight using an app on her phone. Ms. Wright stood to leave, "I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with the judge who placed Holland with his aunt. She has requested to see me after learning about the assault and the video." "What does it mean...?" Hanna asked, looking concerned. "I'm not certain, but I will let you know as soon as I can." *** Monica boarded an early evening flight a few hours after learning about what had happened to Holland. She felt anxious as she fasted her seat belt for take off, thinking about the pictures of his sweet face, now swollen and bruised with a bloodied lip. "I did this to him," she agonized to herself, feeling responsible--the only thing she wanted to do was to hold him close and tell him she was sorry. Of all of the children, Monica shared a special connection with Holland. Although she couldn't explain it--it was as if he was "her" son. She loved Tyde dearly and adored watching him grow up since he had been a toddler--but he is Hanna's biological son and their connection is primal. Her love for the twins was just as strong, but they shared their strongest bond with Tyde. She and Holland, on the other hand, had unexpectedly connected and she felt personally responsible for him. Perhaps, it was because they share a similar upbringing--whatever the case, it was she who he turned to when he needed parental comfort or guidance. And it was he who she felt especially protective and wanted to make certain his past life did not define who he was or have it limit the potential of his future. As the plane rose into the air, Monica did not know if there would be any complications regarding the transfer of Holland to her parental custody. She had felt helpless when he had been taken away from them, but now she felt genuine pity for anyone who would dare get in her way from getting back her boy--God help them. *** Holland had been provided a bed at a group home overnight while child welfare team worked with Ms. Wright over the phone to coordinate his custody transfer to Monica. They did not tell him she was coming get him this morning and he was in total shock when she walked into the deserted dayroom where he had been told to wait. As soon as Holland saw Monica, his voice no longer worked properly--his face screwed up and the tears rolled down his cheeks before he rushed into her arms. "Oh, baby...are you okay?" she said, hugging him close, tears also falling from her eyes after seeing the bruises on his neck and his swollen face. "I'm so glad you're h-here," Holland managed to say once his voice had returned, he continued to hold onto her like someone drowning. She tightly held him, "I am so sorry for what happened to you, I should have never pushed you to do anything that would put you in danger." He slowly pulled away from Monica to look at her face, "It's not your fault...I wanted to do it. If I hadn't, I would still be trapped living with my aunt." Holland began to compose himself and actually managed a smile, "I'm fine. It looks much worse than it is, I'm just so glad you're here," he said with a grin on his swollen lower lip. Monica looked at his bright eyes and the smile on his freckled face--she saw how happy he was and knew she was forgiven. She vowed to herself, at that moment, she would always be there to protect him, not matter what the cost. "I will never put you in danger again, ever. I love you too much to ever see you hurt like this again," she kissed the uninjured side of his face. With a wide smile, he said, "I know, I just want to get back home...to my real family." *** The Child Protective Services team had all of the proper documents ready for Monica's signature upon her arrival to the group home. She had already completed all of the necessary paperwork before she had been taken to see Holland in the dayroom. Because Holland already had his belongings from the trailer with him, Monica gathered his things then headed back to the airport for an early flight home. She wanted to be back in time to surprise the boys when they returned home from school. Monica and Hanna had decided to wait to tell the them just in case there was a delay with getting Holland home. Hanna met the two at the airport after they landed, followed by more hugs and tears. Once back home above the bakery, Holland placed his bags in the room he shared with Tyde and could hardly wait to see him and the twins. He sat on the bed and thought about everything that had happened during the past few months and he could scarcely believe he was back where he belonged--waiting to see the boy he loved. *** "Hey guys, what would you like for a snack?" Monica asked casually when Tyde and the twins and returned home from school. They were excited to see she was back from her overnight business trip and began chat with her all at once about everything she missed while she was gone. "Can we have grilled cheese sandwiches?" Towns asked, perched on a barstool at the kitchen counter. "I think we have something else you might like better," Monica said with a smile. Hanna opened the kitchen pantry door and out walked Holland. "Holland!" Each boy yelled in unison as they jumped from their barstools and rushed to hug him. "I can't believe you are here!" Taylor said, struggling for space in the group hug. Tyde was speechless, immediately beginning to cry as he held on to the boy in disbelief. He kissed his face before noticing the swelling and bruises. "W-what happened to you...are you okay?" Tyde asked with concerned while still holding him close. "I'm fine, but you should see the other guy," Holland replied with a crooked smile, near tears himself, overwhelmed by the sight of seeing them all again after being apart for so long. "Now, I know you're excited to have Holland home, but give him some room to breath and we'll tell you the entire story," Monica said while ushering the boys to the kitchen table. "Is he really back to stay with us, for good...?" Tyde asked his parents with teary eyes. With conviction in her voice, Monica responded, "Yes...we are never letting them take him from us again, not ever." *** "You must realize the video of the boy's beating would be very damaging to me during this election year, especially since I awarded parental custody against the state's recommendation," Judge Donnelly spoke candidly to Ms. Wright in her chambers. "Yes, I can see how that might cause you some difficulty." "How can I be assured the video doesn't end up on social media or in the press?" Ms. Wright suppressed a smile with the knowledge she had the only other copy of the video on her phone that hadn't been seized as evidence in the case against Otis Carter, "I am certain the file will not cause you any inconvenience moving forward...particularly, once you have approved the state's recommendation regarding Holland's adoption." The judge paused a moment before walking to her cluttered desk to find the adoption application. She immediately signed the forms then handed them to Ms. Wright, "Is there anything else?" She thought for a moment then said, "The municipal budget hearing is coming up soon, your voice would go a long way in getting Child Protective Services additional funding next year. There are a lot of kids out there who need our help. Plus, it would be a great message for your re-election campaign, Judge." "Done, anything else?" "No, your Honor. I greatly appreciate you for your time, thank you." Ms. Wright openly smiled to herself as she departed the judge's office before driving to tell Monica and Hanna the great news. *** Holland slept peacefully as he cuddled with his boy in bed. Tyde, unable to fall asleep yet, lay awake watching him in the dim light and listened to the slow rhythm of his breathing. He wanted to kiss him again but didn't want to disturb his slumber, it was his first night back home and all of the excitement of the day had left Holland physically and emotionally exhausted. Ms. Wright had visited not long after they had welcomed him home and she had shared the fantastic news--Holland was here to stay and was now legally part of the family. Tyde thought about the events that had occurred during the past several months and he wondered about how unlikely it was of him finding Holland on the swings at park that day--now all seemed like an incredible dream. He had been terribly saddened when he had been taken away and horrified by the retelling of the story about the physically abuse. But he wanted nothing more than to protect and love Holland for the rest of their lives. After watching over him for a bit longer, Tyde snuggled in close, gently kissed his cheek and smiled--then, he too, drifted off to sleep. *** The End I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I greatly appreciate you for taking the time to follow Tyde and Holland's journey together, thank you. --Parker Your feedback is greatly appreciated --> entirelyawesome@protonmail.com Other Nifty stories by this author: https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/young-friends/sons-of-zeus/ https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/young-friends/the-bastard-boy https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/young-friends/night-swimming/