Blake's Saga IV Chapter 7

Warning: This story does not contain any sex. None of the characters are based on real people nor are they meant to resemble any living or dead people.

Let me know what you think of the story by emailing me at Hnstskr4@aol.com

I want to thank everyone who has emailed. I also want to thank those who have read the story. It means a lot hearing from you. Please continue reading! There is a lot more to come. I own all rights to this story.

If you do not like this type of story or you do not agree with the issues in this story, then please feel free to read elsewhere.

Do you like the story? Come share your thoughts with other fans of Blake at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlakeSagaandMore

Blake's Saga

Book IV – Chapter 7

New Addition

Today is Tuesday, it's a big day for this family of three. Before Collin can come home, they have to move, and the guys already have the house picked out and paid for. It's a five-bedroom house with plenty of space for everyone. The house has cost them plenty, but it was worth it. Combined with the adoption, they have spent a lot of money. It doesn't matter because the family is going to be happy. It took two weeks for it to happen, but they are home now. They have been in the house off and on for a week, and today marks their first full day living in the house. The new house's location allows Blake to stay in the same school system, takes him further away from Ben, but closer to Riley and Ryan. The last room to get finished is Collin's room.

***

Trace and Ian are busy putting together furniture, while Blake is busy adding in all the bits and pieces that they bought for the room. The bed frame is finished, and the mattress is on it. The dresser, two bookshelves, a small entertainment center, a desk, and a computer desk are all in place in it.

"Looks, good, everyone."

Trace says as they finish up the bedroom. Ian agrees with Trace as Blake finished his work. Whoever is on the phone, Trace must like what they're saying because he's smiling.

***

A day later, Trace gets a phone call from Ian, who needs more information about the new arrival. He needs information about Collin, so he can figure out what else he needs to buy.

"Hey, Babe, what's up?"

Ian responds as quick as he can as he strolls past some items at the store.

"Well, remind me, Collin is four years old, right?"

Trace doesn't want to hang up with his husband until he is sure that all of Ian's questions have been answered. He knows the Ian is out shopping for Collin, who could be arriving at any day now.

"Do you have that list of what he likes and dislikes in front of you?"

Trace gets up and walks into the office to check on the information that his husband wants. He opens the filing cabinet and pulls out the file labeled "Collin."

"I do now, it says he likes cars, animals, art, trains, and legos. It also says he loves all kinds of food. Oh, he also seems to like a certain web-making superhero."

Ian is so glad that the little guy loves animals, but he's worried that his animals might be too much for him.

"Thanks, Trace, I am going to see what I can find for him."

All Ian can think is how active the house is going to have a young kid in the house. Luckily, Blake has a younger brother back home who loves him. Collin will be showered in love in this house, and that is what the guys want to have for him.

"I love you, Trace. Going to start getting stuff for the little guy. Bye Babe."

Ian started to look at some toys that he thought his son might like. It's weird to think of him that way, but that is precisely what the little guy will be. The bottom of the cart is lined with action figures, lego kits, crayons, and coloring books. In a couple hours, Ian has managed to make two separate trips into the store. Now, all he has to do is stop by the book store for some kids books and another store to pick up a pillow, bedsheets, and a few blankets. With everything bought, he's ready to go home. Once home, he heads to the room across from Blake's room and near the master bedroom. He puts together the toybox, then strategically places toys around the wooden toybox. Books are placed on the bookshelves. Crayons, coloring books, legos, and a few other odds and ends are placed on the desk. A small tv is also placed on the entertainment center along with some DVDs that have his favorite movies and cartoons on them.

***

A day later, while everyone is home, a blue car pulls into the driveway. Two people get out of the car and walk up the sidewalk to the front door. The adult is carrying two black garbage bags, which contains all of Collin's earthly belongings. Collin is nervous about joining the new family. He's the kind of kid who won't be fearful for long. The kid is everyone's friend so being a bit apprehensive is not going to last terribly long, but it will be an adjustment regardless. Blake is watching from the window as they get closer and closer to the front door. A knock at the door announces their arrival. Blake answeres the door and the excitement is written all over his face.

"Are your parents home?"

The man says with Collin by his side. Blake just wants to reach out and hug his new brother. Collin is anxious.

"Yeah, let me get them."

He walks away from the door in search of his parents. It doesn't take Blake long to get his dads. Trace and Ian follow their son to the door and find themselves standing face to face with Collin.

"This is Collin, and he has been so excited to finally have his forever family. He's a little anxious and maybe a little scared, but he's an amazing kid."

The CPS agent says as he smiles and looks down at Collin. Collin standing there just as quiet as he can.

"Hi, I'm Trace, and this is Ian, welcome to our house."

As when Blake introduced himself to Collin, Collin still seems anxious. Trace instantly goes into cop mode and gets down to Collin's height as best as he can. He smiles and reaches out his right hand to the young man.

"Would you like a teddy bear?"

Trace says to the boy, who nods his head. Trace gets up and walks to the garage to grab a stuffed animal out of his box. The box is filled with donated stuffed animals that he carries with him when on the job, just in case a kid needs a plush animal to soothe raw emotions. He returns to the front door with the bear and goes to his knees. Reaching out his hands, Trace waits for Collin to reach out his hands. The little boy reaches out his hands and takes the bear from his dad`s hands.

"Is it mine?"

Collin asks as he looks at Trace's face. Trace smiles as he looks at the newest member of his family.

"It's all yours."

A smile breaks out on the boy's face. Collin enters the house holding his bear so tight that no one could pry it away from him if they wanted too.

"If you guys are good, I am going to give you some papers to sign, and then I am going to go."

The agent says as he looks at the adults. He's pleased that one more kid has found their forever family, and this home is one of the good ones. With pens in hand, they read over the papers and, they sign the documents where they need to be signed. Trace hands the documents over to the agent, and then agent smiles and nods his head. The agent walks out of the house and leaves Collin in the safe hands of his new family.

***

After getting Collin situated in his room, Ian and Trace gathers everyone up in the office for two exceptional phone calls. The first call is to Ian's parents. Ian's mom answers the phone.

"Hi Kiddo, what's going on?"

"Hold on, Mom."

Ian whispers something to Collin, and the young man is unsure if he wants to do what Ian asked him to do.

"Hi, Grandma."

Ian's mother is immediately taken by the child's voice. She knew that her son and son in law were considering adopting a little boy, but neither of them told her when the little guy would be coming home. Apparently, he's home, and he has the sweetest little voice.

"Can you hold on I want to get everyone to the phone?"

Ian nods his head and tells his mom that it's okay. She goes off to get everyone, and it doesn't take long for them to get back to the phone.

"I'm back. Now, Ian, would you like to introduce us to the young man at your house?"

Ian pats Collin on the back and then smiles at him.

"Do you want to tell everyone your name?"

"My name is Collin."

Everyone at her house is in love with the little boy.

"Hi Collin, how old are you?"

Collin looks up at Ian and Trace and then responds to his grandma's question.

"I'm 4."

He's not shy at all and loves the interactions with his grandma.

"We would love to meet you, young man."

Collin would love to meet the rest of his family, but he's starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.

"I think we can make that happen. Love you, Mom, and Dad. Much love to everyone else. Bye all."

"Bye."

Trace and Ian think that it's a good idea to give Collin a chance to relax a little before calling the other half of the family. A couple hours later, It's Trace's turn to introduce the little guy to his family. Trace takes out his phone and hits the icon to call his mom's cellphone. His mom answers the phone, and he asks that his mom gather up whoever is home so that the phone can be put on speaker so that everyone can hear them. It takes a couple of minutes for his mom to get back to the phone and then it's time to put the spotlight back on Collin.

"So...we have someone that wants to meet you. I want to introduce you to Collin, the newest addition to our family."

Trace says to his family.

"Hi!"

Collin says with some direction from his dad. No one knows the young man, but once they hear his voice ring out, it becomes clear who Trace was introducing them too. Hearts are once more melted by the little one's voice. Again, everyone welcomes the boy, and they make him smile.

"So, are you going to bring my grandsons over to visit?"

Trace's dad didn't want to leave Blake out of the love. Trace's parents are eager to see their new grandson.

"Don't worry, you'll get to see him. We won't keep him to ourselves. You'll have plenty of opportunities to spoil him."

Trace answers his dad's question. Blake knows that his grandparents, aunts, and uncles spoil their nephews, nieces, and grandchildren something fierce, and Collin is going to love them.

"Can't wait to see you, Collin."

Collin's grandma says to her new grandson.

"Can I see them?"

Collin asks his dads, and the guys nod their heads to let him know that they promise to take him to see his grandparents.

"Yay!"

Collin exclaims at his dads' expressions.

"Okay, everyone, we are going to do and get some stuff done."

Trace says to his family. There wasn't much else said to everyone other than to say goodbye.

***

The first order of business is taking Collin shopping. Collin has some clothes, socks, and shoes, but who knows they get outfit or two, and then who knows what else they might buy.

"We are going to go shopping, Collin, is there anything you want to get?"

Collin thinks about Trace's question.

"Can I get some toys?"

Collin's response seems right on point for a kid his age. Course, there might be other things that he might decide that he wants.

"Okay, everyone lets head out."

Traces says to Blake, Collin, and his husband. Together, the family is heading out to go shopping. When they get to the store, they move slowly through the store to give Collin a chance to look at everything, that he might want. When he gets to the toy section, Collin gravitates towards the toy cars, but he is also eyeing some dinosaur replicas.

"Those are some pretty cool dinosaurs, huh?"

Blake asks as his little brother is trying to decide which one of the dinosaurs he wants.

"Yeah."

Collin's response is short. Trace and Ian remember what Blake was like when they first went shopping with him, granted Blake was already a teenager at the time. Blake had a hard time with the concept that they would let him get whatever they wanted. Seeing that Collin really wanted a dinosaur, but was unsure which one he should take, Ian speaks up.

"You can get whatever dinosaur or dinosaurs that you want. Okay?"

Collin isn't sure that he totally believes his dad; however it doesn't stop him from picking up four or five dinosaurs. He also grabs five boxes, which contain 4 or 5 little cars and trucks each. As they move through the toy section Collin grabs another teddy bear, a ball, and some superhero action figures. Ian and Trace pick up a bike with training wheels. As they move through the bedding section, Ian helps Collin find additional bedding, a throw, a pillow, and a couple blankets. Making their way through the store, they also pick up a few other items that Collin wanted. When they get home, Blake helps his dads bring the goods into the house. Trace takes the bike into the garage to work on it. Collin is quick to follow Ian upstairs so he can see everything being put into its proper places.

"Can you open it?"

Collin hands him a couple packages of the cars, and Ian makes short work of them. Ian and Collin sit down on the floor and play with the cars for a little bit, and then Ian gets up and heads downstairs. Collin quietly sits in his room playing by himself for a little while before coming downstairs to see what everyone else is doing.

***

When he gets downstairs, Blake is sitting on the couch playing some video games. Collin sits down next to his older brother and quietly watches for a few minutes. Boredom and curiosity get to the boy, and he gets the nerve to speak to his older brother.

"Are they nice?"

At first, Blake is confused; he isn't sure who "they" are, but then he quickly realizes that it's Trace and Ian that the younger kid is talking about. He had similar thoughts when he first came to live with them.

"Yeah, they are the best. If you ever have questions, get scared, or just need someone to talk too, our dads are the best."

Collin smiles as he looks at his older brother. Collin sits quietly for a few seconds. Everyone in the family loves this little guy, and that is going to make all the difference in this kid's life. Whatever his life was before coming to this household, it doesn't matter anymore as far Blake is concerned.

"Can I play?"

Blake stops to think of his little brother back home and how much he loved to play video games with him.

"Do you want to play the game?"

Blake reaches out his controller to his brother, who smiles as he timidly accepts it.

"Thank you."

Making sure to offer help only when asked, it's clear that Collin is really enjoying the game or maybe, he's just enjoying the fact that Blake is kind enough to let him play. Collin doesn't play for very long before he passes the controller back to his brother.

"Are you done playing the game?"

Collin scrunches up his nose at his brother.

"It's hard."

It looked like it was giving Collin a little trouble.

"Yeah, sometimes it's a little hard for me too."

There is a knock on the door.

"Blake, can you answer the door?"

Ian asks from somewhere in the house. Without a grumble, Blake gets up to get the door. Collin decides to follow his older brother to see who is knocking.

***

When they answer the door, Collin comes face to face with two strangers, but Blake knows them, so they must be decent people.

"Come on inside, our dads are busy somewhere in the house."

Blake says to Uncle Michael and Aunt Ashley.

"Guess it's a good thing that we didn't come to see them."

Michael says as he walks in, followed by Ashley who is carrying a big bag of stuff. After going shopping with Trace and Ian, Collin is eyeing that bag with much interest. Ashley smiles as he watches the boy's eyes. Taking turns, Ashley and Michael begin to unpack the bag, they make two piles, one for Collin and one for Blake. Ian and Trace come out of where they were hiding when they heard Michael and Ashley. Ian points to the items on the coffee table.

"What is this stuff?"

He says with a smile on his face. He already knows what it is, Michael had texted them to say that they would be stopping by with stuff for the boys.

"Collin, this is your Uncle Michael and your Aunt Ashley, they are my brother and sister, and I think they came bearing gifts."

Trace reaches out and picks up an item from Collin's pile, and then hands it to his little son. The little guy eyes the package of yet another superhero figure, and smiles.

"It's...it's mine."

Collin says as he looks up at Ian and Trace.

"Maybe, you should ask them?"

Ian says as he points to his brother-in-law.

"Is this mine?"

The 4-year-old asks as he points to the mix of stuff from where Trace picked up the superhero package.

"It is. Go ahead and check out what you got."

Michael says as both Collin and Blake check out the items in their respective piles. Both guys smile when they see what they got from their uncle and aunt.

"Want some help with this stuff?"

Michael asks Collin, who is struggling a bit while trying to open his packages. Collin is a mix of shyness and happiness, but his fingers are having a hard time opening the boxes, so Michael helps him out by opening up several of the packages. It isn't long before Michael's little nephew is playing on the floor with his new toys. He loves it, and not only is Collin loving it, but so are his aunt and uncle. Michael looks at his brother in law and softly says:

"Did we do good?"

Ian hears him and chuckles. There is no doubt that they did right. Blake had mentioned needing some photo printer paper, and a few other items. He even got a few other items that Michael and Ashley thought he might love. One of the things that he got was a new video game. Blake is checking out the new game, when all of a sudden, the little guy did something pretty cool. Collin taps him on the shoulder.

"Do you want to play with me?"

Again remembering David, he immediately gives up playing his game and picks up one of the action figures, then nothing else matters other than making Collin happy. If this is how Blake was with his little brother, it's downright amazing. Collin thinks that having a big brother is incredible.

"Thanks, guys, he is really enjoying his new stuff. You didn't have to do this."

Trace says to his brother and sister.

"We welcomed Blake into this family and gave him presents. We wanted to do the same for Collin."

Ashley said to her brother.

"What good are aunts and uncles if we can't spoil our nephews and nieces?"

Michael says to both Ian and Trace. The guys get it, and they smile.

"Well, I think our job here is done. What do you think Ashley, should we leave?"

Michael asks his sister. Ashley does need to go, so she can get homework finished. They gather their stuff and then head out

"Bye, guys!"

Ashley and Michael say to everyone in the house. Collin and Blake pause their play to say goodbye to their aunt and uncle. Collin's introduction to his aunt and uncle went well. Trace walks them to the door.

"You guys spoil them way too much."

Michael turns and looks at this older brother.

"We got the feeling from listening to you and Ian, that maybe he didn't have much in the way of love before coming to live in this house, and we know that having your own stuff is a great thing. Plus, we really wanted to get into his heart."

Trace pats his brother on the back and gives his sister a hug. Fifteen minutes later, the playing has stopped, and Trace has sat on the couch and is looking at one of Blake's new animal books when Collin comes up beside him. They sit together for a long time, looking at the book together. When that book was done Collin ran up to his room and grabbed another book, which Trace was delighted to read to him. Blake was too old when he joined the family so there were not opportunities to books with his dads. Collin on the other hand seems to enjoy having a book read to him and Trace will take every opportunity to do so in the future.

***

An hour later, there is another knock on the door, and Trace opens the door. It's Ben who is here to see his boyfriend. The little guy is in the office with Ian who is busily feeding the animals. Just like in Idaho, it doesn't take long for Collin to figure out that there was a stranger in the house. Collin wasn't going to stick around, but Blake introduced him to Ben, and then the guys went out into the backyard to explore. While they are busy exploring, Blake takes time to introduce an Eastern Garter Snake to his little brother. Ben wasn't appreciative of the reptile, but Collin was really fascinated by it. After Blake released the snake, they went inside to wash their hands. Collin goes back to his room to play leaving the guys alone in the living room. Ben looks at Blake and smiles.

"So, your little brother seems pretty cool?"

Collin is great, though, and Ben is right.

"He is really cool, and he's going to fit in with us perfectly."

Ben isn't so sure, and he isn't afraid to say it.

"How do you know he's going to fit in, it's not even been twenty-four hours?"

Blake feels a little bit put off by his boyfriend's question.

"I think he'll be just fine."

Blake knows that he's right. All Ben can see is a little guy who wants to be underfoot, when Blake has friend(s) over at the house.

"Do you want to go out and do something?"

Ben doesn't want to just sit around the house. He could do that at his home.

"What do you want to do?"

Ben thinks for a bit and then answers.

"How about just walking around your neighborhood?"

Ben and Blake get up and head out the door to check out the neighborhood.

***

There have been a few visitors today, and there is going to be one more. Grandma Andrews knocks on the door, and her son lets her right inside.

"Where is my new grandson hiding?"

Trace smiles as he points in the direction of Collin's bedroom.

"Would you like me to go upstairs to get him?"

She looked at him and smiles, but he knows what that smile means, "You had better do the right thing.".

"Okay, Mom, I will be right back."

Trace disappears and goes upstairs to get Collin. When he returns to the living room, Trace is accompanied by his son. In true kid fashion, Collin looks at his dad and asks:

"Who is she?"

Grandma Andrew looks at Collin.

"I am your dad's mom."

When she says "dad's," she points right at Trace. Trace looks down at Collin and says:

"She is your grandma and my mom."

"You're my grandma?"

She smiles and nods her head.

"I am."

He runs up to her, gives her a hug, and then he gets a little restless.

"Can I go upstairs?"

Mrs. Andrews hasn't even had a chance to give him the present, and he wants to disappear to his room.

"Can you wait a second before you go upstairs?"

She reaches into the plastic bag in her hands and pulls out some books, a box of colored pencils, and three coloring books, and complete outfit.

"Is this all mine?"

The little boy asks, still unsure about people giving him gifts, and if everyone is genuine. He's been given stuff only to have to taken away because someone else wanted it.

"It's all yours."

Mrs. Andrews hasn't seen a child react like this before, and it bothers her.

"Why don't we go upstairs and put your stuff away?"

She says to her newest grandson. He looks up at this dad as if looking for the okay to take his grandma to his room.

"It's okay, you can show Grandma your room."

Trace watches as his mother and his son head upstairs to see his bedroom, and to put away his stuff. Collin shows off his toy chest and his books to his grandmother. They put his gifts away in the appropriate places, and then she heads back downstairs leaving Collin to play in his room. After visiting for a while, she leaves to head home.

***

Trace and Ian are busy making dinner for the family. Tonight, they are making roasted butternut squash with cinnamon, chicken cooked with apples and apple cider, salad, and for dessert mango slices. They had previously loved over Collin's health paperwork to see he had any allergies, and guess what, he has no food allergies to worry about, which is nice. They also worried that maybe the food might be too weird for the little guy. After an hour, Ian calls everyone to dinner. Dinner goes well. Ends up that, Collin isn't all that picky. In fact, dinner was a complete success.

***

After dinner, they allowed Collin to pick a movie for the family to watch. Before the video, Blake pops some popcorn and gets it into the bowl. Collin picked a superhero flick to watch. The whole family is gathered around the television. They don't watch a ton of movies, but once a week, they do have a family night. It's something to do together every week. Blake gave his dad the idea based on something they do back home. Now, it's firmly established in their home. Tonight, it's Collin's turn to choose the activity with a little help from his dads. Trace and Ian figured that the little guy would be asleep before the movie ended, but he proved them wrong and made it through to the end without falling asleep. The guys take a break from everything and help Collin get ready for bed. For his night, Blake gets permission to sleep in Collin's room. Collin seems to sleep pretty soundly. When he does wake up from a bad dream, Blake is there to smooth out the rough edges and make everything okay.

***

Before they went to bed, Trace and Ian both call off in their appointed ways. When they wake up in the morning, the first order of business is checking on the kids and the second thing is to start on breakfast. Trace checks on the kids who were already moving about, and Ian is downstairs beginning breakfast.

"What's for breakfast, dad?"

Blake asks, hoping for omelets.

"We are having apple cinnamon pancakes."

They haven't had pancakes in a while so, this should be good.

"Can I help?"

Collin loves helping out at mealtime.

"Sorry, Collin, but I'm done cooking."

Ian says to his youngest son.

"Go wash up, guys."

Trace says as he comes into the kitchen. Blake and Collin walk off towards the bathroom.

"Are you going to take Blake to school?"

Trace asks Ian hoping to have someone on one time with his new son.

"I actually thought that maybe, if he wants too we could let him stay home with us today?"

Ian asks his husband.

"I'm okay with that."

Trace says that just as the boys reappear into the dining room, they immediately take their seats around the table. Blake notices that Ian isn't dressed for school.

"Dad, are you not working today?"

"Dad and I are taking a little time off so we can spend time with Collin."

Ian answers his son's question. Blake isn't sure what to make of his dad not going into work.

"Am I going to school today?"

Blake asks since neither of his dads seems to be dressed for going out in public.

"You rarely miss school, and Dad and I have already talked about it, and we are okay with you staying home with us, so what do you want to do?"

Blake is pleased with this outcome. Course, he knows that Ian will expect him to get the added homework finished before he gets any free time tomorrow. He also knows that this is only for one day. As they eating, Ian remembers that his mom called last night.

"Before I forget, Grandma Richards called last night, and she couldn't come over till tomorrow; it's whenever she can get here okay?"

Blake and Collin nod their heads. Collin is excited to meet another one of his grandparents.

***

The guys spend the entire day with their family. They get outside and play. They even escape to the high school after school's out so the crew can meet the little guy. Using his key card, Ian and the family enter the school. When they enter the office, Mrs. Hall's face lights up

"Welcome to the high school, young man."

She says as she reaches out her hand to Ian's youngest son.

"Anyone else free at the moment to meet Collin?"

Mrs. Hall leaves her desk area to see who else is free. When she returns, she comes back with the nurse, the nurse's aide, both the principal and the vice-principal. Everyone takes a second to say hello to Collin and to rib Ian and Trace just a little. Blake is always amazed by the love that rests amongst the staff at the school. On the way home, they stop off for ice cream. They spend another quiet night at home with just the family. Blake and Collin love it.

***

The next day starts off much like yesterday did. The only change is that Ian gets up and gets dressed so he can take Blake to school. He's told the guys that he has big news to share at lunch today. At lunch, everyone gathers at their table. They are all anxious to hear what the story is that Blake has to share with them. Ben is the only one in group who knows what the news is, and he's not all that excited about it.

"So, the big news is that I have a new brother. His name is Collin, and he is awesome."

Ben doesn't say much about it, which doesn't go unnoticed, but Ryan leaves it alone.

"Can...can...we come by...to visit?"

Riley is super excited to stop by and meet the little guy. This means that Ryan and Rick will both stop by because Rick has started recently riding with Ryan and Riley in to and from school.

"Course, you guys are always invited over. You guys need the address?"

Blake asks, unsure if the guys know the address or not. Ben speaks up:

"It's only a block away from Riley's house. How hard can it be to find?"

Again, Ryan senses some tension in Ben's voice and this time, Blake picks up on it too.

"Dude, what is going on with you today?"

Blake waits for a response back from his boyfriend.

"Just forget it, man."

Blake lets it go and gives his address to Ryan just in case. With lunch drawing to a close, they go back to their classes.

***

With school over, Ian and Collin arrive at the school to pick Blake up. On the way home, Blake tells Ian that he's expecting company to arrive at the house. Ian is okay with it as long as his son does his homework at some point during the day. As they arrive at the home, Blake gets out his homework and heads to the dining room table. His work is spread out across it. It isn't long before a knock can be heard at the front door. Trace answers the door and welcomes everyone into the house. Blake takes a break from his work to say hello and to his friends.

"Is Collin upstairs in this room?"

"I think so kiddo. Why don't you let me send your brother down to say hello?"

Trace doesn't stick around for an answer from his oldest. He just gets up and walks up the stairs. Instead of Trace coming down with his son, Collin comes down alone to meet more of Blake's friends. Blake's friends are sitting down in the living room. Blake thought that having them sit down might be more comfortable on Collin. He didn't want to frighten his little brother.

"So Collin, these are my friends Rick, Ryan, and Riley."

Rick stood up and reached out his hand to Collin, who at first backed away but then reached out his hand and smiled. When it was Ryan's turn, he got down to Collin's level and reached his hands as well to the young man. Riley stood up with some help from his friends. He didn't have a good day physically. He's not sick, just it's been extremely rough.

"Hi..., Col-lin. I'm...I'm...Riley."

Collin wanted to back away from Riley, but he didn't. Having Blake nearby helped Collin be brave. He's not sure why he's frightened of his brother's friend, but he is doing awesome.

"Blake, why does he talk weird?"

Collin hasn't had a reason to filter his words, but it's apparent that his filter is off. Blake looks at Riley and at Ryan for some help. It was Ryan who spoke up for Riley.

"Riley's dad hurt him really bad, and what he did hurt him so bad that it damaged parts of Riley's brain. But Riley doesn't want you to feel bad about what happened to him."

Riley does his best to not feel bad for the teen. He gives Riley a hug and then goes back upstairs. The guys visit for a short while, and then it's time for homework and dinner.

***

It's around midnight on the second night of Collin's life with the family. Collin is screaming while still asleep.

"STOP! STOP!"

Collin wakes up from a nightmare to find his dads at his side. Their faces are showing concern for their son. They have no idea what is causing the nightmare.

"You okay, buddy?"

Ian says as he crouches down by the bed. Trace also crouches down by the bed as well.

"Mommy, Daddy! Mommy, Daddy!"

Trace picks up his son and cradles him in his arms. He's doing his best to comfort him

"Daddy, why don't you go back to sleep."

Trace offers his husband a chance to go back to sleep. Ian takes him up on it, and he goes back to the bedroom.

"Do you want me to read you a story?"

Trace asks his son, hoping that he'll relax enough that he'll fall asleep.

"Yes."

Collin's voice is weak from crying and being a tad bit sleepy, but he wants this time with his daddy. Trace grabs a book of bedtime stories and opens it up to a page in the middle of the book. He picks one of the stories and begins to read it from it. About halfway through the story, Collin falls asleep just like his dad was hoping he would do. Trace covers Collin up in his sheet and then with his blanket, and leaves the little guy alone in the room. Luckily, the nightmares end for the night, and everyone gets a good night's sleep, for the most part, anyway. Trace is worried sick because there are still no leads in his parents' disappearance.

***

Collin wakes up and sneaks downstairs, following the smell of good food. There are home-made waffles, home-made Belgian waffles. There are sliced peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream to go with the waffles. He quietly steals a slice of a peach. Ian smiles as he watches his son eat the peach slice.

"Are you hungry?"

Ian asks as he looks down at this 4-year-old son. The little guy shakes his head yes. Ian likes it when people are hungry before they eat because it usually means that they'll eat instead of just pick at it.

"Dad makes the best waffles."

Ian laughs at his son's endorsement of his cooking. Collin watches with great interest as Ian pours the waffle batter into the waffle maker.

"Collin, do you want to help Blake get the fruit to the table?"

Ian asks his youngest son to help get all the fruit to the table. Trace comes out of the living room to help get stuff to the table. With the help of the kids and Trace, breakfast is to the table just a little bit quicker. Today they are traveling to the Richard's house.

***

As they go to Ian's parent's house, Ian does his best to make the trip fun for their son. Arriving at the home, Ian and Trace walk up to the house with Collin right beside them. Ian gets Collin to ring the doorbell. When someone opens the door to door, Collin gets a little nervous. His dad smiles and welcomes them into the house.

"Is that Ian and family?"

Ian's mom calls out from the kitchen.

"Yes, it is Honey."

She walks out of the kitchen with a tray of cookies. She sits them down on the coffee table. No one else is here today. They talk and get to know their grandson a little. The adults allow the kids to eat as many cookies as they want. By the time they leave, Collin has yet another teddy bear, two outfits, and more books. They also introduce him to the family's dog that Collin gets to play with, and the two of them become good friends. The small family heads out for home after Blake and Collin get kissed and hugged.

***

About ten minutes out, little man is fast asleep. They must have worn him out at Grandpa and Grandma Richard's house. Ian and Trace let him sleep. Blake isn't allowed to wake him up either. When they get him home, he little guy is still fast asleep, so Trace quietly undoes his seat belt and then scoops him up into his arms. Trace gets him into the house and lays him down on the couch. When he wakes up, Collin is scared because he doesn't remember where he is at for a few seconds. He relaxes after a few seconds once he realizes where he is at, and Collin quiets down pretty quickly. The rest of the day is pretty quiet.

***

Trace and Ian are in bed, cuddling, and talking about their new son. They exchange a few hugs and kisses.

"Babe, do you think we'll find out what happened with Collin's parents?"

Trace knows that Ian is anxious about their son and his parents.

"Ian, I can only tell you that we are looking into his abandonment at the store. I don't know what will come out of the investigation, but it would be nice to know what happened."

It's unclear what happened after Collin was left at the store.

"I worry about our little guy."

Ian says as Trace gives him a hug. They don't want to him suffer. The big question running through their minds is he too young to be told when they finally get the message about his parents.

"I know, Sweetie, I feel the same way."

Ian shifts the tone of the conversation to something much brighter.

"Collin seems to have taken to Blake pretty quickly."

He has, and it's a good thing. Blake loves having a younger brother here in Indiana. He loves that bond. He's missing David, and maybe Collin is a replacement for his brother, but that is not the way that he sees it.

"I am amazed at how well he has taken to our families and us. Course,everyone has spoiled him with gifts, and that doesn't hurt any. I just hope it stays like this, once the honeymoon period is over."

Trace says, and Ian laughs at the idea of a honeymoon period. They hope that the little guy will continue to blossom. There is also a fear that he'll grow up too early because of all of this trauma. They know he misses his parents, but he seems to hide it until it's time for bed, and then all the fears leak out into his dreams. No matter what happens in his life, Trace and Ian will always be by his side.

***

Starting today, you must answer the membership questions to join.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlakeSagaandMore

If you don't want to join Facebook, there is now a yahoo group that is run by one of my readers.

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ThestoriesofChuckB/info

Remember if you liked this story please donate to Nifty.org so you that you can continue to read all my stories and all the other stories on Nifty for free.