Family Struggles - 10. Trials of Parenting

Trials of Parenting:

A few weeks later, Jared was sitting on Kasey’s bed counting his ‘Bad Money’ that he had collected from the entire family while Mason put Kasey’s clean laundry away. When he finished the tally Jared was flabbergasted, “Wow buddy you’re rich you have $127 and 75 cents.”

Kasey jumped up and down on his bed clapping his hands, “I ich, Mas go hoppin?” he said excitedly.

“No little man, this money is going into the bank for college. You can spend the naughty people’s money on an education so you don’t say bad words like they do.” Mason said.

Kasey pouted crossing his arms, “Go see Evi?”

“Maybe tomorrow buddy, they are bowling tonight,” Jared hugged his pouting son.

*****

Levi bowled his third strike in a row cockily turning back at his brother who had thrown more gutter balls instead of knocking pins over, “Yes,” he walked by bumping shoulders with his upset brother, “I rule and you drool.”

“You can be such a jerk,” Lincoln mumbled as Levi flopped onto the plastic bench.

Levi shrugged his shoulders, “I’m the best I can’t help it you suck.”

Kyle looked at Levi, “That’s enough, not everybody can be good at sports. Lincoln, you’re really good at music,” Lincoln looked over at Kyle appreciatively giving him a sad smile.

“Bella, sweetheart you’re up,” Blu told her.

“Huh?” she looked up from her phone with a goofy smile on her face. “Oh, yeah.”

She stood up fetching her bowling ball, standing at the arrow lining up her stance. Once she was confident she walked toward the lane releasing the ball, it bounced with a thud, rolling hard and fast right into the gutter.

“Crap!” Arabella muttered hoping her Dads did not hear her.

She walked back to the seating, Blu put his hand out yelling, “Quatta.”

Levi laughed at his sister, “She’s in a hurry to talk to Tony,” he made kissy faces at her.

“Shut up, Levi,” she growled.

“What it’s true,” Levi snickered, “Tony and Bella sitting in a tree –”

“Knock it off, all of you,” Blu admonished the kids, “this is supposed to be fun, something we can all do together. If this is how you're going to behave every week we aren’t coming anymore.”

Arabella tried again with her second ball, nothing changed, straight into the gutter. She sulked all the way back to her seat.

Kyle stood up taking his turn, he barely managed to get a spare.

“Lincoln even Dad can do better than you,” Levi elbowed his brother.

Lincoln glared at his brother before he stood up.

Grabbing his ball from the return, Lincoln approached the line imitating his Dad the best he could. The first ball he rolled managed to knock down one pin. The second ball he rolled a spare amazing himself, he jumped around wooting, pumping his fist in the air, “I did it!” Lincoln shouted happily.

“Good one Link,” Blu high fived the young boy as past him, “now you’re beating me.”

Kyle smiled at his husband, “Babe it’s the sixth frame and you’ve got 34 pins,” he snickered.

Blu leaned closer to Kyle so only he could hear him, “I don’t think you said that right.”

Kyle straightened up in the seat, “Ya… um… you’re doing great.”

The kids looked at their Dad as they all burst out laughing.

“Who wants a drink?” Blu asked his brood.

Lincoln held his hand up in the air waving it around, “Can we get rootbeer floats?”

Blu silently asked his husband if it was okay with just a look.

Kyle nodded his head, “A small one I guess, it’s getting sort of late for a bunch of sugar.”

“Yes,” Lincoln shouted happily with a grin from ear to ear.

The others nodded, Kyle asked for a beer. Blu then went to the bar to get the drinks returning with a beer for Kyle, three rootbeer floats, and a bottle of water for himself, since he was driving.

Kyle kissed Blu’s cheek before taking a drink of the ice cold Budweiser, “Mmm, that hits the spot. I think we should pick up a pizza on the way home so we can have a quick dinner. What do you guys think?”

Levi looked at his siblings, “Extra cheese and pepperoni?”

The pair nodded their heads in agreement.

The night of bowling ended up being a lot of fun for the entire family, even with Levi kicking everybody’s behinds finishing with a 160 average.

Kyle crawled into the passenger seat looking back at the kids, “Did everybody enjoy themselves?”

“I guess, I’m not very good at bowling though,” Lincoln smiled, “But I did beat Pop,” he snickered.

“I beat everybody,” Levi grinned looking at his Dads.

“I didn’t beat anybody.” Blu pouted. “Since Levi beat everyone, he should have to pay for the pizza.”

Levi looked at Blu, “Pop I only have ten dollars left of my allowance,” he said whining. “Scott’s supposed to come over this weekend I need my money.”

“Fine, you better beg your Dad to pay for the pizza then.” Blu said.

Levi gave Kyle the begging puppy dog look, “Daddy you’ll pay for us to eat right?”

Kyle laughed at the look his son gave him, “Hmmm… let me think,” he tapped his finger on his chin, “I’ll do it if I get a hug.”

Levi rolled his eyes giggling, “Deal.”

“Blackmailer,” Blu said under his breath.

“You coulda had a hug too but Dad is the one payin’,” Levi chuckled to Blu.

“I don’t pay for hugs, I want mine the old fashioned way – because you want to hug me.”

“I’ll hug you Pop,” Lincoln chimed in with a smile on his face.

*****

A couple of days later at school, Blu and Kyle were having their lunch together in the teacher’s break room when they were summoned to the office.

Kyle looked at Blu as he gathered his lunch, “I hope Levi didn’t get in trouble he’s been doing really well since the kids started counseling.”

“He has, hasn’t he,” Blu smiled proudly, Kyle nodded.

The two men put their lunch back in the refrigerator and made their way to the office. They found Liv waiting for them outside the Admin Office.

“Hey Girlie,” Blu said hugging his friend.

“Hi Blu,” she replied.

“Liv, how are you, sweetheart?” Kyle said hugging Liv, “The kids aren’t in trouble are they?”

“What? No, why?” Liv asked incredulously.

“I guess I’m just not used to you visiting us at school,” Kyle breathed a sigh of relief.

“No, I was here because of other business I had with the school. I have some information for you guys too, so I thought, while I was here.”

Kyle, had a bad feeling still lingering in his gut, “What kind of information?”

“Is there somewhere more private we can talk?” Liv asked.

Kyle motioned toward the empty conference room.

Once the three of them were seated inside the room Kyle’s anxiety got the better of him, “What’s going on? You’re not taking the kids,” Kyle’s face filled with a combination of worry and anger.

“Dear God, Kyle, calm the hell down. Do you really think I’d be here all calm to tell you the kids were being taken away?”

“I’m not sure what to think. We love those kids more than anything in the world, I’m not letting them be hurt again,” Kyle sighed as he leaned back in his chair.

“Kyle I assure you, if there was a problem that would warrant the kids being taken from you, you would know before it happens unless it was a dangerous situation for them. Now before Kyle has a stroke, what I have to say is good and bad news. I am going to start with the bad, is that okay with you Kyle?” Liv asked almost amused at her panicky friend.

Kyle shrugged his shoulders staring at Liv.

“Ms. Dalton passed away due to complications from substance abuse in jail over the weekend. Sorry, I didn’t tell you sooner, but I just found out myself.” Liv told the men.

“So what does that mean, except that we have to tell the kids?” Blu asked.

Liv looked at her two favorite guys, “It means…,” she put her bag on the table pulling out an envelope, handing it to Blu. “It means you are free to adopt the kids if you want to. In the envelope, you’ll find some information on how to handle the situation with the kids. The paperwork explaining the adoption process and what forms you will need to fill out, and I have put a post-it in there with a couple of the best family attorney’s in town. Don’t use the guy you did for the fostering. You will need someone with a bit more clout, I only say this because there is still a lot of prejudice against same-sex adoptions. Especially in the corridor of the old white men's club. They really are the minority now, but if you have shitty luck and draw one of them, you will need someone to keep everything focused on the law.”

Kyle smiled at Blu before turning his attention to Liv, “We can really adopt the kids?”

Liv grinned nodding her head, “Yup.”

“Thanks, Liv,” Blu’s smile could have lit up a night-time baseball game.

“Welcome, let me know if you need anything. I’ll be out of town next week, I’m flying back home for my folks anniversary,” Liv winked as she picked up her purse, “Luck boys.”

Kyle stood up smiling as he hugged his husband before pulling Liv into the hug, “Thanks for everything Liv, I’m sorry for being so uptight earlier. Those kids deserve the best, I guess I’m a little defensive regarding them.”

*****

After school Kyle and Blu were quiet as they drove home, it didn’t go unnoticed by the kids.

Levi stared at their Dads, “Are we in trouble?”

Kyle glanced in the rearview mirror, “No not at all, we need to talk to you kids once we get home.”

Lincoln fidgeted around in the back seat, “You’re not mad at us right?”

“Oh god no, you guys didn’t do anything wrong, I promise,” Kyle sighed as they turned onto their street.

Kyle pulled the SUV into their driveway parking the car. The kids got out of the car walking quietly to the house.

Blu opened the door and the family mascot ran into the yard to do his business.

Kyle walked into the house sitting his briefcase on the end table in the foyer, “kids go change into some play clothes, then come back downstairs.”

Levi walked up the stairs beside Lincoln whispering, “What do you think is going on?”

“Do you think we have to leave?” Lincoln’s shoulders slouched as they reached the top of the staircase.

Levi shrugged his shoulders, “I hope not,” they walked into their room closing the door.

The boys quietly came back downstairs shuffling into the living room sitting beside their Dad, while Arabella sat quietly next to Blu. Scarlett jumped up on Lincoln running across the laps of the family to get to her Mom, curling up in her lap while Arabella unconsciously stroked the kitten.

Kyle placed an arm around each of the boy's shoulders, “Arabella, boys, Liv stopped to see Pop and me at work today,” he took a moment to gather his thoughts, “She stopped to talk to us about your Mom.”

Levi looked at Blu, “What did she do now?”

“Your Mom hasn’t done anything bud, but unfortunately something has happened,” Blu said.

Lincoln leaned into Kyle, “She’s not trying to take us away is she?”

Kyle tightened his arms around the boys, “No, nobody is taking you guys away,” he kissed the top of their heads.

“Your Mom got sick while she was in jail –”

Levi cut Blu off from speaking, “She was using drugs huh?”

“No, I don’t think so Levi, but due to past drug use, her body just couldn’t cope. Unfortunately, she passed away.” Blu took Arabella’s hand holding it while she sat quietly petting Scarlett with her free hand.

“She died?” Levi asked as laid his head against Kyle’s chest.

“I’m afraid so buddy,” Kyle rubbed the boy’s backs, “Pop and I love all you very much if you guys want to talk about your Mom we’d be glad to listen.”

“Our Mom was more interested in drugs than us,” Lincoln mumbled quietly.

Kyle let out a slow deep breath, “I’m sure your Mom loved you guys,” he looked at Blu hoping he said the right thing to comfort their kids since Arabella had not said a word.

Khan walked over, laying on the boy's feet providing his form of comfort to the boys.

“What happens to us now?” Arabella asked her eyes firmly planted in her lap.

“You live here, nothing changes,” Blu stated.

“You’re not sending us away?” Lincoln almost whispered into Kyle’s chest.

“Why would we send you away, Link?”

“I… well… our Mom wasn’t a good person,” Lincoln mumbled tears threatening to run over.

“Your Mom wasn’t a bad person Lincoln, she just made some poor decisions that had very tragic consequences. Once drugs get a hold of a person, this eventually is the likely outcome. Sadly you three had to suffer those consequences. It’s not fair, but it is common in these situations…” Blu paused for a moment, observing the kids.

He kept hold of Arabella’s hand but moved to sit on the coffee table so he could see his family all at once.

“Kids, I want you to listen and hear us. We want you forever, not just for now, not until you do something wrong, you’re part of our family. You are here to stay forever, as long as they’ll let us have you. Even then if anyone tries to take you away they’ll have one hell of a fight on their hands.” Blu said.

Kyle glanced at the kids, “Pop is right, you’ve suffered enough. We’re here to help you guys have the life you deserve, filled with lots of love, support, and the ability to just be a kid. You will never have to worry about where you’ll find your next meal, or who to turn to when times get rough. We promise to be here for you when you need us, and even when you think you don’t need us we’ll still be there. We want you to know you can always come to us, and we won’t judge you for anything.”

“We might be a little angry depending on the situation, but we will never stop loving you, and we will always, always, help no matter the circumstances,” Blu told them.

Levi tried wiping his eyes without attracting attention, “Even if I get in a fight?” he mumbled softly.

“Even then, but just know, there are consequences to your actions, good or bad,” Blu answered lovingly.

Levi sighed laying his head back down on Kyle.

“Did you want to talk about what you're feeling or thinking right now?” Blu asked, even though he was talking to all three of his children he squeezed Arabella’s hand trying to get her to engage.

The kids were silent for a long time while they sat with their Dads. Kyle and Blu waited patiently for them to process all the information. They knew right now there probably would not be much of a reaction but were preparing themselves for the fallout in the near future. Blu winked at Kyle, trying to let him know he was there for his comfort and support too.

“Can I go to my room please?” Arabella asked standing up from the couch taking her hand back from her Pop as she continued cradling Scarlett.

Kyle looked at Blu giving him a sad look, “Sweetheart you’re excused.”

“I’ll come check on you in a bit,” Blu said.

He was feeling a little defeated, Blu wanted to be there for Arabella, but mostly he had hoped she would lean on him for support.

“I’m gonna go outside for a bit to think, okay?” Levi asked.

Kyle kissed Levi’s head, “Go ahead buddy, just bundle up we don’t want you getting sick.”

Levi sniffled as he walked out of the room. He stopped in the foyer pulling on his coat and boots.

They heard the back door slam closed.

Lincoln sat quietly with his Dads.

“Are you okay Lincoln?” Kyle asked rubbing the boys back.

Lincoln shrugged his shoulders, “Is it bad if I say we’re better off without her?”

Kyle glanced at Blu before pulling Lincoln into his lap, “I can’t change the way you feel at the moment. Lincoln, you three have gone through things no kid should have ever had to experience,” he rocked Lincoln in his arms.

A loud crash was heard from the backyard.

Kyle scooted Lincoln back onto the couch, “I’ll be right back buddy,” he ran from the room stopping long enough to slip on shoes before rushing out the back door.

Once Kyle stepped out the door he seen Levi kneeling over the top of one of Blu’s favorite flower pots which were smashed on the ground.

“I hate her,” Levi sobbed, “she only thought about herself.”

Kyle picked his son up carrying him into the house, “Shhh… you’re gonna be ok Levi,” he said sitting the distraught boy on a kitchen chair checking him for cuts as he took off the boys soaking wet shoes, socks, and jeans.

“Babe, can you grab a towel for me,” Kyle called out to Blu who was sitting with Lincoln.

Blu moved past Kyle and Levi to the laundry room. Lincoln followed into the kitchen sitting next to his brother. Blu came back with a couple of soft clean towels straight from the dryer. He had put them in this morning before they left for work.

Kyle wiped the moisture from the boy's legs and feet, “I don’t see any cuts,” he said before he laid a dry towel over Levi’s legs then checked his hands and arms before hugging him.

Kyle asked Lincoln to run up and grab his brother some sweatpants.

Lincoln scampered up the stairs as quick as his feet would carry him, worried about his brother.

“Pop I’m sorry,” Levi sniffled wiping his nose on his shirt sleeve.

“What for?”

“I broke your flower pot,” Levi fought back tears.

“Don’t worry about that for now, buddy, we can deal with it later,” Blu gave him a lopsided warm smile. ‘Crap, which one! Don’t be selfish Blu,’ he thought berating himself.

Lincoln skidded back into the room handing his brother a pair of sweatpants, “Here you go Levi. Are these ok?”

Levi nodded his head slipping on the pants, “Thanks, Link.”

Lincoln smiled as he sat beside his brother feeling his brother’s appreciation.

Kyle looked at Blu feeling totally exhausted, “Babe, why don’t we order pizza, watch some movies spending time together as a family?”

“I’m in, I’ll just check on Arabella if you want to order. Make sure you get mine meat, mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Bella likes that too, we can share a pizza.” Blu said before leaving to check on their daughter, “make sure the sauce is tomato, none of that evil BBQ crap.”

Kyle laughed at his husband as he pulled out his phone to order the pizzas before taking the twins into the living room.

Blu knocked on Arabella’s door but didn’t receive an answer, he slowly opened the door to a dark room. He could hear sobs coming from inside, Blu’s chest tightened as he made his way to the bed. He could see the silhouette of the young girl lying on her side curled up with her knees to her chest, Scarlett snuggled under her chin. Blu sat down on the side of the bed next to his daughter.

“Bella,” he said reaching out to her, “come here, sweetheart,” Blu pulled her into his arms while she cried. Scarlett the poor kitten, scampered to the side startled.

Keeping her in his embrace, Blu whispered how much he loved her, that Kyle loved her, everything would eventually be okay. He whispered the words over and over until she calmed down falling asleep in his arms. He laid her back down gently on the bed covering Arabella with a blanket. Blu kissed her forehead, gently brushing her hair out of her face before making a retreat back to the living room. As he pulled the door closed Kyle crashed into him.

Kyle looked at Blu seeing the sadness in his eyes, “How’s she doing Babe?”

“Not good, I’ve already left a message for the counselor for tomorrow so we can make the kids an appointment. At least tomorrow isn’t a school day,” Blu sighed, “I feel so rotten having to tell the kids that their Mother died.”

“I know Babe,” Kyle wrapped his husband in a loving embrace kissing his forehead, “At least they know how much they are loved. The boys have been pretty quiet snuggling into my side since you came upstairs. The pizza is here if you’re hungry, the twins are waiting for us.”

“Sure Blondie, who’s turn is it to pick a movie?” Blu asked sinking into the side of his husband as they walked back downstairs.

“I figured we could let the kids choose,” Kyle said tightening his arm around Blu.

“Awww… I don’t want to watch the Iron Man again.” Blu huffed.

Kyle chuckled at him, “They’ve had a rough day, let them have their fun.”

The boys did choose Iron Man, the four watched it snuggled together on the couch. After the movie ended the boys were sound asleep.

Kyle looked at Blu, “I got Levi can you grab Lincoln, Babe? We can get them settled and cuddle up, then we can talk.”

Blu automatically picked up Lincoln following Kyle to put the boys in the closest bed together. There is no point separating them they just end up in the same bed together anyway. After the news they had received, Blu had half a mind to put them to bed with Arabella. Once the boys were deposited in their bed, Khan climbed up laying between his two boys.

Kyle came out of their bathroom after brushing his teeth, he crawled into bed snuggling up with Blu.

Kyle kissed his husband then rested his head on Blu’s chest, “Babe, I know we both love the kids,” he sighed running his hand over Blu’s stomach, “What should we do about adopting them?”

“Probably fill out the paperwork, contact a lawyer, then let Liv know,” Blu said with a smirk.

“Be serious, I don’t want the kids to doubt our commitment to them, we should adopt them,” Kyle kissed Blu’s chest.

Blu tightened his arm around the man he loved kissing the top of his head.

“We will Blondie, first we should contact a lawyer, then speak to the kids about it. I’m excited about it actually, they’ll legally be ours,” Blu answered seriously this time.

“I’ll feel better about everything once we adopt them,” Kyle said snuggling into Blu.

“I know you didn’t like my idea about the addition to the house for the pool Babe,” Kyle paused running his hand over his husband’s abdomen, “But… I think it would give the kids something to be excited about.”

Blu sighed, “I am really against having the pool Blondie, if you want it I guess you can go ahead. Do NOT tell the kids until the crew’s ready to break ground. Otherwise, we are in for three months of nagging. You better organize the swimming lessons and CPR classes, anyone who refuses doesn’t go in the pool. Got me?”

“Got it,” Kyle tilted his head up kissing Blu, “Hot tub too?”

Blu pushed Kyle down to his midsection, “We’ll see how you do,” Blu smirked.

Kyle left a satisfied look on his husband’s face before the men drifted off to sleep, the morning was quickly dawning a new day.

Kyle was up early not being able to sleep soundly from all of the thoughts in his head, he figured he would let everybody sleep after the stress from yesterday. He brewed a fresh pot of coffee before grabbing the newspaper off the front porch.

Once the coffee was brewed he sat at the kitchen table sipping his coffee glancing over the newspaper. An article on the front page caught his eye, there was a large photograph of Mr. Hiscock and his church group protesting against gay rights.

“Fuck me,” Kyle muttered laying the paper down hoping the miserable asshole would crawl back into the hole he came from.

“What’s happened,” Blu yawned, entering the kitchen in his robe and slippers.

Kyle slid the newspaper to Blu’s normal seat, “Take a look at this shit,” he stood up to grab Blu a cup of coffee.

The newspaper crinkled and shook the further Blu read into the article, “You have to be kidding me, this guy is an asshole of epic proportions. You don’t think we’ll lose our jobs over this, do you? He’s mentioned the school’s name but not us personally. Although, I’m sure that’s only because they’d be liable if they had.”

Blu slid the newspaper angrily across the table, it hit the chair and spun onto the floor.

Khan wandered into the room emptying his water bowl, then he stood at the door waiting to be left out.

Kyle let Khan outside to do his business, “Our jobs should be safe, Stanley is just doing this to be a pain in the ass,” he said as he picked up the paper from the floor throwing it in the garbage.

Levi stumbled into the kitchen rubbing his eyes, “Morning,” he mumbled as he poured himself a glass of juice before he sat down.

“Mornin’ bud,” Kyle smiled at his son, “Do you want a bowl of cereal?”

“Nah,” Levi shook his head, “I’m not hungry.”

Blu’s eyes softened as he listened to Levi, “You have to have something, bud, what about just a piece of toast or an English muffin?”

Levi stretched out his arms yawning, “I guess I’ll have a muffin.”

“Good boy,” Blu said standing to get the bag of muffins from the fridge to make him some breakfast.

Lincoln wandered into the kitchen a little less chipper than he normally is, he wiggled his way onto Kyle’s lap snuggling in.

Kyle hugged Lincoln, “Hi buddy. How’d you sleep?”

Lincoln rubbed his eyes, “I guess ok, how’d I get in bed? I don’t remember walking.”

“You didn’t; the sleep fairy carried you. Do you want a muffin?” Blu asked.

Lincoln nodded his head giggling, “You’re goofy Pop.”

Levi looked at his Dads, “Can Scott still come over today?”

Blu nodded his head as he buttered Levi’s muffin, he took a bite out of one half putting it back on the plate, handing it to him, “Quality Assurance,” he shrugged at the indignant look on his son’s face.

Levi snatched his muffin off the plate taking a bite, “You’re weird,” he grinned with puffed up cheeks from the large bite of muffin.

Lincoln slid off his Dad’s lap sitting in his own chair when Blu handed him his muffin, “Thanks, Pop,” Lincoln went to the fridge grabbing the grape jelly and a butter knife before sitting back down. He slathered a thick coat of grape goo on his muffin, “Tastes yummy,” he took a bite leaving a dribble of jelly on his chin.

“I’m going to take this up to Arabella, Blondie,” Blu held up the plate with a buttered muffin and a glass of orange juice.

“Okay Babe, tell her we love her,” Kyle said smiling warmly at Blu in the next breath he berated Lincoln, taking the jelly away from him, “No more jelly, Link.”

Lincoln whined, “It’s sooo good Dad, you should try it,” he licked the jelly from his fingers.

“I’ll pass,” Kyle shook his head, “We’re gonna have to buy you a few more toothbrushes at this rate, you’re gonna be brushing those teeth a ton.”

Lincoln rolled his eyes at Kyle.

Blu returned to the kitchen eating Arabella’s muffin.

Kyle sat with his eyes narrowed, glaring at Lincoln, “I think we should make an appointment with the dentist.”

Lincoln’s eyes shot his Dad the ‘don’t go there look.’

“Oh, you’re definitely going to the dentist Son,” Kyle paused looking at Blu, “How’s Arabella?”

“She has a headache, I gave her some Tylenol and had her lay back down.”

Kyle sighed, “Babe, she didn’t eat dinner last night either.”

“I know but she started to get upset. Bell will come down when she’s hungry. If she’s not down by dinner I’ll call Davis over and threaten her with one of his IV bags.”

The boys cringed when they heard the word IV, they were determined Uncle Davis wouldn’t be putting a needle in their arm if they could prevent it.

Scott came over at lunch time, the boys and Khan played for hours. The nerf basketball hoop on the back of Levi’s bedroom door was the game of choice which turned into full contact basketball, amounting in a bunch of wrestling and giggling along with Khan barking.

The boys appeared to have forgotten about yesterday's news, leaving Kyle and Blu breathe a sigh of relief for the moment, regarding their two youngest children.