A Decision for Jarren - 21. Chapter 21

Jarren was nervous as he listened to the phone ring. Just as he thought the voicemail was going to pick up he heard John’s voice, “Jarren? Is everything OK?”

Jarren was quick to assure him, “Yeah, John, We just need to run something by you and I don’t want Liam to overhear. Can you stop by the hospital today? ”

John replied “ Sure, Trish is here and she can hold down the fort for a little while. I can be there in a half hour. Liam is outside with some of the other kids so it shouldn’t be too hard to break away. He’s finally starting to interact with them more, and I know I have you and Nash to thank for that.”

“He’s a great kid and that’s why I’m calling. I have an idea, but I have to know if it’s even possible. The sooner I can pass it by you the better.” Jarren said.

“I’ll be there soon then.” was John’s reply.

To Jarren it seemed like hours, but in reality it was only twenty-five minutes until John arrived. He greeted both men and seeing how antsy Jarren was, took a seat before asking “What do you need to know that’s so important that it can’t wait?” He was smiling at them like a parent smiles at a child who has to wait for Santa to come.

“If there was a couple that would be willing to foster Liam and they lived in another state could his case be transferred?” Jarren dove right in. Nash smiled at his impatience.

“Hmmm, Technically it’s possible, but there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. You understand that they are still looking for any extended family that Liam might have. Transferring him out of state just adds another layer to the search. One more agency to get involved. I can tell you guys this, so far they have struck out. I really don’t foresee any long lost relatives stepping forward to claim him. Tell me more about what you have in mind.” John said.

Jarren decided to lay it all out on the table and proceeded to outline his idea. “The ultimate goal would be for Nash and I to get to the point where we could adopt Liam. We know that right now we have to get past our medical issues and then get approved and licensed to foster. Nash is willing to put in the work to be able to walk with a prosthetic foot as soon as possible. I think that his amputation gives him a unique insight as to what Liam has gone through. My friend Lex and his husband Ian just recently became foster parents to a boy just a little older than Liam. They can legally foster one more. If you tell me it’s possible, I’d like to ask them to foster Liam while we get our ducks in a row, but it would mean moving him to Massachusetts.”

Jarren took a deep breath before continuing, “I own a home less than twenty minutes from them. It’s plenty big enough for Liam to navigate in a wheelchair and my brother and I can easily build a ramp. I was planning on putting one in for Nash anyway, and we can do whatever else needs to be done as well. My family’s construction company has just won a huge contract that will give us a steady income for the next couple of years. My Dad would love it if I moved back there and could go back to working for him. I’ve talked with my Dad and he’s willing to hire Nash. He would just need to meet with Nash and call his references. Mazen is already one of the lead managers but he’s going to need help. I’ve held a management position as well. I’ve told my Dad that Nas would be perfect managing the contractors. I have all of my family there so Liam will have plenty of cousins, aunts and uncles to spoil him, not to mention two grandparents. You’ve met my mom, so I’m sure you get the picture. So tell me honestly what you think?”

John looked pensive as he digested the information Jarren had just laid out. “Before I answer you, tell me why you want this so badly.”

Jarren looked at him and then looked at Nash for reassurance. Seeing the comforting look of confidence on his lover’s face, with complete sincerity, he told John “From the first day that I met Liam something just clicked, and as more time went on the more I grew to love the kid, as did Nash. There’s something in me that just tells me, with absolutely no uncertainty that Liam is ours. Mine and Nash’s, he just belongs to us.”

Nash agreed wholeheartedly, “Jarren is right, every time you left with Liam it felt wrong. That’s a huge reason why we wanted to spend more time with him on Saturdays after lessons. That, well that just felt right.”

John smiled, it was exactly what he hoped to hear. “OK Jarren, you see if your friends up north are willing to foster Liam and if they agree, I’ll get the ball rolling and see how many strings it will take pulling to transfer his case up there. We can’t say anything to Liam yet either.”

Jarren and Nash completely agreed. John stayed a few more minutes and then told them he needed to get back to the group home before the kids figured out that if they banded together, they could probably have Trish hog tied and gagged in no time so they could raid the ice cream in the freezer.

As soon as he left Jarren was damn near jumping up and down. If it didn’t hurt his head he would have. Nash loved how excited he was and kissed Jarren senseless as soon as he stopped bouncing around.

When the kiss ended Jarren remembered what Nash had said about there being a stipulation so he practically demanded, “What’s your stipulation that you mentioned earlier?”

Nash chuckled, “Patience, Young Grasshoppa. All will be revealed when the time is right.” Jarren rolled his eyes at Nash and Nash just ignored him. “You need to call your friends next and cajole them into taking in a twelve year old double amputee. If they agree, let them know that they can’t fall in love with him and keep him. He’s going to be ours. I just know it. Come Hell or high water, we will find a way. I promise you Jarren, with all my heart.”

Jarren damn near melted. “I love you Nash,” and proceeded to kiss him deeply.

Pulling apart, Jarren decided there was no time like the present to try to call Lex. It was Sunday, and he was hoping that Ian would be there as well. His hands shook as he pulled out his phone. Everything hinged on this next call. Still shaking he waited for the call to connect. It only rang once before he heard Lex’s voice.

“Jarren! What’s up my friend?” Lex greeted him.

Steadying himself with a huge breath, Jarren, with a shaky voice, replied “Hey Lex, I have a huge favor to ask. I really need to you and Ian to talk it over before giving me an answer. I’m not even sure how I go about asking you.”

Lex stopped him, hearing the urgency in his voice, “Jarren, calm down. Let me get Ian and put you on speaker. If it’s this important to you then it’ll be easier if he hears it firsthand.”

Jarren heard him call out for Ian and it was only a moment before he heard Ian greet him.

“OK Jarren, you know that we’ll do anything if it’s within our power. What has you all lathered up?” Lex asked.

Jarren jumped right in with both feet and his words nearly tumbled over themselves as he declared “I’ve decided to move back home and Nash has agreed to come with me. My house is much better equipped to handle a wheelchair. Or two. That’s where you guys come in. I’d like you to agree to foster Liam. He’s the boy that I’ve told you about, the double amputee. It would only be temporary, until Nash and I get approved and licensed. We’re not sure how long it’s going to take, we’re hoping just a couple of months, but it may take longer. I’ve already been warned that we may run into some walls, but guys, I need this. Nash needs this. In my heart I already feel like Liam belongs to us. We just need a way to make it happen.”

There was a moment of silence and it was Ian who spoke first, “Wow Jarren, that is a big commitment for us. Can you give us a little while to talk it over?”

“Of course, I understand that it’s a huge decision for you. Take however long you need, just not too long. Nash is being discharged the day after tomorrow. I’m not quite sure yet when we’ll head up there, but it will be soon.” Jarren replied.

“Jarren, hold on a sec.” he heard Lex say. Lex must have covered the speaker on his phone because all Jarren could hear was muffled sounds on his end. After several long, agonizing minutes went by Lex finally came back on the phone.

"Jarren, can you be at the hospital this evening and get Liam there as well? Ian and I can be there around seven-ish. I’m having him call and get us a charter out of the Pittsfield airport. We should be able to leave in a couple of hours. I need to see the three of you together before we decide.” Lex informed him.

Jarren was a little perplexed by this turn of events, but if it got them closer to being able to foster Liam, so be it. “I’ll make sure we’re all here.” he assured them.

Lex ended the call as they needed to head for the airport and he needed to make arrangements for Cassie and Mazen to stay at the house to look after Keon and Halo while they were gone.

Jarren called Maddie and told her what was going on. She offered to stop and get some food and drop it off. She had to go to the store and would be nearby and knew how sick of hospital food they both were. Jarren thanked her and they quickly decided on Chipotle, which was close to the hospital. He gave her their order and she said she’d be there in an hour or so.

Maddie, true to her word, was there an hour later with two huge burritos and a couple of bags of chips for them. She only stayed a few minutes. Jarren filled her in on their plans and she insisted on writing a letter of recommendation when the time came. Maddie left after Jarren assured her he would get a ride back to the farm later on.

Jarren would be glad when he was allowed to drive again. It had been three weeks and he had a follow up appointment with his doctor the following day. He was hopeful that the driving restriction would be lifted. His vertigo had all but disappeared and his headaches were much more infrequent and the intensity had lessened considerably. Dr. Mayfield had been adamant about his not returning to any kind of work for at least another eight weeks. Jarren didn’t have a problem with that. It was having to rely on other people for transportation that bugged him.

Once the food was gone and the table cleaned up they settled down to wait. Minutes ticked by slowly until, like a ray of sunshine, Liam came wheeling into the room like a race car driver. That kid had no concept of the phrase ‘slow down’. Immediately both Jarren and Nash felt better. Liam was a chatterbox and kept them entertained with tales from school and the group home. They heard all about the current scandal in his class. It was one of those stories where X told Y that Z liked A, but A liked B and B couldn’t care less so A accused B of being an asshole and B said that A was a bitch. The teacher overheard and somehow all of the letters got sent to the principal’s office. Ah, the angst of middle school romance! In the end, all romances were thwarted by the teacher and the principal banning romantic liaisons while on school property or at school sponsored functions.

Seven o’clock came and went with no sign of Lex and Ian. Just as Jarren started to get worried, his phone chirped with an incoming text. They had hit traffic and were on the way, it should be another 10-15 minutes. Nash grabbed his crutches and he and Jarren, with Liam trailing, took a walk down to the other end of the floor and back a couple of times to give themselves something to do and John went to get something to drink in the cafeteria. It beat just sitting there waiting.

They went back to the room after the third lap, where John was waiting and next thing they knew Lex was standing in the doorway, Ian behind him. Jarren’s eyes met Lex’s and he watched as his friend’s gaze flickered back and forth between him, Nash and Liam. It was as if he was searching for something. There was an awkward moment of silence as the other three sets of eyes landed on the newcomers.

Lex blinked a couple of times and then a bright smile lit up his face. He and Ian were a handsome couple, as well as smart and funny. Lex had come into a shitload of money from his grandparents, yet he was the least pretentious person Jarren knew. He and Ian were using their wealth to help others and Jarren admired both his friends and was happy to see them again.

Stepping into the room, the space suddenly seemed a lot smaller. Jarren greeted his friends with hugs and introduced everyone. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Liam assessing the newcomers. This should be interesting.

Liam gave a good, hard look at each adult in the room and intuitively he declared “Y’all are up to something aren’t you?”

‘Damn’, Jarren thought, nothing gets by that kid.

Lex took the lead and told him evasively “Possibly. Have you ever seen a Magic 8 Ball?” referring to the kid’s version of a fortune telling toy. Liam nodded. “Then let’s just say that it landed on ‘Maybe’.

Jarren had to hold back a laugh as a scowl fell over Liam’s face. Not what he had wanted to hear.

Because of the delay due to the traffic, visiting hours were nearly over. Liam had quickly warmed up to Lex and Ian, especially after he found out Ian was a tattoo artist. He insisted on seeing Lex’s tattoo that Ian had done to cover up scars from the traumatic beating he had endured as a kid. Jarren knew that Lex still had reservations when it came to showing people his back so he was surprised when Lex pulled his shirt over his head and turned so it faced the boy. He even squatted down a bit so it was more eye level for Liam. Liam’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head at the beautiful image. Nash was impressed as well. He had seen the picture that Jarren had shown him, but the actual thing was way more amazing. John let out a whistle of appreciation as well.

The small group kept the conversation light, mostly revolving around the tattoo, until they heard the chimes signalling the end of visiting hours. John made Liam say good-bye and the four remaining men could see how reluctant he was to leave. Lex and Ian hung back until they were gone. They had stopped at the nurse’s desk on the way in and Lex had told Renee, not asked, that he and Ian would be there past the normal hours. Renee had merely raised an eyebrow at his boldness. Lex had come a long way in his confidence and it amused Jarren when Ian relayed the encounter.

“So tell us what you think.” Nash was the first to break the silence. Jarren was sitting on the bed next to Nash, who had his leg propped up after their walk. Their hands were clasped tightly together, each drawing strength and comfort from the other. Neither Lex nor Ian missed the way that they held onto each other tightly, nervously.

Lex chuckled as he decided to put them out of their misery. “You’re right.” he said. “Liam belongs to you. I can see it. There’s no doubt in my mind that he is yours.” he stated confidently.

Nash looked relieved, but also confused. “How can you be so sure?” he questioned.

This time it was Jarren and Nash who didn’t miss the look that passed between Lex and Ian, not to mention the slight nod of Ian’s head to Lex as if agreeing to something silently.

Jarren was surprised when Lex directed his next question to Nash. “Nash, has Jarren ever mentioned anything about my intuitiveness?”

Nash smiled and answered “Only that you’re like a psychic and a mom all rolled into one.”

Ian snorted and it took a few seconds for him to compose himself. “That’s the best description I’ve ever heard.” he muttered.

“Shush.” Lex told him and then directed his attention back to Jarren. “Jarren the reason I’m so ‘intuitive’ is because I see auras.” Lex announced calmly.

Jarren tilted his head in what Nash called his ‘confused cocker spaniel’ look that he had picked up from Danny, and went “Huh?”

Lex proceeded to give him the simple version of his ability, explaining how living beings, especially humans, all created an aura around them. Different colors correspond to different emotions as well as connections between people, most prominently family and friends. Family members were usually bound together with some shade of yellow or gold. Friends could have a blue or greenish blue thread between them. Lex went on to say how he always had this ability and over the years had managed to figure out on his own what all the variation of colors meant. He likened it to being bilingual, in other words, he spoke fluent aura. He also went on to explain that he had, over the years, learned how to mute his ability. Turn it down, so to speak.

“You see, it’s too much overload to have to see and interpret auras all day long. Think about how many people you encounter, even casually in the course of a day. I had to learn to mute if for my own self-preservation.” Lex revealed.

Jarren’s mind was spinning at this turn of events. He gathered his thoughts as best he could and said “So you can actually see a connection between people and know what they’re thinking and feeling?”

“No, I can’t see what someone is thinking. I’m not a mind reader. It’s more like, well, take you for example. As soon as I met you I knew you had some issues regarding your sexuality. Exactly what those issues were I didn’t know. I could only see that you were uncomfortable with yourself. As time went on and I got to know you better I could see the blue color that I associate with depression get, um, sort of brighter? That’s not really the word I’m looking for. I guess the blue just became more defined, more blue, I guess is what I’m trying to get at.”

Jarren nodded, still trying to process everything Lex was telling them. Glancing at Nash he saw that he still looked a little skeptical. Hell, who wouldn’t be, It seemed like something out of a science fiction book.

“Who knows about this?” Jarren asked.

Ian was the one who answered, “My parents, Ryan and Seth, Cassie and her mom, and we told Mazen a few weeks ago when they closed on their new house. We asked him not to say anything to you. It wasn’t the right time and Lex wanted to tell you in person, not over the phone. We told Mazen we would tell you the next time we saw you.”

Jarren nodded as he thought back to all the little instances where Lex had just seemed to know what was going on with him. He had to admit that he could see now that the clues were there if he had just managed to pick up on them. One memory in particular popped into his head and he laughed, saying “Oh shit! That’s why Cassie made you wear those idiotic blinders and fake Groucho Marx glasses when we played poker at your bachelor party. So you couldn’t cheat!”

Lex and Ian both laughed at the memory.

Nash, feeling a little left out and confused brought them back down to reality. “So how does this all relate to your decision about Liam, that’s what I want to know.” he said, a little abruptly.

Lex looked at Nash and told him “I can see that you’re still a little skeptical. Jarren told me about your daughter. I’m so sorry. I hope this will help. I can see the thread that binds you and Julia together. It’s a beautiful sunny yellow, bright and shiny. When both parent and child are alive the thread will extend between them whenever they are together, connecting them so to speak. When either the parent or child dies, and this applies to any true relationship, the thread will form a complete circle around the survivor. It can never be broken. I think it’s Nature’s way of telling us that the love we had for that person will never be broken.”

Nash had tears glimmering in his eyes.

Lex continued “ Nash, there’s already a connection between you and me. There’s a blue and silvery thread that connects us. I’ve only seen that shade of blue in one other person, and that’s Cassie. Silver connections are probably more rare than soulmate connections. Silver can indicate a shared, traumatic event. I see it mostly in first responders. It can happen when someone saves another person’s life under extraordinary circumstances, or it could be a brief, but extremely emotional encounter. The only extraordinary circumstance that could possibly come to mind that would connect the three of us would be my getting these scars on my back. You were there. You were the cop who held Cassie until Rita got there, She told me about you.”

Jarren looked at Nash and said “I never told him.”

Nash looked back at Jarren and with their hands clasped, and eyes locked, a calmness descended over them. They believed Lex. Wholeheartedly.

Lex leaned back against Ian in relief, Ian’s strong arms enveloping him, reassuring in their strength.

A few moments of silence blanketed the room while all four men processed the situation.

Smiling, Lex took the lead once again, saying, “So, to get back to the real reason we’re here. I needed to see for myself if there was a true connection between all of you. As soon as I stepped in I knew that Liam is yours, I could see it. Ian and I will gladly foster him until you guys get approved to take over.”

Tears of joy fell from both Jarren and Nash. They were going to be a family! At least Jarren hoped so. They had a long legal road ahead of them, the first hurdle being getting authorization to transfer Liam’s case to Massachusetts and having him placed with Lex and Ian. One step at a time, one bridge at a time. That was what Jarren’s Dad had taught him.

It was getting late, Jarren, Lex and Ian had stayed long past the end of visiting hours. Not wanting to abuse the favor that Renee extended to them, Lex and Ian said goodnight to Nash and told Jarren they would wait by the elevator for him.

Jarren climbed onto the bed next to Nash and kissed him with everything he had, Nash returned the kiss with just as much ardor.

“We’re going to be a family.” Nash stated.

“Yes we are, I love you Nash. I’ll be back in the morning. I have an appointment with Dr. Mayfield at eleven.” Jarren kissed his lover one more time before sliding off the bed.

“I love you too Jarren,” Nash called out after him as he left the room.

Lex and Ian brought Jarren back to the farm before checking into their hotel for the night. Lex told Jarren they would pick him up in the morning around eight, have breakfast and then get him to the hospital so they could start figuring out what the next steps would be, not to mention Jarren’s follow up appointment with Dr. Mayfield.

Jarren thanked his friends and knew without a doubt things were finally looking up.