Fosters: Blackhawk

by L. Ann Marie

  "Thank you for helping them. I can't believe there was damage to the beams. It sounds scary to hear. I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea. My aunt left me the house, aside from painting and stripping wallpaper I haven't done anything to it." I hope there wasn't too much structurally to fix. I'm glad someone caught it before it fell down with my kids in the house. "The MC sounds like the Indigo and Crystal people my aunt talked about." I watch his head snap back.

  "Was your aunt Indian?" He looks surprised.

  "Not that I know of. She believed the Indigo and Crystal people are drawn together to spread goodness and live lives of service, making the world better for the coming generations. Like they're sent here as a gift from the heavens." I look to see if he's going to bolt away from my crazy ass thinking.

  He looks like he's thinking about it. "My grandmother told us of the Indigos and Crystals. She believed the old souls are visible for those who choose to see them and they are sent by our ancestor spirits to guide us. I guess it's the same thing just in different words." He smiles. I can't friggin believe he's not running out the door. "I see what she taught us in people. Christian is one of those old souls; he has the warrior in him but needs to be protected. I think Jeremy is too.”

  I think my mouth fell open, I just look at him. "I think so too. My aunt said ADHD and autism were not medical issues but spiritual. I think Jeremy is what most people call autistic. My aunt would say he has a need to be protected because he lives on a higher plain."

  "My cousin, Steve the VP, is like that. He's so damn smart but people always underestimate him because he's not always focused on now. I think it's like your aunt said, he's running in a higher plain." He smiles.

  "I can't believe we're sitting here talking about this. I've never talked to anyone about all of this. I thought they would think I'm crazy." I smile because I am a little crazy.

  He laughs, "We could go to the sweat lodge smoke the pipe and talk about it. No one would think anything of it."

  "What the heck do you put in the pipe." I can't help but laugh. He holds his stomach laughing then he kisses me. I put my hand in his hair; it's as soft as it looks. Oh my gosh, my whole body responds leaving me embarrassed. He pulls away watching me. "That felt incredible." What the hell am I saying that for? Holy cow my friggin brain left me.

  "I feel drawn to you, something in my warrior sees what's in you, another warrior but also someone to be protected. I hate not understanding what's happening but I've never felt like this before and I don't want to fuck it up. Tell me if I push too far." He's holding my face looking in my eyes.

  "Wow, I'm a little freaked out but I understand all that too, which is friggin weird. I'll tell you if it's too far." I can't believe I said that out loud. I'm not sure if he can see it or not. My aunt said seers and receivers were common with large groups of Indigo and Crystal people. He nods and moves his hands. Crap, why did he nod?

  "I like talking to you. I like that you understand what most people don't even see. My sister and grandmother would love to talk to you about our people; they see more than I do. I'd like for you to meet them."

  Wow, I'm happy he wants me to meet his family. "I'd like that conversation. I don't really know any more than what my aunt told me."

  He nods. We sit in quiet for a few minutes. It's oddly comforting. "I better get going. I'm keeping you from the kids."

  Damn, the kids, they're awfully quiet. I turn and look at them. Christian looks over and smiles. The boys are watching their movie. I nod. I could use some time to take in all he's said.

  Walking him to the door I step out in the hall with him. He flips the lock thing to hold the door then bends down and kisses me. My friggin word, he has my body ready to spark into flames. He lifts his head. "I'm flying to New York tomorrow; I'll be home after eight. Can I come see you?"

  I'm still trying to catch my breath. "Yes. Thank you for today. I never expected all this."

  He smiles. "Grandmother use to tell us true warriors are an honest people. I'm glad you're not afraid to show that to me. I hope you see I feel the same." He bends again and kisses my cheek then turns and walks to the elevator.

  My jelly knees walk me back in. I lean on the door and think about that. He's honest and quiet but talked today so we could get to know him. I smile pushing away from the door. Christian is standing by the couch watching me. "He's real. It will happen but you need to trust in it."

  "Damn you and your cryptic messages." I smile at him. He doesn't let many people in but he's not afraid of me seeing the real him. "I'm trying Christian. It's not something I would have believed would happen but I'm trying."

  He nods, "He sees that. He sees more than you know. Trouble is coming; the men and kids will help. You have to trust them and Cloud's ability." He sits down.

  Damn it! "Am I going to get anything else out of you?"

  He friggin smiles. "It will all be ok. In the end it will be ok."

  "Not cute my little man. I wish you'd tell me what you see."

  His smile vanishes. "I don't think you would. There are people that can help me, guide me but we're not there yet. It will happen."

  Sometimes he scares the shit out of me. He holds onto my hand. We sit each lost in our own thoughts. "You're going to love the house CJ. It has so much love in it; you're going to love it." He says making me smile.

  "Stop it. You can't do that and leave me with nothing so just don't say anything." He knows this gets me pissed.

  He friggin laughs. "I love to see you pissed. Your eyes shine."

  "Get to bed you little punk and stop saying pissed." I push him in the direction of off the friggin couch. He laughs at me. I can't help but smile. I pull him back down and kiss his cheek. "Love ya Christian."

  "Love you too CJ." He says wiping my kiss from his cheek. I get my boys to bed and spend some time with Joey. I listen to Clouds qualities one more time as if I didn't already list them and have it verified by Christian. I kiss my girl and go take a bath.

  Cloud

  Driving home I think about what Christian said. He wants me to watch out for CJ. Something will happen he thinks it's with Mo, her assistant. He's due back this week. Christian says something's changed with him. He's nervous about it. I think he's like Tess, a seer. It would explain his staring and intensity. He has too much confidence to be hiding it; CJ must know and take him seriously.

  I stop and call Danny telling him what Christian said. He's going to arrange it so Tess and CJ meet at the house tomorrow. With Tess he can guide her visions and get more information. He warns me it might not happen, visions can't be controlled. I let him know I understand but anything would be helpful. He suggests cameras in the common rooms of the house. He already has the alarms in. "I can do the cameras but I'm in New York tomorrow. When is she moving back home?"

  "The plan was tomorrow after school. If you want, I can get the cameras in and we can push it to Tuesday." He waits for me to answer.

  "I think at the hotel she's safe. I'd like to have the cameras in before she moves back."

  "That's what we'll do. You need to stick with your instincts. I'll have Tess meet her tomorrow so she sees all that's been done and I can explain about the cameras. If Christian came to you he's already clued her into trouble brewing. It won't be hard for her to see the need." He makes sense, Christian loves her too much not to warn her.

  "I wish I could be there Brother, thanks for doing this." I tell him watching the lights play on the lake.

  "I get the feeling she means something to you, we made her ours when we trashed her house. Making her yours will cover her in Brothers protection." He's so fuckin sure of what he's saying I smile.

  "Thanks Brother."

  "I'll text you with any information I get. I want to call Tess before it gets too late, then I'll call CJ to set it up."

  "Thanks Danny, have a good night." I get dead air and start driving with a smile the rest of the way home.

  Chapter Four

  CJ

  I have a
full day planned. We eat breakfast from the bakery and I get the kids ready. We meet Sally, she tells me she's Doc's old lady and helper of all things needing to be done. I like her immediately; she tells me she'll be meeting me at the house with Tess later. Danny told me Tess is my age and excited to meet me. She's good friends with Cloud and Steve. I think this is Cloud's cousin but she didn't say.

  She came early so the boys had a chance to get to know her before she drove them away. Christian just smiles when she says this. He wouldn't ride with my ex; I know he wouldn't go with someone he doesn't trust. She gives me her card just in case. I really like her.

  Once Sally leaves with the little guys I take Brantley, Taylor and Joey to school. I wish they were all in the same school. It would make life easy.

  I shoot over to the other house and grab the month end reports. I talk with Cindy about how the girls are doing. She's had the same group for months now. Everyone gets along and life has been good for her. She's in her forties but looks and acts much younger. The girls love her, she's been a mentor to a few girls that aged out last year and gets me up to speed on their progress. I tell her of our invader and she pales. I laugh and tell her the whole story making her laugh with the giants and Cloud throwing me over his shoulder so I couldn't kick him. I check Kara, her assistant's, schedule and paperwork for the skate night she'll be taking the girls to on Friday.

  Hugging Cindy I rush over to DSS (Department of Social Service) to pick up paperwork for Jeremy's psych evaluation. We need a court order for everything they do because their mother refuses to consent to any care they may need. Why she even has that power is beyond me. She's not even working to get them back! I leave their caseworker and deep breathe back to the van.

  Getting across the bridge I hear weird sounds coming from the front of the van. I so do not need this today. I make it to the exit ramp, glide down it and pull over. I'm supposed to meet Sally, Tess and Danny in twenty minutes. I pull Sally's card and ask her to pick me up on her way. I'll call the garage for the van so I can get Joey. I don't get an answer. A motorcycle pulls up beside me. An older version of Cloud looks down at me. "Hi Steve it's nice to meet you. I'm CJ Lescault."

  He smiles, "That noticeable?"

  "It's the hair." I tell him smiling. He laughs.

  "You give me your keys I can have it fixed. Baxter's have one in your garage. This is spare." He says.

  I decipher and nod handing him the keys. "Baxter's have a van in my garage?"

  He looks at me, "Yeah. Was dropped last night. Didn't meet Danny at the house?"

  "Not yet. I was on my way there when the van decided it wasn't. Tess and Sally are picking me up." I just get it out and they pull in behind me.

  Steve nods to me and goes to the car. He opens the passenger door and helps a beautiful woman stand up. She looks like a fairy, she glows. When he closes the door I see Tess is very pregnant. I walk over to her.

  Steve surprises me. "Tess, CJ. She's safe." Tess nods. I'm safe?

  "I'm so excited to meet you CJ. Victor has been telling me about Brantley and Christian. I need to meet Christian." She hugs me squishing me against her huge belly.

  I laugh. "It's nice to meet you Tess. Congratulations are in order."

  "Twins. She has dreams. Needs to meet Christian." Steve says.

  Sally coughs. "Tess is a seer. She has visions. She had one about Christian, she's anxious about talking to him. She says he will understand. Some people don't understand, we take them seriously."

  I smile at Tess. "I understand and take them seriously too."

  "I know." Tess says with the biggest smile. I laugh.

  "Let's get to the house and see what the Brothers have been up to." Sally says.

  "I have to get Jeremy's court papers and my bag from the van." I tell them jogging back to it. Grabbing my things I hop in the car and Sally drives me home. A dog is sitting on the floor at Tess' feet but she doesn't say anything about him and I never have a chance to ask. She talks the whole way, she's so excited for me to see what's been done. Sally looks back at me from the mirror and smiles. Tess is cute.

  Pulling up I notice the porch and ramp. Tears fall down my face; I walk over to it and walk up the ramp. Its permanent, the boards we had are gone. The house is painted and looking so clean.

  Danny comes over to me and smiles. "Thought she'd like a little more independence."

  I have my hand over my mouth, I nod because I can't talk. She's going to love it and the independence to come and go on her own.

  "Let's walk the outside first. The yard is fenced and security is installed on the perimeter as well as in the house" He hits a button and the garage doors go up. A van is indeed sitting in the garage. "Petey has your van; he'll fix it as a spare. The Baxter's sent this over last night. It's registered and insured meaning you can drive it today." He walks past it.

  "Solar panels were added so you have a utility room out here. It's coded with Christians birth year." He opens a keypad puts the numbers in and the door beeps, it's a utility room just like he said. "John from Baxter's will run your maintenance on anything solar. He'll call a couple of days in advance then just show up. He won't need anything from you to do his job." I nod.

  "The PD wanted to help so they brought bikes and shit. They go overboard so we put all the extra in the safe room here." He moves a shelf down on one side and the wall opens up. "When you get a new kid you have new toys, the one going home can take his things with him. If you ever have a need to get to a safe place and you're close to the garage, this is where you go. This button here closes the door on the inside. You open it with this button here. They're colored to make it easy to remember." I nod as he points to red and green buttons. This is unbelievable. "I wouldn't tell the kids about this one. I have a couple for them to use. The PD will add more to your room at Christmas time. They'll call in advance and deliver when the kids are at school." Holy shit! I nod again. Tears are still falling down my face.

  He walks out the back door to a basketball court. He points to outdoor bins. "Balls and shit are in there. On the side here is a place for skates or skateboarding. Geek looked up your contract with DSS and saw what you're allowed to have. The Brothers made sure you’re in compliance." I just look at him.

  "He looked it up?" My voice sounds funny.

  He smiles. Damn he's handsome when he smiles like that. "He's a computer Geek. That should say it all." He starts walking to the back door.

  I nod thinking of the computer geek getting into DSS files. Looking at the playhouse and a platform that has a ramp, "She's going to love it." I say crying.

  He nods. "I thought she'd like an area all her own, it has a chair hammock and rails that will go on later today. It will be painted the same color as the house but light blue inside."

  "Thank you so much."

  He keeps walking into the house through the kitchen door. The kitchen is new. "We're going to stop right here for a minute. You're going to see new things about every room. We did this because of what you do. You're going to want to say thank you for every single thing because that's what women do. I get that. This was the Brothers, the PD and the Baxter's way of saying thank you for taking good care of the kids. Every group I mentioned has members that lived in care including me and Mitch. We know what the bad homes are like. We appreciate you making a good one. This is us trying to help you keep it open and happy for years to come. Yeah?"

  I laugh, "Yeah. I'm still going to say thank you though."

  "I got that." He smiles. I see Tess and Sally looking around. He walks through the kitchen pointing out features, he doesn't stop, as he passes the laundry room I see a new washer and dryer. Holy shit! He stops at Joey's room and waits for me. I walk through the door and stop. Holy fuck. She has a carriage bed. Her bedroom is a fantasy room. Oh my friggin word. "Everything is HA, she'll be able to reach and control everything in here. I'll show her when she gets here. She has her own bathroom." He walks over to a new door and opens it. I cry, it's all accessible. "Mitc
h had a waterproof chair delivered. She has guys that use them in the pools at their place. She said it will be perfect for Joey."

  "It's beautiful." I say softly.

  "She has a safe room but it's her so I can't show you." He smiles. He walks to the wall switch and flips it. Lights go on sending a soft glow through the room. A wall has balloons with twinkling lights.

  "She's going to freak. She so deserves this. Thank you for making it happen." I try to take it all in.

  "Her bed adjusts like a hospital bed. I'll show her how to work it." He walks out. I scramble to follow him.

  "Living room, family room and kitchen got wainscoting to help with the chair scrapes. TV and gaming system is a drop down. The Little Brothers will explain it to the kids." I nod looking at everything as we pass it by. Holy crap. We climb the beautiful staircase. This is what I imagined it would look like.

  He stops at the top. "I demolished everything and started over. This is your meeting room." There's a couch, table and chair. He continues walking. "You have two spare bedrooms. We moved your assistant’s things into the first one." He opens the door and walks to the closet. "This is another safe room. This is one you can share with the kids." He turns the hanger bar and the wall swings in. He points out the buttons and closes it. Showing me the bathroom attaching the rooms he walks out to the hall.

  He flips a keypad. "This is Joey's birth year. It opens your storage room. The old ladies went shopping and filled your bins. They're organized by size. The other wall is paper, cleaning and hygiene products. Bedding, towels and curtains are in the closet." The room is huge and has shelves like a store. Holy shit!

  He walks out and down the hall toward the back stairs. "This is a girl's room in the event that you get girls. It has a safe room in it. I'll show it to Christian and Brantley." I walk into a castle room; it's beautiful with swings hanging from the ceiling and window seats.

  "It's beautiful." I'm in awe of his imagination.