by Danni Rose
Brenda arranged her files and tablet. "Gabriel gave me the basic information about your situation. He told me you're Daniel Addison's biological parents and want custody returned to you. Is that right?"
Jason nodded. "We want to petition for permanent custody. Until we get a decision on our petition, we would like to apply for temporary custody."
Brenda said, "I checked and learned that you, Jason, live in Illinois, and Beth lives in Minnesota. How do you plan to share custody?"
He took Beth's hand. "Beth and I married last week. We plan to live in Chicago and raise our family there."
Brenda tapped her pen on the table. "What will happen if you don't get custody of Daniel? Will you end the marriage?"
He tightened his hold on Beth's hand and sent her a soft smile. "While we want custody of Daniel, we married because we love each other." He told Brenda they planned to live in Chicago, and Beth had plans to open another shop.
"Thank you for the explanation." Brenda nodded. "Why was Daniel placed for adoption? You may be his biological parents, but why should you get permanent custody?"
Beth explained. "I was eighteen and unwed when I got pregnant. My parents weren't happy about the pregnancy and wanted me to give up the baby. I wanted my son, but I couldn't fight them." She told Brenda the story of Daniel's birth and adoption. "For years, I've hired investigators to look for him."
Jason explained, "I've only known about Daniel for a short time. When I did, I agreed with Beth that we had to find him. Gabriel handled a kidnapping case for a friend of my father's. After we explained the situation, Gabriel agreed to take our case."
Brenda chuckled. "Well, you got the best."
Beth smiled at Gabriel. "If he hadn't taken our case, I'm not sure we would have found Daniel. The other investigators we hired gave up the search."
Brenda had questions for them. After they provided her with answers, she said, "There's a great deal of paperwork you will need to complete before we can process your applications."
Beth smiled at the surprise on Brenda's face when Jason handed her two folders. "An advantage of having attorneys on retainer. These files contain the forms, letters, and financial information you need to process our requests for temporary and permanent custody. Would you verify all the forms and documents you need are there?"
Brenda looked through the files and smiled. "Your attorneys were thorough. I'll be able to get started on your petitions at once."
Jason held Beth's hand. "What do you think of our chances to gain custody of Daniel?"
Brenda smiled. "There's no doubt you can give Daniel a good home, and you are his biological parents. If our investigations turn up no surprises, you should get custody of your son."
With huge smiles on their faces, Jason and Beth returned to Chicago. Their families' smiled with excitement when they told them what Brenda said. Now, came the hard part. Waiting.
Beth explored her new home and searched for a location for the new coffee shop. She tried to keep busy, but she still worried about the adoption and often broke into tears. She appreciated that her mother stayed with them and did her best to distract Beth.
Helen, Matt, and Callie visited often or stayed for the weekends. During one of their visits, Helen suggested they redecorate a room for Daniel.
Beth discussed the idea with Jason. "I want to redo a bedroom and the playroom for Daniel. The moms and Callie offered to help."
"Good idea, but why don't you redecorate all the bedrooms? We both always wanted a large family, and we'll need the rooms."
Beth turned to the window.
He went to her and slid his arms around her. "Angel, what's wrong?"
"You know I've always wanted children, but the accident made that impossible. Doctor Walters said—I might never have children." She pressed her face against Jason's chest as tears rolled over her cheeks.
"Then we'll adopt children."
"You wouldn't object?"
"Whether we get children through adoption or by birth, they'll be ours. We'll love our family no matter how they come to us."
"I love you so much." She gave him a wet kiss.
"I love you too, and you shouldn't assume you can't have children. The doctor said it would be difficult, not impossible."
"Do you think it's possible?"
"We had one night together, and you got pregnant. It might take two nights, but I'm up to the challenge." He wagged his eyebrows at her.
She laughed. How could she have thought Jason didn't want her and Daniel?
With the help of Deidre, Helen, and Callie, Beth had a wonderful time redecorating the rooms. She obsessed over the paint samples and looked through book after book of wallpaper. They painted and wallpapered the rooms themselves.
Jason came home from work early one day to help. He walked into the bedroom and laughed so hard he bent at the waist with his hands braced on his knees. "You have more paint on your faces than on the walls."
She had the most fun shopping for furniture and toys. Soon the rooms were filled with everything a boy needed and enough toys to stock a store. Callie bought a set of drums and laughed at the horror on Jason's face when they arrived.
The day of the home evaluation, Beth was sick to her stomach and spent the morning in the bathroom. When her stomach settled, she sat in Daniel's room and twisted her handkerchief. The social worker arrived, and Beth panicked. Jason wasn't home yet, and he'd promised to be with her for the assessment. Ten minutes after the social worker arrived, Jason rushed in with Matt. She wondered how many speed limits they'd broken to get home. A few minutes later, Helen and Callie arrived.
The social worker smiled. "Daniel will be fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family."
A tense week later, Jason walked into the house carrying a saddle and looking as happy as he'd been on the day they married. Matt walked next to him with a huge smile on his face.
"You two look like you raided the cookie jar." When she saw the saddle, she asked, "Isn't that premature?"
Jason shook his head. "Nope. Marco is worried about Daniel getting a late start. He was five when he rode his first horse. Daniel is eight."
"What if Daniel doesn't want to ride a horse?"
"Blasphemy. Don't let Marco hear you utter such foul thoughts."
She gave him a weak smile. "What if they deny our application?"
Matt squeezed her hand and left them.
Jason grinned. "You don't have to worry any longer. Brenda called. There will be a hearing for temporary custody next Thursday. She believes the judge will agree with her recommendation to give us custody. If the judge agrees, we can bring Daniel home."
Beth ran to Jason who dropped the saddle to catch her. He lifted her into his arms. After a long kiss, Jason led her into the living room. Jason settled her on his lap then said, "It's time you let go of the guilt. You were eighteen when you had Daniel and had to give him up for adoption. The past doesn't matter. What's important is that he is coming home."
They sat with their arms around each other when Matt returned with the family. Lupita and Marco followed. They pushed a cart with coffee and a cake that read It's A Boy!
The following Wednesday, Jason and Beth flew back to Massachusetts. Worried Beth would make herself sick, he suggested they go shopping. "There must be something Daniel needs."
Several hours passed before they returned to the hotel. Jason laughed over the number of shopping bags they carried. The bags were full of clothes and games Beth insisted Daniel needed for the flight home. They had more clothes than Daniel would wear in a week, but the smile had returned to Beth's face.
Jason dropped his bags inside the front door and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her hard and long. She moaned. Impatient, he picked her up and rushed to the bedroom.
Later, he and Beth met Gabriel for a celebratory dinner.
After they'd ordered their food, Jason told Gabriel, "I was sincere about my offer to fund your work to check Woodson's adoptions. Can you put together an estima
te of the startup costs and expenses?"
"I already prepared a business plan with projected expenses and income." Gabriel handed a file to Jason. "This won't be a moneymaking operation, but we can do a lot of good."
"I'm not in this for money. Woodson sold children, and we don't know what harm he did. Children shouldn't suffer for his greed. If we can save one child or parent from the suffering Beth endured, I will consider the money well-spent."
Jason reviewed the financial information Gabriel put together and showed it to Beth. They both asked questions and made suggestions. "The costs you've projected are less than I expected. Will you be able to hire enough staff to give this project the attention it requires?"
Gabriel nodded. "My people are donating their time. Also, other firms have heard about Woodson's scam and offered their help."
"That's great." Jason grinned. "How soon can you get started?"
"My crew is already reviewing the files. We've identified a few placements that are questionable and may be unsafe. Those cases are our priority."
"I'm glad you've already moved ahead with the investigations. If you'll give me your bank information, my controller will transfer the funds to your account." He shook Gabriel's hand. "What's your next step?"
Gabriel chuckled. "Tomorrow I fly to Canada."
"Canada?"
"There's an attorney whose retirement is about to come to a quick end."
Jason and Beth chuckled.
Thursday morning they got ready to meet Brenda for the hearing. Before they left for the courthouse, Beth's stomach sent her to the bathroom. Jason held her hair back and wiped her face with a cloth. She drank a ginger ale and felt much better.
The hearing for temporary custody of Daniel was easier than they expected. The judge agreed with Brenda's recommendation and granted their petition, pending a decision on the permanent placement.
Jason and Beth walked out of the conference room holding hands and smiling. In the hallway, they hugged each other and Jason kissed the tears from Beth's face. Jason shook hands with Gabriel and Brenda.
Jason said, "We can't thank you enough for your help."
"I'm happy for you," said Brenda. "I alerted the Brewers about your hearing. They thought Daniel would be more comfortable if he met you in familiar surroundings. Hank and Jane suggested we meet at the farm."
Beth and Jason followed Gabriel to the farm.
They pulled up to a yellow, three-story farmhouse with green shutters and a wrap-around porch. A couple stood at the top of the stairs with four children. Daniel wasn't with them. The adults looked worried, frightened. Brenda and Gabriel smiled as they joined them, but then their smiles disappeared.
Jason held Beth's hand as they rushed to the porch. Brenda introduced them to Hank and Jane. While they shook hands, Jason asked, "What's wrong?"
"We can't find the boys," Hank said.
Jason's stomach twisted. "Which boys?"
"John and Daniel."
"What?" Beth grabbed Jason's arm. "Where did they go?"
"We don't know." Jane's eyes were wide with worry.
Hank put an arm around her shoulder. "We told Daniel his birth parents were coming and wanted him to live with them."
Jane clamped her hands together. "Daniel wants John to go with him; they consider themselves brothers. When we told them John would stay here, they begged to stay here."
"After we explained that wasn't possible, the two of them went outside. We haven't seen them since then." Hank rubbed the back of his neck. "The boys must be hiding. We checked the places where they play, but haven't found them. A few minutes before you arrived, Jeremy returned from checking the back road. He saw a black Hummer parked in the woods. No one in this area owns a Hummer."
Beth grabbed Jason's arm. "Do you think Archer—?"
"No." He squeezed her hand. "He doesn't know we found Daniel, or where he lives. The boys are just hiding."
"Dad," the boy who was a miniature version of Hank asked, "what about the deer stand?"
Hank nodded. "They could be back there."
Gabriel asked, "Can we check?"
"It's off the back road. We'll take my Jeep. We can drive to where the road ends, and it's only a short hike to the stand from there."
"Let's go," Beth said.
Jason grabbed her arm. "Beth, you should wait here. You haven't been well."
"I'm going. Now we can stand here and argue, or we can go find our son. What will it be?"
"Let's find the boys," Brenda said. Gabriel sputtered until Brenda pointed at him. "Not a word."
Hank chuckled and led them to his SUV.
Even though everyone wore seatbelts, they bounced every time they hit a rut or bump. Beth's face was a sickly shade of green, and Jason wished she'd stayed at the house.
Hank yelled, "This road ends around the curve. We'll walk from there."
When the truck rounded a turn, Jason was sure the truck was riding on two wheels. A few minutes later, they found the black Hummer parked at the end of the road.
Beth cried out, "Hurry!"
Hank parked so the Hummer couldn't leave, and everyone climbed out.
Worried about Beth, Jason squeezed her shoulders. "Will you stay back until we know what's going on? We don't know who's with the boys."
Gabriel said, "Brenda you wait too. Okay?"
Beth and Brenda said, "All right."
Hank took off running. Jason and Gabriel ran after him. Hank stopped and raised his hand. Jason opened his mouth to ask why he was waiting but snapped it shut when a man shouted.
"Daniel, we won't hurt you. We want to take you to your grandfather."
"I don't have a grandfather."
"Sure you do, kid. He wants us to take you to him for a visit."
A young boy yelled, "He doesn't want to go with you."
"Was that John?" Jason whispered to Hank. He nodded.
They edged closer. Two men stood at the bottom of the tree and stared up into the deer stand. One man had dirt on his face and leaves in his hair.
Gabriel signaled to spread out.
"Come on, Daniel. Don't make this hard. Climb down and we'll take you for a ride on an airplane. You'd like that, right?"
"Joe, that kid's not coming down. Climb up there."
"Are you crazy? Getting hit with that bat was no fun. If you want that kid, you get him."
Jason grinned. Smart kids. Hank placed a finger over his lips. The boys had seen them.
The first man said, "Fine. I'll go up there."
Gabriel signaled to Jason and Hank to move. They edged forward but someone stepped on a twig and it snapped. Joe and his friend turned. Jason swung and knocked Joe on his ass. His friend got in a lucky punch and knocked Hank to his knees. Gabriel grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back.
"Hank, are you okay?" Daniel yelled.
"Hank, did he hurt you?"
"I'm fine guys."
Beth and Brenda walk into the clearing.
Gabriel pulled out plastic zip tie handcuffs and cuffed both men. From the woods came the sound of running feet. Jason turned and curled his fists. Had Joe and his friend brought back-up thugs? Two men ran towards them.
Hank grabbed his arm. "They work for me." He nodded to the men. "Lock these men in the storm cellar and call the sheriff. We'll give him statements when we get back, but right now we need to talk to the boys."
Gabriel handed the kidnappers over to Hanks men.
Hank said, "Guys, it's safe to come down."
John shook his head. "No. You'll let them take Daniel."
Brenda tried to convince the boys. "Daniel, your parents have been searching for you and want you to live with them."
"My parents died."
"Remember, I explained the Addisons were your adoptive parents. These are your birth parents, and they want to live with them."
"I can't leave John." Daniel put his arm around John's shoulders. "We're blood brothers. He takes care of me, and I won't go anywhere wit
hout him."
"I am sure your parents will let you visit John in the summer and at holidays." Brenda tried to reassure him.
Jason said, "If it's okay with the Brewers, he can come for a long visit whenever you're out of school."
"No. I can't leave John. He'd miss me."
John's voice trembled. "We have to stay together."
Jason looked at Beth with a raised eyebrow.
She smiled. "We've always wanted a large family."
Jason asked, "Brenda, could John come with Daniel?"
"If Hank and Jane approve, John could visit for a week or two."
Beth asked, "We shouldn't separate brothers. Would it be possible for both boys to live with us?"
Hank and Brenda looked stunned, but Gabriel smiled.
Brenda said, "Are you sure? Two children are a lot of work."
"Like Beth said, we've always wanted children and two boys who are already brothers is a great start." Jason said, "We also have a strong, supportive family to help us."
Brenda smiled. "Yes, you do. You'll need to submit another application, but based on the investigation we did for Daniel, I believe the judge will approve your petition."
"You'll have the paperwork by the end of next week."
Beth grabbed Jason's arm. "I don't want to force them to come with us. If they stay on the farm, we could come for visits until they're comfortable enough to go home with us."
Jason asked, "Are you sure? It will be difficult, but it would give the boys time to get to know us."
She nodded.
Jason turned to Hank. "Let's tell the boys we won't make them come with us, but we would like to meet them."
"Let me talk to them." Hank moved to the foot of the tree. "Boys, we won't force you to go anywhere, but I'd like you to meet these people. Daniel, wouldn't you like to meet your real parents?"
John asked, "You promise not to take Daniel away?"
"I promise not to make you go anywhere unless it's what you want."
The boys had a whispered discussion. They climbed down but rushed to stand behind Hank.
Brenda smiled. "Boys, I'd like you to meet Beth and Jason Richards. Daniel, these are your birth parents."
He looked at Beth and Jason then tilted his head. "Are you my real parents?"
