Disclaimer...Yes boys and girls this is a fictitious story. I know none of the member of NSYNC or any other characters portrayed in this story. This also does not imply that any members of NSYNC are gay (although Justin and JC would make a great couple!)
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Chapter 6
As Justin backed into the parking space at Orlando's Memorial Hospital, he could not help but smile as he noticed the two car seats in the back of the Surburban. Shortly, he would have the family that he always dreamed of. The two of you had discussed children for several years before finally deciding to become foster parents, thinking this would allow you a chance to see what raising a family would really be like before deciding on adoption. Kyle and Mandi had made it easy.
Mike Gilroy met you as you exited the elevator on the 3rd floor children's wing.
He looked at his watch and chuckled. "You guys pretty punctual. 11:00 exactly. I had heard rumors that you were late for everything Justin."
"Damn, that reputation has followed me for years, and its really not true" he said in his own defense. "Josh was the one that was always late."
"Well, I think the nurses will be glad you're here. Mandi hasn't exactly been very cooperative this morning. Evidently, naps are not her favorite time of the day. She was fine while she was in the play room with Kyle but she hasn't stopped crying since they laid her down."
Justin turned to you. "How about you go get Kyle and I'll see if I can't get Mandi quiet. If I can get her to sleep, then we can drop by the counselor's office while we're here and we won't have to come back this afternoon."
You were impressed. With all that was going on he still remember his appointment. "That sounds great. I'll get Kyle and see that the paperwork taken care of. How about I check on you in about half and hour and see if you're having any luck?"
"Perfect" he concurred.
As Justin headed off to Mandi's room, you followed Mike to the play area. "What needs to be done as far as paperwork is concerned? We'd kinda like to take the kids home and get them settled in."
"All I need is a couple of signatures for right now. We'll have to have some legal documents drawn up for the adoption, but I can drop those by the house tomorrow if that's okay."
"That's fine. Justin and I plan on taking the next few days off so we can spend some time with the kids, so drop by anytime."
"Okay, then there is just one other thing that we need to discuss. Normally, in cases like this the adoptive parents are not required to appear before the judge. The paperwork is all filled out and the judge goes on our recommendation. However, the circuit court judge handling this case has asked that you appear personally."
Your defenses immediately went up. "Why?"
"Gary, I'm not really sure, but from what I understand she is rather conservative and I think she just needs some reassurance that this arrangement is what's best for the children."
You could feel your face redden. "Tell me this has nothing to do with me and Justin being gay."
Mike nodded almost apologetically. "That, and the fact that Justin is in the entertainment industry. I think she's concerned that you're lifestyle may not be conducive to raising children."
You took a deep breath, reminding yourself that yelling at Mike Gilroy was not going to help the situation.
"Don't mention this to Justin. I'll tell him."
Mike looked relieved. "Good, I was hoping you would."
"Just let me know when this appearance is. Although, I cannot believe we have to defend ourselves, I have NO problem doing it.
You slowly opened the door to the playroom and spotted Kyle towards the back, feverishly building a city made of Legos. His right arm was in cast and a sling, impeding his efforts. You walked up slowly behind him, unnoticed, as he was deeply engrossed in his work.
"Need some help?" you asked softly.
He turned around and with wide eyes and a huge smile leaped into your arms. "Gary, I knew you and Justin would come for us. I told Mandi you would."
You held him tightly, brushing the curls from his forehead. The remarkable resemblance to Justin brought a smile to your face. You and Justin had never seen the two children when you had agreed to become their foster parents and the first meeting caught you both off guard. In fact, you had teased Justin about having a girlfriend on the side. Both Amanda and Kyle had Justin's blue eyes, but it was the blonde curls that everyone noticed. Kyle's were soft and loose while Mandi had tight ringlets.
"We've missed you Kyle" you said sincerely, "and Justin and I don't want to miss you any more. If it's okay with you, we'd like you to come home with us for good."
"Your gonna keep me?" he asked excitedly.
You laughed. "Yes, we're gonna keep you."
He face suddenly turned serious. "What about Mandi?"
Kyle's concern for his sister had always been a priority. He was the ultimate big brother. "Of course, Mandi too. Justin is with her now."
"She didn't want to take a nap" he informed you.
"I heard. Justin is trying to get her to sleep now. How about you and I go and check on him? I know he wants to see you."
You held his tiny hand in yours and left the playroom heading down the hall to Mandi's room.
Halfway down the hall, Kyle stopped suddenly in his tracks. "Gary, are you gonna be my new daddy?"
"I sure am." you said proudly.
"But what about Justin, is he gonna be my daddy too?"
You nodded, smiling. "Yes, Justin too."
His face lit up. "I have two daddys! Most kids only get one!"
`Why couldn't the judge have heard that?' you thought to yourself. There was nothing more sincere than the innocence of a child.
As Justin approached the nurses' station, he could hear Mandi's cries. Even though you only had Mandi for a few shorts months, Justin could distinguish the cry. This was not a cry of pain or hunger or sadness. Mandi was mad.
"Could I get a warm bottle from you please?" he asked the nurse on duty. "I'm gonna see if I can't quiet things down for you a bit."
"Good luck! We've all tried. She won't let any of us hold her."
"Well, she kinda gets cranky when she's tired." Justin explained. "I'm sorry if she's been a problem."
"Oh, she's no problem, except when it comes to sleeping. She's a night owl"
He smiled as he took the freshly warmed bottle. "Trust me, I know."
He opened the door to her room and found her laying in the crib, crying loudly, but without a single tear. He had been right. She was fine, but angry.
"Hey, what's all this noise about?" he said in a loud voice, not wanting to startle her, but loud enough to be heard over her cries.
When she recognized him her cries subsided and she raised her arms towards him to be picked up. He lifted her up and immediately she had a death grip around his neck.
"Mandi, its okay sweetie. I'm not going anywhere."
He sat with her in the rocking chair and talked to her softly for several minutes until her grip relaxed. Finally, she lay back in his arms and he handed her the still warm bottle. In less than 5 minutes she was fast asleep with one hand holding on to the bottle and one wrapped tightly around Justin's pinky.
It was nearly 11 before you and Justin had the two kids settled in and you were ready to head for bed. It had been a long day. A very rewarding one, but very tiring. Once Justin had gotten Mandi settled, you, he and Kyle had headed downstairs for Justin's appointment with the counselor. Justin had wanted you to be there, but the counselor had asked to meet with Justin privately for the first meeting. While he had said the meeting had gone well, you really had not had much time to discuss it with him. It was evident now that the children were with you permanently, the evenings would be the only time for any in depth conversations.
After brushing his teeth, Justin collapsed on the bed. "Man, I'm beat. I'd forgotten how active they are."
"Me too," you chuckled in agreement. "I'm surprise how comfortable they are here. I knew they would be eventually, but I thought there would be some time for adjustment."
"I know, its like they never left. It's so good to have them back." He paused briefly, then added. "It's nice to have you back too, Gary. I really missed you."
His crystal blue eyes stared into yours and all the feelings of hurt and anger moved to your subconscious. You wanted to be near him, to hold him and most importantly, love him.
"Come here," you said softly. "I'm really having a hard time sleeping when you're not in my arms. I said I wanted us to work this out, and I meant it."
His face illuminated as if a spotlight had been shown on it, and immediately he took his normal position with his head resting on your shoulder and his arm draped across your chest, cuddling up to you as close as humanly possible.
"Damn, this feels good!"
You turned your head and kissed his forehead. "Yeah, it does."
To be continued...