A/N: So here we go folks. This is a continuation of 'Like Father, Like son' and 'The Heat Draws the Storm.' This fic will follow Rome and of course the characters of Castle through Season 2 which was actually one of my favorite seasons. It literally picks up right after the events of the summer fic that Hug-Me and I gave you guys, we're talking maybe a week and a half or so after that fics conclusion and picks up right where Season 2 in the show starts.
I hope you all had a chance to read that fic and are following from that fic to this one. We'll hopefully be on a weekly, every other week schedule for updates, but I cannot promise anything on that, I will try my best. I hope to hear from you guys about what you think. Thanks so much to Hug-Me who really got me thinking for the title, I'm horrible at titles and she suggested something that gave me this idea as well as kept me from doing something dumb like 'Like Father Like Son 2.' Which I almost resorted to doing.
Take care everyone!
"So Rome, how have you been feeling?"
Rome picked up the puzzle piece and carefully placed it in its correct spot before looking up at Dr. Goldberg. He had been seeing the psychologist Dr. Pillar had recommended for a little over two weeks. He hadn't really wanted to go. His dad had pleaded with him but in the end he resorted to putting his foot down and insisting; a rarity.
He knew Rome needed to talk to someone and even though Rome had been reluctant at first, he felt really comfortable with Dr. Goldberg and felt at ease opening up to her about what he had been through and how he was coping with it.
It also helped that, in addition to having a doctorate in Adolescent trauma, Dr. Goldberg was also certified in ASL, so the two of them were able to communicate easily and he could talk to her without worrying about a translator butting in. He liked his interpreter Mrs. Blackstone, but really didn't want her involved in this. He definitely wasn't ready for his school to be part of his kidnapping.
Of course the school had been informed about what had happened to Rome; the teachers needed to be aware, so Castle had called for a meeting with Rome's teachers. Included were his guidance counselor, the school nurse, and Mr. Simmons and they discussed why Rome had been absent in the days following Labor Day weekend, what he had gone through (basics only) and what the school might expect.
The school was in shock understandably, Simmons most of all because he was the one who allowed Jordan Carlson into the school in the first place. He couldn't stop apologizing to Castle over and over.
All the staff stepped up, promising Castle that they would do all they could to make Rome's transition back into school as easy as possible.
Rome had only suffered a couple of break downs in school and things were certainly getting better for the ten year old, but he still shied away from the dark. He also started shaking when he heard or felt certain footsteps, and had to really fight jumping or even panicking when someone touched him.
Rome took a deep breath and looked at Dr. Goldberg's expectant and comforting face. He sighed.
"Better I guess. The nightmares aren't as bad, I mean not as often I should say. When I do get them they're still pretty bad." He paused. "The other night I had a really bad one, almost fell out of bed again, but dad got smart, he's been making me sleep on the bottom bunk lately and he even put a bumper on my bed, had one when I was little, it's kind of embarrassing to need one now. But I guess it's better than falling out of bed all the time"
Dr. Goldberg placed her puzzle piece in a corner spot and nodded.
"Do you want to tell me about the dream? I know we discussed them last time, but I'm curious to hear if they are more of the same or more elaborate."
"It's always the same; I'm back in the factory, I can feel the vibrations of footsteps coming." Rome rubbed his wrists, the bandage had come off a few days before, but the indent from the zip-ties was still visible. It was just as Dr. Pillar had warned, there was a good chance he'd have the scars from his ordeal forever. "Sometimes I can still feel the zip-ties, my wrists start burning. I was heading to lunch with my friends the other day, the janitor was picking up something from his storage room, a pile of stuff and he was using zip-ties to keep them all together. I saw them and seriously couldn't breathe…my wrists were on fire and I thought I was suffocating."
Dr. Goldberg looked at him carefully, her eyes fully of sympathy.
"What happened next?"
"My friend Joey, he knew something was wrong, didn't know what it was, but he pushed me into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. It took a few minutes, but I guess I calmed down."
"Speaking of your friends Rome, have you told them what happened?" he shook his head hurriedly "why not?"
"Dunno. The time hasn't seemed right. My sister told them I was sick and that's why I missed the sleepover at Todd's and going to the shore with them and was out for so many days. Joey seemed to buy it, but Todd, Kevin, and Gage, they've known me the longest, they knew I was hiding something. I think Todd feels hurt that I haven't told him, it's like he knows I'm lying."
"How long have the group of you boys been friends?"
"Todd, Gage, and I have been friends since the first day of preschool." Rome grinned at the memory "this bigger kid was hogging the tricycle and I was waiting to ride it. I don't even remember his name now. He left to get some water or something so I took the opportunity to take the trike, I mean I'd waited my turn, seemed fair enough. Gage was waiting too, so I told him I'd ride it for a few minutes then he could take his turn. So I did a couple of laps and let Gage have his turn, but the bigger kid came back and walked right over to Gage and pushed him off the trike. I went to go help Gage up and the kid pushed me too, then Todd came over, he was the same size as this kid so the kid couldn't push him around even though he tried. When the kid pushed Todd, Todd screamed bloody murder, which brought the teachers over."
"Sounds like you guys became the three musketeers?"
Rome nodded
"We kinda did. Todd looked out for Gage and I, then a few weeks into school Kevin started. He joined us pretty quick, I don't even remember how."
"Can I give my opinion on something Rome? Coming from an adult's point of view?" Rome nodded "you should wait until you feel ready to tell them, but I do think your friends deserve to know." Dr. Goldberg paused "it doesn't even have to be at school Rome, it can be at home or some other place you feel most comfortable. But just from what you've told me about your friends I think they'll not only understand, but they'd want to know." She smiled "you said you're the youngest of the group?"
"By almost a full year, I started preschool early. Dad kind of got the dates mixed up and by the time he realized it, it was kinda too late, I was already enrolled at three." Rome paused and gave a half smile "'cause I'm the youngest they're kinda over protective of me…" his smile went away quickly
"Rome?"
"My friend Todd, he's the biggest goofball, but he's also…" Rome's voice cracked a little, then faded.
"He's what Rome?" Dr. Goldberg pushed.
"He's really sensitive, he'll never admit it, but he is. I don't want him to join me on this level, I don't want him to be afraid that walking down the street could be dangerous, that someone might snatch him."
"So it sounds like you're just as protective of your friends as they are of you."
"What if they find out what happened, then their parents get scared…I mean what if Kevin had gone to karate with me that night, M might have snatched him too. So what if my friends' parents suddenly don't want them to be friends with me, thinking it's not safe. M wouldn't have taken me if it wasn't for who my dad is, what if they blame us and are worried it's going to happen again."
Dr. Goldberg smiled gently, she knew Rome's fears were unfounded, but they did have merit, he was only ten after all, she had to remember to put herself in that mindset. He was clearly afraid, but it was great to see he was opening up and admitting that.
"Rome, you need to remember that what happened to you was a one in a million occurrence. Your friends are not going to suddenly stop being your friends because you were kidnapped and that goes for their parents, no one is to blame in this whole thing except the man who took you."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive Rome."
What Rome didn't know was that his dad under the guidance of Dr. Goldberg had actually already talked to the parents of his group of close friends. He thought it was only fair that they be made aware, Kevin's parents especially.
All were surprised and offered whatever support the Castle family needed. None of the boys had been told of course, Castle respected Rome's wishes on that front to keep it from his friends for a little longer.
"I…I just don't want to lose them…we've been friends for so long."
"You won't lose them Rome, I know you won't." Dr. Goldberg paused "Rome, have you spoken to your father about how you're feeling about your friends?"
Rome shook his head a little.
"No, not really, he knows I'm nervous to tell them, but I…I don't want to worry him anymore. He's gotten so…so overprotective since this whole thing happened and I feel really bad."
"You know what we call this Rome?" He shook his head again. "We call this progress. Last week when you came here I don't think I could get you to say two words. Now you're opening up about how scared you are and how worried you are. And now telling me how worried you are about your dad and how you feel bad; it's progress. It takes someone very mature and grown up to admit that kind of fear and you should be very proud of yourself."
"I don't feel very proud," Rome admitted "I feel guilty. My dad's like a big kid, he's always been like that since I was little. He's a dad when he needs to be, but he's more than that, he's like our best friend, y'know to me and my sister…now since this whole thing he's more like a dad…a worried dad. He's so overprotective now and that's my fault."
"That overprotectiveness is probably going to stay Rome. But the guilt shouldn't, I can bet that your father feels just as guilty as you do."
"Why should he feel guilty?" Rome asked, confused.
"From a parent's perspective Rome, because you know I have two little girls about your age. When something happens to our children we feel responsible. If one of my girls skins her knee when she falls off her bike, I blame myself for her falling, even though it was something neither of us had any control over. This situation is the same way Rome, the protectiveness your father is displaying is his own guilt that he didn't protect you well enough, he probably thinks he failed you in some capacity."
Rome's eyes went wide with surprise.
"But he didn't fail me; he came and got me."
"Exactly," Dr. Goldberg paused "he didn't fail you, that means neither of you should continue to put blame on yourselves. The only one who is to blame is the man who kidnapped you."
Rome nodded slowly.
"I guess"
"It will take some time Rome, guilt is a normal emotion, it may not be the right emotion, but we all feel guilty about things that are out of our control."
"Will it ever go away?"
"It will, just remember you and your father have nothing to feel guilty about." Dr. Goldberg finished, she looked at her watch and smiled at her young client. "Looks like we're running a little late here Rome, your dad should be outside waiting for you."
Rome nodded his thanks and headed out to the waiting room where his dad was in fact waiting, his dad and someone he didn't expect, Gina.
"Gina!" Rome exclaimed running to his former step mother as she lifted him up in a tight hug. She had been over the loft constantly after finding out what had happened to Rome. She understood why Castle couldn't tell her, but wished he had so she could be there for her ex-husband and his children. She had been horrified that Rome had been kidnapped and that he had nearly died as a result.
"Hi little one." She replied hugging him close
"Mr. Castle, how are you?" Dr. Goldberg said
"Well Dr. Goldberg." Castle replied "this is Gina Caldwell she's my publisher and er, uh."
"His ex-wife" Gina explained rolling her eyes at Castle who grinned sheepishly. Dr. Goldberg reached forward and shook Gina's out stretched hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Dr. Goldberg" she said.
"Likewise. It is so nice to see that Rome has such a strong family support system."
Gina nodded and gently set Rome down on the floor.
"Romey guess what," Gina said to him "I'm going to take you to get some new art supplies and then we'll get some ice cream."
Rome nodded but looked at his dad wondering why his dad wasn't coming too.
"I've got to go to the 12th kiddo." Castle explained off of Rome's look.
"The 12th? Rome asked
"Photo shoot for the magazine that's covering the launch of Heat Wave."
"Oh,"
Castle reached over and hugged Rome tight.
"Have fun with Gina I'll see you tonight okay doc?" Rome nodded.
Castle looked at Gina "Thanks I appreciate this."
"Anytime Richard." Gina replied she took Rome's hand and shook it a little. "Ready to rock and roll Romey?"
He nodded and gave his dad and doctor a wave before following Gina out of the office.
Once they had left Castle looked at Dr. Goldberg.
"So how's my boy doing?" He asked cautiously.
Dr. Goldberg smiled gently and gestured for Castle to come into her office, Castle did so, timidly, like a kid who just got called down to the principal's office.
"He's doing much better Mr. Castle he's opening up and admitting what is scaring or bothering him. It is rare for kids who go through what he went through to make this much progress so quickly. There is still a lot of work to get through, but I am impressed so far."
"He's still having the nightmares, still gets tense when someone touches him and he doesn't know they're coming. At night I go to check on him he's all curled up in a tiny ball, shaking and sucking his thumb. I can hear him whimpering and crying. I go in there and touch his back and he jumps but stops whimpering."
"Mr. Castle it is going to take time it has only been three weeks. Today he opened up and admitted a few things that I think the two of you need to talk about. He's afraid that you have become overprotective of him and Alexis because you blame yourself for what happened. He blames himself and doesn't want you to blame yourself."
"Oh Rome," Castle breathed
"He is also afraid to tell his friends."
"That I knew I've already spoken to their parents, they haven't told the kids. We've all agreed to just wait until Rome is ready."
"He may be getting close to that readiness Mr. Castle the thing that is holding him back is he is afraid that his friends' parents will blame him and blame you for what happened and not want their children to be around Rome. He can't seem to understand that this was an unexpected and very rare event. I would consider talking with Rome about it explain to him that you have already spoken to the parents, maybe even have the parents of his closest friends speak to him. It might be the only thing that will reassure him that this whole event will not destroy his friendships."
Castle rubbed his chin and took a deep breath.
"Have you had many of these kind of cases Dr. Goldberg?"
"Kidnapping cases Mr. Castle?" she asked and he nodded "this is going to sound horrible, but unfortunately no, I have not handled many children who have been kidnapped like Rome." Castle raised his eyebrow in confusion "unfortunately it is extremely rare for a child to go through what Rome did and survive. Kidnapping by a stranger rarely ends as well as it did for Rome. So therefore I do not typically have the opportunity to help those children. Custodial kidnappings are quite common and I do have many children that are brought to me following those type of kidnappings to help them come to terms with the ordeal."
Castle coughed a little, clearing his throat.
"How many Doctor?" he asked "how many stranger kidnapping kids have you worked with?"
"Including your son? In my twenty-six, going on twenty-seven years of this practice, I have worked with three children who were kidnapped by a stranger and rescued in time. There are times I wonder if that number is so low because kidnapping rates are low and therefore I am thankfully not needed or…" Dr. Goldberg left that sentence unfinished but Castle understood.
"My son is lucky then,"
"Extremely Mr. Castle. And what's more he has something some of the children who are brought to me do not have."
"What's that?"
"A family and an extended family that cares deeply for him. The fact that your ex-wife picked him up today, that your mother has picked him up and dropped him off many times, and the fact that the detective who you worked with to find him calls to see how he is doing, shows just how lucky Rome is."
Castle stared at Dr. Goldberg,
"The detective?"
"Yes, Detective Beckett? She was the arresting officer correct and from what I gather a friend of the family?"
Castle nodded slowly. He still didn't understand Beckett; she was mad at him again yet she was still checking in on Rome. Castle glanced at his watch,; he had to head to the precinct for the photo shoot. He knew Beckett wasn't going to like that anymore than she liked him still being around, but it might give him the chance to ask her. Maybe even thank her for continuing to look after Rome, maybe there was hope for an amicable relationship, even if it was just concerning Rome.
"Th…thank you Dr. Goldberg,"
"Anytime Mr. Castle, so I will see Rome next Monday?" Castle nodded "excellent." She paused "and Mr. Castle he is making progress, he is getting better. It will take time, but that strong support system I see, that is what will help him get better quicker."
Castle nodded again and gave the doctor a wave as he headed out of the office and down to the first floor to catch a taxi. Rome was doing better, that was true, but he still wasn't himself, he was quieter, more withdrawn, and Castle knew there wasn't much he could do to help his son, only time would be able to heal Rome, but for Castle that was too much time, too long for his son to be hurting.
Xxx
Rome meanwhile was actually doing much better, at least for the moment. Gina tended to spoil Rome and Alexis. But unlike their mom her spoiling went with things she knew they could not only use, but things they could actually treasure. It had caused a lot of tension between Castle and Gina only Rome and Alexis didn't know the half of it.
They didn't know that for Christmas one year Gina bought Alexis a doll while Castle already had one stashed away and an argument had ensued on whose doll she would get to keep. Or that same Christmas, the large Lego set she had gotten for Rome, not knowing that Castle had already purchased the same set.
Or a fight over Rome going to a Comic Book convention. Gina had gotten the family, mainly Rome, VIP passes to the east coast version of ComiCon for Rome's birthday.
Castle had been trying for weeks to get even two of those tickets so even though he was happy Gina got them because it meant Rome would get to go to something he'd been dying to go to for years. Castle couldn't help the fact that he was jealous that Gina had managed to do what he couldn't i.e. get the tickets. That had led to yet another fight about who would give Rome the tickets.
Castle won the argument but Rome knew the tickets were from both his dad and his step mom.
So Gina did her best to spoil Rome and Alexis when she could when their father couldn't interfere. That was the plan for Rome and the afternoon.
As her and Rome walked hand in hand down the sidewalk heading to Rome's favorite art store a few blocks from the loft, Gina held his hand tight, painfully aware of her surroundings.
Castle wasn't the only one who had become over protective of Rome. Gina watched the other New Yorkers like a hawk, fully prepared to protect Rome no matter what. If someone came at them, they wouldn't get anywhere near him. She glanced down at him every few steps, even though she felt his hand in hers she wanted to be sure each time.
Of course looking at Rome's hand led her to his wrists and the scars that the zip ties had left. A permanent reminder of what he had gone through. His watch covered up the scar on his right wrist, but his bracelet was so loose fitting on his small wrists that it left the scar visible. Gina tensed a little and did her best to hold back tears. Rome felt the tension in his step mom's hand and looked up at her.
"Gina?" He asked "are you okay?"
She put on a warm smile
"Of course Romey, just thinking."
Rome looked at his wrist and understood instantly
"It's okay Gina. Please don't be sad"
"I'm not sad Rome." Gina explained, she rubbed his wrist gently. "I'm relieved that you're okay. It just makes me mad that you had to go through what you did. But I'm not mad at you Rome, I'm mad at the man who took you."
Rome nodded.
"Dad and gram said the same thing. But I can't take any more people being sad about what happened or mad. It...it really makes me feel bad. More like it was my fault."
Gina stopped and looked down at her former step-son sternly before hugging him tight.
"Roman Castle it was not your fault, you know it wasn't your fault. If anything you should be proud of yourself, you helped your father and his detective friends bring a very bad person to justice."
"That's what Dr. Goldberg's been saying, and a part of me knows that's true, but…I still can't help it, I feel like it's my fault." He paused "and right now nothing anyone says is gonna make me feel any different."
Gina sighed, she knew Rome was right on that.
"Oh Romey,"
He gave her a small smile.
"It'll be okay Gina, I promise, it's just gunna take some time."
"Rome, you are getting to be so mature, it's amazing. You've been listening to your sister haven't you, not your dad?"
"Nope, motivational books on tape, listening to them every night at bedtime." He replied. Gina looked at him confused and his grin got wider "kidding."
"And there's your father," Gina said hugging him close again.
They rounded the corner and headed towards the art store. The owner of the store looked up as soon as he heard the bell at the door.
"Is that my favorite ten year old artist?" Gavin, the owner of Canal Street Art Supply exclaimed. It wasn't the biggest shop in the city, but it was one of the best at least Rome thought so. It was the only shop that carried his favorite brand of charcoal pencils.
The manufacture stopped making the exact charcoal pencil that Rome preferred, in the US, but Gavin had managed to talk to his contacts/friends in Brazil where the company was based, and was able to get small shipments of the pencil up to New York.
Rome had been going into Gavin's store since he was six, he hated to buy his supplies anywhere else because of how accommodating Gavin and the rest of the staff were for him, it was a loyalty he felt for the small art store.
"Hi Gavin!" Rome exclaimed. He pulled away from Gina, who reluctantly and nervously let go of his hand.
"Little man it feels like I haven't seen you in months, I know you're busy with school and everything, but you couldn't take time out of your busy schedule to come down and converse?"
Rome hesitated for a second and gave the twenty-six year old a quick shrug.
"Sorry," he said, not wanting to explain to Gavin the real reason he'd been MIA from the art store, at least once a week he was usually in the store but since his kidnapping he hadn't and Rome really felt guilty about that even though he knew he had no reason to be.
"Don't sweat it kid, it's not easy being a sixth grader now, man they must be piling the homework on you, that's why right?"
Rome nodded slowly.
"Just a little"
"Well tell them to knock it off Rome, you're an artist, an artist can't be bogged down by long division and multiplication."
Now Rome grinned.
"Gavin I'm in sixth grade, I learned that stuff years ago. We're doing algebra."
"No wonder you haven't had time to come visit," Gavin continued, he paused when he realized Rome wasn't alone, his face twisted a little as he tried to put a name with the woman… "We've met before I'm sure of it," he said thoughtfully "wait, don't tell me, I'm good with faces, crappy with names, hold on I'll get it…" he paused "Caldwell right,"
"Close, Cowell,"
"Riiiiiight," Gavin emphasized "you used to bring Rome in here all the time, you're Mr. Castle's publisher right? For Black Pawn?"
"Good memory," Gina replied
"Rome, dude did you hear that they're making a Sherlock Holmes movie? Robert Downy Jr. is the Holmes man himself."
Rome tried to grin and share Gavin's enthusiasm, but he felt a knot forming in his stomach, remembering how he had used that fact as a clue…a way to help his dad and the team find him.
Gina looked over at him and raised an eyebrow, but Rome quickly shook his head and composed himself.
"Yeah, my dad's all excited about it, we're going to the midnight release."
"Well then have I got something cool for you!" Gavin grinned "wait here, I'll grab it,"
Rome's curiosity was at an all-time high as he watched Gavin disappear into the backroom.
"Rome, sweetie are you okay?" Gina asked softly signing as she went "you seemed a little out of it when Gavin mentioned the movie."
Rome hesitated, he didn't want to explain to Gina…to anyone why something as innocent and even cool as a new movie about one of his personal fictional heroes would make his stomach hurt. Rome knew his clues had helped get him rescued faster, but he never really expected those clues to keep haunting him. If anything Rome had hoped he would forget all about them, no such luck though.
"It's nothing Gina, I promise," he finally replied as Gavin returned with a graphic novel tucked under his arm and a small wooden box.
"Here you go Mr. Castle," he said with a grin putting the book on the counter, Rome leaned up on the counter to get a better look at it, he examined it then looked at Gavin confused.
"I thought they weren't releasing a graphic novel for the movie?" he asked, Gina leaned forward too, as a publisher whose company worked closely with Marvel, she would have been one of the first in line to get a prerelease copy of a Sherlock Holmes graphic novel to give to Rome.
"They aren't, this was done by a buddy of mine, his cousin is in the movie and sent him a copy of the script and Nelson created this on his own."
"Wow, this guy is good," Rome breathed admiring each page as he turned them, Gina was also impressed with the work
"I'll be sure to pass your compliments on,"
"Is he going to publish this?" Rome asked looking between Gina and Gavin, hoping maybe Gina might be able to pull some strings and help Gavin's friend out.
"Unfortunately he can't Rome,"
It took Rome only a few seconds to understand what Gavin meant.
"It's copyrighted isn't it?"
"Warner Brothers doesn't want a graphic novel to be attached to the film, they figured there's enough quote on quote comic books about the character floating around. They did agree to a movie tie in book." Gavin explained and Rome's shoulders fell
"That's too bad, 'cause this is awesome, right Gina?" Rome asked and Gina nodded
"If there wasn't a copyright issue attached to it I would certainly be happy to publish this."
"Well Nelson made a few copies and is giving them out to close friends, people he knows he can trust to not try and sell it anywhere. But I'd like for you to have my copy Rome."
"Aw, thanks Gavin, but I can't take that, won't your friend be mad?"
"No, because I told him that I have a great little friend who's a fellow graphic artist who would probably be ecstatic about this. Doesn't your dad call you Doc, like for Dr. Watson? Sherlock's best bud?"
Rome hesitated a little, in his mind he kept hearing M's voice, saying 'Doc' he'd been trying so hard to forget that. It was his dad's favorite nickname for him and he always felt proud that his dad thought of him as Dr. Watson, he hated to think that M had left that big of an impact on his subconscious that hearing his nickname made him feel sick.
"Ye-yes," Rome stuttered a little
"I remember him calling you that last time you guys were in." Gavin said with a grin "but seriously I want you to have the book, I think you'll really enjoy it."
"Thank you Gavin," Rome breathed, taking the book carefully.
"You're welcome kid, hey your pencils came in a week ago," Gavin put the wooden box on the counter and opened it up. Rome grinned at the sight of his favorite style of pencil. "Also we just got a new supply of pens in; I think you'll really like them. I know you're picky when it comes to your supplies, but I've talked to a lot of other artists and they said these are great for inking." Gavin disappeared into the back and was back in a few seconds with a small plastic case and a heavy sheet of paper. "Here kid, give this a try," he handed a regular pencil to Rome and the plastic case with the markers.
Rome climbed up on the stool and took the pencil to the paper. He hadn't really sketched much since his wrists had healed, it hadn't felt right. He was partially afraid that maybe all the sketching he'd been forced to do with M had literally stolen all the creativity he had in him.
Gavin saw him hesitating and raised an eyebrow. Gina patted Rome's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Rome nodded in response and quickly sketched a cartoon character, he sketched Scooby-Doo.
"Nice work Rome," Gina said hugging his shoulders
"Great job kid, now try the markers out, I promise you'll like them." Gavin added, he held out a brown marker and carefully Rome colored in Scooby's brown fur and he grinned.
"Wow, you weren't kidding Gavin, these are great!"
"See, trust your old buddy Gavin, every now and then I know what I'm talking about."
"I promise I'll stop doubting you," Rome grinned "'sides Gavin you're not old,"
"Course I am, I'm nearly twenty-seven, to you I'm ancient."
Rome laughed a little and shook his head quickly
"You're not ancient Gavin!" Rome exclaimed
"I appreciate that Rome, even if you're just being nice." He rang up the charcoal pencils and looked at the markers "so yay or nay to the markers,"
Rome looked at Gina who was reaching into her purse to pull out her credit card. She looked down at him and smiled
"It's up to you Romey,"
"Can I have them please?" Gina nodded "then yes, I mean yay!" Rome said to Gavin who added the markers to the purchases.
"Don't forget your book." Gavin added slipping the book into the bag
"Thanks again Gavin," Rome said sliding off the stool
"Anytime kid, don't be such a stranger, come visit again soon will ya?"
Rome nodded
"I will,"
Rome followed Gina out of the art store and once on the sidewalk she handed him the bag with his art supplies.
"Looks like you made out like a bandit Romey," Gina said nudging him gently
"Thank you Gina,"
"All I ask is that you draw me a new sketch, I need to update the one in my office, it's over a year old."
"Deal," Rome replied.
"How does Aurora ShoHo sound for dinner?" Gina asked and Rome's stomach growled as he grinned excitedly, it was one of his favorite restaurants and he nodded quickly
"Yes, yes, yes!" He exclaimed and Gina chuckled "please, please!"
"All right, all right," Gina hugged his shoulders "how about we call your sister and grandmother and see if they'd like to meet us."
Rome nodded, Gina pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number to the loft, she tucked the phone against her shoulder and took Rome's hand as they headed down the street towards the restaurant, which was about a six minute walk from the loft.
