Peter, Elizabeth and Neal

By Peppe1951

Summary: The continue story of Peter and Elizabeth as they experience the struggles, heartaches and joys of raising their son.

The second in the Burke Family series

Chapter 1

Neal stayed close to his new parents for the weekend and on Monday eagerly approached the schoolyard to share his good news about his adoption with his new friends only to be snubbed by them all.

"You should have done as I asked, kid," shouted Jack with a sneer as Neal hastily wiped the tears forming as the school bell began to ring. Neal watched as his supposed friends walked into the school leaving him to absorb the fact that when he stood up to Jack Thursday he had lost his friends. Jack must have bullied them into staying away from him.

Neal walked dejectedly into the classroom and flopped down on the bench he shared with Billy knowing that he wouldn't communicate with him no matter what Neal did. And it stayed that way until Alex showed up and stood up to Jack.

Peter and Clinton were talking about Neal and how he was adjusting as they were walking around checking the town. Peter looked up and saw that school was letting out. They paused as they watched all of the children rush out and Peter grew sad as he watched Neal go up to a group only to be ignored.

"It breaks my heart to see that happen," remarked Peter as he watched Neal shrug and head home. "What's wrong with those kids to treat my boy like that?" he asked Clinton.

"What does Neal say?" asked Clinton.

"He doesn't; he just shrugs and changes the conversation. He's a friendly out going kid, why doesn't he have any friends. It's been over two weeks since he joined our household," Peter added as he walked towards Neal who only had eyes focused on the ground.

"Has El been able to find anything out?"

"No but several nights she comes to bed in tears…she's heard him crying in his sleep," replied Peter as he paused when he saw another child dart from the school and run to Neal's side.

"Isn't that Judge Hunter's daughter, Alex?" asked Clinton.

"Yes, El and I were introduced to the family yesterday. Alex is about Neal's age and it seems that she likes him…maybe he's found a friend at last," Peter said with a smile as he saw Neal look up and smile…soon the two kids were heading towards the mercantile.

Peter and Clinton smiled at each other and moved off to the other end of town. They missed Jack Stevens follow the two kids into the store. Jack was Ronald Stevens' son. Ronald raised Labrador Retrievers, a new breed of dog that had taken the country by storm. Not only were they a good hunting dog but they were a good farm dog and the perfect family dog.

"Hey," snarled Jack as he came up to Alex and Neal. "I thought I told you that you can't play with him," he ordered Alex.

"You did but you don't own me and I can be with whomever I wish," retorted Alex as she accepted a peppermint stick from Neal.

"Your dad won't think so when I tell him about this little criminal," boasted Jack as he sneered at Neal. "He was one of the gang responsible for terrorizing the town a couple of months ago."

"I know…Neal told me about that when I first met him…and I don't care; that was then and he's trying to change, aren't you Neal?" Alex retorted as she turned to Neal who nodded shyly.

Jack didn't like that…someone other than his father had told him "NO!"

and he reacted by grabbing Alex and trying to pull her away from Neal's side only to find himself in sudden pain as she swiftly kicked him in the shins before walking back to Neal. "Let's go…it's gotten too stinky in here," she remarked smugly as Neal paid for the candy. The two left unaware that Dirk had seen and heard the whole thing.

Four days later Clinton and Peter found themselves in the neighborhood of the school and watched a difference scene than Monday. This time they saw Neal interacting with nearly everyone.

"What happened?" Clinton asked with surprise.

"Alex stood up to Jack," replied Peter.

"What does that have to do with no one playing with Neal?"

"It seems that Jack was bullying Neal. He told all of the kids that he didn't want them to have anything to do with my boy and implied that he would beat up anyone who even smiled at him," explained Peter bitterly.

"Why?" asked a bewildered Clinton.

"I have no idea but when Alex came she and Neal hit it off immediately and the rest of the children watched in awe as Jack frowned at her and told her to stop playing or else. Alex stared at him and promptly ignore him and continued to talk with Neal," explained Peter.

"That couldn't have gone over well for Jack."

"It didn't; Jack knew that if he didn't do something his control over the rest of the kids would stop but he couldn't do anything then so he waited until after school and followed Neal and Alex to the Mercantile and tried to be physical to Alex," replied Peter.

"What happened; it obviously didn't work since the kids are playing with Neal."

"Alex kicked Jack in the shins and then she and Neal walked out. Jack hasn't bothered her since and it seems that the word got out to the rest of the school kids and they have been playing with Neal and Alex ever since," Peter finished his tale with a smile. "Also El says that Neal's crying at night has ceased."

"That's wonderful news Peter, I'm so happy for you," Clinton said as he clapped Peter on the shoulder.

It was during the afternoon recess that Jack told the boys about the puppies he was selling after school. "As you know my farther sells Labrador Retrievers and this litter is mine to sell. I'm selling the pups for a dollar each; I have six males and one female. Just meet me out at the pond near my house and bring your dollars …at least any that want any of our pups," Jack announced making sure that the whole student body heard.

Neal was so excited when he heard that….he really wanted a pup. Although he now had friends, having a pup would be even better…he would really be his best friend and unlike many of the boys in that school yard Neal had a dollar, only it was at home. He knew that he had to get to Jack's as quick as possible so he would have a chance at purchasing a puppy. So as soon as school let out, Neal ran towards the sheriff's office and his father.

Clinton had just leaned back in the chair when the door crashed open causing Clinton to nearly fall out of his chair. He looked up into the wild-eyed boy facing him.

"Neal…what's wrong?" he asked the boy.

"Clint…where is Pa?" asked Neal quickly.

"In a meeting with the mayor," replied Clinton.

He watched as Neal ran out of the office and thought that he had better remember to tell Peter about this later. Neal ran all the way home and opening the door ran up the stairs stopping only long enough to throw his books, lunch pail and jacket on the bed before rooting around in his top dresser drawer only long enough to grab his dollar before rushing out. He was fortunate that his mother wasn't there or he might not have made it to Jack's before all of the puppies were gone. As it was he got there just as Jack sold the last pup to Billy Wade.

Jack sneered at Neal as he came running out of breath to the place where the pups were located. "I sold the last one to Billy," he said cruelly.

Neal was about to walk away when he heard a whimper and turned around hopefully. "You have another pup," Neal exclaimed, "I want to buy him…I have a dollar," he added as he held up his dollar for Jack to see,

"He's not for sale," Jack cried but before he could continue another voice said, "that's right, he's not for sale because I'm giving him to you instead."

Jack turned around and saw that it was his father, Ronald Stevens, who picked up the last puppy and handed him to Neal. "Here you are son; he's a runt and I don't sell runts," he explained to the stunned boy.

Neal took the puppy and said, "Thank you Mr. Stevens, but I don't mind paying for him…really."

"Save your money, boy for something else," the man said as he turned to go back to his kennel leaving Neal with his son who was scowling dangerously at Neal.