End of the Road

The last day before Johnny was scheduled to return to work the team joined the kids and him at a park not too distant from the apartment. Since the five would provide nanny service until he decided upon a suitable day care, offering the children bonding time with the others could establish some trust ahead of time.

Paige claimed a beautiful spot between two trees located on one of the park's small hills which afforded a beautiful view of the duck filled lake, expansive grounds, and even part of the nature path. Glancing around at the beautiful view she congratulated herself for arriving early.

Johnny wisely waited until the children had finished their afternoon naps before he joined the group. He had certainly learned the hard way that missed sleep could transform his little darlings, and wanted to avoid a repeat of the doctor office aftermath.

Excited at the prospect of a park trip, Elisa volleyed a series of questions as she spun around in circles by the door.

Aiden tried to imitate her but immediately fell onto his diapered bottom. Johnny used that opportunity to change the little boy into beige overall shorts though Aiden did his best to squirm out of Johnny's grasp to return to his play. Keeping hold of the toddler proved impossible so Johnny discarded the outfit's green shirt and settled with getting the overall straps snapped instead.

He stood Elisa on the bed and pulled a yellow and white sear sucker dress over her before helping her slide her feet into tiny ballerina flats.

Dale jogged over to the parking area to meet him when he parked and thoughtfully unfolded the stroller while Johnny released the children from their seats. They settled both and Johnny double checked that each clutched the security toys they had each selected that first chaotic day in the apartment. For Aiden a stuffed, floppy red Elmo appealed to him, and he snatched it towards him greedily. Elisa awarded a floppy Curious George the same respect, and giggled delightedly when Jakes made it a voice and then had it kiss her.

The afternoon could not have passed more perfectly and Johnny often looked back on it as one of his standout days. By the end of it Elisa twirled round and round the picnic area clutching the monkey, barefooted and ecstatic, while Aiden toddled within eyesight diaper clad and free of clothing, rubbing Elmo against his cheek.

Dale and Paul pretended they were horses, and crawling across the green grass on all fours managed to neigh and whinny as the children straddled their backs, squealing with laughter.

The audience laughed just as loudly, though how much of it emerged from witnessing Dale and Paul as ponies and how much came from their joy at seeing the kids so thrilled was unclear. When the equestrian activity ended and they finally collapsed, a worn out Paul gingerly rubbed up and down his torso to soothe all of the tender places earned from small heels jamming into him. He met Dale's eye and motioned a thumb's up. Dale shook his head conspiratorially while massaging cautiously at a beard which had been yanked and enthusiastically pulled by tiny fists.

Later Johnny positioned himself under a huge tree branch and took turns lifting so that Elisa and Aiden could both swing from the tree branch.

The afternoon resonated with Elisa's voice piping excitedly, "Watch me, Johnzee!" followed by Aiden's imitation of the command.

Jakes provided a kiddie playlist, having thoughtfully downloaded it to his phone the night before in anticipation of the outing. He grinned at the others and held out his arms. "They don't call me DJ for nothing!"

Paige and Mike danced together with the children perched on their shoulders, singing loudly and enthusiastically as they performed one move after another. Children from three other families enjoying the park hurried over to join the fun as Mike and Paige led them through Hokie Pokie, Ten Little Monkies, and Eensie Weensie Spider.

Charlie patiently guided little hands into tearing bread into small pieces, then helped Aiden and Elisa feed the ducks at the lake downhill from their picnic spot. She couldn't stop herself and dissolved into gales of laughter when the ducklings waddled towards them in appreciation and both children scrambled to bury their heads in her lap to hide.

Johnny filled his phone with one snapshot after another, reveling in the fact that Aiden and Elisa could enjoy such unbridled joy.

As he changed Aiden's diaper Johnny instructed Charlie and Dale about the care and routine he had established in the past three and a half days. The men would cover the following day, his first day returning to his job as an FBI agent.

Johnny reminded his colleagues that he already had a schedule printed and taped to the refrigerator door, and that he would drop everything and return to the house if they needed him to return.

He hoped to join them for lunch, at least on that first day. Though he elaborated that the children would probably need reassurance while having Johnny gone, in the heart of him he agonized over how he would actually walk out of the door the next morning and leave them.

Elisa crawled into his lap and stood to embrace him across his head, tightening her arms across his forehead. Johnny peeped out and reminded Dale and Paul of the whereabouts of various supplies in the apartment.

Elisa rewarded him with several slobbery kisses and he stopped to tickle her little tummy and kiss her back.

Earlier Paige had volunteered for the entire third day post-return but Johnny told her that once Ms. Turturro met with Johnny and the children she announced she would relieve Paige and stay half that day.

Johnny patted Aiden's tiny hands together in a game of pat-a-cake as he cautioned Paige to make sure the little boy burped after bottles.

Paul pulled Johnny aside mid-afternoon and they walked out of the earshot of the others to speak privately.

Briggs motioned they stop.

Johnny regarded him expectantly. "What's up, Briggs? Is something wrong at Graceland?"

"Not a thing," Paul assured him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Just need to satisfy myself that you still feel you want the kids with you."

Johnny glanced back to where Paige and Charlie helped Elisa and Aiden blow bubbles from bubble wands dripping soapy solution. "No, of course I still want them. You don't have to worry about them."

"John Boy, it never occurred to me to worry about them because you have stepped up as an incredible foster parent. However, my job is to worry about you, and you have to humor me here. It scares me that when the time comes to transfer custody and care back to their family it will end up breaking your heart. That concerns me."

Briggs started to say more but halted and turned to face Johnny, who stared down at the ground and kicked at a rock.

"JT? Look up," Paul ordered softly.

Johnny exhaled and lifted his chin. "I know, Paul, and believe me, I've already thought of that and what I'll do when the time comes." He pursed his lips. "Taking this responsibility- having two people completely dependent on me- my perspective has altered."

Briggs stayed silent as he watched the younger man solidify his thoughts.

Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "But I work as an agent for the FBI, and one thing I know is that when the case finishes, you've gotta walk away. Right? I have to walk away from those kids. So that is what I will do."

"Just like that?" Briggs raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"No, maybe not," Johnny conceded. Crossing his arms across his chest he elaborated. "Well, the truth is that I have been thinking hard about this situation, and Paul, if no one shows up soon then I plan to put in my application to adopt the kids. I know how selfish this may sound, but I honestly hope that no one comes forward. I already feel like Elisa and Aiden are mine, like I've had them forever." He smiled ruefully at Briggs. "I appreciate that you look out for me, Briggs. Since we first began working together you have been that big brother at Graceland always protecting me."

Paul sorted through the younger man's disclosure. "Ok, then," he finally decided, "but you know I have your back Johnny, and I will continue to observe you and make sure you're ok. That's my job. With or without the kids I watch out for you."

"Yeah, I know that."

"And Johnny, I'm proud of you- proud as your leader and mentor and proud as your very own big brother. You have an incredible heart and soul, Johnny Turturro."

With that, Briggs threw an arm over the younger man's shoulder and the two retraced their steps and reunited with the group.

An hour later the agents reluctantly called it a day, and after they packed up their belongings walked together to return to their cars. Everyone took turns as they kissed the kids goodbye and waited by the car to bid farewell to Johnny once he strapped them into their car seats.

He shut the car door and grinned mischievously at his roommates. "Just when I thought I knew all there was to know about all of you it turns out you've been hiding talents I would never have expected. Why I think we could enter our Paigie and Mikey into one of those dance contests so….."

His cell phone interrupted his pronouncement and he signaled a pause as he answered. The others waited patiently, though the call didn't even last a minute and Johnny barely spoke into the receiver.

He ended the call and faced them, then lowered his eyes and struggled to remain calm. "Ok, a family member's been located. She'll be in town tomorrow and plans to pick up the kids and take them with her." Johnny bit at his lip and concluded, "So I guess this is the end of the road for Aiden and Elisa and me."