Addison gently took Sam's hand and led him into the lounge of the police station, "excuse me Mrs Addison?"
"Yes dear what is it?" Addison bent down to Sam's level.
"Where did Mr Derek go?"
"He's going to talk to some policemen, and they're going to help you get home."
Addison saw how scared Sam looked and she brought her face closer to Sam's.
"Sam is there anything worrying you" Sam shook his head.
"If there is, you can trust me you can tell me anything okay."
"Nothing wrong" the boy whispered.
Addison felt a great swell of pity for the boy and she tried to smile as kindly as she could in the hope that Sam would at least feel secure, "there are lots of toys here, do you want to play with them?"
"I'm allowed to?" Sam said surprised.
Addison nodded and looking through she saw a large fire truck, "Do you like this?"
Addison watched Sam playing thinking it was odd that he didn't make any sounds he seemed to look at Addison every minute as if silently asking her if it was okay that he continued to play, then the door opened and Addison got up smiling as Ariel ran into her arms after kissing her cheek she looked at the smiling girl, "I guess you had fun today."
"We did painting and got all messy," she showed Addison her stained hands.
"Thank you" Addison said to Arizona at the door, "Ariel have you said thank you."
"Thank you again" Ariel waved at Addison, "it's my pleasure."
"I'll explain later why this happened" Addison whispered to Arizona as her friend gave a nod and closed the door.
"Addison" Ariel pointed at Sam, "who's he."
Sam looked up and stumbled back, Addison put Ariel down and watched the girl walk towards him, "Hello what is your name?"
Sam looked at Addison with confused eyes, "don't worry Sam she's just a little monkey."
Ariel put her hands on her armpits and made monkey sounds. Sam started to laugh Ariel smiled at Addison and extended her hand, "i'm Ariel Sam."
"Sam why don't you shake Ariel's hand" Sam slowly did and smiled, "i'm Sam."
"Can I play with you Sam?"
"Yes please" Sam got out more toys and Addison whispered in the girl's ear, "I think you've made a friend."
"I never had a friend who was a boy before."
"What about Derek, he's a boy."
"Nope, boys don't have beards."
"Well I guess that's true, you don't have many friends your age do you."
Ariel smiled, "I have a friend now who's little like me."
Sam looked at them wondering what they were talking about, "it's okay Sam" Addison whispered, "i'll leave you to it."
Addison walked out and met Derek, "they're going to track down Matthew and make sure that he knows where to find Sam. I asked them what would happen to Sam but they just assured me that they would do everything to make sure this would be set right. Personally I think they should arrest that man."
"You're angry."
"I hate seeing a child like this."
"Well maybe this might cheer you up."
Addison pointed to the window and Derek saw Ariel running around with Sam in a chasings game, Sam caught her and then they both started rolling around on the floor laughing, Derek could say nothing he just smiled.
Sam politely asked for a drink and Addison led him to the canteen while Derek stood up with Ariel sitting on his shoes, "What happened to Sam Derek?"
"Well Ariel you see, Sam got lost and Addison found him."
"Just like what happened with me, is Sam going to the hospital where you and Addison can help him feel better."
"No he's not unwell Ariel." Derek looked at Ariel yawning, "Ariel I know you're tired."
"I'm not tired" Ariel said, "i'm going to stay up all night and play games with Sam."
"Ariel" Sam ran and Ariel ran to him and whispered in his ear, Sam smiled at Derek and they both ran to grab each of his legs. Derek waved his arms around and fell over then he laughed and started to engage in a tickling match with the two children while Addison shook her head chuckling.
"Sam" a voice yelled, Addison turned around and saw Matthew standing there his face etched with fury, "Ariel can you watch Sam for just a few minutes while Derek and I talk to this man."
"He looks bad" the girl whispered in fear.
"Just give us some time" Addison smiled at the two children and walked outside.
"What the hell do you think you're playing at getting the police to call me in here."
"Sam was sitting alone" Addison said, "he was very upset and it was getting dark, this happened up in the mountains."
"A friend of mine was looking after him, now he's probably scared out of his wits trying to find the little tyke thanks to you."
"Listen Matthew" Derek whispered in a dangerous tone of voice, "if I was you I would worry more about the police, I can also tell them what happened in the mall if the other day."
"You bastard" Matthew bared his teeth, 'i'm taking Sam right now and leaving."
"Mr Reed" an officer with a trimmed moustache and dark eyes said behind them, "i'm Officer Davis, may I have a word."
Matthew followed the officer and Addison shared a look with her husband before opening the door and saw Ariel looking up at them, "is the bad man going to take Sam away?"
Addison looked at Sam with his back to them, "Ariel all we can do now is to help Sam feel safe."
"Okay" the girl whispered.
"Sam" Addison said, "can I talk to you please?"
Sam looked like he was trying to hold back a wave of tears as he walked to Addison, "I need to ask you this, has Matthew hurt you at all?"
Sam shook his head, "Sam if you are scared of telling me the truth don't be, if you don't want to go with him you don't have to."
"You can come with us" Ariel whispered, Addison saw the hope cross Sam's face and she furrowed her forehead trying to ignore the problems that started to form and swim around in her mind.
"Can I not see him?" Sam whispered.
"Sam how about you continue to play," Ariel went to sit down with the boy, but Addison whispered in her ear and lead her into a corner, "Ariel first I want to say that I have never been more proud of you as I am right now."
Ariel beamed, "Sam is going to stay with us."
"No sweetie he's not."
"Why not?"
"Ariel I know you like Sam, but Derek and I can't look after him the way that we look after you."
"Why not Addison" the girl's eyes pleaded for an answer.
"It's very complicated Ariel" Addison tried to think of a good reason, "he needs to be with people who are experienced at being nice, people that can love him."
"You can do all those things, you're the nicest grownups in the whole world, and i'll be good around him I promise."
"Sweetheart we can't look after Sam, but me and Derek will make sure he goes to a good home."
"Would I see him again?"
"I think you would" Addison said she didn't know how she could possibly tell a four year old the truth even one like Ariel. The door opened and Matthew came in followed by Officer Davis, "Sam" Matthew said in a calmer tone "we're going home.'
'Hold on" Derek walked right up to Davis, "he's not taking him is he?"
"The situation will be reviewed, but his story checks out he was not responsible for leaving Sam unattended the man responsible for this incident will be arrested."
"Officer this boy has been hurt by that man, and you're going to let him walk away with him."
"If this is true" Davis said, "do you have any evidence."
"Sam" Addison looked into his eyes, "can you tell the officer the truth have you been hurt?"
Sam looked at Matthew and finally starting to cry he shook his head, "Sam please" Addison whispered.
"Sam" Ariel hugged the boy from the side, "Addison don't let him take Sam away."
"Sam" Matthew said with an unconvincing expression of sorrow on his face, "Kathryn and I are very sorry we left you there alone, you need to come home."
He moved closer and Derek blocked his way, "Officer I am Sam's legal guardian please do your job."
The officer scowled as Matthew smirked at Derek, "i'm sorry folks."
Addison drew Sam in a tight hug you'll be just fine she tried to say but her words were stuck in her throat as she watched Matthew tug Sam away she kept looking at the boy who kept looking at her then the officer closed the door. "How can you do this" she yelled in fury at Davis not caring that Ariel was in the room.
"I didn't want to" the officer said in a professional manner, "I wanted to arrest him but I have nothing to charge him with, no concrete evidence.'
"He hurt Sam I know it."
"Mrs Shepherd there is no proof, the policemen that went over the boy found no marks on Sam, and Matthew and his wife have an outstanding track record for looking after children in foster care."
"They couldn't have" Derek whispered stunned.
"They have looked after many children who have come from difficult backgrounds, and they are regarded as highly recommended social workers. I couldn't believe my ears either when my colleagues told me."
"Is there nothing you can do?" Addison said softly.
"I will see to it that their activities are monitored, and if anything happens to Sam I will inform you immediately, but nothing can be done right now."
An hour later
Addison carried Ariel to bed and brushed the tears from the child's eyes, "I know your sad honey I am too."
"I hope Sam is okay Addison."
"Me too, but don't worry he will be."
"How do you know that?"
"I just do I believe that he will be okay" Addison kissed Ariel's forehead and lowered her on to the bed.
"I wish he could have stayed here with us" Ariel whispered.
"Ariel you know if you want some more friends, we can help you join some fun groups, and you'll make many new friends would you like that?"
"I would Addison."
Addison watched her drift off to sleep and when she wandered out Derek held her, "I heard what Ariel said about Sam."
Addison hugged him closer to her, "I knew that if we tried to become Sam's foster carers we would barely have had a chance of succeeding. We're two foster carers with little experience and we wouldn't have been able to provide enough care for two children, it was amazing we got custody of Ariel. I just didn't want to get Sam's hopes up, I saw the way he looked at me when Ariel said to him that he could come and live with us."
"Addison we should have done something."
"Derek I wish I could have done something more."
Derek nodded, "I'm sorry, I just wish Sam wasn't with them."
"It's just so unfair Derek."
"Sam was a good kid and I wanted him to have the same happiness that Ariel has because he deserves it."
"Derek, I am so lucky that I have you."
Derek closed his eyes, "really Derek you are the most amazing wonderful man I have ever known." Addison kissed him passionately, and the couple went off to bed.
