Sorry for my absence. I thought I would have more time to write this summer, but as always, I kind of overloaded myself. I'm finishing up three jobs, four classes, and two major papers this summer. But I finally took some time out to try and write a few chapters, just in case I fall behind again. Thanks for your patience and I promise to try harder to update my stories faster. J

Chris's heart clenched when he saw Maddy crying softly in her bed, her legs pulled up to her chest. Without a word he sat on the bed with her and pulled her to his chest. It had been years since he had comforted a crying child, but his paternal instincts immediately took over, and it was like he was holding Adam again after a nightmare. He just sat there and held her as he ran soft fingers through her hair. He felt her crying subside and she relaxed in his arms as Chris kissed the top of her hair.

The door opened and the rest of their brothers walked in. "They've been arrested," Buck told Chris. "CPS has been called for an investigation. They need to determine whether or not to remove Maddy."

"What?" Maddy flinched so Chris lowered his voice. "It wasn't enough that Maddy talked to the police?"

"The police can arrest them but Child Protective Services makes the final decision about placement. They'll need to talk to Maddy to determine the best home for her," Josiah explained.

Maddy looked up from Chris's arms. "You mean I won't go home with you guys?" she asked tearfully.

Buck kneeled in front of her with a smile. "Of course you will darlin'. We just need to make sure that your aunt and uncle can never come near you again."

Maddy nodded and leaned against Chris's chest again. Buck quirked an eyebrow at his older brother but the blond merely shrugged and grinned. Buck smirked. It was good to see the old Chris again.

"When will CPS get here?" JD asked.

"It depends on how busy they are," Josiah answered.

CPS had apparently been busy because it was three more days before they were able to talk to Maddy. By then Maddy had been cleared and released from the hospital. She had gone back to school where her teacher was happy to see her in much better spirits, while her brothers worked with Orin from the hotel to make sure that they got permanent custody.

JD was helping Maddy with her homework, although he had quickly discovered that she was definitely ahead of her classmates, when there was a knock on the hotel door. Chris got up from the couch and opened it after looking cautiously through the peephole. A middle-aged woman stood on the other side of the door, her dark blue shirt-suit combo perfectly pressed, her graying hair in a tight bun, and a manila folder in her hands. "Can I help you?" Chris asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Mr. Larabee?" she asked. Chris nodded. She pulled out a business card and handed it to him. "I'm Lucille Crestwick, with Child Protective Services. I'm here to speak to Madison."

"Maddy," Chris corrected. He took a quick glance at the business card before stepping back and letting her in. "She's at the table doing her homework."

Lucille nodded and followed Chris in. She stopped just inside the hotel room to talk to Chris first. "The police have already interviewed Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, as well as investigate their home. We also have a copy of Madison's medical examination. At this point I'm merely a follow up to make sure that everything has been done properly and to determine the best place for Madison."

Chris nodded tersely and led her over to the table. "Maddy?" He waited for the young girl to look up for her homework. "This is Ms. Crestwick from Child Protective Services. She'd like to ask you a few questions."

Maddy frowned. "That officer already asked me questions."

Lucille stepped forward and smiled. "Yes he did but I just wanted to ask a few more and make sure that you're where you belong."

Maddy's frown didn't lessen. "I thought I was going to live with my brothers."

Lucille stiffened slightly. "Well, we'll just have to see what the best place for you is." She turned to Chris. "Is there a place I can talk to her in private?"

"You can use the bedroom."

"Thank you. Once I'm done talking with her I'd like to ask you and your brothers a few questions as well."

Chris nodded and watched as Lucille led Maddy to the bedroom. Once the door was closed he ran a tired hand over his face and sat down heavily on the coach with a sigh. "Maddy's going to get to live with us, isn't she?" JD asked.

"Judge Travis has failed to locate any other relatives," Ezra answered.

"But CPS is going to think twice about letting Maddy live with seven men she just met, even if we are her brothers," Chris argued.

Buck clapped Chris on the back. "Don't worry about it stud," he said with a grin. "We've got Travis backing us up and you've taken care of a child before. It'll work out."

Lucille smiled as Maddy sat on the bed. "Alright, Madison, just answer everything honestly. We'll be done in no time."

"Maddy," Maddy corrected.

Lucille twitched but nodded. "Okay Maddy. I know you went over this wit the police already but let's just go over it again. Did your aunt and uncle ever leave you home alone?"

Maddy had to prevent herself from sighing heavily at Lucille treatment of her but she shook her head. "Aunt Caroline didn't work so she was always home. They didn't like to leave me alone because Uncle Arnold didn't trust me."

"When did the physical abuse start?"

"The day after Mommy's funeral. I tripped on the carpet walking into the apartment and Uncle Arnold got mad. He hit me and called me lazy and sent me to my room without dinner."

"Did your aunt and uncle ever hit you other times?"

Maddy nodded. "If I was late from school, if I didn't make dinner right, if I talked to a stranger, if I asked for anything, if I complained," she listed. "And other times."

Lucille nodded as she jotted down notes. "Now, when did you find out that Mr. Larabee and his brothers were also your brothers?"

"Mommy told me that I had at least three other brothers, but I didn't meet them until they came to Michigan a few days ago."

"Have they hit you at all?"

"No!" Maddy exclaimed. "They fed me dinner and took me to the hospital when I was hurt. They said I could live with them."

Lucille frowned. "I don't know if living with them is the best idea."

"Why?"

Lucille struggled to explain to the nine-year-old that living with seven grown men at her age was unusual. "Anyway, I'm going to ask your brothers a few questions, but we're done. Thank you Maddy."

Maddy nodded and walked with her out of the bedroom. She immediately went back to the table with JD who rubbed her back comfortingly. Chris stood up as Lucille walked over to them. "You wanted to talk to us next?"

Lucille nodded. "I'm assuming that you'll be seeking custody but I really only need to talk to the one who would be Maddy's legal guardian."

Chris glanced at Buck, Nathan, and Josiah and nodded. "That'd be me."

"Okay Mr. Larabee. If you'll come with me."

Chris followed her into the bedroom and sat on the bed. "Mr. Larabee, you and your brothers live in Four Corners, CO correct?" Chris nodded. "You do realize that removing Maddy from a familiar environment would disrupt her routine and could have a negative impact on her recovery."

"I would think staying in this place wouldn't help her recovery," Chris argued.

Ignoring his comment, Lucille continued. "What do you do Mr. Larabee?"

"I own a horse ranch with my brothers."

Lucille raised an eyebrow. "So Maddy would be surrounded by ranch workers as well."

Chris frowned. "Yes, but every worker is put through an extensive background check and many of them have been working for our family for years."

"Do you have any experience dealing with traumatized children?"

"Our oldest brother is a licensed counselor," Chris answered. He took a deep breath. "And I had a son."

"What happened to him?"

"He and my wife were killed in an accident," Chris said simply, not wishing to go into more depth.

"If you were granted custody of Maddy, would you be able to provide her with her own space and any therapy that she might require?" Lucille asked.

"Of course," Chris exclaimed. "She's our sister."

"Mr. Larabee, she might seem well-adjusted right now, but Maddy has been through a very traumatic experience. I doubt she's even had the time to cope with her mother's death. This is a lot of take on."

Chris crossed his arms defiantly. "Maddy is our sister and she belongs with her family. We all love her and will do whatever it takes to help her."

Lucille nodded and closed her file. "Thank you Mr. Larabee. I'll file a court petition to permanently remove Maddy from Mr. and Mrs. Wilson's custody. We'll be in touch about the trial and your custody hearing."

Chris nodded and followed Lucille out of the bedroom. She walked over to Maddy who flinched slightly as she leaned down. JD watched her carefully but didn't say anything. "Maddy?" Maddy looked up slowly. Lucille was handing her a business card. "If you ever need anything, please give me a call." Maddy nodded and took the card without a word. Lucille turned to the brothers. "Gentlemen."

Maddy waited until Lucille had left before jumping out of her seat and running to Chris. Chris automatically opened his arms as the girl hugged him around his middle. "I'm going to live with you, right Chris?"

Chris didn't say anything but merely hugged her tighter and glanced at Ezra. The young man nodded and immediately got on his phone. They didn't care what it took; Maddy was coming home.