Disclaimer: I am a college student, so that means I am poor, which means that I do not own the Power Rangers or anything to do with them, unfortunately.
Timeline: The story starts in 2001; about six months after the end of Light speed.
Summary: Carter has seen a lot in his life, and been through more than anyone should have to go through. His past is scarred, but is there anyone who might break through the shield he has erected over his heart and help him start the healing?
Pairings: Mainly Carter/Dana, but there is mentions of Joel/Angela Fairweather and Kelsey/Ryan.
A/N: I am so, so, so sorry for the long delay. College has been sucking the life out of me, and add to that that my muse has been flickering off and on lately. I promise you though that this chapter will be well worth the wait.
WARNING: I am going to start to get VERY AU in this chapter, so no flames please.
Chapter eleven: Little orphan Nicky
The ceremony had just ended and the guests were quietly milling around the reception hall waiting for the reception to get started. Carter and Dana were in another part of the building with the rest of the wedding party taking pictures.
Soon enough though, the reception started, the wedding party was seated and dinner was served. Carter had originally wanted a buffet, but biting into his steak, he had to admit that he was glad that he caved to Dana's wishes of giving the guests a choice between steak and salmon. He took a moment and glanced to his right where his lovely new wife sat. As recently as a year ago, you could not have told him that Dana Mitchell would be Dana Grayson. Had he not finally gotten his head straight, it may have never happened. No, he corrected himself, if she had not finally gotten him right this may have never happened. She gave him a new life and he would be damned if he was ever going to let her down. She saw him looking at her and gave him a small smile before mouthing the words that would forever be burned into his soul.
"I love you my soul."
That did it. He almost lost it, but he had to compose himself. He did not want to break down in front of a few hundred guests. Lucky for him, the sound of a fork clanging on a glass saved him.
Ryan stood up and prepared to give his best man speech. He cleared his throat loudly several times and gave his wife a smile before starting.
"As best man, it is my duty to start these speeches off. Please forgive me as I am by far the world's worse public speaker, just ask Kelsey." Kelsey, seated to his right, nodded emphatically. "But enough about me; today belongs to my lovely sister and the lucky man that she has chosen to marry, which happens to be my best friend. I have prayed that this day would happen ever since I met Carter and reconnected with my sister. As most of you know, I am very protective of Dana and for some time, I would not let anyone near her. And then I saw how she looked at Carter, and I started to think that he may be the one guy I would let get within six feet of her. For awhile, I did not have to worry, but then he started to look at her in the same way. And, you can all see the result of that here today. Dana, you are my sister and I love you, would do anything in this world for you, but next to you sits a man that would do all of that and more, and you better not let him go. I love you sis. Carter, you are a brother to me in everything but blood, but you better treat my sister right or I will kick your ass." Everyone in the hall cracked up as both Carter and Dana hugged Ryan before he sat down, with Dana having tears in her eyes for the second time that day.
Kelsey, as Matron of Honor, stood up next to give her speech. "You have set a hell of a standard honey," she said to her smiling husband. "What Ryan said is entirely true of course. I had spent many night listening to Dana complain about how Carter was not paying her any attention and had to hold her as she cried when she found out why. I did not mind because she not only is she my best friend, but she is my sister as well, and there is nothing in the world that I would not do for either of you. You two are embarking on a long and wonderful journey, and I can't wait to see what happens next. I love you both."
Once again, hugs were exchanged and tears were flowing.
The reception carried on with a jovial atmosphere. Carter at one point found himself sharing a drink or two with Tommy and the rest of the reds from the moon mission while Dana was solidifying her friendships with some of the past female rangers. Soon enough though, it was time for the bouquet and garter to be thrown. Carter got down in front of a seated Dana to the racy music that the DJ had started. With the males in the crowd giving wolf whistles, he removed the lacy garment from his new wife's leg, giving her thigh a small squeeze in the process.
"Easy there babe. You have to wait for tonight remember?"
Carter said nothing, just smiling while twirling the garter around his finger before turning to the crowd.
"Okay boys, who's gonna get it?"
The single men in the crowd gathered into a tight group with much good natured cursing and jostling for positioning before Carter turned his back and let the garment fly without so much as a warning. After a few seconds and a rather impressive dog pile, the newest red ranger Cole emerged the winner and sporting a rather impressive black eye from a stray elbow. Everyone congratulated him while the girls gathered around to see who would be the one Cole would be putting the garter on. Dana was nicer than her new husband; she at least gave the benefit of a three count before letting the bouquet fly. It actually flew off Katie's outstretched hands before landing firmly in Alyssa's hands. Blushing furiously, she sat down and allowed Cole to place the garter on her with only the utmost respect. She and Cole then danced with all of the other couples as the reception came to a close. Everyone there could see that another ranger wedding was not in the far future.
Two months later:
Carter and Dana were now fully settled into their life in Briarwood. Carter had proved himself to be a solid contributor to the Briarwood fire department, and was already being considered for promotion. Dana had started her internship at Briarwood memorial hospital, and between her long hours and Carter's they barely ever saw each other. But, they did manage to find small ways to let the other know that they were still loved. Carter had three dozen roses and a three foot tall stuffed bear with a fireman's hat delivered to the hospital and Dana put a pretty steamy love note along with the lunch she had packed for him. That got him some good natured ribbing from his colleagues, but as it was his wife, he really did not mind.
Things were settling into a predictable, but happy routine for the former ranger couple. Some may have called it boring, but as both had been through some pretty rough times in their relationship, the calm was welcome.
One day, near the end of March, Carter was by himself in one of the bays where the trucks were parked. He was doing some routine preventive work on one of the ladder trucks and was planning on washing it as well. He had the large bay door open as he worked as the weather had turned pretty mild as spring was approaching. He had his back turned to this door, kneeling down to check a tire, so he did not hear the boy come up behind him.
"Whatcha doing there?"
Carter nearly jumped out of his skin. The boy had scared the heck out of him, but he tried to play it off. He stood up and turned to look at the boy. He looked to be about eleven or twelve and of average height with sandy brown hair and what looked to be green eyes. He was dressed in a tattered pair of denim shorts and a dark red t shirt with sneakers that Carter guessed had been new sometime around the turn of the twenty first century. He had, of course, seen the boy around the station as he hung around there nearly every day. From the talk around the station he knew that he had no parents and lived at a local group home for orphans. But for the life of him, Carter could not remember his name.
"Oh nothing to exciting I'm afraid," he said in what he hoped was a friendly tone. "Ladder 34 here just needs a little check up and a wash. I was just about to get started on the wash when you came up behind me."
The boy grinned and with that small gesture, Carter saw someone who had a mischievous streak.
"Can I help?"
"Sure, I could use a hand. I'll get the hose hooked up if you can grab that large bucket over there."
The boy did as he was asked and brought the tools over to where Carter had started hosing down the truck.
"Thank you…." Carter said, fishing for a name.
"Oh, I'm sorry; you are new around here aren't you? My name is Nick. Nick Russell." He said, holding out his hand.
Carter took it. "It's nice to meet you Nick."
For the next hour or so, Carter and his new friend washed down the truck, talking and getting to know each other. The more he talked to him, the more Carter was starting to really like this kid. He reminded him of himself at that age. He showed no anger or any other negative emotion from being an orphan, but that of course could be a front. One thing did stand out to Carter though, the kid was a natural leader, he could see that a mile away.
Sometime near the end of their chore, Nick asked him about his wife.
"Well, her name is Dana and she is a doctor over at Briarwood general."
"Is she pretty?"
Yep, the kid defiantly reminded him of himself at that age. Nick was about at the age where girls were starting to look pretty interesting.
"I happen to think so," he answered with a laugh.
"Can I meet her?"
Carter did not know about that. He had no idea if it was legal for him to take this kid over to his home, but something inside him told him that he had to try.
"Tell you what Nick. It's four o'clock now. Let me make a few phone calls while you hang out in the station and I will get back to you."
Nick eagerly agreed, and left to find something else interesting in the station. Carter pulled out his cell phone and dialed information, asking for the phone number of the group home where Nick lived. Once he got it, he asked to be connected and soon the phone was ringing at the home.
"Briarwood children's home; Adam Park speaking."
"Adam? Is that you?"
"The one and only; It has been a few months Carter, I had forgotten that you and Dana had moved here."
"And I had no idea that you were working at a children's home here."
"Tanya and I moved here last month when I was offered the director's job here at the home."
Carter had remembered being told that Adam had been a social worker for some time, and now that connection was going to pay off. He did not know Adam and his wife Tanya well, but he had met them a few times, and not only had he liked him, but he was a member of the ranger family, and that counted for a lot.
"Anyway Carter, what can I do for you?"
"Oh, I do have a question. There is a kid that hangs out here at the station a lot and…'
"Nick right?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"You guys are all he talks about. He loves it there, and I for one am happy to see it, more now that I know you are there as well. He really likes you guys."
"The feeling is defiantly mutual. He and I talked today, and he expressed interest in coming home with me to meet Dana. So I thought that I would take him home for dinner tonight and wanted to know what the legalities are."
"There really isn't much to it," answered Adam. "as long as you stop by here before you go home and sign some paperwork, it should be fine. I trust you guys, so I will deal with any potential issues that may arise. It would be good for Nick to meet Dana, perhaps form a bond with you and her. That kid more than any other I have ever seen needs a family."
Carter asked him what he meant.
"Well the fact of the matter is that he has been here at the home all of his life, never even being placed in a foster home. For some reason he keeps slipping through the cracks, he has never known a family. Hell, who knows, if Dana likes him and he bonds with you two, you may be the parents that he has been looking for."
At that, Carter got silent. He and Dana had not talked about kids since that day at the doctor's office. Adoption never crossed his mind as an option, but now, it seemed like the most logical thing in the world.
What about Olivia?
That little girl had never totally left his mind, and he still thought that he would eventually meet her. One way or another.
"Carter?"
"Oh, sorry Adam. I will go and get Nick and sign those forms. We should be there in about two hours."
"Sounds good. See you then."
Carter hung up his phone and dialed his wife's number. Dana had the day off today and he was almost certain that she would not mind one more guest for dinner.
A little over two hours later, Carter was pulling into his driveway with Nick strapped into the passenger seat next to him. They got out and walked up the sidewalk to the modest two story three bedroom home that he and Dana had just purchased. In fact, they had just recently finished unpacking.
Dana met them at the door and after giving Carter a small kiss on the cheek, turned to face Nick.
"Hi! You must be Nick. Carter has told me all about you, it's very nice to meet you.'
Nick stuck out his hand just as he had with Carter. "It's very nice to meet you as well Mrs. Grayson."
"Aren't you polite, but Mrs. Grayson makes me sound old. You can call me Dana if you want alright?"
Nick smiled, instantly warming up to the pretty blond.
Dana lead them into the house. "Nick, I hope you like burgers because Carter here is going to fire up that grill in the back and cook a ton!'
Carter had not known that, but was happy to oblige. In just the few moments that the three of them had been together, he had a small sense of a family, and that thought made him smile. He went out to the backyard and got the grill started while Dana and Nick got to know each other in the kitchen.
Later that night, after Carter had taken Nick back to the home, he and Dana were lying in bed together, holding each other in the dark.
"Day?"
"Hmmmm?"
"What did you think of Nick?"
"I absolutely loved him. He was so polite, willing to help, well mannered, but…"
"But?"
"I sense something in him, some kind of pain."
"Yeah, Adam and I talked about that today. Apparently he has been at the home all of his life. The poor kid has no idea what a family is. I think today was the first time he has ever really been around him. Dana, what do you think if we…"
Carter trailed off, not knowing how his wife would respond to his question.
"What if we what honey?"
"What if we were the ones to adopt Nick? I know he is not a baby, but we both love him and he does need a home. I think he could do really well with us."
Dana was silent for a few minutes and Carter knew that she was thinking long and hard about this.
"I know we have not talked about kids since that day in the doctor's office," started Dana "but I have to admit that it has been on my mind ever since then. Adoption has also been on my mind as perhaps the only way for us to have kids. I also agree with you, Nick seems to be a wonderful child and if I can be that mother figure that he needs, then it would be my honor to do so, and see that he grows up the right way. So yes, if you want, you can call Adam tomorrow and see what we need to do to start this process."
Carter just kissed his wife passionately. Her love for him allowed her to know exactly what was on his mind and knowing that he wanted this so bad, had responded.
"This is great! I can't wait to be a father!"
"You may not have long to wait for that Carter."
Now he was confused "What do you mean Dana? The adoption process could take forever, up to a year even."
Dana decided that now was the perfect time to tell her husband what she had been hiding from him all day, since she had risen her head from the toilet and looked at some test results.
"I'm pregnant Carter."
Ok, I know what you are all thinking, that they were told that they could not have kids. But if you look back, you will see that the doctor told them that there was a POSSIBILITY that they would never conceive. So, what will happen next with one kid on the way and another possibly joining the household? Also, Nick starts to meet some very…interesting new friends. As always, please rate and review.
