So here's the last chapter to Something New. I know it took forever, but hey, at least it's out now. I have the first two chapters to the sequel, Storage Mishaps, written, but I won't be posting it till I find a beta. I'm looking so if your up to it let me know!

Happy reading and please review!

Chapter 14

Starting Over

It had been one month since the whole ordeal with Rob and his crazy bitches. I was doing much better now and was actually scheduled to be back in Washington in two days time. Happy was with me helping me tie up loose ends and what not. Then we were going to make the drive home together. There was just one thing that I needed to finish before we left.

We were sitting outside of the Contra Costa County court house. I was nervous that was for sure. Hap looked over at me and asked, "You ready for this babe? Kind of a big undertaking and all."

We were there because little Robby was there. After Sopheia was taken into custody he had no where to go. Turns out Rob wasn't his actual father and her younger kids dad wouldn't take him. Rob's parents wanted custody, but they weren't equipped enough for the state to let them take him. Rob's mother and both of his sisters were wheelchair bound with muscular dystrophy and his father was already being stretched thin trying to take care of them by himself. Much less adding a diabetic and asthmatic six year old into the bunch.

So after much disscussion with them and the county child protective services we thought it was best for Robby that I take him. He was already accustomed to me and I had cared for him for nearly two years already and knew how to treat his illnesses. I had even worked it out that I would come back during the summer and spend time with my family and Robby's grandparents. Robby would even go visit them at holidays.

Right now though I was sweating bullets in the front seat of the loaner car we had and was thinking that I had no idea how to take care of a kid on my own. I looked over at Happy with wide eyes. "I have to be ready. I'm all that kid's got now." I took a deep breath and moved to get out of the car. "I can't be another adult in his life that fails him."

"You'll be great. That kid loves you to death. Plus, you'll have me and the guys to help you out." He grinned at me over the top of the car.

"Great. Just what he needs. A bunch of biker boys to get him into trouble. Let me just tell the court that. I'm sure they'll just hand him over after that."

I had been surprised when Happy came out of our hotel bathroom this morning in slacks and a collared white shirt. It made me smile knowing that he was trying to look presentable for me when we went to pick Robby up today. The fact that he would even consider it made all the difference. He cared. And even though I knew he wasn't to keen to the idea of me getting little Robby, he was happy for me and supported the fact that it was what I wanted.

It had shocked him as well when I came back from a day out with Kat with all me hair chopped off. I had gotten sick of my long ass hair and decided that I needed a change. So I walked into the salon and told the stylist to just take it all off. I'm still not sure if he likes it. I think it threw him for a loop, that was for sure.

He grabbed my hand in his as we walked up to the big white building. He opened the glass door for me and we walked in. The social worker was waiting for us in the main lobby. Upon seeing us she stood and held out her hand. "Ms. McIntosh. It's a pleasure to see you again."

I took her hand in mine. "likewise. Is he here?" I asked a little impatient. I couldn't wait to get my hands on him. It had been a week since I had seen him last and this time I wouldn't have to say goodbye to him.

She smiled. "Of course. He waiting in the playroom around the corner. I just have a few more papers for you to sign and you'll be on your way." She led me over to her office and turned to Happy. "If you'd like you can wait for us with Robby. He's been asking about you all week. I think he's taken a shining to you Mr. Black."

Happy just grunted and walked toward the playroom. I had been surprised to find out Happy had an actual name. Michael Black. Not exactly the name I would have picked for him that's for sure. He hated the formality of being called by it as well. I think Happy works just fine for him in my book.

As much as he wasn't keen to kids either, he really did like Robby. Robby was always a happy boy and had a God worship toward the big bad biker. It was a good thing in my eye because he needed some sort of stable manly figure in his life. I knew I shouldn't be pushing this on Happy, but I really wanted him to eventually be the father figure in Robby's life. I knew that was to much to soon. So I was just going to go with the flow and leave it where it was.

Stepping into the office I sat down with Mrs. Daniels and went over the remaining papers. Just small things about me being aware of his medical history and that he would need to see a counselor once a month and a diabetic dietitian once a month as well. I had known this and was more then willing to do the things stated to help fulfill his needs. Once we were done I couldn't contain my excitement at seeing him again.

As I walked into the playroom I seen Happy trying to teach Robby the proper way to throw a football. My heart hyst about melted as the sight. Sighing I said, "You know it's going to be against the rules to throw balls inside my house right?" I was lucky enough that my boss had offered me one of the apartments onsite at work in Tacoma. This way I would be able to move out of Grams house and not burden her with Robby.

Robby turned around and let out an excited squeal. "Mommy Lyssa!" He ran over and jumped into my arms. I loved this kid like he was my own. It didn't matter to me where he came from or that his skin was darker than mine.

"Hey there kid. I missed you." I smacked a giant kiss to his cheek and set him down on the ground. "you ready to hit the road? Gotta get lots of sleep tonight for our drive to Washington tomorrow."

He was so cute. His fuzzy head of hair was in need of a serious trim and it bobbed up and down as he rocked on the heels of his feet. "I know. I'm so excited. Happy said he'd even take me to McDonald's on the way and get me a happy meal!" I glance over at Happy and gave him a glare. He new full well that he couldn't eat fast food like most kids with his diabetes. He didn't have to take insulin shots as of yet and I intended to keep it that way for as long as possible.

"Oh he did now, did he?" Happy just shrugged his shoulders at my glare. "That's fine with me. No French fries though and you have to get milk to drink."

Robby grinned even bigger. "Yes! I'm so excited. Let's go, let's go!"

"Okay. Settle down now little man. We're going. Tell Mrs. Daniels goodbye." I grabbed his hand and we started for the door. Happy came up next to me and slung his arm over my shoulders.

Once in the hallway, Robby waved to Mrs. Daniels and said goodbye and then we were off to the car. I couldn't wait to get back out of this state and start over… again.

This time though I knew it was right. Rob was locked away for the next ten years. Christina and Sopheia though got a tougher sentence due to their past records. Both were locked away for more than twenty five years due to the fact that Christina had been an accessory to murder when she was about fourteen and Sopheia had been in juvie when she was sixteen for armed robbery of three banks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I knew I was safe for a long time.

I would be able to start over with little Robby and Happy. Not exactly your typical family, but they were mine.