He didn't want to hear this. It was time for the kids to be moved but Carlisle wasn't ready. He couldn't let them go without knowing they would be safe and cared for.
"Carlisle, with no remaining family willing to take them in there is nothing I can do…I'll try my best to get them placed but you know as well as I do that people who adopt want babies, they don't want teenagers, especially ones who have just been through a traumatic experience," Janice said.
"But that is exactly the type of people these kids need: someone to love and care for them unconditionally. How else are they supposed to heal? They have no one!" Carlisle was beyond frustrated.
"It's the sucky part of this job. They don't all turn into happily ever after stories," Janice admitted.
"So what's the reality of their situation then?"
"Most likely they'll be shipped around the state, bounced in and out of foster care or city homes until they turn eighteen and then they'll be on their own."
"That's it?" Carlisle said through gritted teeth. "That's the best we can hope for? They deserve so much more. Haven't they already suffered enough? They lived through the crash only to find that their lives have been flipped upside down and everyone close to them is dead."
"Like I said Carlisle, they're almost adults, people want children."
"But they are children. God," Carlisle fumed. "They're tired and torn and helpless. They can't take care of themselves."
"According to the laws that govern this state they almost can. I'm sorry but my hands are tied," Janice looked weary.
"No, it's not good enough," Carlisle said biting his lip. The idea had been forming for a while now, subconsciously, consciously, it had definitely been on his mind, but it seemed like this was the time to implement it. It was obvious that the kids didn't have any other choice. Of course, he would let them decide, but he would open his home to them if they were willing. "I'll take them Janice," he said suddenly.
"What? Like a foster parent?" Janice looked taken aback.
"Sure, why not?"
"Isn't that a conflict of interest?" she stammered. "You've been treating these kids for over a month now."
"Janice, please. You know as well as I do how much these kids have been through. Can't you help me out here? Cut them a break? It's not going to be forever, just for the time being, until we can figure out something better. I'd keep them here in the hospital, but they are already getting restless. They need some normalcy, some structure in their lives again. It's the only way they are going to start healing. They have to get out of here and start to move on."
"I'm not saying I don't like the idea. I know you care for these kids. I know they trust you, but I'm also not saying there won't be hurdles to jump through." Janice started rhyming off the obstacles they would face.
Carlisle just nodded. He was used to facing obstacles and he had patience to spare. He knew there would be a lot of emotional baggage to deal with, six times over, but he had done it once with Esme. He had helped her work through her past and he knew together they would be able to help these kids.
Janice was still consumed with the daunting task before them, while Carlisle was just eager to get started. "We're going to need all sorts of special permission for you to take on this many. Being a doctor will help. You have connections here in the hospital. You'll be able to provide the kids with a kind of support team that would be more difficult for people who aren't in your position to establish. That will look good." Janice sounded hopeful for a moment.
"I also know you and Esme are financially stable, you have a house which is good, by the way I'll need to complete a home inspection and all the kids will need their own space. I'll have a checklist," Janice said, raising her eyebrows. There was a smirk on her lips.
"I'm sure Esme will be thrilled to make sure each of the kids have their own space. She's bugging me about redecorating anyway," Carlisle laughed.
Not that Esme was a bother, but she always insisted on explaining to him what she was doing and why she was constantly changing the furniture arrangement and layout of their home. Carlisle pretended to understand, but he really didn't. Still he indulged Esme, helping her repaint rooms in what he was sure the exact same colour they already were, though Esme emphatically told him it wasn't. Carlisle didn't really care. There was nothing more beautiful that his wife covered head to toe in paint after he got a little rambunctious with the rollers.
"I'll get the paperwork started, then" Janice sighed.
"You really think you can make this happen?" Carlisle breathed optimistically.
"Do you doubt me?" Janice asked him with a smirk.
"Thank you," Carlisle gasped, hugging the wind out of her.
Janice laughed. "Are you sure you can do this Carlisle? I mean five teenagers? What is Esme going to say?"
"I have to call her first, but I have a feeling she'll be elated."