But You Stood By My Side

WritingIsLoveAndLife

AN: We've broken 3000 hits! You are the best readers on Earth! I'm honestly so grateful for all of your support. I would have had this chapter up earlier, but I started feeling under the weather while writing it, and took a break. I'm still not feeling great, but I do want to finish up the first part of this story for you, and start the second half. A marathon writing session for the passing of 3000 hits will be undertaken whenever I feel better enough to attempt it, which will hopefully be tomorrow.

In this chapter, we see the fallout from last chapter's cliffhanger, as Jude and Connor confront Dean Williams, and fight for their son. Then, a familiar face emerges and makes a risky move that endangers BC, all in an effort to get to Jude. Through it all, we get to see Jude and Connor act completely badass, so that's fun. It goes without saying that this chapter will contain some intense dramatic sequences, and violence. Consider yourself henceforth warned. Reader discretion is advised.

I have had four reviews posted to the last chapter since I published it, so I'll go ahead and answer those now:

Nuke Rose: You can't wait for the next update? Well, it's here (and would have been a lot earlier had I not started feeling sick)! I hope you enjoy the inevitable confrontation to come because it's going to be good. And I'm not through with the conflict yet…

Shin-X 25: No, Alex Meyer really wasn't a good fit. I don't think that for all the talent he possessed, he would be a good fit on any baseball team. You weren't expecting him to act that way? Well, most of the research I did into addiction told me that, when confronted, the addict would get defensive, so that is how I had him act.

I'm sorry if you were confused on the baseball elements. I'm glad that you feel I was able to explain things well enough for you to get the overall premise of what was happening. In future baseball-heavy chapters, I'll include an index of all the terms used to give context and an explanation of them in order to give all my readers proper context and ensure comprehension. A person's enjoyment of this story shouldn't be hampered by a lack of knowledge of baseball, and I'll make absolute certain that it won't be. All my readers will continue to be able to enjoy this story. If you have any questions about anything, please let me know and I will do the best I can to answer them.

Mariana is Mariana; that really is the only thing you can say about her. I'm glad you loved the Brandon and BC interaction. I had a ton of fun bringing Brandon back into the fold, and its entirely possible that there may be some more surprises in store for him in the future. As for the key thing, I just thought it would be logical for every member of the family to have a key. I also used it for a little comedic value.

I'm so glad you liked the wedding! I was nervous to get it out there. I honestly thought it was going to be a longer chapter than it ended up being, but sometimes less is more. I'm glad to hear that you thought BC was adorable as the ring bearer, and that you liked Jude being walked down the aisle by his Moms. You're welcome for giving both of them each other's last names. I did seriously debate whether to have one of them give theirs up, but I decided just hyphenating them together would be effective. I'm glad you agree.

I'm glad you thought the BC/Marina moment was cute. The kid finally made a move, and like you say, it was "about time." I hope you're excited to see where I take them. Like I've been teasing since I brought Marina into the fold, there will definitely be some surprises that I don't think anyone will see coming with those two.

And yes, "Callie all over again" would indeed be one way to put it. As for what happens, I refuse to spoil anything, so I guess you'll just have to keep reading on. I hope you like it!

Hey (Guest Review): Your wish is my command! The next update is here! Enjoy!

Adam Dupre 17: I responded to your review via PM. I hope you got it, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg created The Fosters. I claim no ownership of the series or its characters. I merely respect the series and wish to pay tribute to it, while continuing to sharpen my writing skills. The only characters I do claim ownership of are my OC's: Braden Christopher (BC) Anderson, Marina Reyes, Jan Stevens, Dean Williams, Mark Wells, Bob Olsen, Mary Stevens, Theo Stevens, and Ryan Clark, as well as any other OC's I choose to create and insert into this story in the future.

Chapter 19

We have to get Mike to drive us to my office in his cruiser. Connor and I are shaking from anger so badly that we'd probably run right off the road if we even attempted to drive right now.

The only thing getting me through this is thoughts of my son, and I know Connor feels the same way. We twine our fingers together wordlessly. The wire I'm wearing suddenly feels like an anchor, weighing me down.

'Think of whom you're doing this for,' I remind myself. 'Think of BC.'

His image pops into my mind. He's smiling radiantly, platinum-colored hair contained by a fedora, his piercing blue eyes hidden behind sunglasses.

I can't help but smile myself. It makes me forget time and place, and suddenly, I can do this. The wire doesn't weigh me down or make me nervous, my heart doesn't feel as though it is about to hammer out of my chest, my breathing regains its normal rhythm, improving from the shallow mess that it had been, and I experience a sudden clarity.

Calm ripples through my body, and I squeeze Connor's hand. He looks at me, and I offer him a tight smile, which he returns.

For the rest of the ride to my office, we are silent. The only noise is the cracking of the radio and the sirens. The flashes of blue-red light paint the two of us in their alternating color

Mike parks the cruiser, and the three of us quickly exit, storming into my office building. Mike and I flash our badges to the nighttime receptionist, and she let's us pass, dragging Connor along.

The three of us steel ourselves at the door to Dean's office.

"Wait here," I tell Mike. "We'll call you in. Connor and I need to have a little talk with my fine colleague first, though."

Mike nods, and I rap on the door.

"Come in," I hear him say. I wrench the door open and storm in, Connor on my heels.

"Jude!" he says. "And Connor! To what do I owe the pleasure of your company and those absolutely frightening expressions?"

"Cut the BS, Dean!" I snap. "You know damn well why we're here! But in case you want to play dumb, here's a refresher: it involves a 12-year-old boy, the two of us, an adoption, and a recommendation from you that you mysteriously withdrew."

"Ah, right," he says. "I'm terribly sorry about that, but I just didn't feel that your home was the best fit anymore for the minor in question."

"Oh, we both know that isn't true, don't we?" I taunt. "But, if it isn't true, what other possible reason could you have?"

He's silent, and I see Connor smirk at the show I'm putting on for him. Outside the door, I know Mike is probably snickering too. I soldier on with my tirade.

"If I could venture a guess: it would have something to do with how I threatened to expose you for the corrupt hack that you truly are if I ever heard even so much as a whisper of you looking into another child's files without proper authorization the same way you did my son's."

"Well, you're partially correct, Foster," Dean sighs. "They don't call you one of the best for no reason, after all."

"Partially correct?" Connor asks. "What are all the other parts?"

"I was jealous," Dean admits freely, completely unaware that we're wearing wires. "Here I was a 20-year veteran of Social Services, and some upstart young former foster kid fresh out of college comes storming in and steals everything that should've, and would've been mine."

"So, you were jealous of me?" I question.

"Yes," he confirms. "What did you have that I didn't?"

"Besides morals, ethics and actual experience being in the foster care system that trumps anything and everything you ever learned about said system at your fancy college?" Connor deadpans.

Dean huffs. "Yes. Besides those…"

"Nothing except a passion to help kids, and a good work ethic. I'm pretty sure you have those too. Or, at least, you did…" I trail off.

Dean sighs. "You're right," he admits. "I've become completely corrupt. I've lost sight of what truly matters in this line of work."

For the first time since we stormed into his office, I feel a flicker of guilt for coming here under the guise of a normal confrontation. It's only a brief flicker, because I know he's had this coming to him for many years probably, and he decided to try and threaten the future of my family, but still. A part of me wishes I hadn't told Mike to wait for my call, and that we would've had him come with us so that all the cards were on the table.

But I know he would never have talked, much less been truthful, if he knew the two of us were fitted with wires and had a police cruiser waiting to take him to jail.

Sometimes, there is no black and white, right and wrong. Sometimes it's all just one monotonous shade of grey. And as much as it pains me to admit it, sometimes duplicity has its merits.

"So…" Connor asks. "Are you prepared to put in writing that you reinstate your recommendation?"

"Yes," Dean breathes.

Connor and I circle his desk, watching as he handwrites a new letter of recommendation, which reads:

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept this letter as a new letter of recommendation for the Adoption of Braden Christopher Anderson by Jude and Connor Adams-Foster-Stevens. My original withdrawal of my recommendation was based purely on factors outside of the minor's best interest.

I conducted a thorough home study of the Adams-Foster-Stevens apartment approximately six (6) months ago, and found it to be an exemplary environment. Further visits showed the minor visibly comfortable in the home, and with his parents. I have no doubt that Braden Christopher Anderson has thrived since my colleague Jude and his husband (then-fiancé) Connor have taken him into their home.

I apologize sincerely for my petty misconduct. In my haste and jealousy of Jude, I nearly destroyed a very loving family. I will accept any and all repercussions for my actions.

Please grant the adoption as scheduled. Jude and Connor Adams-Foster-Stevens have waited long enough to call themselves parents, and young Braden has waiting long enough to call their house, his home.

Sincerely,

Dean Richard Williams

Social Worker

San Diego Social Services

Once Connor and I have approved of the letter, Dean tears it off and hands it to us. Connor folds it carefully and slides it into the inside pocket of his jacket.

It's then that I know we've accomplished what we came here to do. I inhale and exhale.

"I'm really to have to do this, Dean," I tell him. "But I can't turn a blind eye to your corruption any more than I could have let you tear apart my family."

His expression changes in an instant. "What are you talking about, Foster?"

"It's Adams-Foster-Stevens, or can't you even remember the name you wrote not even five minutes ago?" I question.

"Meaningless trivialities," Dean dismisses, and that sets Connor off.

"Our marriage is not a meaningless triviality, you ass," he snipes testily.

"I didn't mean it that way," Dean backtracks, holding his hands up in a defensive position. "Just what were you getting at, Adams-Foster-Stevens?" he asks.

"You assume Connor and I came here alone, right?" I ask, answering his question with one of my own.

"Well, yes—"

"We didn't," I cut him off, before turning towards the door. "Mike!" I call.

Mike steps into the room, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Dean go pale. I unzip my jacket; exposing the wire I've been wearing this entire time.

"You didn't," Dean seethes. "There's no way Mr. Robot, Mr. Perfect, would ever consider…"

"Oh, but I did," I deadpan. "And now, Mike here is going to take you to prison where you will rot for an undetermined period of time on corruption charges and emerge from it with a permanent stain on your name, both personally and professionally."

Dean lets out an animalistic howl in anger.

"I wasn't lying when I told you that if you ever did what you did with my son's file, that I would make sure you would never be able to work at another Social Services branch anywhere in the world," I tell him, eyes blazing. "Mission accomplished."

Mike begins to haul him away, but he continues to shout. Something he says catches both Connor and I's attention.

"You'll never stop him!" Dean bellows.

"Hold up, Mike!" I say, holding out my hand in a stop sign.

He stops trying to drag Dean out of the building and Connor and I approach him.

"Stop who?" Connor asks.

Dean spits in his face. I punch him in the face.

"STOP WHO?" I thunder.

"Your brother," he tells me, spitting the words like poison.

"Which one?" I ask, thinking that there's no way Brandon or Jesus would ever… "Oh, no… Hell no, Dean. Please tell me you didn't!"

"I did," he says plainly. "Your brother Jack, the poor fellow locked away in a mental institution, he's quite in love with you. He is completely deluded and thinks that you're his. That you secretly love him and that you two are going to be together. It wasn't hard really. All I had to do was suggest that he could use my idea to get your attention…"

The blood drains from my face. "What idea?" I snap.

"Jack is going to show up at the courthouse, and he's going to take your precious Braden hostage."

'Oh, shit!'

AN #2: Oh, shit is right! How did we all enjoy this chapter? I'm still a little under the weather, so I apologize if this chapter (or the next few I will publish either tonight or early tomorrow) are not my best work. But I want to finish the first part of this story, illness be damned. Next chapter promises to be very exciting, so stay tuned!

Until next time,

WritingIsLoveAndLife