Chapter 20

The social worker assigned to Harvest's case arrived the following Monday once the kids had come in from school.

The worker already interviewed some of Brian's colleagues and friends; Paul had given her a report on Brady's premature birth and the boy's difficulties and how well Brian and Bree had dealt with him. Brady was a good kid and Paul and stressed that Brian spent most of his free time with Brady and the twins. He was indeed a "hands on dad."

"He's not one for physical punishment, though," Paul had added. "He and their mom have better ways to deal with them when they act up."

Now as the social worker took time with Briana, Brian had ushered them upstairs to change while Briana spoke with the worker, taking her on the tour of the house.

"Harvest would be sharing a room with our daughter, Bella, if we do get her," Briana informed her, showing the room. "We will be buying a new bed and the necessary things for her, of course, if we get a favorable decision."

The social worker nodded, taking note of the neat room and making notes. If Bella was anything, it was immaculate.

Brian soon joined them in the living room, answering routine questions. There had been concern about his line of work and how often it had taken him away from home, but both he and Briana had reassured the social worker that his career actually didn't have much effect on their present three children and how he spent quality time with them.

It was time for the kids to be introduced; the blond twins were friendly and chattered to the social worker immediately, answering all questions about their parents and school, but Brady was shy, staying beside his parents and his dark head barely peeking out from behind Brian at first.

But then he gradually began warming up, especially when asked about how he would feel about another child in the house. While the social worker noted that Brett didn't show much enthusiasm about it, the other two children were eager to welcome another addition, especially Brady.

The social worker was clearly impressed with what she saw; even though she had gotten reports on Brian's past marijuana use and there had been the initial concern about his career, it had been made clear that he had considerably cut back on the pot and didn't do it in front of his wife or the kids (Briana disapproved of it in the house, period), and colleagues, friends and neighbors had spoken glowingly of him as a father, especially to his "special" child, Brady.

Briana too had appeared to be a strong person; it couldn't have been easy for any woman to discover years after the tragic death of her first husband that he had fathered a child with another woman, yet she shared her present husband's sentiment of taking the little girl into their home and raising Harvest with their own children. A lesser woman would have objected to the idea from the beginning.

The social worker excused herself to make a quick call before coming back and asking the family if they would like to meet Harvest.

Brady's eyes grew wide. "Can we?" he asked eagerly.

"Of course."

"That would be great," Bella nodded, smiling.

Brian excused himself to use the bathroom, this time, much to Briana's relief, closing the door without being asked. Just as a pretty girl with long blond hair was being ushered inside the house by another worker, the toilet had flushed and water was heard running.

Both social workers had introduced Harvest to those already in the room. Harvest smiled wanly and said hello.

"Hi," Brett replied, barely acknowledging her.

"Hi!" Bella said with a wide smile. "I'm Bella."

Though he had been shy with the social worker earlier, Brady showed no traces of it now with Harvest. "Hi, Harvest!" he chirped. "My name's Brady. You're pretty!"

Harvest looked shyly at the floor. "Thank you."

"I think Brady likes you," Bella giggled just as Brian came in the room.

Harvest looked up at him, wide eyed. "Oh….wow," she began.

Brian smiled down at her. "Gee, sweetheart, I know I can look pretty scary sometimes, but I'm really not that bad."

"No…..you're on TV!" Harvest replied.

"Damn, I didn't think anyone actually knew me," he joked.

"You're kind of mean, though," Harvest nodded.

"That's just on TV," Brady reminded her. "He's really cool the rest of the time, taking us places and stuff."

"See?" Brian smiled. "I just look scary."

"No you don't!" Harvest giggled.

"He's really a big puppy," Briana smiled. "You just have to catch him at the right time."

Harvest pointed at his cast. "What happened to your arm?"

"Car accident," Brian replied. "It's coming off in a few weeks, though, and then I have to get off my lazy butt and train again."

Even from the short interaction, both social workers could clearly see there was already a bond forming between this family and the little girl who had recently lost the only parent she had ever known.

Once their visit wrapped up, they prepared to leave; there was no question Harvest could work out well there.

Both marked their forms "Highly Reccomended With Confidence." They figured if a special needs child such as Brady was clearly well-adjusted in the home, Harvest too would benefit from there.