Chapter Twenty-One

"Lacy, lilting, lyric, losing love, lamenting
Change my life, make it right
Be my lady…"

Brock Cantillo Pinkman opens his eyes and stares at the calendar, noting the big red circle around today's date.

It's the day Jesse and Mr. White are coming home. At least, that had been what Jesse said.

Brock sits up, kicking his feet out of the bed before slipping out into the hallway. He can hear Donya downstairs, making breakfast, and he smiles as the smell of scrambled eggs and toast wafts over to his nose.

When he reaches the bottom of the stairs, she calls to him: "Morning, Brock!"

"Morning," he echoes, waving.

"You excited for Jesse to be back?" she asks when Brock takes a seat at the kitchen table. He nods.

Brock finds himself thinking about it. He's only known Jesse since he was six, but the man is a huge part of his life. He can remember wondering why some of the other kids in his school had dads but he didn't, but when Jesse had come along at first, he hadn't put him into that role.

After all, Brock had seen a number of boyfriends come and go by then, a couple nice ones ad a couple ones that were really scary, who would fight with his mother in her room and Brock would hear the sound of things breaking through the walls as he curled up in his bed and tried to drown it out.

But Jesse was different, though Brock couldn't have explained how. Over time, the boy had come to trust and like him, to understand that Jesse loved him and wanted to protect him.

And then when his mother had left and had yet to return, Jesse had been there, maybe as scared as he was but keeping it together, strong and kind and always willing to listen or comfort.

Brock loves him. The memory of what used to be – he, his mom, and Jesse – has been fading, to the point that her voice on the phone has become the norm and living with Jesse alone has become the norm.

But what if Jesse doesn't come back? He had promised but… what would happen then? Brock supposed he'd move next door and live with Donya, which wouldn't be too bad, but he'd really miss Jesse.

So he hopes Jesse is coming back.

"Here you go," Donya says as she places Brock's plate in front of him, before making another for herself.

"Are you going to be my new mom like Jesse is my new dad?" he blurts out, picking up his fork.

Donya chuckles.

"No, no, no!" she declares. "Jesse and I aren't… together, if you know what I mean. Dating."

"I think Jesse and Mr. White are 'together'," Brock pipes up.

Donya raises an eyebrow, giving him an expression of, "it'd explain a lot."

"Well, see, if they are, then I guess… well, I don't know. Mr. White would definitely not be your new mom," she tells him and grins, "How is your mom? She's still out in New Mexico?" Brock nods.

"She's taking care of Abuela," he explains, and Donya nods.

"I know you miss her, though."

"Yeah." He scoops up a piece of egg and shovels it into his mouth, chewing it and then swallowing. "Would it be weird if I called Jesse 'Dad'?"

"Not at all, sweetheart," Donya replies, tussling his hair. "I don't think he'd mind at all."

Brock hears the sound of the key turning from up in his room; he's become attuned to it, to where even if he doesn't hear it, he senses it.

Back before his mother had left, that had been the sound to signal that Jesse was home from school, and was all set to scoop Brock up into his arms and kiss his forehead.

It's the best sound.

Now, Brock races down the stairs, worried that it somehow won't be Jesse, but it is, of course.

Jesse's standing next to Mr. White, with a backpack slung over his arms, and he gets Donya with a grin and a brief hug.

"Brock didn't raise too much hell, I hope?" he teases her.

"Not at all," Donya replies, "Like I said, Jesse, anytime. Did you guys have a good trip?" She greets Mr. White, now, with a polite smile.

"Yeah, but our train back got delayed, something broke down apparently…" Jesse shrugs. "So it's good to be home!" Now, he spots Brock, and as soon as he does the boy runs at him and attaches himself to Jesse's leg like a child much younger would. "Hey, honey," Jesse says, gathering him into his arms. "Told you I'd be back. Did you have fun while I was away?" Brock nods, still clinging. "Alright, well, let me get in the door," Jesse teases him, slowly moving inside as Mr. White follows him. "Did you miss me?"

Brock clings a little tighter.

"Apparently the answer is yes," Jesse says with a grin, looking over at Mr. White.

"Hey, Brock," the older man greets, and Brock lets go of Jesse long enough to run over to him and offer him a hug as well, which he reluctantly accepts.

"Well, I'd better head back and let you guys have your reunion," Donya teases. She leans down and presses a kiss to Brock's forehead. "Bye, Brock."

"Bye, Donya," he replies, waving to her.

When she's walked out the door, Brock starts to slowly go back to normal, moving away from Jesse and going over to sit on the couch and watch the TV. Jesse's back; Jesse's back and everything is okay for right now.

Jesse and Mr. White join him, with Jesse kicking up his feet and looking ahead as Brock curls into him. Jesse turns to his partner and grins widely.

"It's good to be home."