A New Kind of Someday
Chapter 38
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Previously…
"Do you think we can go to Victoria's Secret?"
"Not with the girls."
"We'll have Beth and the guys take them to the Build a Bear store while I take you shopping Beautiful."
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Angie remembered the name of the pediatrician and I called the office. I explained the situation to his nurse and she put the doctor on the phone immediately.
"Bring them in to the office now, we were closing but we will stay to see them."
We were at the doctor's office ten minutes later. We all walked in and the doctor and nurse greeted us. Dr. Shidley looked at us and at the twins and grinned. "How premature were they?"
"Eight weeks - How did you know?" replied Lester taking Emily's bonnet off.
"The shape of the head, preemies have long thin heads, full term have round heads. They are really alert." with that Emily smiled and blew raspberries, echoed immediately by Jordan. We all laughed.
"Come on girls let's get you weighed and measured."
Dr. Shidley went over the girls with a fine tooth comb. He talked to Angie and then Mary Alice. Lisa wouldn't say a word. He then gave them each a lollipop and some granola bars and told them to go play in the other room for a few minutes.
"Okay, here is the gist of it. I haven't seen the girls in over 6 months. Angie has lost over 8 pounds since she was here last. Mary Alice is the same weight and Lisa has gained only 3 pounds. None of them have grown an inch. I suspect that Angie has been giving her food to her sisters. I don't see any signs of bulimia or anorexia. Mary Alice has always thought she was a horse but even that has decreased. The one I am the most concerned about is Lisa.
She has regressed in her motor skills, she used to be potty trained and isn't now and she has stopped talking. Clearly, they have been neglected. Angie and Mary Alice need to see a dentist immediately. Mary Alice has an abscess that needs to be taken care of. I will write a prescription for an antibiotic. We don't want to have the infection spread. What time is the hearing with Ms. Wheeler tomorrow?"
"It's at 8:30."
"I'll be there with the records and my medical opinion. Mrs. Santos your nieces are lucky you stepped in. They need good food, lots of love and I would suggest you get them counseling as soon as possible."
"They will have everything they need Doctor and most especially the love. My wife is the most loving person you will ever meet. We'll see you tomorrow morning." said Les.
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Lester's POV
Macy's did not know what hit them when Steph, Beth, Angie and Mary Alice hit the aisles. Tank was carrying Lisa who kept rubbing his bald head and laughing. I had Emily and Jordan and my shirt was soaking wet from them blowing raspberries and drooling. Hector was running around with his camera and Manny and Woody were flirting with the sales staff. I sent Binky and Brett to the baby department to buy a stroller. Then I stood back and watched the show. Angie knew exactly what she wanted to wear. Steph listened and only vetoed two outfits. I would have vetoed more I went to say something to Steph and she just shook her head. Angie picked out clothes for Mary Alice who said no to everything she picked. Mary Alice picked numerous pairs of jeans and t shirts with this glittery stuff on them. They all got together and picked out Lisa's clothes. Lisa didn't care one way or another, she was to busy buffing Tank's head. Tank wasn't saying much but every once in awhile you could see a smile.
Exactly one hour later it took 5 men two trips to the SUV's to carry everything out. Then the girls hit the shoe department. It took every sales person on the schedule to get the shoes being picked out. I walked around looking at shoes and found these 4" stiletto black shoes and I just stared at them thinking about Steph wearing them and nothing else, a hand reached for the pair I was looking at and said to a sales representative,
"Size 7 please…" lips touched my lips "…I'll model them for you tonight."
Oh, I was getting lucky tonight, all I could do was grin. Tank looked over and said under his breath "Lucky Bastard."
Lisa who had not said one word all day looked up and rubbed Tank's head and yelled "Lucky Bastard." I didn't think a man as black as Tank could blush - but he did. I just laughed. Steph just glared at both of us, she was not happy, maybe I wasn't going to get lucky tonight after all.
We went to the food court and Steph asked the girls what they wanted.
They said they weren't hungry but Lisa liked chicken strips and waffle fries and they would eat a few of Lisa's. Steph and I looked at each other and realized what Doctor Shidley said was true; Angie and Mary Alice weren't eating so Lisa could. I handed the Jordan and Emily to Beth and Hector.
I pulled Mary Alice on to my lap and Steph wrapped her arms around Angie "You need to know that there will always be enough food for the three of you and you don't have to do without so Lisa can have food." Steph told them.
"So you both pick what you want to eat and when you are done we will all have sundaes. Okay?"
We are grown men but it brought tears to all of our eyes when those little girls sat down and began to eat. They must have been starving. Hector went up to the counter and brought back more food for them before they had finished the first serving. .
I told the guys and Beth to take the girls and the babies up to the Build a Bear store and Steph and I would meet them up there. I held her hand as we walked the mall to Victoria's Secret. One hour later we joined the teddy bear makers at their workshop. Beth was helping Lisa and Angie was helping Mary Alice. Jordan and Emily each had a bear almost as big as they were.
"Who helped Jordan and Emily?" grinned Steph.
"Tank and Manny did." reported Mary Alice "It was fun to watch them dress the bears."
"Where were you two?" asked Tank.
"Dressing Mommy." I said under my breath.
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Steph's POV
At 8:00 am the next morning we were meeting Dr. Shidley and Mr. Seville at the Child Protective Services office.
"Mr. Seville, Dr. Shidley how are you this morning?" asked Steph.
"Please call me Russ." asked Mr. Seville
"Only if you call me Steph and this is Les."
Dr. Shidley took Steph's hand and said, "My name is John."
"Steph, I called Judge Fike yesterday afternoon and he is going to hold Mrs. Plum and Mrs. Klaughn until they apologize to the court. He also intended to dismiss the perjury charges until he spoke with both women. He has ordered them both to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. When he asked Mrs. Klaughn about her children she said her oldest daughter was taking care of them.
He asked her how old her daughter was and her response was old enough and that she had impeccable burg manners. He is available this morning if the CPS has any questions.
At 8:30 Camille Wheeler called us into the conference room. After we relayed all the information she excused herself and met first with Angie then Mary Alice and then Lisa. I only prayed that Lisa would not remember the two words she learned last night I looked at Les and I could see he was nervous too.
"Mr. and Mrs. Santos, we have a hearing with Judge Burke at 1pm today in his chambers. I am recommending that temporary custody be granted to you and that a full investigation take place in severing parental rights and granting you full permanent custody. Good Luck."
We took the girls and the babies to the park and the guys had a lot of fun pushing them on the swings.
I sat watching them thinking about how my life had changed. "You know Tank I almost expected Ric to show up."
"He's still on a mission, chances are he will not get back for another 6 to 8 months. I did get a call from Jake who is in charge of the Trenton office and he offered us any assistance we needed, but I told him it was taken care of. You do realize these proceedings will be part of a public record that can be accessed. I think when Ranger does get back he will turn up in Maryland."
"Well, I guess I'll have to deal with him when he shows up won't I." I got up and walked over to Les who was taking pictures of the kids. I put my arms around his waist. "I love you Lester Santos." Lisa looked up and yelled "Lucky Bastard!" and Lester whispered in my ear "I am I really am."